Choosing Used - Never an Easy Decision

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ed1948

Royal Smart Person
Aug 6, 2016
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Quinte West, Ontario
Both are OEM 86 SS's. Both are similarily asking priced(roughly $8000USD). If you had to pick from below - which one? I think I will pass on both.(just wonder how the GB Forum would respond)
#1 - stored inside the last 20 years, low 24K miles, minimal chassis/floor pan surface rust, a dozen shallow dents and nicks from storage, t top area rating =8, interior= 8. dash 10. I anticipate immediate problems with the fuel system, cooling system, braking hydraulics due to neglected storage. Safety checked pass. Letting this one go due to body bruises and poor storage methods.

#2 - stored (and driven regularily) uncovered (22 years) outside May to October(garaged winter), Average 80K miles, pass side windshield leak(repaired cowl, drain hole plugged) rear pass side floor repaired from same leak, some chassis/floorpan surface rust, no t top, paint very good = 8, interior sunfaded cloth no tears =7, dash =9 uncracked.
Heads repaired, trans serviced, Needs $500 repairs for safety pass. Letting this one go due to potentially more hidden rust issues.
If I had to decide, I would offer 2/3 of their asking price(even then that might be high)
Thanks
Ed
 
You did the right choice by letting them go. Those are some very expensive Montes. With 8k you should be able to find a great deal. Mint condition. First one sounds like it's a 65% rating second about a 45%. For 8k you should be able to buy a great driver that needs minimal work. No body work or drive train work. Just simple, maybe tires, trim, oil, you know small business. Just my opinion. Like to see what others say.
 
if I HAD to choose one of them it would be the second ( rolling stone gathers no moss theory ). As well its a hardtop so less rust / rattle issues to chase down. But as Oldsone stated above I would keep looking. Sept / Oct are when the toys will really start to pop up for sale to avoid the seller paying for winter storage. Keep looking to points west as well. My in-law in Calgary said there are plenty of toys for reasonable prices as a reflection of the low price of oil / potash.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/calgary/1987-monte-carlo-ss/1189560894
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars...ss/1190420878?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Alberta does not salt the roads so there are fewer rust issues to deal with
 
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Concur. 2-4K is my recommendation for either. Inspect rear frame rails, door bottoms, rear wheel arches, and footwells before making an offer. A few days off, a trailer, and some patience could net you a low-rust survivor from the southwest. Then you can swap in the interior from a local salt veteran that didn't cook the interior vinyl.
 
Or'''should I just look for an 80's Vette, 5 gear. LOLOLOLO?
Ok, some are saying they would pay really low amounts for 86SS...on the other hand if YOU were selling , what would you expect for it?
 
Just received more info from choice #2 and I hope this is an educational question.
Re: windshield leak and the rust problems of an outside stored car
-hole in the cowl was sealed
-hole in the pass side rear floor repaired
Not having intimate knowledge of the chassis construction and design, I'm 100% certain there is more hidden rust to be discovered after a purchase.
Can someone explain what other damage resulted from a leaky windshield? I just want to be a G body wise guy.
 
  • Agree
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At those prices, I'd walk away and keep looking. You always have to figure whatever you buy will need some sort of work. The better the condition, the better off you are.
 
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Just received more info from choice #2 and I hope this is an educational question.
Re: windshield leak and the rust problems of an outside stored car
-hole in the cowl was sealed
-hole in the pass side rear floor repaired
Not having intimate knowledge of the chassis construction and design, I'm 100% certain there is more hidden rust to be discovered after a purchase.
Can someone explain what other damage resulted from a leaky windshield? I just want to be a G body wise guy.

If you're not already running, run faster.
 
I think you will have to remind people that the prices you are quoting are in Canadian dollars.
 
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