Cross a Chevy Caprice and a Cadillac Fleetwood and you’ve got Buick’s reborn Roadmaster of the 1990’s. The final full size Buick with traditional rear wheel drive, the Roadmaster could tow up to 5,000 pounds - twice the load of smaller front-drive, V6 Buicks at the time. When you needed a big car in 1992, you got a Roadmaster like the one in this video.
At one time....Buick and Roadmaster really meant something. Sad those times are gone.
I have two of these cars currently. A 92 & a 95. My Grandparents bought both of them new. They were used to pull a 24 foot camper from Illinois to Colorado every summer till 2002. Both cars are daily drivers & in nice shape. Great cars.
Nice!!
@GKL wow that means they had some strong transmission. To Pull at 24ft trailer. 👍
@@Daniel-fd3wp Likely a 4L60E at least on the 1995 model year.
@@Daniel-fd3wp good transmission but not very strong
@@Daniel-fd3wp The 92' has a TH700 trans. The 95' is 4L60E. They are the same transmission, the 700 has a TV cable control, the 4L60E has a computer. Same gearbox GM used in half ton trucks those years
My mom bought a new Buick LeSabre in 96. She drove it for 260,000 miles trouble free other than the normal wear items. She then gave it to my sister who drove it up to 350;000 miles. She finally parked it because the exhaust rotted out and she didn’t think it was worth the cost to repair it. What a car ! When everyone else was building absolute junk at that time the Buick stood tall.
Yup, the 3.8L V6 ran well and lasted if you were good with upkeep. Fuel injection helped them out greatly by keeping the oil clean. The carbureted ones were heaps.
Yep. The 1988-97 era 3800s might be the most gosh darn reliable engines ever built in history. By any car company on the planet. You can’t kill those engines if you tried.
From the late 80’s, until we had to take her license away in 2017, my Mom ran nothing but Buick LeSabre’s or Park Avenue’s. They were definitely geared toward the “golden oldie” set, but they WERE comfortable and reliable! At the end, Mom totaled two of them out in the span of three weeks - made taking her license away a pretty easy decision…….😂
@Google User GP what you say makes absolutely no sense, I've had 3 3.8 (231) carbed & they great were engines .... even the 225. I guess if you were overly rich, it would dilute the oil, but otherwise, great engines.... I had a 79' Buick Regal 3.8 Turbo 4 bbl. That I sold to a friend & he still drives 🚗 it
@@speedfreak8200I had one. It lasted because I maintained it. I had no fewer than ten parts cars. All had under 100k with blown engines. The integral drive oiling system was complete junk.
The 'body on FULL frame and RWD" was THE CLASS way!
Now that he mentioned the deVille roofline, I can't unsee it.
Yeah i know
That's because they came from the same designer. GM had two design studios. These came out of the BOC. Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac. Also known as Big Overpriced Cars.
Ikr. Hahaha
@@garyszewc3339 That's incorrect. The Caprice was designed by Ben Salvador and the Roadmaster was designed by Wayne Kady.
@@googleusergp so that means there were two very poor designers.
I have a 1952 Buick Roadmaster straight eight here in the UK 🇬🇧
That's cool! Was it "built for export" with certain export-only details? Or was it sent over more recently? The "export models" of U.S. cars are a fascinating sub-set of production that's rarely studied. Thanks for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante
This car truly was the end of an era. It was an excellent vehicle for what the Buick customer wanted. Too large, too soft, poor handling, surprisingly efficient, magic carpet ride. The best way to travel across the Plains, provided the front end was in alignment. Great for Texas, horrible for West Virginia.
You said that well
This was MUCH BETTER than my JOKE '97 LeSabre!
Just took my '94 Roadie Wagon on a 3000 miles trip to Amarillo, Texas (to Precision Transmission) and back from Washington State. Didn't miss a beat and got 22 mpg. Daily driven, even now, and even with an Opti-Spark. Never fail to get compliments and stories whenever I stop for gas, anytime. Thanks for the vid, Steve! 😁👍
My Grandparents neighbor had a 90s road master sedan and a wagon with a Vista roof and I thought they were the coolest things ever and still do as a 30 year old adult
We're all pulling for you Steve. Hope to see you soon
The Roadmaster , what a great automobile .
I have always liked those newer Roadmasters.
Back in 91 I bought a Vette Conv and wasn't paying attention to these. Now at 59 I want a 96 Roadmaster wagon.
I had a 95 Impala SS. Absolutely the best all around car I’ve ever owned. Quick, fast, comfortable, handled, incredible stopping power, and room for my whole family. Still miss that car, wish they still made them. Thanks as always ~ Chuck
Typical GM, just when they get it right (1996), they drop it. LOL.
@@googleusergp Yes!!! Every time!!! If I ever go back to GM for a daily driver, I'm buying the last model year of whatever it is.
@@LongIslandMopars Depends on what it is. Some models were crap all the way through.
@@googleusergp True. I didn't want to sound that harsh on GM being a Mopar guy😎
@@LongIslandMopars Plenty of Pentastar crap throughout their runs too. After all Dodge stands for "Drips Oil Drips Grease Everywhere". LOL.
Have a 92 been my daily for 4 years starts evertime.
No better channel on KZhead - thanks!
I had a 1993 5.7 350 Roadmaster station Wagon white with the Nasty wood paneling ....my kids were little. They never saw a Station wagon before. They loved it
Can’t beat a Buick. Thanks Steve. 🙏🏻😎
My 1991 Roadmaster station wagon came with the 305 Chevy V8. Best riding car i ever owned. Had self leveling rear suspension. Ex wife totaled it
I wanted a 94-96 back in 2010 but the owners knew what they had and wanted big $$$$ for them even back then. I got a Grand Marquis instead for $3700 and it gave me 8 reliable years.
I had a roadmonster of this era,,,,best car I ever owned,,,couldn't find another so settled on a town car of same era,,,no comparison as far as repairability,,as well as ride,,,no comparison whatsoever,,,pile of shit
This is one of the best Buicks ever made
I love my 1996 Buick Roadmaster sedan. The LT1 is great. Just wish it had something besides the 2.56 open diff to get it moving
I have a pretty nice, 1996 Buick Roadmaster Estate Limited. I’ve had it for almost 12 years now. It’s my “Plan A” car for the Hot Rod Power Tour this year. It’s totally stock except that I’m running “Baby Moon” hubcaps on it.
Sweet!!
My. Favorite. Drove. 91. Caprice. In taxi. Loved. That. Car. Thanks
The Roadmaster wagon came out for 1991, the Sedan came out for 1992. The roof of the Fleetwood is longer than the roof of the Roadmaster.
The Roadmaster was more desirable than any other car in the Buick lineup for that time period
That was class. The trunk was big enough for 2 body's.
No, i got 3 in mine once.
I've heard it said the trunk is big enough to "sleep three or F Six". Try to get that image out of your head! Thanks for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante
Time goes by so fast . I remember these being NEW on the lot when I worked at a Dealership here in Pa . these were great selling cars .
Boy those where some big land yachts! I guy at work had one! Very plush and comfortable ride! So comfortable that it will put you to sleep!👋😂💤
At one time those were everywhere on the road, and it sure didn't seem like to long ago.
each day that goes by, Steve looks more and more like Homeless Dave
I certainly remember these B body cars from GM. My parents owned 4 of these over the years. These were pretty comfortable and reliable . I can also say the same for Fords Panther RWD full-sized cars as well.
Back in '97 my Aunt & Uncle purchased a Pre-owned '96 Roadmaster. Back in '99 My Great-Aunt(Grandmother's Sister)had Died. We took a road trip in that Roadmaster from Philadelphia to Atlanta. That was a Living Room on Wheels...lol in 2005 I bought my first car, it was a 1996 Buick LaSabre Limited. It was a hooptie but body was in good shape. For the 3 days it drove whiles driving, it was smooth like my Grandmother's 1992 Cadillac Deville. It only had 168k miles on it, but was told by two Repair Shops the engine was shot. Had to get rid of it.
Though it did share alot with the Chevy, the Buicks were so much more car. Luxurious, much more quiet, and they rode better. My neighbor has a 94. I keep teasing him that anytime he wants to sell it....
my '95 caprice wagon would average 23 mpg at 85 mph
My neighbor had one of these but it was the oldsmobile version of the wagon, I believe oldsmobile had this for only the first two years and got out of it.
Correct 1991-1992 only, the Custom Cruiser.
My uncle Jim had a 94 Roadmaster, was a greenish grey color. What a car it was! The ride was outstanding, it had plenty of power too. A fine ride! Also those pointy front Skylarks were fantastic! I've had one on my car bucket list since they came out.
I always called this era of full-size GMs "turds". When this design debut in '91 the Caprice gained 300 lbs. While the turd Crown Victoria in '92 didn't gain weight.
The only buick i had dealings with was my grandma's 1989 buick LeSabre. She passed two years ago and drove it up until she passed. I the grandson and my dad kept the maintenance up, and kept it cleaned up for her. I have to say, that car with the 3800 engine had really good power and the ride was like on a cloud. If a Cadillac rides better, its by a tiny bit.
I had a 94 Caprice, grey unmarked hwy intercepter, and that was its job when it was on active duty in RedDeer Alberta, chasing down speeders on hwy2 It was indestructible in some ways and just junk in others. It was a lot of fun to drive though, there were still quite a few in active service when I had it. Even cops would think I was a cop lol
Having owned 86 cars in my life, I will say the ten 1994-1996 Roadmasters and Fleetwoods (of which I currently own 5) are the best cars of them all.
Agreed. I have owned about 50 vehicles over the years. I recently picked up a 1992 Roadmaster sedan with 105,000 original miles, and I am blown away by it. So quiet and comfortable, & surprisingly good on gas on the highway. All of the vehicles I currently own are full frame rear wheel or 4 wheel drive cars & trucks.
In high school my buddies dad had a 94 Roadmaster wagon with the big bubble top window up on the roof. We used to pack ten of us in that car and get stoned and drink beer and we called it the party on wheels.
My next door neighbor had a 1991 Roadmaster which he purchased new. It was a good car for towing his trailer. As he was an elderly man it was the last car he owned.
I caught the Sleigh Bells @6:56 you lightly edited in for 2 seconds. Smooth.
That's Rudolph Dieselhead's little signature "jingle". Thanks for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante
Christmas keeps getting earlier
Last of the full sized , body on frame , American rear wheel drive sedans . At least they had a 5.7 liter V8 . Mechanical mut between a Cadillac Fleetwood & Caprice At least you tow , with those 💪💪 Those Skyhawks/ Somersets weren't THAT bad Steve . They had the Oldsmobile Quad 4 , 2.3 liter . Peppy 4 cylinder . My Aunt had an Oldsmobile achieva
Those were a beast of a car in the day, great video thumbs up
Got a 97 deville. Basically same car. Only problem...northstar!
Not basically the same car. The DeVille is FWD and unibody.
In 58 the limited was top of the line
R.I.P. Roadmonster
Mr. B. Here ! Morning to all ! Drove many of those platforms , if you wanted a ride that was comfortable for long trips 2nd to none . From NY to FLA what a ride ! 😊😊😊😊😊
Now pickup trucks are a more comfortable ride. My Ram rides way better than my Cadillac did. More room, and better seats.
Morning
@@garyszewc3339 Mr. B. Here ! It’s a truck anyway you put it ! Am 70 , and the last thing I need is to climb up to get in, also the costs to maintain is higher than the land yachts of the pass , when your time comes about jumping into a truck think of the old guy who pointed this out . I have the best of both worlds my 1976 GMC Sprint is car & truck , the Mrs. Is 4’11 and loves it !
@@debbiebermudez5890 I'm 65 and with the retractable running boards have no problem getting in. My buddy who is 72 has one, and I think his girlfriend is 74 and she has no problem. I get one every couple years so there is no maintenance other than oil changes.
@@garyszewc3339 Mr. Szewc ! What do you paid for gas ? Also how much does the vehicle Lbs do you need the land yachts tops 4500 lbs, trucks any where from 8000 to 12000 lbs. Many vehicles today run on 90 Ot to run correctly: many put 87 Ot witch then they have to make more runs to fill up. I am GM train and have seen what many vehicles people put vehicles thru. To the end of working I worked at the auction and show firsthand what I stated , also I some old cars and what found that was done for repairs was a joke , vehicle were taken back to stock and are drivers & back on the road ! If your happy paying what is being ask for vehicles today all the power to you sir. Oh also for got at the auction I was part of crew checking in vehicles, one vehicle stands out pick up with 6000 miles ( new ) the letter inside was to whoever got the truck it stated ( Our dad bought this truck 8 weeks ago
What a wealth of information. Get well soon.
Road monsters! I love em!
Another great video from Steeveee Magnanteee !
Love the last LT1 Roadmaster what an underrated car been in a few comfortable fast for what it was comfortable is an understatement!
I remember driving a 96 wagon a former employer had. It was quite nice. Quite quick for the size. (I agree want you said the skylark, these were very unusual. I rented one of these in LA years ago.
Steve, always enjoy how you make a normal everyday car interesting.
I'm almost 70 spent lotsa time at the local wrecking yard ( even worked there a couple times) during my younger days and enjoy these relics over high dollar restorations... RIP DuBois Auto Wrecking
I had one of those skylarks you disliked lol it was a nice car. 3.1 powered and was pretty quick
I've got a 91 sitting in the yard 271k miles and the ac still works
I was hoping you would do this one. Thanks Professor Magnante
When those came out I thought they were cool.amd I wanted one. Or even the station wagon.
My dad bought a new Roadmaster estate wagon when they first came back out as a retirement present to himself. Traded in his tired 1979 Estate Wagon with the 350 engine. I was shocked he bought something so ugly but I guess for him it was the name. Having a Buick before that, but having a 66 caprice wagon until 1979 but before the Chevy he bought a new black 53 Roadmaster 4dr he drove until 1966. Dad was a Buick guy I guess. Before the 53 it was his first car, a used 1937 Plymouth 2 dr sedan. The 90's Buick was his last new and last domestic car. In 2000 him and mom decided to go to one car to keep expenses down and they sold his Roadmaster and her 1984 Volvo 240 and bought a 1990 Volvo 240 wagon because dad was handy and had to have a wagon. That was a great car until mom forced the upgrade in 2010 to a 2004 Golf TDI they drove until dad stopped driving in 2018.
We were a Buick family
growing up my dad loved the early roadmasters as well as the Electra 225. Thanks for the memories.
I have 2 caprices 1995 9C1s and 1 1994 L99 4.3L v8. All great cars!
It's too bad you didn't have one that was complete and in like-new condition. Had a 1957 Buick Super and it was still perfect.
Remember the south park episode, I think it was about seniors were revolting. In southpark style they were all driving square nondescript cars, with only the Buick emblem recognizeable
I had one of these as a company car. It was incredible.
I used to call them Road Monsters!
I still see the odd roadmaster in our city. Just saw a green grey one the other day.
Loved that big ass Buick.
Depressing to see these great cars all rotting away.
The Limited was even more upscale than the Roadmaster.
With the look of that car, not sure it's a bad idear it's in the past.
I think the Cadillac and Roadmaster both had the longer wheelbase. The rear door is longer and had the small window that allowed the rear window to open all the way and clear the wheel cutout.
No, the Roadmaster and Caprice/Impala shared a wheelbase, the Fleetwood was longer. Only the Roadmaster sedan allowed for the rear windows to go all the way down. Not so with the Roadmaster wagon, the Caprice/Impala nor Fleetwood. The rear door on the Fleetwood is longer, yet the windows will not go all the way down. All of them shared the front door and windshield.
@@MostlyBuicks true that
LOVE the '94 through '96 Roadmasters!!!
A story on that 1st gen Legacy would be cool. You can talk about how Subaru targeted the PNW and other snowy/wet states for their advertising and completely avoided places like California,Arizona,Texas type states. It helped cement their "Legacy" in those adverse weather places.
There was a certain southern Californian city that had the Caprice of that platform. Due to the black and white paint scheme, were referred to "Shamu".
My uncle used to call them Road Bastards. However, I think he was referring to the pre 1960 version.
I had a 1996 and i wish i never sold it, Mine was a Freaking Rocket. The ride was just like a Caddy. I have owned many cars, and i dare say this car may have been the best i ever had.
Lol use to catch a ride to work with a guy that had that same car, same color, he called it "the road bastard" lol. Comfy cars, if you ever ride in a S-class Mercedes you will see they are an over engineered version of these and 70's American land yachts
Excellent channel Steve! Lots of info and fun!
I hauled cars for 22 years, I distinctly remember the first time one of these tanks was on my load. From that moment I walked up to the car, my brain said “ Road Monster “. There was something about the rear quarters, that made this car look faster than the Caprice. You have to keep in mind that in our line of work you have to drive or back this brute between the posts that make up a car haul trailers structure. Only a couple of inches clearance on either side. Same with full size pickups. You have to hug the side you can see, and keep the steering wheel adjustments to a minimum. Even turning the steering wheel when the vehicle is stopped the tire friction on the deck will made the vehicle move slightly as the caster, and camber of the front end geometry adjusts. GM came out with 4 wheel steering option on some trucks, you had to disable it. Try driving vehicles up on to the top deck of some of the older trailers back in the day, when it’s the dead of winter in Canada and it’s - 30 in Winnipeg Manitoba. I’ve gone as far as leaving my truck and the truck stop fuel cardlock and walking, or taxi to the dealership at night and drive say a full size cargo van back to the truck, and park the car hauler in the fuel island where there’s no snow on the ground so I can take a run at the ramps fast enough to get it up on the deck without wheel spin getting you out of shape as you hit the ramps. Hopefully you didn’t have to unload that one again till you reached your final destination. Some times on my run back and forth from Vancouver B.C. and Toronto you’d have a vehicle off and on the truck 4 or 5 times depending on how your load makeup changed as you where always trying to replace units that you dropped off along the way, 22 years of that was enough. Philosophically put, “ You hauled some people’s dreams, and other people’s nightmares “ for me.
* Fatter not faster ! *
I have a GM bulletin from the 1970s showing some GM brass giving away some Trans Ams that fell off the transporter and were being donated to the local trade schools as learning/teaching cars.
If I recall correctly, any new GM that sustained roof damage would not go into the retail market. We had two Aerostar vans that where destined for the California market get miss shipped to our rail unloader facility in Thunder Bay ON. They sat there for what seemed like for ever. Then Ford sent notification to remove the spare, mates, antenna, and floor mats, and to take the vans to a scale, weigh them, and then watch them being destroyed. In this case running the forks of a large fork truck at the scrapyard being sure to damage the engine, and driveline. Same for an lot of Oakville build pickup trucks, all had to be destroyed. They will not allow a unibody, or chassis to be repaired, as these components have crush points designed into them. Repairs might affect this function. There is a true story about a ship anchored in English Bay B.C. that had a cargo of British motor cars that had nowhere to go. They where eventually rolled over the side, so the ship could go on its way.
@@georgerenton965 Yup, they would rather write it off than be responsible for it.
Like the Roadmaster luxury.
So sad to see that roadmaster in that junk yard. We have two Roadmaster wagons a93 and a 96 that my brother put a 383 sticker in.😊😊
Had a ‘95 with the LT1. Smoked the tires on the test drive. Optispark sucks.
I have two 93's currently. One with 52000 original miles. Had a 95, the cooling system was finicky, and the car had transmission problems unfortunately. I really prefer the 92- 93 mostly. I really like my Roadmasters, they are great automobiles.
Hi Steve, good video, good car! There is no substitute for a V8 rear wheel drive car. That Buick Roadmaster will do everything a two wheel drive SUV will do, including trailer towing with a down to earth ride height! It is not necessary to be two feet up in the air to tow a trailer, and more aerodynamic (save fuel) anyway! By today(s) standard(s) it's SUV! SUV! SUV! Please comment! Dave...
Great video! Love me the Roadmaster! I also spot a 90-91 Subaru Legacy in the back round of the junk yard there too! I would totally pick that guy up asap! Rare car.
I daily drive a 91 Roadmaster wagon, which came with a first year only 5.0 V8. Though not as good as the 350’s, the thing just cruises on the highway. We live in Michigan and have driven it to FL, TN twice, and KY. Love my Roadie!
I've always been kinda a Buick guy. Had rwd and fwd Regals (one T-Type), a supercharged Regal, and a supercharged Park Avenue Ultra. The 3800 is one of the greatest engines ever built. I recently bought a clean 69 Skylark, I'll eventually put an aluminum LS and a Tremec in it.
Buicks had a great run, gm perfected the 3.8,/2000 Buick la Sabre 328 thousands miles,22 year run until a deer took it out!
Love your snap videos
I think of Steve Morris wagon Boostmaster.
And he just picked up a nice Olds Cruiser Wagon for, I believe, 500 bucks. Love Steve Morris😁👍
I had a 1996 Roadmaster with the vette engine just like the Impala SS. Awesome car. Thanks Steve 👍
Any 1994-1996 B or D body of this vintage with the 5.7L V8 technically had the Corvette engine as it was the RPO code "LT1" engine.
I loved these big bodied GMs. I want a roadmaster wagon to make a hotrod family hauler. My wife thinks they are hideous though. She says I’m already older than her, and I don’t need to add to looking like a senior citizen. 😂
Tell her, "Honey you're looking great, like when you were (25, 30, etc.). Now I need the Roadmaster to look like you did when you were 30." LOL.
I have only ever seen/noticed the wagon, I think.
My nephew had one with the lt1 350. A sleeper.
They never let poor Rudolph play in any junkyard games
Nice! Santa's Elves THANK YOU! -Steve Magnante
Too busy hanging out with (a) vixen.
Steve Morris has a low 6 second Roadmaster. Going for 5's this year.
Morning Steve...I have to say that you know you have seriously loyal subscribers when there's a competition every morning to who will be first to comment. The much loved Steve and super Shane....good day guys.
Hello Peter Antonopoulos, Thanks for watching and writing. I'm guessing you - like me - have probably spent 1/100th of your life telling folks how to properly PRONOUNCE your last name, right? Mine is complicated by the fact the "G" is silent. Like lasagna, just say Mon-Yawn-Tee". But folks usually say "Mag-Nan-Tee". Call me what you want, just don't call me late for dinner! Anyhoo, THANKS for your kind words and for watching and writing. -Steve Mon-Yawn-Tee....
@@SteveMagnante Anytime your in the montreal area you have an open invite for dinner at my establishment. You know a lot of us greek Boyz are in this business. But I love my cars a good people like yourself. Yiasoo