CUTLASS So......I bought a car....(smh)

[AUTOLIFE]

Good day all currently trying to figure out whether I'm in a very very early mid life crisis or just emulating an impulsive mess like hoovies garage on youtube.

So let me paint the picture, I'm searching for wheels for my jeep on facebook marketplace, set the limit to 300 and scroll away, about 35 mins into what should have been a 5 min scroll, I see a 1980 Cutlass (trim?) not running for $280. My antennas go up and I engage the seller in a few questions.

It turns out to be a 16yr old kid trying to help his mom pay rent. (tugging at mah heart strangs).
I break off the conversation with the seller and run to walmart for house supplies. Completely forgotten, completely fine.

Then the worse happens, in walmart, aisle H27 to be exact, I get an alert from facebook telling me an item I was interested in had a price increase from $280-$300.
So naturally, I get FOMO and contact the seller. He has offers, the price went up. My wife, as loving as she is, encourages me that we need a project and our 8yr old son would love to help build it. Fast forward a AAA tow request and a $350 cashapp transfer. I now own a could be beautiful 1980 Cutlass (trim?) with an undisclosed amount of miles.

Now that this thing is in my driveway, I'm desperately trying to figure out what I should do with it.

Just to give you guys a rundown of my train of thought since buying it, I decided I could keep it and make it a decent family roadtrip car, possibly sell once I find a new car of interest. But I read another post on here in which the suggestions were since the sedans are vastly unpopular to just drive it into the ground. The seller says the motor may be locked on it.
I haven't restored a car before, I'm mechanically inclined enough to change a valve cover on a 3 Series BMW for my sister after a few days of youtube education.

I found an LT1 engine and Trans complete from ebay for 999.99 + $200 shipping, as it turns out I live about 40 mins away from the seller so just $999.99 for that.
I also recently contacts a bunch of people on facebook marketplace for various parts needed on a restoration.
I've been quoted at $2000 for a body work/paintjob deal. Also gotten quotes for a turn key 5.3 LS swap $4500 by some folks that have a home business in rainbow city AL.

So.....after all of that. What would you lot do if you made an impulsive buy like this?
Did I wet the bed? Will I be dumping money into a pit? Is vegeta a better father than goku?
Next time on DBZ!

 

[5spdCab]

Good day all currently trying to figure out whether I'm in a very very early mid life crisis or just emulating an impulsive mess like hoovies garage on youtube.

So let me paint the picture, I'm searching for wheels for my jeep on facebook marketplace, set the limit to 300 and scroll away, about 35 mins into what should have been a 5 min scroll, I see a 1980 Cutlass (trim?) not running for $280. My antennas go up and I engage the seller in a few questions.

It turns out to be a 16yr old kid trying to help his mom pay rent. (tugging at mah heart strangs).
I break off the conversation with the seller and run to walmart for house supplies. Completely forgotten, completely fine.

Then the worse happens, in walmart, aisle H27 to be exact, I get an alert from facebook telling me an item I was interested in had a price increase from $280-$300.
So naturally, I get FOMO and contact the seller. He has offers, the price went up. My wife, as loving as she is, encourages me that we need a project and our 8yr old son would love to help build it. Fast forward a AAA tow request and a $350 cashapp transfer. I now own a could be beautiful 1980 Cutlass (trim?) with an undisclosed amount of miles.

Now that this thing is in my driveway, I'm desperately trying to figure out what I should do with it.

Just to give you guys a rundown of my train of thought since buying it, I decided I could keep it and make it a decent family roadtrip car, possibly sell once I find a new car of interest. But I read another post on here in which the suggestions were since the sedans are vastly unpopular to just drive it into the ground. The seller says the motor may be locked on it.
I haven't restored a car before, I'm mechanically inclined enough to change a valve cover on a 3 Series BMW for my sister after a few days of youtube education.

I found an LT1 engine and Trans complete from ebay for 999.99 + $200 shipping, as it turns out I live about 40 mins away from the seller so just $999.99 for that.
I also recently contacts a bunch of people on facebook marketplace for various parts needed on a restoration.
I've been quoted at $2000 for a body work/paintjob deal. Also gotten quotes for a turn key 5.3 LS swap $4500 by some folks that have a home business in rainbow city AL.

So.....after all of that. What would you lot do if you made an impulsive buy like this?
Did I wet the bed? Will I be dumping money into a pit? Is vegeta a better father than goku?
Next time on DBZ!

View attachment 132319

If your mechanical experience is as limited as you seem to imply, I would first find a trustworthy friend to help you find out why, and if, the engine is actually "locked" or seized as a more mechanically inclined person would say. Do not go
right out and buy an LT or an LS motor unless the car truly needs an engine, and also unless you really want to learn to build and restore a car. A stock type engine would be a much less expensive and easier way to learn auto mechanics.
Visually speaking, you could have done much worse. This car looks like it needs a little TLC and clean-up on the outside, no pics of the inside, but if you and a friend are able to get it running cheaply, I would say you got a good deal.

 

[TURNA]

Have you crawled under the car yet?

If not, that is where I would start before going any further.

 

[Doug Chahoy]

Without knowing the diagnosis of the engine, floors, rear frame, you may have just bought an inexpensive parts car . Can’t really tell from the pics, what are the body panels like as far as rust? “IF” yours turns out to only be parts worthy, you could look for a running Regal or Cutlass sedan or wagon and get use out of your $350.00 purchase.

 

[lilbowtie]

Total up what your thinking about putting in it. I can tell you it's going to take more than $2000.00 for a good body and paint job. Without you doing most of the work it will cost more to restore this than buying one that is done. Do you really want a 4dr Cutlass?

 

[DRIVEN]

Welcome. I'd really encourage you to spend several days reading as much as you can to familiarize yourself with Gbodys before you even touch the car. Then you'll have a much more realistic vision of what you have and where you might want to go.

I would not paint that car. Clean it and buff it out (assuming the frame is solid). I don't know that I'd really spend much beyond seeing if I could make it a runner because, frankly, it's not a very desirable or valuable car even in pristine condition.

We'd all like to see what's under the hood and some pics of the interior. I love those poverty caps.

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

What engine and trans did it come with?

 

[Ribbedroof]

Not even really a good parts car, lots of damaged/broken stuff.just in the first pic. Plus sedan parts are not big sellers.

Sorry if that sounds rude, reality is that most G body fans are thrifty, and like everybody, want top-shelf parts when buying for their project. The vast majority are pursuing 2-door cars/projects, wagons are not nearly as popular, and the sedan guys could probably be counted on one hand. Nothing wrong with sedans, they make great cars, just not popular with the masses. Even tri-5 Chevys are still a hard sell to a majority when it comes to sedans

That said, best of luck however this plays out. My 2 cents is see if it'll run, there's always a market for inexpensive older cars that run and drive. You bought in cheap enough if it will that you should be able to sell and have some more $$ to invest in your next one

 

[Turbo Zach]

My thoughts. First is, what does your son think of the car? Why not make it his car? As long as the car is not too rusted out, build it. Figure out what exactly you have first. Get the mechanical stuff up to par. Brakes, fluids and running. Follow your sons dreams. If nothing else 350 bucks is a cheep tool to learn from. Tinker with it and if you decide you don't want to do anything with it, you could part it or scrap it for that money. If it was mine, I would make it fast and beat it.

 

[pontiacgp]

Since you already own a Jeep that tells me you are used to sinking money in to a car so as long as this new car has a solid platform you can do whatever you want to do with your new find.