1998 Buick Riviera,
Is A Two-Door Partner
To The Four-Door Aurora

By Bob Storck

Base Retail Price Range: $31,160 To $32,500

Base Invoice Price Range: $29,134 To $29,412

This a two-door partner to the four-door Aurora, as Buick revived the Riviera name on the same G-car platform. Riviera is a perfect fit for their line. A major difference is that the Riviera offers six-person seating, while the Aurora only has front buckets. Buick also uses its own engines.

Despite the two-door body the Riviera is longer and wider than the Aurora. The suspensions have completely different tuning and are aimed at different customers.

The Riviera has the widest track of any Buick, and is soft yet stable. Magnetic variable assist power steering matches enables smooth, effortless steering at any speed.

The Riviera has a choice of the 205 hp 3.8 liter V6 or can dip into the Park Avenue Ultra parts bin for the 240 hp supercharged version. Supercharged engine response is almost instantaneous, so passing is without drama.

The snout and the swoopier roof line on the Riviera give it a suggestion of speed and power. There is a crisp edge on the top of the fenders that is not evident in most photos, but gives the car an elegant line when viewed up close. Following the nautical styling, designers have added wood to the Buick interior.

Personal Choice allows pre-programmed settings for seats and most controls, plus remote keying for home security and lighting systems. Spark plug and engine management changes last year resulted in 15 more horses plus a 100,00 mile tune-up interval.