All of us prefer to look again on the automobiles of our youth by the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia. Right now’s Good Value or No Cube Roadmaster is the form of automotive that many people grew up on. Let’s have a look at if this decently-maintained instance warrants a better have a look at its worth.
If TikTok has taught us something, it is that everybody loves a glow-up. Together with political misinformation and dance-offs, make-up tutorials—often by tweens (when did they take over?)—are extraordinarily in style on the short-form video venue. One of many largest glow-ups within the automotive world is that of the Land Rover Vary Rover. Initially designed to be a reasonably spartan, however succesful off-roader, it advanced over the a long time into what immediately might be thought-about a Bentley-level luxurious experience.
The 2001 Vary Rover we checked out yesterday had a reasonably first rate set of options and frills, however wasn’t as wildly outfitted as a contemporary instance can be. That is a superb factor contemplating its age and the outstanding 240K miles underneath its belt. Nonetheless, it was sophisticated sufficient, and carried the mannequin’s popularity for fiddly mechanicals, that its $8,500 asking worth could not muster a lot enthusiasm from all of you. Whereas the truck appeared to have been well-loved by its current and previous homeowners, too few of you really liked the concept of paying that a lot for it, incomes the Vary Rover a 76% No Cube loss.
The sovereign of suburbia
Whereas maybe not the one to have, yesterday’s Vary Rover is in a category of automobiles that does enchantment to the broadest cross-section of shoppers, the SUV. Whether or not huge and beefy, like a Land Rover or a Suburban, or compact and extra garage-friendly, like a Honda CR-V, tall wagons are the most well-liked automobiles within the nation.
That wasn’t at all times the case, although. Earlier than the ascension of the SUV, sedans dominated the roost when it got here to automobiles. Ford’s F-Collection has lengthy been the best-selling car in America for many years, however that, in fact, is a pick-up. Wanting again half a century, it was the Buick Regal that took prime gross sales honors, adopted by Ford’s Taurus, after which the Toyota Camry, earlier than the title was yielded to crossovers just like the Tesla Mannequin Y and Toyota RAV4.
Wanting on the suburban panorama over this time, nevertheless, one may assume the best-selling automotive within the nation was the wood-paneled three-row station wagon, as, between manicured lawns and carefully-tended flower beds, almost each driveway was populated by one. Right now’s 1993 Buick Roadmaster might lack the fake wooden down the edges, however it’s in any other case a type of as soon as ubiquitous suburban sights.
Taking an Electra-fying break
Buick launched the Roadmaster nameplate in 1936, concurrently including different soon-to-be requirements, such because the Century and Restricted, to its roster. It could be virtually two full a long time earlier than the Roadmaster title can be utilized to a wagon, and shortly after that, in 1958, the nameplate was placed on hiatus, succeeded by the Electra 225.
In 1991, the Roadmaster title was revived and utilized to the B-body wagon, previously identified merely because the Buick Property. That makes it not solely the primary Roadmaster in over three a long time, but additionally the primary wagon to hold that title since 1953. The Roadmaster supplied seating for seven or eight, relying on the entrance seat setup, and a tailgate that each dropped and swung open for straightforward entry.
Being a 1993 mannequin, this Roadmaster sports activities a 5.7-liter Chevy LO5 V8 underneath the hood, as that was the usual mill. As outfitted, it provides 180 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, and is mated to a column-shifted four-speed computerized driving a strong rear axle. In line with the advert, this one has executed 169,000 miles, and but nonetheless “drives good!!!” It comes with a brand new starter, new radiator, new water pump, new tires, and new keys, however nonetheless its unique proprietor’s guide, and unique appeal.
Wanting again
A part of that appeal is the capacious inside, which options broad seats and the enjoyment of a rearward-facing third row within the very again. All of it seems to be in actually first rate form within the cabin, with just some staining on the carpet (made extra noticeable by the distinction with the clear new mats) about which to complain. Apart from that, it seems move-in prepared and sized to take the entire household the place they should go.
Together with the brand new components already famous, the wagon comes with a brand new gas pump and window regulator for one of many doorways. The advert is a bit excessive on some particulars, claiming, “This was at its day the most costly US Passenger automotive,” and stating that it has “9 seating.” On the time, the highest Cadillacs and Chevy’s Corvettes had been pricier, and the max variety of seat belts the automotive ever had was eight, so any further passengers would have to be strapped to the roof. Regardless, the images inform the story, and this Roadmaster seems clear prime to backside, with a straight physique and trim. It additionally comes with a clear title for straightforward switch.
Buick bucks
To make that deal, potential consumers would want to indicate up with $5,990 of their pocket. They need to in all probability even have a plan for a spot to park it. It’s, in any case, an enormous automotive. Is it an enormous deal, nevertheless? Being simply shy of six grand places it in a restricted area, as not many (first rate) automobiles ask that little nowadays.
What do you assume? Is $5,990 a good asking worth for this huge Buick that appears to nonetheless have loads of life left and plenty of seats on the desk? Or, like the massive station wagons as a complete, is that worth simply old-fashioned and out of contact?
You resolve!
Los Angeles, California, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to RevUnlimiter for the hookup!
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