First Time Buyer Questions

[EastEnder]

I'm looking at an '85 Regal with 32k on the clock. Its got the 3.8 in her and I think a carb, but correct me if im wrong. The A/C is no good, and the smog pump sounds a little noisy to me, but I could be wrong. Any idea what its worth? It's gonna need shocks, tires (dry rot), and the a/c recharge. The interior is good, and the paint on the sides is fine. It drove good too. The roof has a light patch of surface rust, and the hood and trunk are faded. Anything to look out for? Thanks for any help

 

[Blake442]

Typical areas to look for rust are door bottoms, rear frame rails (behind the rear tire), and where the trunk floor meets the wheelwell.

Post some pics!

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

The roof is also an area that can rot out pretty badly (not so much the top surface, but the edges by the drip rails), so I would make sure that surface rust is not a hole waiting to poke though. As for value, perfect V6 G bodies with everything working don't usually go for more than $3500-5,000 in this market, so I would be looking at around $2500-3,000 as a fair price. The non functional A/C system is either an easy fix or a nightmare, so the price should reflect that. Also, the non turbo V6 means it will be slower than a Smart Fortwo by about 10 seconds to 60, so be ready for that as well. As a potential project car it probably isn't bad so long as it is not rusty. However, it will not be a good car to drive in traffic due to the V6's lack of acceleration.

 

[EastEnder]

Thanks for all of the help....I got some prices on the AC fix, shocks, and the paint i would do myself. Its not going to be a resto project, just cheap, good looking basic transportation. The 2bbl 6 is pretty anemic huh? How is the transmission and the motor otherwise? Pretty bullet proof?

 

[Classicpartsmart]

For sure check those areas for rust also in the trunk look on the sides too. Make sure there are no rot holes.

The motors are generally pretty decent and the trannys too.
Our motto when we buy is the cheaper the better but make sure you check for the rust areas where the other guys had mentioned!

 

[EastEnder]

The rust checked out in those places. thanks again. I posted some pics in another thread.