Hi, I'm Chris

Just picked up my third SC Riv. First one was a 97 I got in 2001, drove it about 5 years, then got a '98 back in 2007, still have it. Recently, a '99 came on craiglist near me so I picked it up, only as 40k on it, looks like a new car. Wow, but I looked for like 7 years for a 99.

Only issue appears to be, the AC loses charge, and shining the uv light into the air ducts, it looks like someone already ran dye in it, yep, I'm SOL, it looks like a leaking evaporator, not good in Central Texas....

Before I totally disassemble the vehicle to put in a new evap. , I might try replacing the seals where the hoses connect to the evaporator, maybe I'll get lucky.

The 98 still runs well and blows cold air, too bad the paint is faded.
This 99 should last me 10 years I imagine. Between the 97 and 98, I've fixed most stuff that goes wrong on these cars, I guess I have 15 years experience working on them, lol. I'll try to chip in any help I can.

Welcome, Chris!
Wow, 15 years with Rivieras and you still didn't get bored with them? )

Its a good value proposition.

1) the body design is timeless;
2) highly aerodynamic;
3) superior safety features - steel bumpers, side-impact beams, SIR system;
4) plenty of power for passing other cars;
5) easy to mod., (SC pulley change);
6) parts readily available;
7) cost of vehicle relatively low;
8) insurance costs are low;
9) excellent ride and handling characteristics;
10) excellent driver and passenger comfort;
11) I have experience with repairs;
12) high quality engineering;
13) decent fuel economy;
14) Sporty look, luxury coupe;
15) .....

What have I missed ?

For the money, the 96-99 Rivvy is one of the best values out there, its a simple business decision !!

I had mine out for a bath today. I can't get over how great the bone line is.

Jack the R wrote:

I had mine out for a bath today.  I can't get over how great the bone line is.  

Wow, I never heard the word "bone line" before. Thanks.

I think I picked it up from an article about the Riviera's design chief, Bill Porter, who was a significant designer in the American car industry. If you dig around the site you might find it.

IMO that line is one of the all time greats on ANY car, and possibly the most underrated line in the industry.

Jack the R wrote:

I think I picked it up from an article about the Riviera's design chief, Bill Porter....  

I agree. 20 years ahead of its time, I see a lot of other cars that ripped off pieces of the design, cant name names, but there's a ford that has a front end that's very close, I mistook it for a Riv a few times seeing it in the rear view mirror at a distance.