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Buick Reatta: Difference between revisions
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===Styles and Major Options=== | ===Styles and Major Options=== | ||
The Reatta was marketed as a "fully loaded" automobile and came with almost every conceivable amenity for the time as standard. The only options at the time of release were "16-way" electrically adjusted drivers' seat and a sunroof. In 1990, a CD player was added to the options list. | The Reatta was marketed as a "fully loaded" automobile and came with almost every conceivable amenity for the time as standard. The only options at the time of release were a "16-way" electrically adjusted drivers' seat and a sunroof. In 1990, a CD player was added to the options list. | ||
===Gas Mileage=== | ===Gas Mileage=== | ||
As seen on the [http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm FuelEconomy.gov] website, the City/Highway MPG | As seen on the [http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm FuelEconomy.gov] website, the City/Highway MPG ratings are as follows: | ||
<table border=1 tablecolor=#000000 bordercolor=#000008> | <table border=1 tablecolor=#000000 bordercolor=#000008> | ||
Revision as of 11:30, 25 October 2008
| |
| Buick Reatta | |
|---|---|
| Buick | |
| Years | 1988-1991 |
| Production | 21,751 Made |
| Class | Luxury Sports Car |
| Body Style | 2-Door Converitble 2-Door Coupe |
| Length | 193.7 inches (4,920 mm) 183.7 inches (4,666 mm) |
| Width | 73.0 inches (1,854 mm) |
| Height | 51.2 inches (1,300 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 98.5 inches (2,502 mm) |
| Weight | 3,593 lb (1,630 kg) 3,392 lb (1,539 kg) |
| Transmission | 4-speed 4T60 Automatic 4-speed 4T60-E Automatic |
| Engine | 3.8 liter (3800cc) V-6 |
| Power | 170 hp (127 kW) |
| Similar | Cadillac Allante Buick Riviera |
| Designers | |
The Buick Reatta was a "hand-made" luxurious sports coupe produced at the Reatta Craft Centre in Lansing, Michigan from early 1988 through 1991. Like the Cadillac Allante, It was based on a shortened and heavily modified version of the "E-body" used by the Cadillac Seville, Cadillac Eldorado, Oldsmobile Toronado and most particularly the Buick Riviera with which it shared its advanced electronics and interior furnishings.
The Reatta sported its own unique body style and was crafted with an attention to detail and quality of finish uncommon for a mass-produced automobile. Initially offered as a hardtop coupe, a convertible version was added for 1990. It used GM's ubiquitous 3800 V6 and sported a fully independent suspension and front wheel drive.
During the first two years of contruction the Reatta, like its Riviera stablemate, featured a touch screen computer interface called the Electronic Control Center, or ECC. The touch screen controlled the radio and climate control functions, provided diagnostic access to the vehicle's various electronic systems and sensors. It also featured a date reminder, a trip computer, and a user configurable overspeed alarm.
The Reatta was conceived during a period in the early to mid-1980s when the Buick division was marketing high performance editions of its vehicles (such as the Buick Grand National). However, midway through the development of the Reatta, GM decided to refocus the brand on a more traditional and mature image that was thought to be more in keeping with its core older buyer demographics. The resulting vehicle had a shape that carried performance car styling cues but provided little in the way of actual high performance. Additionally, the Reatta's extremely high level of electronics was a somewhat of turn-off for those "mature" potential buyers that the division was actively trying to court.
The Reatta was intended as a technological flagship-halo car for Buick, but sales, originally planned to be around 20,000 units a year, were extremely disappointing and GM announced the end of Reatta production in early 1991.
See Wikicars' comprehensive Buick Reatta Review.
Styles and Major Options
The Reatta was marketed as a "fully loaded" automobile and came with almost every conceivable amenity for the time as standard. The only options at the time of release were a "16-way" electrically adjusted drivers' seat and a sunroof. In 1990, a CD player was added to the options list.
Gas Mileage
As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG ratings are as follows:
|
Years |
|||
|
1988 |
1989 |
1990 |
1991 |
|
MPG |
|||
|
17/26 |
17/26 |
16/25 |
16/25 |
Reliability
The Reatta, despite dire predictions in the automotive press of the time turned out to be fairly reliable and inexpensive to maintain. The '88-89 models' touchscreen controls rarely fail and in the end are inexpensive to repair. The drivetrain is standard-issue GM 3800 which is among the most reliable and long-lasting engines ever produced by GM. One area of concern is the Teves anti-lock braking system which utilized an electric motor and pressurized accumulator rather than a conventional vacuum-driven master cylinder; if not properly maintained sudden loss of braking power can result. This is a failure mode common to all ABS systems of that era, but has caught many an uneducated owner unaware.
Those contemplating Reatta ownership today should be aware that all mechanical parts remain readily and inexpensively available due their widespread use through out GM's product line-up. Due to the extremely low production numbers, Reatta-specific parts can be more difficult to source, but are often obtainable at a reasonable cost through the well-organized network of Reatta aficionados available online (see links below). Nonetheless, there are some items that have become so rare and thus expensive that damage to them can result in a car that is de-facto "totaled", such as the windshield which is for the most part unavailable new and if located can cost from $ 1,500.00 to $ 2,500.00.
Safety
The Reatta benefitted from an extremely stable highly-engineered independent suspension system that was designed to accommodate a much more powerful drivetrain than what ended up being provided. Its wide track relative to its length makes it extremely stable and nimble. The Reatta was equipped standard with anti-lock brakes which when properly maintained provide confident and stable stopping power. The Reatta coupe's bubbletop canopy provides an exceptional view of the drivers surroundings with little to no blind spots.
Photos
Alabaster Convertible
Bright Red Convertible
Silver Metallic Coupe
Colors
1991
- Alabaster
- Autumn Maple Metallic
- Black
- Black Sapphire Metallic
- Bright Blue Metallic
- Bright Red
- Camel Beige
- Dark Auburn Metallic
- Dark Garnet Red Metallic
- Dark Maple Metallic
- Dark Sapphire Blue Metallic
- Flame Red Metallic
- Light Antelope Metallic
- Light Auburn Metallic
- Light Beechwood Metallic
- Light Camel Metallic
- Light Driftwood Metallic
- Light Sapphire Blue Metallic
- Medium Beechwood Metallic
- Medium Garnet Red Metallic
- Medium Gray Metallic
- Medium Maui Blue Metallic
- Medium Sapphire Blue Metallic
- Medium Slate Gray Metallic
- Silver Metallic
- Slate Gray
- Torch Red
- White
- White Diamond Metallic
Main Competitors
Unique Attributes
Resale Values
|
Year |
|||
|
1988 |
1989 |
1990 |
1991 |
|
Price |
|||
|
$2,675 - $3,100 |
$3,150 - $3,625 |
$3,625 - $5,650 |
$4,300 - $6,400 |
