Newbie buying a 90's Roadmaster ?

From what you have told me....I do not like this car. There are better deals around. Chasing rust, if it's there, is a lifetime job and a money pit. And that's just the body. What about the engine? Parts for the LT1 are outrageous.

 

Thanks for the wakeup call. I was caving in figuring chasing rust wasn't as frustrating as chasing elusive rust free cars. Not so, for sure. I'll cancel the ride and wait for a better day.

Vic

 

I lived on the ocean. Sea side cars are the worst. They are full of rust you don't see. I have seen cars just sitting there...parked...and a window would suddenly just drop down inside the door. The interior door parts were rusted away to nothing.

 

The salt in ambient humidity goes everywhere - my aunt's house is near the sea and everything inside rusts. She has to buy it all in stainless so that it won't and repaints whatever isn't every year. Fencing, door hinges, appliances, bed springs, nothing is spared. All from being near the natural aerosol corrosive called ocean air.

The guy also works on boats so this car may have had 150k miles of pulling boats that won't help its mechanical freshness. all in all I'll stick with your advice which would have spared me thousands of miles and dollars had I heeded it earlier.

Thanks again,

Vic

 

I know you don't like burgundy interiors and this car doesn't have a lot of pix...but it's a one owner and I like what I can see of it...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200495248661

 

That looks like a great car, but it's a funny colour combination.
The interior and exterior don't match at all, wondering if it might have been repainted.

You know if you get the vins we can look 'em up.

 

I've seen this combo before. Some of them came with a redder color than the dark cherry metallic like mine and some of those came with this interior and some with grey. Yeah...good idea Andy...I'd would also like Vic to do a Carfax before ever even looking at or calling about a car. This car's VIN is in the ad.

 

Andy...the car is correct....here's the compnine record showing exterior and interior colos....
http://www.compnine.com/vid.php?vin=1G1BL82P6SR118523

 

So it is. I've got the same interior, but that Garnet red just don't go.

 

I have the same interior too....what color is your car?

 

DCM

 

Here's a one owner, although, it looks to have possibly changed hands way back, that is low miles. I don't ever believe a one owner with really low miles and this one has after market wheels. I would like to see a couple engine bay shots, too. It's worth a look...it has a carfax attached.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=276864499&dealer_id=56118695&car_year=1995&rdm=1279467322483&lastStartYear=1981&model=BUICKROAD&num_records=100&systime=&make3=&make2=CHEV&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1994&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=128&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=0&marketZipError=false&model2=CAP&search_lang=en&sownerid=1360698&showZipError=y&make=BUICK&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&body_style=WAGON&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceDESC&address=53581&advanced=&end_year=1996&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=566&standard=false

 

Kicking tires and Smashing prices

Hi Silverfox,

You've had experience with car dealers so you know not to get intimidated by high askings. Others may not have your acumen when it comes to walking onto the lot and getting the real price out of them. So a dissuasive price does just that, it dissuades me from further pursuing a purchase. The asking in this car isn't modest even if one can make a lowball offer. It might be something I'd try at my local dealership, but not from a distance. But thanks for pointing these out.

Something is strange about that red car: it's VIN shows up with Autocheck but not with the GM decoder.

Vic

 

Vic,

Take a lookie at this one.
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1826195789.html

Mike

 

Hi Mike,

Good to talk to you again. It does look the way I like my interiors. What has me stumped (sorry if I look a gift horse in the mouth - but this one costs) is that it has "New trans,radiator,water pump and shocks".

I'm no expert on these cars, but that is a lot of items to have replaced at such 80k miles. What made them have to do that? I'd want to Carfax it to find out if it was hit. The tranny could have been cooked by excessive towing. A heavy boat or even a large camper would wear fry it and use up the shocks. The water pump would go the for the usual reasons. But what about the radiator? Only a front end impact would require its replacement. Also it is a northern car with no mention of body or chassis rust in the ad. When there is none it is usually touted very loudly. At least this one is only a 2-day trip to check out.

Thx,

Vic