Is $3k a decent offer for my '95?

[three4rd]

Not sure I'm going to sell yet, but got an offer from a local acquaintance who actually owned a Riv many years ago - nearly the same as mine.

On one of the threads I posted a list of all that was ever done to the car. No rust on it anywhere. Seats are like new. Paint is in terrific shape also - most of driver side was repainted and pin stripes restored last summer following a minor fender-bender.

On classic car sites I'm seeing these models listed between $3-6k but often higher depending on mileage, etc. Mine has about 167k, however, the odometer was never rolled back after the two engine replacements. The engine that's in the car now (from a '99 LeSabre) only has a bit over 123k on it. Transmission has about 47k. Just wondered if that offer sounds reasonable. LOTS of components and parts replaced over the years- especially the last 7.

I'm thinking can probably do better than the offer (?) I'm not making any sort of deal with this guy as of yet since, for one thing, I still need the car till I buy something to replace it. Plus, still not sure if I actually want to sell it or keep it. Biggest problem with the latter is adequate garage space. He knows and understands the whole situation.

 

[mitchflorida]

First of all, why do you want to sell it?

 

[three4rd]

First of all, why do you want to sell it?

That's a loaded question and one I probably addressed, though perhaps indirectly, in several threads here. I really want a new car that has all the safety features. The '95 has let us down twice now with major engine failure, and so when the 3rd engine went in it took me a long time to regain my confidence in driving it especially for any longer distance. I don't believe I can say I ever get in it and not think - even for a fleeting few seconds - about what might happen. I had developed far more confidence in it these past few years, however, than I did for at least a year or so after the 3rd engine went it. But still....there's always that degree of uncertainty in the back of my mind - which came to the fore again after the steering was giving trouble very recently and making all these whining noises (there is a thread on that too) which turned out to be the loss of the power steering fluid. It sort of shook my confidence again.

My wife and I love car trips, and I'm just not sure the Riv is the safest bet anymore given the repair history. It's hard to shake the deep-seated uncertainty of 'what will happen with it next' frame of mind being that the car has picked my wallet clean many times ever since '05 which is when an endless string of minor and major repairs started and really never stopped to this day. I've invested over $41k in it in repairs - not including the purchase price.

I shudder at the (probably unrealistic) thought that the Riv, as much as I (obviously) am devoted and sentimentally attached to it, will be the last car I'll ever drive! Somehow that just seems...wrong. And yet, if I don't move on to something at least manufactured in the 21st century, I worry that I may indeed NEVER sell it. I often feel sort of caught up in a timewarp. Almost embarrassing to go into the new car dealership yesterday and be so totally ignorant as to what some of the new technology is.

So, all that being said, I'm very much toying with the option of keeping it for the classic and unique vehicle that it truly is. Always was attracted to the idea of putting classic (or antique) plates on it. However, garage space is an issue. I have 3 bays, but it'd mean always moving one car in and out to do any other work, let alone get either of my two garden tractors out. I'll never have any car permanently parked in the driveway - just not in my nature.

Hope that explains some of my feelings. I am very torn on what to do with it but just don't feel it should be my only car at this point. We also have a '97 Jeep but basically in the same boat there. That one my wife is sentimentally attached to but it really should be replaced. It has issues, but still has the original engine. I suspect that when I bought the '95 (new) if someone had told me I'd still have it 26 years later I probably wouldn't have believed such a thing as being very likely. I mean...how many people truly have driven the same car for that long??

The thing I'm starting to ask myself (and I believe it has some merit) is....how much would I truly miss it once I have a new car here and the Buick isn't. Another one...how much would I actually drive the '95 once I have a new car? I have a history of 'dithering' over all sorts of decisions. I suspect some people are FAR less sentimentally attached to machinery then I am. Same goes for my old 1970s Cub Cadet tractor that I put a new engine in a few years ago. Once I got a new Deere with power steering, I could have kicked myself in the butt for putting up with the old Cub as my main mower - the thing drives like a truck compared to the IH Cub (also a much shorter turning radius on the Deere...love it). So...will I feel the same way when a new car arrives - wishing I had done it MUCH sooner. I think you get the idea.... 😉 So, all THAT said, I do suspect that I'll never have a car like the Riviera. I don't see anything out there that I like as much in terms of exterior design. The inside, except for the seats...not quite as much anymore. Alot of wear and tear in the cabin except for the seats which are in terrific shape as I stated above.

All told, if I try to be truly honest and as objective with myself as possible, I think the best option all around is to probably sell it - especially to someone I know so well. Seems like it's almost meant to be, since he and I swapped Riviera stories over the past 20+ years.

 

[mitchflorida]

Good answer! Ask for $5,000 and see if anyone bites.

 

[Mad_Coachman]

I've invested over $41k in it in repairs - not including the purchase price.

41 thousand. Is that a typo?

 

[three4rd]

41 thousand. Is that a typo?

I wish it was! Spent $27,141 alone in repairs between 2005 and 2013. Grand total thus far is $41,757. I know....so...why do I still have this car?!?!? It has been, as they say, sometimes a 'love/hate' relationship?

 

[three4rd]

Good answer! Ask for $5,000 and see if anyone bites.

I was actually thinking as well of going 5k - especially with so many replaced parts, plus the age of the engine and trans.

 

[Human]

I hear you. I had a '95 Aurora that I ended up donating to my local public radio station a few years ago. Once I realized the cost-to-enjoyment ratio had reached an unsustainable level, I knew it was time to let it go. It was fun while it lasted but all good things must come to an end.

 

[three4rd]

all good things must come to an end.

I agree, but in my case I guess I never realized (nor wanted to most likely) when that time for things to "come to an end" was...being that I'm still forging on. I'm even struggling with a willingness to let it go once I buy a new car. Surely this wanting to hang on to it (even though I'm betting I'd not be likely to drive it all that much) is not the most practical option. I don't really have adequate garage space without truly inconveniencing myself, and it just sort of reaffirms the hold that this car has on me. I keep thinking of the adage..."what we own can start to own us". My wife has it right...time to start downsizing rather than the opposite. IF I truly had ample, unused garage space, then I very likely would keep it and put classic or antique plates on. Gotta pull the trigger on the decision at some point. The $3k offer surely still stands from a local acquaintance. A big part of this is that no car I'm considering buying appeals to me - exterior design-wise - quite as much as the Riviera. I won't even start on the front grilles of the newer cars.

We had actually considered an Aurora - a top choice right up there with the Riviera. My aunt had one - great car. So you couldn't find a buyer for it or else really weren't all that interested in selling it?

 

[Mad_Coachman]

A big part of this is that no car I'm considering buying appeals to me - exterior design-wise - quite as much as the Riviera. I won't even start on the front grilles of the newer cars.

x2 on that......especially the comment about the grilles on newer cars!!! 😀

 

[Human]

x2 on that......especially the comment about the grilles on newer cars!!! 😀

I agree, especially considering that most of today's 'cars' are actually trucks.

 

[three4rd]

Yeah, I've come to accept the fact that I'll be making a concession to a new car with a less than aesthetically pleasing grill. I'll try not to look at it too much other than when washing it.

 

[three4rd]

Didn't even realize I had started this thread! My bad...should have looked first! It was suggested to try a price of $5k. I highly suspect this local guy won't go that high, and, as mentioned on the thread I just started, I'm not in a position yet to sell it anyway. IF I had the garage space, I'd never get rid of it. Strong sentimental attachment. Not sure why, actually, after it's picked my wallet unmercifully over the years - including now being on its 3rd engine.

Problem with advertising it locally is that very likely it could invite people who simply want to see it and yet aren't truly interested. I have neither the time nor desire to mess around with that nonsense. It'd be a 'serious inquiries' only ad or else (probably preferably) advertised on this or similar car sites where people are specifically looking for older vehicles of specific models and makes.

 

[HotZ28]

Didn't even realize I had started this thread! My bad...should have looked first! It was suggested to try a price of $5k. I highly suspect this local guy won't go that high, and, as mentioned on the thread I just started, I'm not in a position yet to sell it anyway. IF I had the garage space, I'd never get rid of it. Strong sentimental attachment. Not sure why, actually, after it's picked my wallet unmercifully over the years - including now being on its 3rd engine.

Problem with advertising it locally is that very likely it could invite people who simply want to see it and yet aren't truly interested. I have neither the time nor desire to mess around with that nonsense. It'd be a 'serious inquiries' only ad or else (probably preferably) advertised on this or similar car sites where people are specifically looking for older vehicles of specific models and makes.

Apparently, after 2-yrs from you first post, you do not want to sell it! I know the feeling!

 

[three4rd]

Apparently, after 2-yrs from you first post, you do not want to sell it!

LOL You're reading me pretty well on that. I in all honestly truly don't want to. But, I do want to move into the 21st century with the newer features. Somehow doesn't seem realistic to expect this to be my last car. Also, since this car went through two engines already, with the 3rd one now being in 10 years (1st engine lasted 8 years, 2nd one 10), have to wonder what'll happen. The 8-10 year range has not exactly been my good luck charm. I'd be hesitant to take it on a real long road trip, which is something we enjoy doing. All that said, I'd still keep it if only I had adequate garage storage space. It's a big car, as we all know, and so while I would have some room in my 3rd garage space, there wouldn't be room in there for much else plus it'd always involve moving it in and out of the garage whenever I wanted to do anything else.

You've got some older cars, I see, but also have a much newer (2019) car. I've never owned any vehicle manufactured in the 21st century.

No, it's really (past) time to move on. All good things....

 

[HotZ28]

LOL You're reading me pretty well on that. I in all honestly truly don't want to. But, I do want to move into the 21st century with the newer features. Somehow doesn't seem realistic to expect this to be my last car. Also, since this car went through two engines already, with the 3rd one now being in 10 years (1st engine lasted 8 years, 2nd one 10), have to wonder what'll happen. The 8-10 year range has not exactly been my good luck charm. I'd be hesitant to take it on a real long road trip, which is something we enjoy doing. All that said, I'd still keep it if only I had adequate garage storage space. It's a big car, as we all know, and so while I would have some room in my 3rd garage space, there wouldn't be room in there for much else plus it'd always involve moving it in and out of the garage whenever I wanted to do anything else.

You've got some older cars, I see, but also have a much newer (2019) car. I've never owned any vehicle manufactured in the 21st century.

No, it's really (past) time to move on. All good things....

Yes, I still own my '96 RMS (Collector Edition) & the '96 PAU. I prefer riding in both of those over the Regal which has small bucket seats & not as comfortable as the others. I am getting older now, but still running against the wind!

 

[three4rd]

still running against the wind!

LOL...love it. Speaking of seats, I must say that the Riv's seats are far more comfortable than any of the newer cars I've tested (Hyundai, Toyota, Lexus mostly). Our other car is a '97 Jeep Grand Cherokee TSi. The engine in that thing seems indestructible and hardly ever had much done to it except for a recent head gasket replacement. Comparing the seats in that to both a Tucson and one or two other SUVs we tested (can't remember what they were at the moment), I think the Jeep seats are also more comfortable. My wife still likes the old Jeep cause it's quite a bit shorter than many of the newer ones at only 176" length. Buick, on the other hand, is 207". I would be ready for something shorter since, for parking purposes depending on where we go, I often wind up choosing the Jeep.

While I've been keeping track of several new '23-'24 makes and models I've been interested in, I must admit to have gotten much more excited when I came across this. My Dad used to have an '87 Park Avenue - different body design. I like this one much better (no surprise - pretty much shaped similar to the Riviera!). I have to sort of chuckle though at the owner's "thousands spent on repairs the last 2 years". Man, been there and done it. Not so much over the last two years, but a huge amount ever since '05. Really should have traded it in around that time, which is when all the fun stuff started. The Riv seemed to like my mechanic's garage far better than mine! I helped to put his kids through college with repair costs.

Something about the front grilles of so many of the newer ones just puts me off, as I've already mentioned in this thread. I've always thought Buick hit the ball out of the park when they redesigned Riviera in '94.

 

[three4rd]

Resurrecting this older thread, being that I've still not pulled the trigger on getting a new car to replace the Riv. The offer that stands with a local guy that owned the same model Riv at one time is $3750. Original $3k offer was increased during a few email exchanges - all back in Sept. of '22. I'm wondering if the price still seems reasonable given any trends on used cars that may have changed in the past several years?

I see one that sold on classic.com back in July of '23 for $3200 with 123K mileage, whereas mine now is over 170. Current (sold) prices on that site with considerably less mileage (generally 20-40k miles) are for anywhere between $8-15k. Given that this buyer, 3 1/2 year after the initial discussions about it, likely feels that it'll never happen anyway, I was just wondering if I should not feel any commitment and see if I can do better. A nice part about this local acquaintance is that I know the car would be well cared for (he's a vintage / classic car guy to begin with) and also it would still be kept in a garage as it's always been.

I suspect Buick Riviera has always been one of those 'niche' vehicle as to the type of person attracted to them, which can offer some bargaining power. Have to wonder how many '95s are still out there in good shape.