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Re: Caprice engine swap?
Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 9:34 am
by kevm14
A surprising amount of RMS's I've found have V08 cooling (V92 tow pack). That means 2.93s. And without V08/V92, I think I'm stuck w/ 2.56s. Now I think I would eventually swap the 2.93s out for 3.42s anyway, but 2.56 just sucks in the meantime. Given the plans not to keep the car totally stock forever, maybe 2.56 isn't a deal breaker, if the rest was good.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 9:45 am
by bill25
It wasn't that it was a great value, it was a reasonable price and had zero rust. Personally in G-Body land, I would rather replace a seat and a piece of body trim over dealing with all of the rust issues they can have. Either way, a 20 year old car is going to need something, I would rather not do the rust stuff. Just a personal preference.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 10:20 am
by kevm14
It doesn't have to be sold in Charlotte to have minimal rust.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 1:10 pm
by kevm14
kevm14 wrote:I would assume this has cosmetic issues, but the price is impressive:
http://lancaster.craigslist.org/cto/5277990040.html
$1,000
1996 Buick Roadmaster for sale:
350 V8, 110,000 miles
Inspected until August 2016
Runs great
trany good
climate control
AC works great
4 door
fully loaded
leather interior
all power controlled, everything works, even the heated seats, cd/cassette player
One owner, was bought brand new back in 96 by my aunt, well maintained throughout the years, she is in a nursing home now so we are selling for her
Even the heated seats work? That's incredible if true. My 95 FWB's heated seats did not work. At least if I'm buying a 20 year old car, I can still get things considered luxuries even today, like heated seats and auto climate control.
Lancaster, PA is not too snowy, right? And how much did this old lady really drive in terrible conditions, at only 5,500 miles per year. I e-mailed the guy. Shorter trip, too.
Just like buying houses, if you want a good deal, you need to buy something that most other people consider undesirable.
Seller got back to me. Car is still available. She told me to call her husband for more information.
With these cars, I think having an interior that is in solid shape is not something to overlook. The tricky thing about PA is, I have no one to test drive it for me (except maybe RCR). So there's that. And zero pictures on the ad is a little worrying.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 1:42 pm
by bill25
Older people don't tend to be camera/computer/internet savvy. I would be more worried about a 30 year old trying to sell a car without a picture. I would still request pictures if you are at all serious about it though. PA and back in a day! Buick Vs. Chevy in the B-Body Road Trip Challenge. First episode?
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 1:44 pm
by kevm14
That's awesome.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 4:23 pm
by kevm14
Called the guy. He was at the grocery store but is going to take exterior and interior pics for me, and hopefully a pic of the SPID. I did not ask anything about the car, so I'll start with pics. Poor advertisement = no bites.
I'll go on record and say the heated seats don't actually work, but the light comes on. Not a deal breaker but would be sweet.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 5:43 pm
by bill25
Well, there aren't many $1000 cars out there so they might actually be getting calls, but I generally don't bother with ads without pictures. I guess that is both sides of it.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 6:09 pm
by kevm14
Pics via MMS
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It is a GM8 car (2.56) and no V92.
Some kind of hole in the driver's seat. Of course.
Also the passenger front window is duct taped and the mirror is missing. The window could just be the typical B-body rollers, which is not a big deal, and my Fleetwood needed a mirror when I bought it. The paint looks good. I'm not crazy about the color but it's not bad. Trying to figure out if there's a dent in the passenger front door. Hard to tell with the reflection.
Jumper cables likely due to letting it sit.
This is a pretty nice $1,000 car.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 6:19 pm
by kevm14
The RMS does intrigue me. I like the old school styling features. Rear antenna just like the Fleetwood. Power trunk pull down like the Fleetwood. Skirted wheel well like the Fleetwood (but not ugly like the 91-92 Caprice skirts).