2007 Buick Lucerne From a Used Car Lot

[dogememe]

The problem is l have been recently burned buying a fixer upper and underestimating the work and money necessary to "fix it".

Yes but in the $4K price range... everything is going to be a fixer-upper. If you're paying someone else to fix it, you'll end up spending A LOT of money very quickly.

I mean yes I got my Tahoe for $4K and all it needs is a blend door and TPMS sensor but that's because I knew the person selling it and the market for lower cost full-sizes isn't great in an area with $6 gas.

 

[chazthespaz]

The problem is l have been recently burned buying a fixer upper and underestimating the work and money necessary to "fix it"

Yes, you identified some problems, and there may be more lurking which become apparent later.

 

[amateurbob]

Yes but in the $4K price range... everything is going to be a fixer-upper. If you're paying someone else to fix it, you'll end up spending A LOT of money very quickly.

I mean yes I got my Tahoe for $4K and all it needs is a blend door and TPMS sensor but that's because I knew the person selling it and the market for lower cost full-sizes isn't great in an area with $6 gas.

I 100% agree. I found a well maintained 2012 Ford fusion with 103k miles through a friend for $4500 after taxes, fees, and registration. Operationally it needed nothing and was in specular shape. I changed the fluids and spark plugs but it wasn't necessary based on performance.

I know the vehicles at this price point are almost always going to need something. If the ac would have been good, l would probably would have started haggling.

 

[dogememe]

Yes, you identified some problems, and there may be more lurking which become apparent later.

On the other hand, historically I have got some decent deals on vehicles that had something obvious wrong. Sure, there's always the risk other things are wrong with cheap cars, but sometimes people just get tired of stuff not working and dump it even though they've done other recent repairs or maintenance.

Sunk cost fallacy can be a big issue with older/cheaper vehicles BUT it can also be advantageous to the next owner. On the other hand there are the people that get frustrated with stuff being broken so they stop doing any sort of maintenance whatsoever and let issues get out of control then sell the vehicle. Hard to tell in the end but you have to feel out the seller and particular vehicle.

 

[amateurbob]

On the other hand, historically I have got some decent deals on vehicles that had something obvious wrong. Sure, there's always the risk other things are wrong with cheap cars, but sometimes people just get tired of stuff not working and dump it even though they've done other recent repairs or maintenance.

Sunk cost fallacy can be a big issue with older/cheaper vehicles BUT it can also be advantageous to the next owner. On the other hand there are the people that get frustrated with stuff being broken so they stop doing any sort of maintenance whatsoever and let issues get out of control then sell the vehicle. Hard to tell in the end but you have to feel out the seller and particular vehicle.

I know there has been a thread or 2 on this very topic. It's still hard to know where that line is.

I have learned a lot of about what problems to look for on the forum and my attendance at YouTube Technical Institute.

With 11 crv l did(or thought l did) my due diligence, l inspected it, had mechanic look at it, and a compression test done. The ac didn't work and l had that looked by a Honda dealership. They said it was just the compressor.
After paying a $150 twice plus the ac compressor l found out metal was sent through the lines. I found a shop that flushed and replaced everything but it cost $1000(and that is super cheap). I put kyb struts on there and they ride nice but mounts weren't torqued properly by the manufacturer.

I still have an engine idle vibration and l think the CV axle l replaced 2k miles ago is starting to cause a vibration around 50 mph.

I have A LOT into this vehicle. Do l sell it or do l keep trying to put money into it.

 

[ka9mnx]

How much money and time would guess you put into it?

About $1,600 total and two weeks on jack stands in my driveway to get it safely on the road again. From then on it was just maintenance items. Things you expect with a vehicle with over 200k mile,

 

[amateurbob]

About $1,600 total and two weeks on jack stands in my driveway to get it safely on the road again. From then on it was just maintenance items. Things you expect with a vehicle with over 200k mile,

Nicely done! Way ahead of the game.

 

[E150GT]

we had a 2006 Lucerne with the 3800. I couldnt give that thing away and it was clean

 

[amateurbob]

we had a 2006 Lucerne with the 3800. I couldnt give that thing away and it was clean

How long ago?

 

[JTK]

I always keep my eye out for a clean old Buick with a 3.8L. I never know when one of my kid's cars is going to die.

 

[E150GT]

How long ago?

2022 or so. Had 68k and was clean. Almost zero interest. I did finally sell it.