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Every driver's guilty pleasure, the Buick Reatta was far from the top-notch quality expected from a GM vehicle yet it achieved modest success during its short stint from 1988 to 1991. This Grand Tourer was sold in coupe and convertible body styles and was Buick's first two-seater vehicle since the model 46. It was marketed within the sports vehicles group and was dubbed as "the premium American 2-seater." One of the most luxurious vehicles of its time, the Reatta possessed handcrafted interiors, an Electronic Control Center with a touchscreen instrument panel, and other features that were too advanced for its time. These features attracted lots of techie car enthusiasts and vain drivers who want a good-looking ride.
In spite of its hip advertising and exciting add-ons, Buick Reatta fell short in performance. It didn't live up to the expectations of what a "sporty" vehicle should be. Its V6 engine wasn't enough to overshadow the reigning BMW cars at the time. The Buick Reatta parts underneath the hood only produced a dismal 165 to 170 hp and 210 to 220 lb.-ft. of torque. Race junkies didn't love the speed either; it was electronically limited to 125 mph. And for budget-conscious drivers, the Reatta was a no-no. Considering its small size, it has a poor fuel economy rated at 18 mpg in city driving and 27 mpg in highway driving.
Even if it failed, it would still be nice to drive a vintage Buick Reatta just for memories' sake. So if you've got an old one parked in the garage, take out your tools and start restoring your old ride to its former glory. This old model would work as a great DIY repair projectif you don't have one, you can a used one at $500, more or less. You can customize its interiors, upgrade its stock engine, and turn it to the sports car that you want it to be.