95 riv killed by deer

I was driving home from dinner last night with my gf on an un-lit highway when a deer decided to commit suicide and jumped out in front of my car. I hit it at about 50mph dead on causing both air bags to deploy. On a side note deployment of the passenger side air bag WILL break the windshield. The deer weighed about 150lbs or more and did pretty extensive damage to the hood passenger side fender and nose, broke the headlight hood and radiator supports, bent the radiator in a U shape (it was less than a year old too dammit!), and completely destroyed the grill and passenger side headlight, not to mention a broken windshield, steering wheel, and dash pad. And let's not forget about that hideous smell that's still lingering in the car. On a positive note the car protected us extremely well as we suffered no serious damage other than a scratch on my arm from the air bag and some minor glass cuts my gf got from the exploding windshield. I'd conservatively estimate at least four to five thousand in damage, if not more. I was almost heartbroken to see my baby in that condition but I couldn't help but be proud that she sacrificed herself to keep me safe. Since I don't have comprehensive in all likely hood I will not be able to bring her back but since I am unharmed her death was not in vain. I'm so impressed with her ability to protect me that I WILL find another riviera, maybe newer and hopefully with about the same mileage, she had just reached 72,000 miles. I already spotted one fairly close to me, a white 98 with grey interior and with only 79000 miles I hope to go look at in the next couple days, keep your fingers crossed for me. And please say a little prayer for my car, she protected me and in doing so, she may have passed on from this life but she will live on forever in my heart.

Sad to hear it, but very glad you were unharmed. Good luck hunting for a clean Riv!

that's bad news.It's time for a newer Riv.Goodluck.

That sucks, but it's better that you and yours are doing fine. Good luck in you search!!

That really sucks. There's quite a few around where I live and I've been lucky so far not to hit one. Came close a few times. Just curious, but do you have any pics of the damage?

Deer hit could be one of the scariest things, because you really don't see it coming. Glad to hear you are okay, the Riv did what it's supposed to do, and you are going after another one.

Thanks for all your sympathy and support. Unfortunately for me the white 98 was already sold as well as a gold 98 I also found, so if anyone knows of more in or around the tri-state area please let me know. Yes Chris I do have pics of the damage, unfortunately I only have access to this site via mobile and I have no idea how to post pics. Gonna see if the gf can help me post them within the next couple days. I'm determined to find a nice clean low mileage riv, I just hope I don't have to ride the bus for too long until I do! Wish me luck, I will keep everyone posted

Deer in New Jersey? You sure it wasn't a drunk?

Haha! We do have a lot of both here in Jersey but where I live the deer probably outnumber the drunks. That's probably due to our increasingly tougher hunting laws and ever diminishing open space. The damn things roam free everywhere, eating up gardens and pooping on lawns. I once found thirteen in my backyard all at the same time and of course at the first sound of a car they all up and run across the road. I'm telling you they're suicidal but the damn politicians won't let you shoot them only plow into them with your car. Damn vermin. Besides here in Jersey all our drunks drive lol.

I'll keep my eyes peeled for anything down around there. I oddly enough found my car on a yahoo vehicle search. They didn't have it listed online anywhere else. It was a good find to.

Sorry to hear about this! I nearly had that experience a few years ago--the thing just stepped out in the road and looked at me. I know exactly what the "deer in the headlights" look is all about! Then at about the last possible moment, he stepped back out of the road, after I used up about half my brake linings and a few years off my life trying to avoid him.

Hope you find a replacement Riv soon!

use her as a parts car so she can live on in you new car. or find one with front end damage and use her parts to fix the new one.

That's kinda the plans so far. I'm hoping to find a 97-99 and use the 95 for some parts, I know not all of it will swap but still. And if I can do that I'm willing to part out the rest that I can get out of the car before sending it to the yard. Still no luck in even finding a riv near me let alone one with under 100k on it.

Put out an Autotrader search if you haven't already. You can set how many miles in circumference from your zip code you want it to cover. I always have multiple ones running, even when I'm not in the market, just because I can't stop browsing.

I tried one for low mileage examples within 200 miles of Cherry Hill (because I've been there) and this was the first result. I'd say it would be worth a look.


Used 1995 Buick Riviera Coupe from Kip Killmon's Tysons Ford - 298556097
$5,554

* 27 Photos

Used 1995 Buick Riviera Coupe

* 36,639 miles

* Black

1995 Buick Riviera Coupe with only 36,639 Original Miles on it!! Jet black over burgandy leather interior, good Yokohama tires, woodgrain trim, keyless entry, cold ac. Beautiful car. Has a few small scratches of course and a paint fade spot on the... View more details

138 miles from ZIP code 08002

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Kip Killmon's Tysons Ford
Kip Killmon's Tysons Ford

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* Call Chris at 800-567-9354

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You can also use search tempest which searches all the craigslists within a certain mileage. make sure that u uncheck the searching ebay part unless you want to

Thanks riv95sc, I actually found that one, and that is incredibly low mileage, but I already had the oddball 95 and I know how difficult it can be to mod one. I'm trying to hold out for a 97+. Thanks Ben I wasn't aware of search tempest I'll have to try that. If anyone else has any tips or knows of more rivs I'm open to suggestions.

Yes! I didn't know about search tempest either. Turns out there's an auto tempest, too. Something else for me to obsess over!

IBx1 wrote:

Sad to hear it, but very glad you were unharmed. Good luck hunting for a clean Riv!

Me too, brother...

Yup i use search tempest all the time rather than searching each individual craigslist.

Are you still shopping?

This one is not terribly far from you, and really looks like a good buy.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-Supercharger-sunroof-CD-sound-system-leather-82K-/280683564418?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item415a0b4d82

Hey man, sorry to hear about your accident. Glad to hear you're okay.

Here are a few Riv's in your range that I've come across. Hope this helps if you're still looking.

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/buick-riviera-cars384240904;_ylt=AlBOjaeY7wZ12v0BmRHcR3AuVo54;_ylv=3?start=16&modelyearub=1999&modelyearlb=1995&askpriceub=any&askpricelb=any&deliverymileageub=100000&deliverymileagelb=any&sortcol=price&sortdir=up&listingtype=used&model=riviera&make=buick&distance=any

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/buick-riviera-cars398540994;_ylt=Akg1D4D329KXVOfl0ZSG4fIuVo54;_ylv=3?start=16&modelyearub=1999&modelyearlb=1995&askpriceub=any&askpricelb=any&deliverymileageub=100000&deliverymileagelb=any&sortcol=price&sortdir=up&listingtype=used&model=riviera&make=buick&distance=any

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/buick-riviera-cars396986176;_ylt=AvfGCfeEYm4B4BgJnbebV5UuVo54;_ylv=3?start=16&modelyearub=1999&modelyearlb=1995&askpriceub=any&askpricelb=any&deliverymileageub=100000&deliverymileagelb=any&sortcol=price&sortdir=up&listingtype=used&model=riviera&make=buick&distance=any

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/buick-riviera-cars382581232;_ylt=AqbwgaoVSFSvCT3D0LS0B9kuVo54;_ylv=3?start=1&modelyearub=1999&modelyearlb=1995&askpriceub=any&askpricelb=any&deliverymileageub=100000&deliverymileagelb=any&sortcol=price&sortdir=up&listingtype=used&model=riviera&make=buick&distance=any

Sorry about the accident.

I almost railed a deer mid-day on I-91 today. Luckily no one was near me so I was able to swerve and just get by it. Damn thing darted out right in front of the car.