1987 Buick Riviera

I own a 1995 LeSabre with the 3800. Mine has over 225k miles on it, and the last owners weren't what you'd call "gentle". I think that will have a Tuned Port Injection version of the 3800, which should be the same as what I have. My LeSabre has a 4 speed automatic transmission.



I'm in Wyoming, so most of the miles I drive are on the highway. I average about 27-29 when driving 65MPH.

The 3800s were prone to the plastic intake manifolds having problems. But, on a car of this age, there's nothing to worry about any more than there is on any old car. The problem manifolds have likely all been replaced. GM transmissions aren't the strongest- my transmission went out around 210k miles- again, hard miles. If the transmission in the Riv was used in other GM products, replacements should be easy to source. I had no problem finding a used transmission for my 1995.

All in all, old Buicks with the 3800 are some of the best, if not the best, choices for motoring on the cheap. I paid $700 for my LeSabre 40k miles ago. It was the best $700 I've ever spent.