Caprice engine swap?

[kevm14]

Pretty sure this part of the county gets snow though. But it could still be quite clean. No signs of rust in these pics anyway.

[kevm14]

If I may be so bold, this car has far fewer cosmetic issues than the 96 B4U, at half the price. Just saying.

[Bob]

It does seem like the Roadmaster might be a sweet spot of generally better condition than the Caprice and a lower price. I think it is probably going to be easier to find a nice condition RMS than a Caprice.

New opti on this wagon: http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/5313222222.html

[kevm14]

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.

Got some info from seller. Main issue appears to be the front passenger door. There is a dent under the door handle, and the window got smashed and is missing. The window doesn't bother me THAT much (new one at RockAuto is $70 and less at the junkyard and I'd do rollers at the same time) but the dent is actually problematic. I am looking for a clean body. I guess that rules this car out. Unless I can score a junkyard door in the right color, which would fix this whole situation, in theory.

I asked about rust and he said it was clean underneath. He said his grandmother loved the car and may have garaged it often (like in a snow storm), which makes sense.

[kevm14]

New pics after I pestered him about the damage (this is all via text, which is a little odd).

V__9F3D.jpg

V__CA3E.jpg

V__448C.jpg

The dent is smaller than it looked, but the scuffing is pretty bad. What a shame, too. That paint looked decent.

[kevm14]

He said there are "5 of them cars at the boneyard down the street. If no one buys it I'm gonna fix it and drive it."

I told him he should do that.

He replied that he's more a truck guy.

[kevm14]

It does seem like the Roadmaster might be a sweet spot of generally better condition than the Caprice and a lower price. I think it is probably going to be easier to find a nice condition RMS than a Caprice.

New opti on this wagon: http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/5313222222.html

I still say the white w/ wood is the most classic RMW even if the wood is more of a liability 20 years later.

[Adam]

Where does a b-body enthusiast go after b-bodys? What is the next logical step?

I bought a D-body.

[kevm14]

http://roanoke.craigslist.org/cto/5287599504.html

$1,800

1996 Buick Roadmaster Good condition; tires new in 10-2014. Leather cd cruise PW etc. 160,000 miles. Nice car for the money. 23 MPG highway 17 MPG city. 10-16 inspection sticker It needs a fan motor for the heater--a/c other than that it is good. Missing some trim on driver's door and some rubber guards on the exterior. For $1800 this is a good buy.

Replied once, said the car was at a Shell station. I clarified that I am not local. Haven't heard back.

[Bob]

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/5320222708.html

I wonder what the issue is. Could be a good swap candidate assuming worst case.