1996 Buick Roadmaster Limited Estate Wagon from North America - Comments

Needed: new shocks front and rear;

New steering stabilizer shock;

Steering box;

Air conditioner compressor;

Air distribution assembly;

Heater blower motor;

Auto-leveling compressor;

Anti-sway bar links;

Bracket for the mechanical cooling fan (it's a trailer towing option) ;

Rear axle seals;

High brake light assembly;

Rear wiper arm;

Fuel pump and gas gauge float;

Rear spring insulators;

Ball joints;

All steering linkage;

Headlight switch;

Air conditioner soaking the passenger side carpet...haven't found the cause yet.

Body rot;

am I nuts?

I bought the car used from a dealer in Massachusetts after an extensive on line search. I should have looked south and west instead of north and east.

It looked to be in great shape and the dealer was very cooperative with regard to addressing any complaints I had.

I traded the 3000GT which needed about $7,000 of work to get it like new and perfect again, for half of the cost of the wagon.

Now I'm trying to get this Buick like new and perfect, but it's draining me and new OEM parts are not that readily available any more. Shame on GM!

I bought it out of expediency and need, but fell in love with it on the ride home. 24.something MPG on real (no ethanol) gas (in a 5,000 lb. car) and a bee-yoo-ti-ful ride.

Do not know why some complain about a wallowing ride and unsupportive seats... Maybe it's the grand touring suspension that gives me no wallows and all day seat comfort... And I'm no spring chicken who can sit in a '67 MGB all day (Yep! I did that about 40 years ago).

The only luxury car (so far) that has a better highway ride is a 2007 Jaguar XJ8 Super V8. The difference is the Jag handles like my 3000GT did on curvy bumpy roads. Wouldn't touch any other European cars because of reliability problems, but the Jag is so gorgeous I make an exception.

The top of the line Acura RL doesn't ride as well nor does any..."lesser"...luxury sedan. I haven't tried a Lexus 460L yet.

I'm not particularly annoyed at all the repairs...it's to be expected of a GM product with that kind of mileage.

You've had it for less than a year and already put 57,000 miles on it?

Hanging all those new parts on a rusty body, good job.

Did you ever find a source for that steering stabilizer? I too have a '96 wagon, and love it - have had it for almost 10 years, and am searching for that part as well.

I purchased my 1994 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon, Limited Edition, in June, 2001, and have been using it ever since.

It now has 196,000. miles on it and runs better and is so much more comfortable, reliable, and cost efficient than any of the other practically brand new vehicles in the family.

Even with a full load, and even if behind two 18 wheelers, going up a steep grade on the highway, passing is effortless with that 5.7 litre Corvette engine.

It may use a bit more gasoline than the other vehicles, although not a lot inasmuch as it is closer to the ground than the SUVs and therefore has much less wind resistance.

Being lower to the ground also lowers its center of gravity and that results in it being much safer and much more responsive when having to make sharp turns.

It uses regular gasoline and when filling up, I usually add about 6 ounces of mystery oil which helps the engine to continue to run smooth and responsively.

Although it uses more gasoline than some AWD, lighter vehicles,-- gasoline is one of the lesser expenses in owning and operating a vehicle when considering depreciation, sales tax, monthly carrying charges, yearly excise tax, insurance and risk of theft.

Although many people have commented on how great this Buick looks and is maintained by me, many other people say it is old, is a gas guzzler and it is time to be replaced.

To them I say that you cannot replace this Buick Estate Wagon with anything comparable now being sold new.

Further more, this Buick Wagon has been the most dependable, versatile, and trouble-free car which I have ever owned.

And besides to purchase a new, somewhat comparable vehicle today, would cost close to $50,000. and for $50,000. you can purchase almost 16,000 gallons of gasoline.

As far as repairs, I have taken the time to learn as much about this vehicle as I can. In addition to the usual owner's manual, I purchased a simple repair manual from a local auto discount store.

If there is a problem, it is minimized by knowing more about it and often being able to supply my mechanic with parts either from the local auto discount stores or from the salvage yards.

I have also learned to do more on my own such as replacing the "gizmos" which lift up the rear tailgate window.

In addition, I have had the side moldings screwed in so that

over the years, they have remained secure and in place.

When tires need to be replaced, they are replaced with the original size white-wall stripe. The rear tires are run all year long with heavy duty snow tires, (also white walls) for better traction in snow, mud, and on wet roads.

Perhaps most important of all, every 3,000 miles, this Buick Wagon is greased and oiled and usually goes in for a free oil check/top-off every 3 weeks.

This Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon, Limited Edition, is not perfect. Nothing is. But for an automobile, it is as close to perfection as one could ever hope for.

If any questions, e-mail, Berakan@aol.com (Bernard Kansky)