Hello, I have the chance to buy a 1990 olds custom cruiser wagon for 900 bucks, it is said to have 118,000 original miles. How many more miles will it go before I would have to do major repairs? I do not make much money and am kind of worried about that, but I have always been a station wagon fan, I just think the full size American wagons have a touch of class that nothing else compares too. Any advice would be appreciated.
It kind of depends on how well the previous owner(s) took care of it. It's a GM so even if it does break it will be cheaper to fix than, say, a Mopar. What kind of shape is it in? Old Car Price Guide lists it as being worth approx.: $900 - #5 (complete restoration needed) $1500 - #4 (driveable, only minor work needed to be functional) $3380 - #3 (good condition, 'may' appear perfect from 20 feet) You can't go wrong with a wagon. Cheers, Ken
Krus, with out seeing pics and lots of them (inside out, up down, and under) it's kinda imposible to answer you and be of any help. As mentioned above. how was the car taken care of? Is it clean or dirty? any maintanece reciets? Has it been smashed in its life? Does the car have any inspection notices that would prevent you from insuring it? >> I ask this question every time<<. , and if I don't get a instant straight answer I walk. Can you test drive it, a real drive or just up and down the drive way? Is the motor oil clean or dirty, same with the transmition? Does everything work? Etc, etc.
Thanks for the reply's I will check it out good tomorrow, I think I get to make a decision on it then. I will check how good it has been taken care of and maybe even spend the 35 bucks for my mechanic to check it out.
to the wagon train, krusader. I know these wagons inside and out. But...what Fat says is true. I love those GM 80's box wagons (includes the 1990). When checking it over listen carefully for any engine noise....like a slight ticking. Other than that...it is almost impossible to check out a car online. I think it would be good to have an experienced Olds 307 guy check out the engine and tranny for you.
These are very dependable cars. Main thing to check is the brake and fuel lines on top of the frame rails. They tend to rust. They can be replaced but it is a huge pain. Both my wagons leak at the right front and rear of the cabin. Guessing windows. also look for a rusted or busted up spare tire well. Not abig deal to fix though. The inside rear wheel wells will look like rot but it doesn't go thru into the car. It will have the 307. if it doesn't have an Ac belt the engine will squeel. Easy fix just put a belt on unless the compressor is frozen up. Again mostlyvery minor things except the fuel lines. great cars i have 2. one ibought for$600-700.
Krusader...did you look at that wagon yet? Have it looked at by a mechanic? I would like to see some good pix of that car.
Looked at it today and it seems very neglected, it looked like the radiator had some kind of treatment in it as it was brown color not rust but like coffee with cream, the tranny fluid was brown, it is filthy inside, think I might have to pass It also has an oil leak somewhere around the pan, as oil was all over the pan, can't tell where though, but if it needs to much work I just can't afford it, it did seem to run fine and I like the blue color and it was pretty straight.
probably so Andy, the lady told me that her son was a mechanic and put a thermostat in it, I said Oh what shop does he work at, and she said pizza hut lol. So I figured it over heated for them to find that it needed one, they were not the type who would of done it for routine maintanence. I am disappointed but I will get my wagon
well some of us mechanic get hungry, so maybe he can work on your car ,while bring your supper too or maybe he into mobile mechanic field too?
If the coolant AND the trans fluid (but not the engine oil) are milky brown, chances are that the trans cooler inside the radiator has sprung a leak. Easily fixed with a new radiator and a trans flush, assuming the car wasn't run for long that way. Otherwise, there may be trans internal problems due to the coolant in the oil.
