Used 1996 Buick Riviera Consumer Reviews

Bought My Dream Riviera New in 1996

I drove my 1996 Buick Riviera out of the showroom and could drive it back there today to sell as a new car, it still looks that fantastic! I've taken excellent care of this car and it's only been the dealership for all maintenance. It was my daily driver for 10 years with 112,000 km (70,000 miles) now. Only had 2 problems: 1. there's been an electronic bug in the tape player; GM has acknowledged the problem but no fix, since it only happens one-in-awhile I live with it; 2. I recently had to replace the ABS Pressure Modulator Valve which cost $50 for the part and $75 for labor. Otherwise, the car has been a dream and it still turns a lot of heads!

Awesome ride by Buick.

I bought a nice 96 Riviera that is Supercharged for $400! It has been sitting for three years due to driver's sudden death. It was a very sad story. I bought a $144 battery and put under the seat. It started right up and ran great! No knocks but it had a great big brake line leak. I drove it the 20 miles home with no brakes! It was a comfortable ride and man the power was awesome! The buttery leather seats and carpet and still like new! It is like riding the the space shuttle cockpit! Tires and brakes were just replaced! Engine and tranny are superb! I have it at the shop now to replace the brake lines and I am looking for a hood and fender as it hit a deer just before it was parked

Never had a better vehicle

I puchased my 1996 Riviera in 1998 and still own it today. I stopped driving it full time in 2005. It currently has 164,000 on the odometer. It had 39,000 miles on it at purchase I averaged about 19,000 miles a year when using it as an everyday driver. I couldn't see trading or selling this car for the "book value" when it is still in fantastic mechanical and cosmetic shape. I now take to car shows and believe it or not a lot of people don't even recognize the car as a GM or Buick. They haven't made the Riviera since 1999 so there just isn't that many left driving around. I have trophyed in numerous shows and will probably never get rid of this car.

Excellent value

Bought with 88,000 miles on it, paid $1500 over private party value at time. Have put 45,000 miles on it in 19 months. Has every option. Gets 28.5 mpg. Has great acceleration and is quiet inside. Work needed at purchase: slow leak in tire, tiny oil cooler line leak (caused by sitting and which went away first week I had it), cd player ocassionally skips. Done so far: top off supercharger oil once, 2 new tires, air filter, Broken since I bought it:absolutely nothing. Still has orig. spark plugs. I drive 47 miles each way to work, and it smooths the road and quiets the trucks I pass. I planned on $600 a year in repairs and 23 mpg when I bought it, so I'm very happy because repairs are zero.

Buick Riviera Longtime Owner

I owned and drove my Buick Riviera from 1996 thru 2004 and never had any major problems from it whatsoever. My complaints would be 3. After 3 years of owning it, the front hood paint began to peel/rust and though it should have been under warranty, GM wouldn't do anything about it. 2nd thing was the heated seat quit working after 2nd winter, it was $500 to repair so I didn't fix it. 3rd thing was the CD player had a problem. Those 3 things aside, I only had to do the regular maintenance (tuning, belt changes, oil, etc.) and I drove it 164000 miles and believe I could still drive it another 100000 but moved to city and need smaller car. Awesome car! I would buy another, if it were smaller!

220,000 Miles and Still Going

I love my Riviera and if it was still made would buy another. Very few problems, original transmission, and still drives like a dream. I've never owned such a maintenance free car.

Love my Riviera

I purchased my supercharged Riviera off the show room floor. This is by far the best, most dependable car I have ever owned. I now have 202,232 miles on this vehicle and it still runs like a top. I still get 26 mpg on the highway, and have always changed the oil every 3000 miles. I wish Buick would could back out with this car. Hopefully, I will be able to drive this car for another 100,000 miles.

Enduring Love

My Riv is like the most perfect mate who you just know is going to break your heart someday. Our rocky romance was immediate. She was in and out of the shop constantly for the first two years...thank God for GM-Certified warranties! Fast forward 12 years and I'm still as much in love with her as back then. Even more so because for the past 10 years all she has required of me is feeding and the usual changing. I've grown to listen and know her like none beforehand. She might not be the most nimble and quickest of athletes on the asphalt but, she pampers me with an uncompromised ride, comfort, economy, and timeless styling. With 220K+, our days together are numbered and there goes my heart.

Hey GM, bring back this beauty

Bought this great car in Fla. Flew down and drove it back to Ohio. I've got to tell you I was in the most comfortable seat I have ever been in. I thought I was in a leather recliner. I was amazed by the impressive fuel mileage, 34Hwy. I think I may drive this vehicle till I stop driving. I get a lot of heads turning as the finish is showrom new and the buttery soft leather is a classic. I had to fight the wife for the keys. She hates the 2007 vehicle we just bought. General Motors had a great idea

Really Decent car

I bought the car for $1750 at 164,000 miles. The car still runs great and is reliable. I had to replace the radiator and the upper control rod bushing. It has an oil leak probably coming from the top end. Other then that, the car always starts and drives, and has not given me any trouble. I've had a lot of cars that couldn't get past the 130K mark without blowing up. I feel if taken care of, I could get at 75,000 more miles on this car.

286k and still going strong

Great vehicle. Bought used in 1999 with 48k miles. No major problems just normal wear and tear. Just bought new tires with 286k miles. Plan on another 100,000 miles. Riviera is now a family fixture. Will replace with a 98 or 99 Riv when the time comes.

Love this car !

I'm currently at 229,900 miles - I too wish Buick still made the Riviera. It is the most trouble-free car I have ever owned. It always starts, runs and rides like a dream. My dealership says they have seen one Riv with 250,000 miles on it - I see one post here with 283,000 miles. The tape player quit at 100,000 miles (remember tapes ?) and the clearcoat on the paint failed in one small place on the fender. Otherwise it looks like a new car !

AWESOME RIV

Great car! I've owned Caddies,Mercedes,Volvos and Vettes & this rates at the top! 31.8 MPG, peppie but refined with beautiful lines! Interior comfort to match Mercedes,sporty luxury as good as the eldoradoes but much better engine. I Love this car!

best american luxury car

I love this car, it's performance is great. Real comfortable, no problems yet. Everywhere I go I get compliments, and with is great design people mistake it for a brand new car.

THIS CAR ROCKS

I have over 150000 miles on this car, and it still runs beautiful.. im a traveling salesman, and the company wants to get me a new car, but i dont want one, i love this one too much. from the heated leather to the supercharged V6, this car has it all.. my sunroof is always open and the stereo system in this car is great. when im home, my 17 yr old boy, loves to drive it. Im going to be keeping this car until it wil cost me to much to get a new one!

25 yrs & still a beauty

This car has been my long time friend, as my dad was so happy when I purchased back in 1996. He was a Buick guy forever & his daughter saw the value. My car, Sharkie, never saw a winter and was always my summer fling (love the astro roof). It still runs great with minor set backs. A solid ride with leather seats that I wish had in the house to watch football on >grin<. Now @ 117,000 miles I am considering selling it. If I do, I know my dad would be proud that it was so loved & enjoyed over the years and he would be ok with letting it go out of my garage. Buick made a great product here.

Buick's best car

A great looking car that performs well (with the supercharged 3.8L). It rides a little rough, but corners better then most cars that are the same size. The Riviera has been very reliable, with only minor mechanical problems after over 100,000 miles.

What a car!

Bought it with 63000 miles on it. I put on another 75000 and it's still going strong. I don't know how they put this thing together, but it should be a model for all US brands. This is the lowest maintenance car I ever owned. The car actually stays new! No rattles or squeaks after 138000 miles. I just gave it to my parents to use in Florida in the winter. I'll probably give it to my son in 4 years when he gets his license.

Dream car

I bought this from a man who said it was to expensive to drive. I love it! It has been sitting for a year because of the price of gasoline. Have put a new battery in it and I hope to drive it for awhile now. Have thought about selling it, but just cannot let myself too. Would buy another if Buick made one.

over 210000 mile running strong

This car has been as good a car as one could ask for. Things have went wrong but car kept going down the road until I could get it fixed. I always traded cars every two yrs buying 2 yr old cars or less. Feel this car was killed off by buick dealers as no local dealers within 60 miles carried this model new. I had to drive 120 miles to purchase this one. And within two yrs car lost 50% of value. This car has turned more heads than the other 22 cars I previously owned. Gas mileage is very impressive with size of car and supercharger. the car is supposed to use high test gas but this car has never been run on it for over 150000 miles with no change in performance.

Supercharged Riviera

I bought this car for $260 in 2010. It had sat for 3 years. I put a new $150 battery in under the rear seat and drove it home 20 miles with no brakes! I had all 13 brake lines replaced. It needed a hood and fender and lights from a deer collision sometime before I bought it. I drove it to work while I was replacing body parts. I replaced all the engine pulleys and belts and hoses and radiator. The interior is flawless and the exterior is exquisite. It just looks fast! It is one of the fastest cars I have ever owned! I have used it to teach my son to work on cars. o2 sensors give false electronic messages. replaced both...runs better than ever! one hub bearing. 209k miles.

After Six Years

Have now put 88000 miles on it. It has 2 problems that were not worth fixing so I live with them. The trans lost 4th gear at 163k miles and the paint peeled badly from 8th year on. I was getting 27-28 mpg till trans issue. Now get 21 both city and hwy mpg as a 3 speed. Have always run regular with no issues. Car has now lost all its value but still starts instantly and purrs quietly.

In my opinion

I got this car almost 2 years ago and when i first got it i loved it, i got it checked out before buying it and the car mechanic said it would be a good buy. Now two years later i have had to replace many many things and every replacement has been very expensive. the fuel mileage for this car is very poor. (granted my car is super charged). But this car is very sturdy and safe feeling which is very nice. In my opinion if your looking to buy this car don't buy it unless you're looking to do it for a collectors item since it isn't made anymore.

Unique Styling, American Luxury

Head-turning exterior design. Very nice power under the hood. One of the very best (non-Caddy/Lincoln) luxury cars Detroit ever turned out.

Buy This Car

This is one of the most comfortable cars ever made. The ride is smooth and bumps are hardly felt. Power supplied by the 3800 V6 is fast and responsive. The seats are like leather couches that hold and support the body. The car may look long but it can corner well and fuel economy is great. I have a white "Rivi" with chrome wheels and after a fresh waxing and some polish on the rims - this car turns heads!! I am completely satisfied with this GM car.

good sport luxury car

purchased at 50000 miles now has 97000 mi.still factory crisp and responsive,23 mi gallon on highway and most comfortable,never any problems ,has been most reliable car i ever owned,still in pristine condition with minimal effort,hate they dont produce them anymore.

Miss it already!

I had my Riviera for 6 years. I just traded it in on a Cadillac CTS. It only had 69,000 miles on it when I traded it in. I sure hope I didn't make a mistake. This Riviera was the most reliable and comfortable vehicle I have ever owned. Handles great, sporty feel for a big car. Don't hesitate if you are thinking about buying one and it is in good shape.

Very fast, comfortable drive, real luxury at an affordable price.

Riviera, What a great roomy car.

I was drawn to the Riviera by its Gymnasium feeling inside. It has everything you could want. Pure comfort. Just an all around fantastic car with lousy city 12-15mpg and great highway 28-34, yea 34 on the open road. Yes, If this car was still being sold I would definately look at getting another.

Riviera

Fine car with styling so ahead of its time that the new Buicks have similar styling features such as the sharp curved fenders and slopping roof curves. See the Buick experimental two seater and the new replacement for the Regal. Has a rigid chassis and frame that results in straight tracking especially at high speeds. Its rigid body is similar to a Pugeout that I owned years ago. But with style and power.

Love the RIV

Great car! 170000 miles later and still going great. to bad they do not make no more.

Best Car Ever!

First it must be understood that I have always loved cars, namely Firebirds and Rivieras. The Riviera was my ultimate dream car since I was 10. Bought my '96 Riv when I was 39 and I will never sell her. Don't even know if I can ever quit driving it. My Riv and I have a very special relationship. I take good care of her and she takes good care of me. Truly the car of my dreams. Light Adriatic Blue Metallic with medium blue leather and dash. Gorgeous!

excellent

Best car I ever owned, I have had very little repairs, I change the oil every 3 to 5 thousand miles, and it runs great.

THIS CAR ROCKS

I have over 150000 miles on this car, and it still runs beautiful.. im a traveling salesman, and the company wants to get me a new car, but i dont want one, i love this one too much. from the heated leather to the supercharged V6, this car has it all.. my sunroof is always open and the stereo system in this car is great. when im home, my 17 yr old boy, loves to drive it. Im going to be keeping this car until it wil cost me to much to get a new one!

My Rivi needs help

I bought a 96 Rivi about 3 months ago, from a dealership. Brought along my then-roommate who said he was a mechanic. He declared my car worthy of purchase, and I eagerly bought this car. I have had numerous problems with this car, from the motor mounts breaking to the transmission failing to the car overheating a lot. But I will not give up on this car. I love the supercharged engine and how it growls when I step on the gas pedal. And I have yet to see another Rivi on the road, even tho I am driving this car daily.

Awesome !!

I love the car, my friends keep drooling on it.