How do goalies defend against 8-meter shots in women’s lacrosse. What strategies can shooters use to score on free position shots. Why is reading the situation crucial for both goalies and shooters in 8-meter plays.
Understanding the 8-Meter Shot in Women’s Lacrosse
The 8-meter shot is a unique aspect of women’s lacrosse that can significantly impact the outcome of a game. This free position shot is awarded when a defensive foul occurs within the 8-meter arc, providing the offensive player with a prime scoring opportunity. To fully grasp the dynamics of this play, it’s essential to understand its setup and execution.
The Setup of an 8-Meter Shot
When a foul is called inside the 8-meter arc, the offensive player is granted a free position shot from the nearest hash mark on the arc. Defenders who were inside the arc at the time of the foul must also reposition themselves on the arc, maintaining a minimum distance of 4 yards from the shooter. This creates a high-pressure scenario for both the shooter and the goalie.
Why is the 8-meter shot so important in women’s lacrosse?
The 8-meter shot is crucial because it provides a clear scoring opportunity with minimal defensive interference. It tests the skills of both the shooter and the goalie under pressure, often serving as a game-changing moment. Mastering these shots can significantly boost a team’s offensive capabilities, while defending against them effectively can be the key to a strong defensive performance.
Goalie Strategies for Defending 8-Meter Shots
Defending against 8-meter shots requires a combination of physical preparation, mental focus, and strategic thinking. Goalies must develop a comprehensive approach to increase their save percentage and support their team’s defensive efforts.
Reading the Situation: A Goalie’s First Step
Before the whistle blows, goalies must quickly assess the entire setup. This includes noting the shooter’s position on the hash marks, the location of defenders and offensive players, and identifying who has possession of the ball. Each of these factors can influence the goalie’s positioning and approach to the potential shot.
How does the shooter’s position affect the goalie’s strategy? When the shooter is positioned on a central hash mark, they pose a more direct threat, allowing the goalie to take a more aggressive stance with a higher arc. Conversely, if the shooter is on an outer hash with more space to maneuver, the goalie may need to play more conservatively to avoid being caught out of position.
The Importance of a Pre-Save Routine
Developing a consistent pre-save routine can significantly enhance a goalie’s performance on 8-meter shots. This routine serves both physical and mental purposes, helping the goalie prepare their body and focus their mind before each shot.
What elements should a goalie include in their pre-save routine? Effective routines often incorporate deep breaths, checking the goal posts, performing a quick physical movement like a squat or jump, and a positive self-affirmation. The key is consistency and finding what works best for individual goalies to normalize the high-pressure situation.
Directing the Defense
As the leader of the defense, the goalie plays a crucial role in organizing their teammates before an 8-meter shot. Clear communication about defensive assignments, such as who will cover the ball carrier or chase errant shots, ensures that the entire defensive unit is coordinated and prepared.
Shooter Techniques for 8-Meter Success
While goalies focus on defense, shooters must develop strategies to maximize their scoring opportunities on 8-meter shots. Understanding the nuances of these free position shots can give offensive players a significant advantage.
Analyzing Goalie Tendencies
Successful shooters study goalie behaviors and tendencies before and during games. They look for patterns in how goalies position themselves, their reaction times, and any pre-save routines that might telegraph their movements.
Shot Placement and Variation
Varying shot placement is crucial for keeping goalies guessing. High-percentage shot locations often include the corners of the goal, particularly high corners which are challenging for goalies to reach quickly. However, mixing in low shots and occasionally aiming for the center can prevent goalies from anticipating the shooter’s intent.
Training Techniques for 8-Meter Proficiency
Both goalies and shooters can benefit from specialized training techniques to improve their performance in 8-meter situations. Incorporating these drills into regular practice sessions can lead to significant improvements in game situations.
Simulating Game Conditions
How can players recreate the pressure of an 8-meter shot in practice? One effective method is to practice these shots when players are physically and mentally fatigued, such as at the end of a challenging practice session. This approach helps players develop the ability to perform under the stress and exhaustion they might experience during crucial moments in a game.
Rapid-Fire Drills
For goalies, facing a series of quick, successive shots can improve reaction times and decision-making skills. Shooters can benefit from this drill by practicing quick shot releases and adjusting to different defensive setups rapidly.
The Mental Game: Psychological Preparedness for 8-Meter Plays
The psychological aspect of 8-meter shots cannot be overstated. Both goalies and shooters must develop mental toughness and strategies to perform under pressure.
Visualization Techniques
How can players use visualization to improve their 8-meter performance? By mentally rehearsing successful outcomes, players can build confidence and reduce anxiety. Goalies can visualize making saves from various angles, while shooters can imagine the ball hitting different target areas of the goal.
Managing Pressure and Expectations
Players must learn to manage the pressure inherent in 8-meter situations. This includes developing coping mechanisms for crowd noise, scoreboard pressure, and the weight of team expectations. Mindfulness techniques and positive self-talk can be valuable tools in maintaining focus and composure.
Adapting 8-Meter Strategies for Different Skill Levels
The approach to 8-meter plays can vary significantly based on the skill level of the players involved, from youth leagues to collegiate and professional play.
Youth Lacrosse Considerations
In youth lacrosse, the focus should be on developing fundamental skills and understanding the basic concepts of 8-meter shots. Coaches should emphasize proper shooting and saving techniques rather than complex strategies.
Advanced Tactics for High-Level Play
At higher levels of play, 8-meter strategies become more sophisticated. Teams may develop specific plays or use deceptive movements to create better shooting angles or confuse the defense. Goalies at this level often employ advanced positioning techniques and may even attempt to direct the shooter to less favorable angles.
The Evolution of 8-Meter Tactics in Modern Lacrosse
As the sport of women’s lacrosse continues to evolve, so do the strategies surrounding 8-meter plays. Coaches and players are constantly innovating to gain advantages in these crucial situations.
Technological Advancements in Training
How is technology changing 8-meter shot training? The use of video analysis, virtual reality simulations, and advanced statistical tracking are providing players and coaches with new insights into perfecting 8-meter techniques. These tools allow for more precise analysis of shot placement, goalie movements, and overall success rates.
Rule Changes and Their Impact
Recent and potential future rule changes can significantly affect 8-meter strategies. For example, adjustments to stick specifications or changes in defensive positioning rules can alter the dynamics of these plays, requiring players and coaches to adapt their approaches accordingly.
The 8-meter shot remains a critical element of women’s lacrosse, demanding skill, strategy, and mental fortitude from both offensive and defensive players. By understanding the nuances of these plays and continually refining their techniques, players can significantly impact their team’s success. As the sport continues to grow and evolve, mastery of 8-meter situations will undoubtedly remain a key factor in distinguishing top performers at all levels of play.
Women’s Goalie Guide to 8 Meter Shots
By Coach Damon
Among the differences that female lacrosse goalies encounter is the special play called the 8-meter shot.
If a female ball carrier is fouled inside the 8 meter arc, she gets a free position shot at the closest hash on the arc. All defenders located inside the arc at the time of the foul are also positioned on the closest spot on the arc but always at least 4 yards away from the shooter.
For the Lax Goalie Rat podcast I recently spoke with Team USA goalie Liz Hogan (episode coming soon!!) who broke down her approach on how to best make saves on 8-meter shots.
What’s the strategy? What are some techniques you can do to increase your save percentage?
Read the Situation
Your first step is to read the entire situation. This will help dictate how we setup.
So what pieces of information are you looking for?
- On which hash is the shooter setup?
- Where are your defenders located?
- Where are the offensive teammates located?
- Who has the ball?
The more towards the center hash a ball carrier is located the more of a threat to shoot they are.
If the ball carrier is surrounded by defenders you know she likely cannot maneuver left or right and you can a take a little more aggressive approach with a higher arc.
On the contrary, if no defenders are close to the ball carrier during the restart the shooter can maneuver left or right before firing a shot and thus we don’t want to be as aggressive in our arc for fear of being caught out of position as the ball carrier might be able to advance all the way to the crease.
If there is only a single defender on one side, you know the ball carrier will not dodge in that direction and can be better prepared.
If you know the offense’s top scorer has the ball you can fully expect a shot. If a role player starts with the ball while an open offensive player is close to the goal you can expect a pass.
Reading the situation can dictate how you set up on the arc and how aggressive you can play.
Understanding all these elements will help you be prepared once that whistle blows.
Increasing your chance of saving the 8-meter shot.
Each free position shot is a little different in terms who has the ball, where they’re starting from, and where your defenders are located. So be sure to take it all in prior to the whistle to best know how to defend the play.
Pre-Save Routine
The 8-meter shot for a goalie is similar to a free throw for a basketball player.
Going through the same routine prior to shooting a free throw was scientifically proven to increase your chances of making the shot!
While the same study hasn’t been done in the women’s lacrosse world, I can pretty much guarantee you the results would also be true. Pre-shot (or pre-save) routines work!
Lady goalies who go through the same physical routine prior to a shot will make more saves.
Each pre-save routine is unique to the goalie. Your pre-save routine could be any combination of the following:
- Deep breaths
- Turn and face the goal
- Checking the pipes
- Squatting down and jumping up
- Hitting your facemask with your shaft
- Yelling a positive affirmation
The list goes on and on.
The pre-save routine will also help block those distracting thoughts that interfere with your performance. Things like crowd noise, fans waving their arms, worrying about giving up a goal, thoughts of past misses, the score, teammates, spectators or parents.
By focusing on your pre-save routine, you normalize the free position shot. You lessen the sense of pressure you feel and take your mind off of that fear of missing the save and giving up a goal.
In this way the pre-save routine will help you mentally as much as it does physically.
So develop your own pre-save routine and put it into action before every 8-meter shot. This will increase your chances of making the save.
Direct the Defense
As a goalie, remember you are the leader of the defense.
So you need to ensure that all defenders know their roles during the restart play.
Who is going to cover the ball? Who is going to cover an open attack player? Who is going to chase an errant shot?
All this type of communication can and should occur prior to the shot and as a goalie its imperative that you, and every single defender, are on the same page once that whistle blows.
Practice 8-Meters When Tired
Growing up I had a basketball coach that said – anyone can hit a free throw when they’re fresh. I want players who can sink the shot with 0:01 on the clock after running up and down the court for 45 minutes.
The point here is making a save is easier when you’re fresh and 100% mentally alert.
But when your body gets tired and you start to lose it a little mentally, the saves become tougher and tougher.
So be sure to practice taking a few 8-meter situations at the end of practice when your body is tired.
Or run a few sprints right before the whistle blows to start the restart the 8-meter to simulate being the end of game scenario.
If you struggle with the physical element of your game, try a lacrosse goalie workout.
This will help train your body and mind to make the save in the 4th quarter with 0:01 on the clock.
Scout Players if You Can
I find that many female lacrosse players make the same moves over and over again on 8-meter restarts.
Even just knowing whether they fire on the whistle, take 1-2 step and then fire, or prefer to dodge as close to goal as possible before shooting can aid us in being better prepared to make the save.
If you don’t have video or a scouting report on the team your playing, it’s not the end of the world. But any piece of information we can use to better increase our chances of saving an 8-meter should be used.
8-Meter Shot Saves
Check out this compilation of saves I made by female goalies off of 8-meter plays.
Based on the position of ballcarrier and the defenders try to guess what the attacker is going to do prior to the whistle.
P.S. You can find more videos like this on the Lax Goalie Rat YouTube channel.
Videos on 8 Meter Shooting
To better make saves on 8-meter shots it helps to understand what the offense is trying to do.
Here are a couple videos with tips for the offense, that all goalies should watch too.
Conclusion
The free position shot is a common play in ladies lacrosse that happens anytime a ball carrier is fouled within the 8-meter arc.
Since a female lacrosse goalie is likely to face several of them per game it helps to have a strategy to increase your saves on 8-meter shots.
Reading the situation, going through a pre-save routine, and understanding what the shooter is likely to do once the whistle blows are all vital elements to consistently saving 8-meter shots.
As a leader of the D, you’ll also want to ensure everyone knows their role on the restart.
Good luck saving those 8-meter shots!
Until next time! Coach Damon
Any other points you think I missed when it comes to saving 8-meter shots? Would love to hear about it. Leave me a comment down below. What’s your approach?
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Imagine if 8 meter shots were part of the mens game🤔🤔 How well do you think you’d do with 8meters 👀#lax #laxgirls #lacrosse #laxboys
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Israeli athletes brought 25 Special Olympics medals from Berlin
35 Israeli athletes who competed in judo, swimming, athletics, tennis, table tennis, cycling, bowling and football won nine gold medals, eight silver and eight bronze medals. This is reported by The Times of Israel.
As a result of the highly successful Games for Israel this year, which ended on June 25, the Israeli delegation returns from the Special Olympics in Berlin with 25 medals compared to 19-yu won by the Israelis in the penultimate games of 2019.
“As promised, we are returning to Israel with many medals,” Sharon Levy-Blanga, CEO of Special Olympics Israel, said on Sunday. “.
Levy-Blanga urged Israelis to welcome home and honor Special Olympics athletes in the same way as other Israeli medalists: “Only in this way can we truly embrace the spirit of inclusion and acknowledge the great potential of each individual.”
The achievements of the Israelis this year are as follows. Ron Beck, 16, won the gold medal in the men’s 3000 meters. In addition, he won a silver medal in the 5000m and, along with Adi Madmon, Saar Buchbinder and Pele Aboudi, brought Israel bronze in the 4x400m medley relay.
Buchbinder, 30, also won two gold medals in the 5K and 10K, while Madmon took bronze in the women’s 100m.
The Israeli women’s soccer team, which made its debut in Berlin, won the silver medal after losing 2-0 to Bangladesh in the gold medal match in the F3 division, after beating Saudi Arabia 8-0 the day before.
Judoists Ido Rabinivic and Levav Barkan won gold medals at the first and third levels of the sport, respectively. (Note that Special Olympics athletes are divided into different divisions based on their ability, both pre- and early-game.)
In table tennis, Israeli David Kersenti won the gold medal in the men’s under-17 singles. His Iranian opponent withdrew from the match with him at the request of the Iranian national team coaching staff.
Also at the Special Games, Israel won three medals in swimming: Sapir Bar Yoel’s gold in the men’s 50m freestyle, Meir Sehgal’s gold in the men’s 100m freestyle, and Aran Bar-Peled’s silver in the Women’s 800m freestyle.
Tennis player Sonya Janushuk, 19, won two medals at the games – a gold in the individual event at level 5 and a silver in the combined doubles, where she paired with 16-year-old Lior Revac. Around the same time, Nadav Sarfati won a silver medal for Israel in tennis, competing in the men’s singles at the fourth level.
“Unified” sports in Special Olympics consist of people with and without intellectual disabilities who compete together.
In bowling, the United women’s team won the bronze medal, while the United’s pair of 38-year-old Rivi Cohen, who was treated for dialysis during the games, and 66-year-old Hana Duanis won the silver medal. 31-year-old Gilad Kalishov won bronze in the men’s singles.
And in cycling, Noga Korn won a silver medal in the women’s 5K road race, as well as a bronze medal in the 5K time trial at level 5; Tal Golani won bronze in the women’s 5K level 6; Kobi Hamama won silver in the Level 8 men’s 2K time trial; and Avi Elbaz won bronze in the men’s level 6 10 km time trial.
This year’s Special Olympics is very important for Israel, not only by the number of sports trophies won. The publication notes that this year for the first time Israeli athletes competed with the official recognition and support of the State of Israel.
This happened after the Ministry of Culture and Sports recognized the Israeli Special Olympics as the official sports federation. This recognition comes with financial support of around NIS 500,000 (US$140,000).
“For the first time in their lives, they have received a status that recognizes them for who they are – athletes, and not just people with disabilities,” Levy-Blanga said in an interview with Times of Israel before the games.
Buick Riviera (generation review) – price, photos, specifications, reviews
This car can be called one of the most stylish in its segment. And it was following fashion trends that helped him to hold high positions in terms of sales for a long time. But does this model have other advantages and what are the features of its technical component?
Contents of the article:
- 1 II generation (1966-1970)
- 2 Help
- 3 Technical data
- 4 Owner feedback
- 5 Test 90 045
- 5.
1 Swift luxury - 5.2 Fashion
- 5.3 Sport or comfort?
1 Swift luxury90 046 11 Overview
- 11.1 Commitment to the past
- 11.2 Aviation motives
- 11.3 No special emotions
- 16.1 Unobtrusive representativeness
- 16.2 Style difference
- 16.3 Not without surprises
- 22.1 Two sides of the same coin
- 22.2 Capsule
- 22.3 Emphasis on dynamics
II generation (1966-1970)
Help
The history of Buick Riviera begins in the early 1960s.
It was then that plans began to emerge at GM to create a luxurious coupe with an expressive design that could give a fitting rebuff to opponents from Chrysler and Ford.
For several years, the ideas were systematically implemented and in 1966 the project, codenamed XP-715, found serial implementation and appeared before buyers under the name Buick Riviera.
Nel Nickles worked on the design of the American coupe under the direction of Bill Mitchell. The latter is remarkable in that he had a hand in the creation of the Chevrolet Corvette C2 and definitely knew a lot about sports cars.
See also: Buick LeSabre (Le Sabre) VIII – A bet on comfort
Subsequently, Sergio Pinifarina awarded the Riviera the title of one of the most beautiful cars ever created by the American auto industry. But the technique of the car was also very interesting, and this is worth talking about below.
Specifications
Under the hood of this coupe is a 6.
9-liter naturally aspirated power unit with a V-shaped arrangement of eight cylinders. Its power output is 370 forces, while the torque indicator is 680 Newton meters.
Power is transferred to the rear axle via a three-speed automatic transmission.
Brief characteristics:
| Engine (volume in liters) | Power (HP) | Transmission type | Maximum speed (kilometers per hour) |
| 7.5 | 370 | 3AKP | 200 |
The coupe accelerated to the first hundred kilometers per hour in less than 8 seconds. This made it one of the fastest cars of its time.
Owner’s review
The Buick Riviera is now a rarity and can be found more in a private collection than on the road. However, there is a certain number of users of the car who are willing to share their impressions about it with the public.
The second generation of this coupe was the most spectacular in the history of the model. The inimitable style of the Riviera began on it, and ended on it. Therefore, for me, this car is very valuable and takes pride of place in the collection.
With everyday use in the city, the machine will create problems due to its large dimensions, huge fuel consumption. But on the track, she feels very confident.
Also, I really liked the sound insulation – even at high speed the cabin is quite quiet. As for reliability, the car does not give me any special problems. Maybe because I don’t drive it much…
Test
Swift luxury
Buick Riviera second generation looks very impressive. Attention is drawn to the swift body with a low and sloping roof, muscular and wide fenders, oblong lights, as well as stamping on the trunk lid. Doors without frames, as well as an abundance of chrome-plated details, give the appearance of aristocracy.
Tribute to fashion
The salon almost does not contrast with the exterior and pleases with the high quality of the finishing materials. A floor-mounted accelerator pedal, a three-spoke steering wheel, and a compact speedometer set it up in a sporty way.
It is worth noting that the climate control, cigarette lighter and clock are located in close proximity to the driver, so he is almost not distracted from the road.
The front seats, although located low, are devoid of a pronounced profile, lateral support. It’s a bit crowded in the back row, and even a person with a height of 175 centimeters rests his knees on the seats in front.
Sport or comfort?
The power unit has excellent elasticity, so it is able to quickly accelerate the Buick even from the lowest revs. The transmission range of the automatic transmission is expectedly stretched, but the transmission itself works quite quickly, which makes it possible to use the full potential of the engine during acceleration.
The huge dimensions of the coupe could not but affect its handling. Therefore, the steering wheel responds to the driver’s commands with a noticeable delay. At the same time, the stability in a straight line is very high and no yaw is observed.
The long-travel suspension bobs the Riviera into the road. The smoothness of the ride is high in any irregularities, which makes a long trip very comfortable.
III generation (1971-1973)
Reference
The successor came at a very difficult time – when the fuel crisis was in full swing. This significantly affected the technical part of the car, which upset Buick Riviera fans. The design of the coupe has also become more traditional, but at the same time refined.
Technical component
The most important feature was that the previous 7.5 liter engine was significantly derated. Now his return is equal to “only” 250 forces.
Together with the power plant, an automatic three-speed gearbox is still working.
| Engine (liters) | Power (HP) | Gearbox type | Maximum speed (kilometers per hour) |
| 7.5 | 250 | 3AKP | 173 |
Pricing policy
| Auto | Price (ruble) |
| Buick Riviera III | from 1 million 800 to 2 million 200 thousand |
This car has never been officially sold in Russia. Its deliveries to our country were carried out through “gray” dealers, however, only a few copies of the model are found on sale.
User’s opinion
Unlike its predecessor, the third generation of the Riviera could not find high popularity among the consumer. Nevertheless, the car found its owners and a review of one of them will be given below.
I’ve always been attracted to coupes, so Buick quickly got into the spotlight and never left. During operation, the machine proved to be only on the positive side, and I did not reveal any shortcomings for myself.
Key features:
- Good acceleration dynamics.
- Comfortable interior.
- A catchy look.
Overview
Commitment to the past
Buick Riviera III has managed to retain the design concept of its predecessor, but the design of the current generation has become more restrained and respectable. Swiftness was replaced by some sedateness, and sportiness in the image became much less.
Nevertheless, the car is able to attract attention due to the sloping roof, expressive rear wheel arches, narrowed rear lights.
Aviation motifs
The interior resembles an airplane cockpit. Namely, on the high central tunnel there is a transmission selector with a direct stroke and is made in the form of a wide handle, and the driver’s space is made very compact.
The front seats are set in an imposing way with their essential width, but they are too soft and can cause discomfort in the lumbar region. On the sofa of the second row, only two riders can easily accommodate.
No special emotions
The derated “eight” still responds well to the accelerator pedal, but cannot boast of emotional acceleration. The reason for this is the lack of traction at low speeds. As for the automatic transmission, it works smoothly and logically.
Relative to the previous generation Buick Riviera, it handles more precisely. The steering wheel pleases with good information content and sensitivity in the zero zone. But there is still nowhere to go from strong rolls during the passage of bends.
See also: Buick LaCrosse III – the forerunner of the Opel Omega C?
Ride is good. At the same time, the buildup at high speed provokes discomfort among riders.
VI generation (1979-1985)
Reference
The sixth generation Buick Riviera finally departed from the original concept of the model and began to resemble a business coupe rather than a sports Gran Turismo.
From now on, the target audience of American cars has shifted from young and active playboys towards wealthy people who have achieved some success and do not want to prove anything to anyone. At the same time, the coupe has not lost its vintage and still looks defiant. But with the technical component, things are different.
Technique
The basis of the front suspension is a multi-link scheme, while a semi-independent torsion beam is installed at the rear. The front brake system is disc, the rear is based on drums.
Under the hood is a 3.8-liter power unit with a V-shaped arrangement of six cylinders. Yes, the new motor is inferior to its predecessors in terms of cubic capacity and power (185 forces).
However, boost is integrated into it, which made it possible to maintain acceptable traction throughout the entire rev range. Together with the power plant, a four-band automatic transmission works.
Short data:
| Engine (volume in liters) | Power (HP) | Gearbox type | Maximum speed |
3. 8 | 185 | 4AKP | 190 |
User review
Buick Riviera VI, despite the fact that he moved away from the original style, still gained popularity in the market. Below is the history of the operation of one of the owners.
This car attracted me with its unusual design. In addition, it had a very attractive price tag, which determined my choice.
For the entire time of ownership, I drove 40 thousand kilometers on the Riviera. Therefore, I can evaluate the coupe objectively.
Advantages:
- Catchy design.
- Comfort suspension.
- Smooth automatic transmission.
Drawbacks:
- Valkost on the road.
- Tightness in the back row.
If we talk about reliability, then some nuances have come to light here. For example, a turbo engine is very demanding on fuel quality and is prone to increased oil consumption.
The automatic transmission also requires filling in high-quality lubricating fluid. Otherwise, problems with the torque converter cannot be avoided. Test drive
Unobtrusive representativeness
The sixth generation Buick Riviera lost its aggressive features in the exterior design, but managed to retain luxury and respectability.
This is evidenced by the abundance of chrome on the grille, bumpers, window lines, and rims. At the same time, the monumental architecture of the same radiator grille and lighting optics should be noted.
See also: Buick GL8 III – business class ticket
Styling Difference
The interior is in stark contrast to the exterior of the coupe. Here the ball is ruled not by aristocratic motives, but by innovation and futurism. Namely, the instrument panel is made in digital form, and a huge on-board computer display flaunts on the center console.
All this is highlighted in green and looks very interesting. But, the readability of the readings is difficult due to strong glare, especially in sunny weather.
Not without surprises
The motor, contrary to expectations, is able to move this compartment quite quickly in space. You need to thank for this the turbocharging system, which provides an even shelf of torque at low and medium speeds, as well as a quick automatic transmission.
As for comfort, everything is also good here. I am pleased with the high smoothness of the ride when driving through almost any bumps. But you have to pay for this with a weak steering wheel sensitivity and large rolls in corners.
VIII generation (1995-1999)
History
A new generation of the famous coupe appeared in the second half of the 90s of the XX century. The presentation of the car was held in video format and caused a mixed reaction from the public. The reason for this is the design of the Buick Riviera VIII.
Exterior design is quite consistent with the spirit of the time. Then “bionic design” was gaining popularity, and almost all manufacturers tried to introduce it into their cars.
However, compared to previous generations, both swiftness and aristocracy have been lost in appearance. However, new technical solutions were able to compensate for this.
Technical data
The new Buick Riviera is based on a completely new GM platform coded “G”. This means that traction is no longer transmitted to the rear axle, but to the front.
On the market, the coupe was represented by one compressor motor, but in several modifications.
From a working volume of 3.8 liters, engineers managed to remove 208, 228, 245 forces. Together with the power plants, a four-speed automatic box worked.
Brief characteristics:
| Engine (volume in liters) | Power (HP) | Gearbox type | Maximum speed (kilometers per hour) |
3. 8 | 208 | 4AKP | 180 |
| 3.8 | 228 | 4AKP | 220 |
| 3.8 | 245 | 4AKP | 225 |
Pricing
| Auto | Price (ruble) |
| Buick Riviera | from 220 to 350 thousand |
Coupe was not officially supplied to the Russian market. However, “gray” dealers imported the model in small batches.
User’s opinion
This car is owned by a fairly large number of people. Below is a review from one of the owners.
I’ve always liked coupes, so when I chose this car, the Buick Riviera caught my attention almost immediately. It differed from competitors with a powerful engine and rich equipment, which tilted the bowl of choice in its favor.
The operation of this car did not cause me much trouble, because for 1.
Strengths:
- Good acceleration dynamics.
- Good handling.
- Rich equipment.
Weaknesses:
- Rigid suspension.
- Not very efficient climate system.
5 years of ownership the mileage covered was only 15 thousand miles. However, I still identified the disadvantages and advantages. Test drive
Two sides of the same coin
The Buick Riviera VIII looks modern, and from some angles it looks aggressive. Sporty appearance is given by wide fenders, protruding bumpers, as well as a low roof. At the same time, it is impossible not to note the obvious disproportion of the stern – it is created by low brake lights and a spoiler-stamping on the luggage compartment lid.
Capsule
Interior creates the illusion of being in a racing capsule. Around the driver is a cockpit with a high central tunnel and an instrument panel at eye level, which hints at sporting ambitions.
At the same time, the center console is almost absent, and the climate system and audio complex are integrated directly into the dashboard.
See also: Buick Encore (2017) – city dweller
Light colors in the decoration visually make the interior space more voluminous. But the finish itself is not of the highest quality – the leather is rough to the touch, and the plastic is very hard.
It is comfortable to sit on the driver’s seat – extensive ranges of adjustments make it possible to sit behind the wheel of a person of very different builds. However, the lateral support rollers are set too wide and do not provide proper fixation of the body.
Emphasis on dynamics
Without a doubt, the most interesting representative of the power range is the 245-horsepower engine. It surprises with a fervent pickup in the medium speed region and spins merrily at high speeds. The automatic transmission works well with the engine – it changes gears quickly and logically.
