I had one for a few years in college freshmen and sophomore year. I never liked or disliked the car and honestly never got the appeal. Everyone touted safety but never “tried” that out.
Both of mine only left the family due to accidents. Both over 200k+ miles so they were totalled even though easily repairable.
Safe, solid, and durable but not stand out in any characteristic, and could stand to be better in some. Someone said "agricultural" and that's a good way to describe the weaker points. Reasonably priced, as well, before the brand tried to go upmarket.
I think people looking for the same things now buy Subarus, which fit the same mold, even down to the less than fashionable "styling."
My aunt had that Buick. She is a cool aunt--check out her vehicle progression:
1979 Buick Opel (Isuzu)
divorce
Toyota Supra
Toyota Supra Turbo
Mazda RX-7 Turbo
1995 BMW M3 Lightweight--this was the one she should never have gotten rid of. But at the time, lack of a radio, lack of air conditioning, lack of sunroof was too much for her
2004 BMW M3
amazing she stopped in 2004, still has the M3.
Some people like cars. I knew a lady like that.
Supras, of course, are now prized.
Few people wanted the LTWs when they were new. Despite being limited run (~120 or so made), they sat in dealer showrooms for a while. Now…someone here asked whether "modern" cars were collectible. They are desirable, even if not like the crazy market for nice E30s.
I had a good chat with an FD owner at a car wash a couple years ago. 90s were a time when all the Japanese brought their A-games and made cars like it, the Supra, and 300ZX. He also owned an older Ferrari, and had just as much fun in the RX-7, but wifey thought he had too many cars. Fun to drive, but had a hard time finding someone who knew how to work on it, and parts were scarce as well, having to scout and import from Japan and elsewhere.
I'd be partial to a 745T in the metallic blue. Always loved that color, as well as BMW's Estoril Blue.
