Assess this Buick Regal for $800

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2

Here is what you need to understand - any used car is going to need work, and you need to move up in car to get out of time wasting iterations with junk. You don't have the know how or funds to make these vehicles improve enough to be worth it.

Drive what you have, stop buying stuff and junk cars, and take your budget up to a more valuable car that has receipts and known care.


But then he'd have to find a new subject to endlessly post about, and he wouldn't get all of the attention that he currently gets.

 

[RobertISaar]

being a 1st generation W-body, common stuff to look for:

rear trailing arm mounts: these rot away easily and if not dealt with will cause some really interesting things to happen in low traction situations.

rear transverse leaf spring: inspect for breakage/cracks. factory and most replacements are fiberglass. they have pads that they ride on to prevent noise and eating through the ends of the spring. they're not fun to replace.

rear bumper support/crash bar: also rot away, usually around the same time as the trailing arm mounts.

fuel tank: fun to replace, especially with a tank full of fuel and a dead pump. mine leaked just above the seams.

rear strut towers: these can get some pretty nasty rust holes and take the strut mounts with them. not much can be done at that point unless you're one [censored] of a fabricator.



noticing a trend of everything bad happening to the rear of the car? front end usually stays pretty well put together unless the front subframe bushings/bolts come apart. there were recalls done for this, but i always inspect it when the opportunity arises.

otherwise, check your typical used car troublespots. the powertrain usually outlasts the body/frame with a W, though the 4T60 isn't anywhere near bulletproof, especially if neglected/abused.

 

[nitehawk55]

You'll often find older low mileage cars that have been maintained real well by the original senior owners , some of those cars are real good buys but you even have to be careful there and be sure it was looked after . Most seniors keep all their repair bills so you have a solid history of what was done .

 

[The_Jeff]

Rear brakes are probably related to the disc calipers that were a nightmare on those models.

I have to agree, fix the blazer. Around here junkyards sell batteries for $25.

 

[supton]

I like the advice of "stick to what you've got", but it's an old Blazer. It'll be thirsty and if you aren't wrenching on it I'd think the 4x4 stuff would be pricey. Not sure if its value dropped before or after it got rusty.

I dunno, but if it was me, I'd try to fall in love with some sort of model, research it to death, and wait for the right one to fall into your lap. Preferably a cheap/simple model that is cheap/simple to fix. FWD I4 stickshift comes to mind, but I guess a Panther chassis would work too. Mostly because whenever I was looking, I'd waste so much time researching yet another different model that any random find would have come and gone. Pick a platform, stick with it. Then when you get one you can argue online about why it's the best vehicle out there.

 

[TechnoLoGs]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: TechnoLoGs
My job rides on a car is where this comes from, and we all know how important it is for me to have a job.

Last time I checked, Jersey City and the surrounding areas had decent enough public trans. Let's face it, you don't NEED a car, you WANT a car.


Got to get to Linden.

 

[TechnoLoGs]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
There are so many more fish in the sea. There are unicorns out there like my wife's 87 Nissan Sentra purchased for $500 and run 50k/8yrs for her from high school - college. Myself got a $800 Subaru XT coupe(reminded me of Atari) for college + a few years. Both were just rot boxes but had a key thing of single first owner. Not the poor schelp who could only afford a cheap car and run into the ground to to dump to the next guy(you).

Look for a quality first or 2nd owner car not something owned/neglected by the 3rd-5th owner.


Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Looks like a jersey city hoopty. Smoked in. No thanks.

Here is what you need to understand - any used car is going to need work, and you need to move up in car to get out of time wasting iterations with junk. You don't have the know how or funds to make these vehicles improve enough to be worth it.

Drive what you have, stop buying stuff and junk cars, and take your budget up to a more valuable car that has receipts and known care. Doesn't matter the model - might be a 3 cyl geo or a k car or a pickup - no pride in vehicle type, look for one that has been maintained and kep up even recently. It means you'll pay a bit more but youll save in the end.


I would love to have oddballs like a 3-cly Geo Metro (1.0L!) or an XT (80s!!) or a NISSAN PULSAR OR NX!

I love dd cars. I think I can be a niche private dealer.

As JHZR2 said.. One day, NOT NOW.