1988 Buick Reatta Start Up, Exhaust, and In Depth Tour

[@dmoore0079]

I own an '89 Reatta as a daily driver, and I love it! Compared to the cheaply made compact cars I've predominantly owned, this car is a calming, quiet, peaceful sanctuary - Heavy traffic and bad drivers just seem trivial when you're driving one. The CRT touchscreen is surprisingly responsive and acts as more than a quirky throwback to 80's tech - not only can you control and access your radio/tape deck, climate, and trip info, but you can even use it as an onboard diagnostic tool which gives real time data of various sensors under the hood! You can diagnose engine issues from the driver's seat of your car! How cool is that?

[@jakedunham7709]

hey, was hoping you could tell me if it’s ever given you any trouble? engine problems? otherwise i’ve been looking to buy one myself, i have an 04 impala at the moment which is super reliable it just doesn’t have a cool digital dash that would make me feel like i’m in star wars 😂

[@austenfairbanks5604]

I have an 88 and can't agree more. I even added remote start, a subwoofer in my spare tire, a dash cam/reverse cam on my rear view mirror and ect. Love my reatta. Can't wait to pull it out of the garage in a couple weeks. Never seen a winter

[@ianscheurer]

@@jakedunham7709 Assuming you have an LS you basically have the same engine that's in the Reatta, it's just the 3800 in the Reatta is of the previous generation; a series 1 versus your Impala's series 2. Doesn't really mean much though, as they're both immensely reliable.

[@Vivi-tz2rl]

​@@austenfairbanks5604 how's reliability been all around? I know the 3800 is pretty bulletproof, but how's the rest of the car been holding up?

[@austenfairbanks5604]

@@Vivi-tz2rl it's been as reliable as you'd imagine an 80s car to be. Lots of bolts and clips that need replacing from falling apart over time. No problems with the trans or engine though and I've done all the basic maintenance that should be done. Had to replace some small stuff, the most expensive being the ICM because it was leaking (very common) which was about $120. Other then that the cars been great. Very nice classic luxury car to get for cheap

[@MeerschaumSteve]

I just bought one, love it. Drives great, and all the electronics work perfectly. It was throwing an error on the screen, and after diagnostic, it turns out it was the check engine idiot light was burned out. The computer actually tracks stuff like that. The gas mileage you see in the video is an average thru mostly stop and go traffic. Mine gets 28-32mpg at 60-70mph on the highway. This car has 4 computers, the one for the engine, the one that runs the touch screen with diagnostics, one that controls body items like heat/air, interior electrics, and the instrument cluster including its light bulbs. A smaller computer is in the trunk running the antilock brakes. The car rides like a luxury sedan, smooth and quiet. The car is very heavy, and you can feel the weight when you drive. Its after all, not a sports car, its a two seat luxury coupe.

[@dkb420]

MeerschaumSteve were are all the computers then... Just got one. An my touch screen ctr don't work... An the heat an air has mind of its on... Lol

[@crazyjkz]

It was actually a quite advanced design, especially for GM in the 80s. The relatively heavy weight was primarily due to the advanced safety & luxury features and the advanced electronics. The 4-wheel independent suspension gave a very smooth & comfortable ride, especially for a 2-seater coupe. The sloppy handling was due to the typical Buick ultra-soft suspension tuning, they didn't want to turn off the typical Buick customers by going with a harsh & stiff Corvette-like ride, remember this was a personal luxury coupe, NOT a sports car. Ultimately the Reatta was a very experimental and advanced design that wasn't given enough development in the areas of powertrain, weight-reduction methods, and suspension tuning. If Buick had given it the supercharged 3800 and tightened up the suspension along with using some lightweight aluminum, polymer, & fiberglass materials to reduce weight then it definitely would have been a bigger success and certainly would have lasted much longer than it did.

[@austenfairbanks5604]

My dude copying and pasting comments on buick reatta vidoes😂

[@louisbabycos106]

Restomod!

[@alfa_guy09]

It’s funny how the chime sounds the same as it would today! It never changed!

[@GoGettaJace]

Whenever I go to the mall with my mom and brother.My mom drives down a route to go home and there's always a buick reatta parked in this person's driveway sitting in the same spot every time I see it.There's always so much stuff in it too.My mom said she has seen a couple more cars in the front of thier house that are also filled with so much stuff.So the owner basically uses it to put stuff in it and is never driven.I also love buick reattas and thier one of my dream cars.Not because of looks but because of how advanced it was for its time

[@timshelby2324]

I saw one today on the road and had to check it out . Hadn't seen one in many years, the tech was amazing for the day.

[@buckeyetree4826]

Buick had some crazy cars back in the day

[@Unicornguy]

I just fell in love with this car. I own a 1998 Buick Skylark and I love it ,but when I saw the all digital dashboard and the digital display for the radio my jaw fell on the floor. I love the way this car looks!

[@tHeWasTeDYouTh]

5:56 AWESOME, damn late 80s cars looked awesome

[@crystalscan2002]

this car is way ahead of its time

[@WaltersREA]

This car has a few cool features that most off today's cars dont have like how the glovebox opens or how the memory seats is built in the car's screen. Really cool :)

[@banifatsy]

real American cars are really beautiful pity that in our country there are so few and they are so expensive, they are excellent

[@jeanandreasfiero268]

banifatsy they are rare any where.

[@jokeropsairsoft1706]

There are 2 for sale for $1500 each near me

[@Djevan41598]

Most of the GM cars nowadays are either rebadged Opels, Holden’s, or Daewoos

[@saidgrc]

This car is sooo sick, i saw one on craigslist today and i just had to look it up. Great car!!!

[@vernonwlo]

wow the touch screen reacts even faster than some of the modern ones

[@ztwntyn8]

I love the 80s tech in this car. I will def keep my eyes open for on e now. Grew up in the 80s cars weren't fast the nerds movie was out and it was all about tech coming soon. this car is the first I've seen with touch etc. I love all of the options. a geek would love this on biz trips etc. no more logging in a spiral notebook!

[@jasongeisendorff1506]

The automobile is the best invention ever created. This Buick is no exception.

[@vehemenceyt]

Hearing that door chime gives me that feeling you get from watching family VHS tapes and seeing your grown up family all young before you were born. Lovely car!

[@herrbela84]

That car is y2k compatible then.

[@JEMHull-gf9el]

what a cool center control display! I want one in my modern car its so retro. I want it just for the interior.

[@bigmike9947]

Same, I don't particularly like the rest of the car, it's not bad but it's not for me, I just think the interior is so cool

[@sato4kaiba]

Didn't know that this model and make of Buick cars had such advance technology. The only difference today is that we use LEDs and not VFDs lol

[@ObesePuppies]

Satobatsu Kaiba it was way ahead of its time

[@JEMHull-gf9el]

its actually a CRT! at least for the center display.

[@DualofChaos]

I saw this car the other day. I wanted to learn more about it. So i came here. I was stunned by the digital instruments and displays. It seems so advanced for its time. And the still work! Most Cars today (expensive cars too) don't have a touch screen onboard computer like that. That is so awesome. The only thing I don't like is the all red interior, that is too much red for me. I bet this was another great american car people ignored and forgot about :(

[@Wolfytototito]

I came across an imgur post about this model. I am quite amused to see the style of display and the touch screen computer. And this is from what 88? It looks very interesting and functional for today's roads. I mean add what? Blue tooth and you are golden. What a nice car.

[@WhiteSlift]

Interesting car, oozes 80's futurism, like Robocop. The touchscreen is amazing for the time period of the car, even though it's probably unhandy to use while driving.

[@Biztek764]

Now that’s something ahead of its time but I like that car a lot

[@macrodisio]

When a Buick was a Buick...

[@dave11686]

What a beautiful car, and that CRT is nifty! Great job Kyle!

[@cadizv]

Touch screen on a 1988 car! and also the interior is very striking this car is amazing

[@hazzaknox1069]

I'm so having one of these as a project car combining the touchscreen with the soft top and so on

[@fixinggrace]

These were built at the Lansing Craft Center; the same place that built the EV-1 and the SSR. Nice car for a two seater. Really nice for a 20+ year old car.

[@FunctionalHacker]

How about doing a video of a Pontiac Fiero? Surprised you haven't done a single one o.0

[@digimon916]

this car is so cool. i work valet and an old guy came in with one and i thought it was something like a fiat or alfa because ive never seen one. he said "take care of my baby will you?". then i was like..."wow this car is more interesting than i thought" when i got in. i was surprised to see the screen still working, and quite cool for its age because it was techy. but i didnt know it was touchscreen!!!

[@Mecal00]

Cool, I knew about Reattas and their touch screens, but never saw one in action.

[@lgz2006]

I was in love with this car at first glance... One of the reasons are it's pop up headlights!😍

[@CupwakeRBLX]

I think your the newest comment

[@lgz2006]

@@CupwakeRBLX Yup... Actually by now, you are.

[@jammer96]

I remember seeing these when they were new. Man I feel old now!

[@christianobrian475]

8 yrs later.... How about now?

[@NickMyers1]

That has to be one of the coolest touch screens I have seen in ages. I wonder how it compares to Ford's MyTouch. Nice 80s song on the radio.

[@WitchyWhale]

This car was ahead of its time

[@tristanmatheson9202]

gotta love your 3.8.

[@sexymommakat]

Tristan Matheson as he was saying it I was reading your comment lol.

[@coololds85]

Saw one of these two weeks ago in red and my eyes lit up because I honestly never saw one like it on the American road before.

[@autofascynacje]

Wow that's amazing! A touch screen? In an youngtimer? Really amazing...

[@genmac1]

For a 1988 stereo, it sounds exceptional, not to mention the touch screen

[@jamesbensch6]

Buying one this week. Got everything set up just need to do the paperwork. Mine is an 89 in red with tan interior

[@christianobrian475]

See if it's a select 60.

[@clonetrooper71]

Its nice to have a car that looks and is old, yet still has alot of the luxury of new cars.

[@michelellison9687]

I had a family member that worked for GM at the studio that design this car. I used to have pictures of the Reatta concept and production. It was one of this first car at that time to have a touch screen.

[@KOCH4444]

Incredible !!.Touch screen....1988!!Respect to Buick...

[@Foryourinfo369]

Had a 89 Riviera we miss : (

[@Jon3800]

love those stock 3800 exhaust. Makes me proud to own one

[@mrgitarman]

Wow! I am buying one of these tomorrow.. 1990 Saphire Blue color in like new condition. this video has me excited! I want something different than everyone else has and none on the road where I live.

[@DrCharlesMontague]

Touchscreen, though spoken about with disdain by many in the automotive press, was and is pretty neat. The only thing I could see growing to hate about it is the fact that it beeps twice every time you make a selection.

[@eddox94]

a car with a pip-boy!! fucking loved it!

[@gigicul21]

I've never seen a car like this before! Very nice! Thx for upload!

[@sunilkhusial]

Love this car.

[@StuinthaHouse]

@carman81usa That was 10 Liters per 100km. It was set in Metric mode. It's actually about 24mpg.

[@MistaSkelll]

Pretty much overnight this became my dream car.

[@material___]

I have a 1989 with 152k on it. Drives realllllly smooth. Crt is a bit out of the box, but nice for its time I guess. Digital gage took me

[@fortyglock9698]

can u swap out radio with system?

[@material___]

@@fortyglock9698 nope. 2 years later wish I got a 90/91.

[@RetroFan1992]

Wow great car way ahead of it's time. A pioneer for touch screen consoles in cars. Who new a touch screen in a 88.

[@highwally61]

I LOVE the chime

[@DionicioThomas-qd6ns]

This car shows that buick really know how to build some very beautiful. unique and fast cars Like the buick grand national

[@JimmyDean404]

Buick I must say makes one of the nicest looking GM cars.

[@philtru]

Im getting mine today! God bless facebook marketplace. I found a 1988 much like this one but black interior. Florida driven so its rust free, only problem is a cracked subframe but im a welder so that no problem. Best $950 ill ever spend

[@Ometheon]

It's an odd car, but I like it. It shows that back in the day, they had the courage to try something different!

[@Thedudemanification]

Definitely looks like a nice car. I personally think it should be RWD, because if you're going to make a car have no back seats, you mine as well make it an all purpose sports car. Just in my opinion. Nice car!

[@4wheeler14]

My grandma's 1987 Riviera had the same digital dash and touch screen climate control, radio etc. That was an awesome car, very ahead of its time. Hey Kyle, a 1987 Riviera is hard to find, it would be cool if you find one and review it!!

[@manoman0]

Thanks for this nice Reatta-review!!!

[@1337knb]

I want one of these so bad!

[@ITB_E86]

The touch screen in this car is better than the ones on most phones

[@tristanmatheson9202]

love the gauge cluster all dakota digital

[@daveinfl26]

@Dalit5 I don't think it shares the Fiero platform. The Fiero was mid-engined, rear wheel drive where i think the Reatta is Front/Front drive. Might be wrong though. Wheel base looks real close. Cool find Kyle!

[@WindowshadeCure]

I used to think that these things were reskinned fieros, but they're actually shortened rivieras

[@gave_gave_gone]

I'm working in Yandex Taxi in Russia Krasnodar my 88 Reatta is 200 000 miles engine Not once did it break it's legendary car 🎉🎉🎉

[@datboiwes333]

@JeremyLikeCorvettes It's kind of similar but on a different platform. Plus I think the Fiero was mid-engined.

[@randomrazr]

@TJC450 no problem, i have an iphone 4 and it rocks! LOL think the iPad is worth the money though?

[@tristanmathesonsinventory2443]

the coolest car ever

[@Tick25]

Since everything is digital in it, are the cars known to have any issues with the dashboard?

[@austinfisher9152]

im own a 88 Reatta and looking to fix it up no radio and needs new transmission other than that its an amazing vehicle!!!

[@Adam19822000]

I've seen 4 of these in the past few months, all in Somerset, Massachusetts.

[@brspeedysgarage]

love the green monochromatic 80s touch screen

[@DerAdventurer]

All that tech system for 1988? Dang, you gotta love AMERICA! Thank you for sharing, Kyle. PS: I love the buzzers....

[@dukemd69]

Check out the Body Control Module and the IPC. Replaced both in my Toronado. Expensive. Parts arehard to find. Good luck.

[@ryangood38]

the trip computer says we june 8th you just now get this? Nice car got love the red Burgundy car interior! I had a1988 white Monte Carlo with the Burgundy interior loved it!

[@geneseetrainselevators2448]

I didn't know that there was a 2 sweater Buick!

[@TheBob0416]

cool!! I didn't know buick had a good looking 80's car!!

[@0071776]

why today they dont have that kind of imagination for the interior no more,this is beautiful OMG.

[@FanDeAlguersuari]

that car ROCKSSSSSS!!

[@rahiabrar8400]

That car was pretty advanced in terms of technology for its time.

[@carwhiz90]

Love the horn sound!!! very Buick like

[@RootsRockRebel]

If only they had made this car rear wheel drive!!! But then I find myself saying that about so many of GM's late 80's and early 90's vehicles!

[@TJC450]

A lot of people are saying "gauge" is spelled wrong. Its not. It can be both ways. I looked it up :D

[@raymondhaley8156]

Which buick would you rather have ? reatta or cascada/1988-18 look before you buy!

[@Goldenrod636]

I love the chime.

[@dogmanx88]

i never knew how advanced these things were for its time. thats crazy. i have a newfound respect for this little twerps.lol

[@944devster]

Buick for life!

[@tristanmatheson9202]

all the retro techs inside

[@Forgoten214]

@randomrazr Hell yea the touch screen is awesome! If I had money and was around in 1988 I'd definitely be interested in this car.

[@vulturez09]

cool car!! got touchscreen in 1988 wish I got this one :D

[@razrX]

awesome car !! never heard of it before

[@randomrazr]

@killshotnation cool feature but would have beena pain in the ass flipping through all the settings, for example, playing the radio, but then u want to adjust the climate so u have to change the screen and find the right buttons. not a great idea trying to fiddle around with it while driving :p

[@zanjani13]

very nice rare buick, havent heard of it though

[@BENLINUZ]

That car is really cool

[@celsovera91]

I can't the chime is that old. I rented a 2009 impala once and it had the same chime.

[@angelasimms4096]

Because buicks and chevys are made by GM

[@rml695]

So did you load the cassettes right side up just as you did in a home stereo?