I believe he’s looking for a family hauler that they can use daily right away. I agree 100% with what you said about the wagons of that era being “meh” But people did and can beat those things to death and get a couple hundred thousand miles out of them. They may not be exciting to own, but they are plush and as comfortable as any Electra of that era. The Estate Wagon really was the most premium wagon of that era offered from any of the American manufacturers.
I have a 78 Estate Wagon and I really like it. I originally bought it so I didn’t need to buy a large SUV for camping trips and the odd trip to Hone Depot. It’s a Buick 350 with a 3.08 rear end and while it won’t win races it does what you need it to. It also handles better than what you expect. Yes the interior plastics are not great and susceptible to UV damage but mine have held up well and the interior seat fabric is very durable. You can also get most mechanical parts quite easily. Don’t knock it until you try it!
The wagon is still looking good there, Doug. We should reconnect at a future car show or next time Geri and I come to town. My experience with wagons dates back to 1992 when I bought the first wagon for our growing family. In fact, I sold my 1972 GS 350 and 1970 Skylark Custom that year, as I had other priorities: a new roof to put on the house and just ran out of room when our fourth child was born in 1991. I bought a 1986 fwd A-body Century Estate Wagon with fold down rear seat. Great car and I traded it in 1995 when I bought my first new car - a 1995 Buick Century Estate Wagon. I factory-ordered it with every available option. And so the saga began - in short, I forced GM Canada to buy the car back, one year later, because it was so plagued with problems. I believe I was 1 of only a handful of Canadians successful in forcing GM to buy back a vehicle. Meanwhile, the fellow who had bought my 1986 Century Estate Wagon was still driving it around and one day asked "How many cars have you got? I see you with a few different GM cars." I replied, " Just the one car - which is back in the shop for warranty work - and I've been driving courtesy cars in the meantime." I set about getting another wagon and found a low-mileage and well-kept 1986 B-body Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser wagon in 1996. It was a very good wagon and I gifted it to my eldest daughter 12 years later. In 2000, I bought a 1989 Buick Electra Estate Wagon with only 14K kilometers on the odometer. I still own this car. Mechanically, the power-train is very reliable. The 307 V-8 is down on the power scale, but very dependable, as are the transmission and rear-end. Just like any full-size car, putting decent gas shocks, big anti-sway bars front and back and poly bushings in the sway bar links help firm up the ride. The interior of my wagon is meticulous and this car has been featured in a few commercial ads and film. Nando.
Hey Nando, great to hear from you! I was in Squamish last year at Howe Sound Brewing with the wagon and someone came up to me and mentioned you and your wagon. Your wagon continues to look great and glad you still have it!
Doug: You've had that wagon for eight years now. Glad to see you kept it. I will PM you my cell # as it has changed. I don't think there is anyone in town who doesn't know my Buicks. If you do plan to come to Squamish with your family, let us know. Nando.
To see a couple of those things in that good of shape still in captivity; - that's pretty neat. Good on you guys for keeping them up!
Holy smokes, how in the heck did you remember how long I’ve owned the wagon? Eight years is right on and I had to think about it! Will definitely let you know next time in Squamish. Ronnie, I think these cars are really under rated. They made so many and while some of the engine choices lacked power, they were dead reliable. Really good ones could be had pretty cheaply but they are starting to creep up in value. Let us know if you decide to pick it up
You know, Buick Engineering did just that with a 1988 Estate Wagon using a GNX 3.8 l motor, modified transmission, and suspension upgrades. I have the article about that vehicle in one of my old magazines and I have thought about replicating that build. That experimental wagon made a showing at one of the Buick GS Nationals. Nando.
Outwardly, the Buick Engineering 1988 Estate Wagon styling/mods are sedate - thus making it a great sleeper. If I can find the magazine, I will scan the pages and post in a different thread. Nando.
It’s in this video, along with a Regal and Reatta they converted to rear wheel drive (and 3.8 turbo power!). Patrick
Thanks for that link to the video, Patrick. Where's all the excitement for 2020 Buicks heading? Bring back a Wagon - not SUV, I suggest. Nando.
Seller put the wagon up as sold then messaged me it was still for sale just so many people are bugging her. I was ready to pick it up. She is avoiding all the messages I send, some times people don't know how to sell a car. It's this or a 96-99 tahoe/yukon for a family car, it's just those Tahoes eat a lot of gas. I prefer the wagon and wife prefers the suv but she'll get whatever I pick out. She liked the picture of the black wagon with the GN grill.
