1990 Buick Reatta User Reviews

Best Car Ever For Daily Driver — too bad that parts are so scarce

How Do I Love Thee; Let Me Count The Ways... —

You've heard the age old warning, "Don't believe the hype" probably a million times by now. Well, the truth is, rarely there comes a time when you actually CAN believe the hype! With the Buick Reatta, here comes one of those rare times! The Reatta has accolades upon accolades trumped upon it from years and years of owners proud to call themselves such, a very informative and robust web site dedicated to it (http://www.reatta.net) and even an owner supported discussion forum under the BCA (link on web site) that, unlike most others, is more about helping other owners than griping about what could've been done better. The hype? A near indestructible (by average car standards) engine, durability and survivability under almost unimaginable circumstances, outrageous "power" (considering it's mere 160-170hp), timeless styling which still has people asking, "what year is that" and stopping to look in awe, it's superb and comfortable interior of REAL leather covered seats and surrounds, it's excellent touring suspension which provides a mix of Cadillac softness down the straight and narrow with Camaro stiffness in the turns, etc., etc... Strangely, it's all true. Even the rumors of sometimes catastrophic brake "issues" that come with little or no warning in the '88-90 Teves equipped vehicles and GM's refusal to recall and replace the systems are true. And even this frightening possibility has not significantly deterred interest in these simple twists on the Riviera ideal. So, what can I say that hasn't already been said by owners of the Reatta over and over again? Oh, should I tell you that the magazines were wrong, the "test drivers" must have taken their ill-conceived ideals of what a "touring" car that "looks" sporty should handle like with them when they reviewed the Reatta (or maybe they just had a pre-production model to review... hmmm???), that the only truly pitiable thing about the car was GM's HORRID support and their poor marketing strategy of setting it nose to nose with the Riviera (foolishly causing people to choose between similarly equipped and designed vehicles at the same dealership on the same showroom floor!)? No, I'll just say if you truly wish to understand... Drive one!

Owner for 8 years, 0 months

Miles Driven per Year:189,459