The 1987 Buick Riviera is a personal luxury coupe designed for comfortable long-distance cruising with classic Buick styling and a soft, quiet ride. This model sits in the late-1980s Riviera era (front-wheel-drive, downsized from earlier decades), positioned as an upscale alternative to mainstream coupes with a strong focus on comfort and features rather than outright performance. It’s ideal for collectors, classic GM enthusiasts, or drivers who want a relaxed highway car with a distinctive 1980s look. In the market, it competes with other luxury coupes of the time by emphasizing ride quality, interior comfort, and smooth power delivery.

- Personal luxury coupe layout with front-wheel drive, tuned for a plush ride and stable highway manners. - V6 power typical of this era of Riviera, most commonly the 3.8L Buick V6 (widely known for strong low-end torque and parts availability compared to more obscure engine options). - Available automatic transmission (typical for the Riviera’s luxury mission), delivering smooth shifts when properly maintained. - Comfort and convenience focus: supportive seating, a quiet cabin, and an upscale interior design for the time, often with power accessories depending on trim and options. - Classic 1980s Buick design cues and a “grand touring” feel, making it appealing as a weekend cruiser or show-and-drive classic.

Shoppers often search “1987 Buick Riviera problems” and “1987 Buick Riviera reliability” because this is an older, electronics-heavy (for its time) luxury coupe that can develop age-related issues. Overall reliability can be good for a well-maintained example, but condition and maintenance history matter more than mileage alone. 1) Automatic transmission wear and shifting issues: Many older GM automatics can develop delayed engagement, slipping, or harsh shifting as mileage climbs—often becoming noticeable around 100,000–150,000 miles if fluid service was neglected. Low fluid, old fluid, and overheating can accelerate wear. 2) Cooling system leaks and overheating: Radiators, water pumps, and hoses commonly deteriorate with age, and small leaks can snowball into overheating events. On higher-mileage cars, watch for coolant loss, temperature swings, or evidence of stop-leak products, which can point to unresolved cooling issues. 3) Electrical gremlins in power accessories and dash components: Power windows, door locks, seat motors, and instrument cluster/lighting issues are common on 1980s luxury cars as switches, connectors, and grounds age. Intermittent operation is a frequent complaint and can be time-consuming to diagnose. 4) Vacuum-related drivability problems: Older vacuum lines and fittings can crack and leak, leading to rough idle, hesitation, or inconsistent HVAC vent operation. Vacuum leaks can mimic more serious fuel/ignition problems, so they’re a key “common issues” category to check before replacing major parts.