about to buy a 97 riviera, i hope

Subject: about to buy a 97 riviera, i hope Thu Apr 30, 2015 5:56 pm

new to the forum; about to make the drive from Lake Charles to Ft. Worth this weekend to hopefully purchase a 1997 riviera from the original owner. The car has 72000 miles and has never been in an accident. The asking price is $3000 which im happy to spend, if everything looks like it should. It is champagne colored and has the l67, but doesnt have the astro roof.
The last car i bought was a 1998 regal gs that i got with 77000 miles 3 years ago, for $2600. It is still being driven daily by the mother of my son. It has 130000 miles now and has been pretty reliable and fun to get around in.
Im planning on posting pictures next week sometime, but i just wanted to get the introduction out of the way.

Subject: Re: about to buy a 97 riviera, i hope Thu Apr 30, 2015 5:59 pm

Looks like you found a deal. Glad to see people are still interested in Rivis happy

Subject: Re: about to buy a 97 riviera, i hope Thu Apr 30, 2015 6:58 pm

Welcome to the forum

Most of us here are a little Riv crazy. Hope you can handle it bonk

Expert Joined : 2007-07-01 Post Count : 2558 Merit : 12

WELCOME Will!

Subject: Re: about to buy a 97 riviera, i hope Thu Apr 30, 2015 9:16 pm

Thank you for the welcome

Subject: Re: about to buy a 97 riviera, i hope Sat May 02, 2015 11:59 am

Welcome and nice find! It's not so easy to find a nice riv that doesn't cost a fortune it seems like.

Subject: for a few dollars more... Sat May 02, 2015 11:46 pm

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t11390-98-buick-riviera-60k-miles

Subject: Re: about to buy a 97 riviera, i hope Mon May 04, 2015 11:26 pm

Jason wrote:: https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t11390-98-buick-riviera-60k-miles

if i had the money, i would fly there and get it.

i got the one from ft worth and drove it back to lake charles. It is worth what i paid for it, but im not against the idea of reselling it, if i can get enough to purchase your green one. shocked

Take payments? Lol

Subject: Re: about to buy a 97 riviera, i hope Tue May 05, 2015 12:43 am

Looks like yours was a decent buy as well. Welcome to the forum.

Subject: Re: about to buy a 97 riviera, i hope Wed May 06, 2015 9:46 pm

It is a great car, averaging 30 mpg highway and low-mid 20's street. Unfortunately, it is the oddball early 97 model; so is there a legit way to swap control arms with a different years? Or am i completely screwed when the ball joints and bushings wear? So far, it sounds like the scarcity of replacement parts make this car difficult to maintain.

Subject: Re: about to buy a 97 riviera, i hope Thu May 07, 2015 8:37 am

willmacdonald wrote:: It is a great car, averaging 30 mpg highway and low-mid 20's street. Unfortunately, it is the oddball early 97 model; so is there a legit way to swap control arms with a different years? Or am i completely screwed when the ball joints and bushings wear? So far, it sounds like the scarcity of replacement parts make this car difficult to maintain.

Swap out the cradle for a '98. Then put '98 suspension under it.

Subject: Re: about to buy a 97 riviera, i hope Thu May 07, 2015 8:51 am

Ok, i was thinking that would be the thing to do. An aurora, park avenue, or riviera frame from after early 97, correct?

Subject: Re: about to buy a 97 riviera, i hope Fri May 08, 2015 10:36 am

willmacdonald wrote:: Ok, i was thinking that would be the thing to do. An aurora, park avenue, or riviera frame from after early 97, correct?

Just grab a '98. Stay away from the '99, as the Engine mounting is a little different and would require some brackets and such to be changed. Maybe late '97. I'm not sure. As long as it has the horizontal LCA bushings.