Opinions on a '93, please!

[Loekee75]

For years my folks have been sharing vehicles, and the other day I saw a '93 LeSabre Custom sitting in a parking lot for sale, and I thought I'd check it out because frankly my father is tired of having to drive my mother all around town in his car..
The LeSabre is pretty banged up, to say the least . BOTH exterior mirrors have been broken off, the front driver side door has a pretty big dent and the weather stripping looks to have been ripped off. The front passenger side fender directed above the wheel is literally broken off (well, it's made of plastic, so go figure, right?) The seats, carpet, headliner and visors are clean. However, the dash has several cracks and breaks up top, and the bezel where the radio is installed has been broken out, and the radio is missing. The door panels are loose (new clips are all that's needed here) The steering wheel is also literally broken in half! Out of curiosity, I called the number to ask the owner a little more about the car. He said all it needs mechanically is a water pump (24 bucks at oreilly's, less than 30 minutes to replace), the oil pan gasket leaks (tighening of bolts, perhaps? If not, 5 bucks for a new gasket, and the radiator has a leak (liquid STOP LEAK!) The car has 111,345 miles on it now, and the owner is asking $300 OBO. I asked if he'd take 200 considering all the repairs that will need to be made, and he accepted the offer . Does this sound right to anyone? I'm going to test drive it before buying of course. I love working on these cars, so the repairs would be a hobby for me, not a problem like most people would think. Moreover, I think my mother would love to have a car for herself! A LOT of TLC may go a long way...

[spinne1]

My opinion is that you have vastly underestimated the amount of work this car needs to be roadworthy. The water pump? NOT a 30 minute job. Not even at a dealer. More like four hours minimum for the average weekend warrior (pull half the front of the engine off, drain the coolent, pull the water pump, scrape and clean the surfaces, put the new pump on, reassemble--it would take me at least two hours if I was rushing). The exterior mirrors will be a pain in the butt. The fender will be a major pain. The radio is not a HUGE deal but will likely require getting dash parts from a junk yard (the plastic in front of the radio is a fairly large piece). The steering wheel broken in half could be a deal breaker. This is a bigger project than most people would be willing to tackle, myself included.

If you like doing this work, then go for it, but don't plan on using the car anytime soon.

If it were me, I'd fix the water pump and sell the engine and tranny and then sell the rest to the bone yard. Just my take.

[LeSabre97mint]

Lookee75

It would make a good parts car. It's too far gone! I wouldn't want to drive it. I would recomend finding a car that only needs a trannie or an engine and put one in it.

When I was looking to buy a LeSabre I looked at a 97 that sounded almost like the one you're discribing. Dash cracked up, drivers seat broken and leaning to one side, front tires looked like they were draging sideways and rubber was being peeled off. The power steering worked once and a while (u turns were tough). I don't even know why I took it for a test drive! He wanted around 1,500 for it. He couldn't pay me to take it. He also had a 98 that the heater controls didn't work....but he said that "I'm sure it's just a minor problem. I let it be his problem and bought my 97 for 5000 two years ago from a privet party and have been happy with it.

You could look on www.craigslist.com for autos in your area.

Just some thoughts.

Dan

[Alibi]

For a project, I think it would be allright for $200, but you'll definately be spending a day or so in a pick and pull getting parts--dash, fender, mirrors, etc. The WP will take more than 30 mins for sure, but this IS a 3800 so it isn't too bad to do.

For an around town beater, you'll prolly have all of six or seven hundred in it by the time you're done, and thats fine in my book.

[kok328]

Why mess around with an abused vehicle when?
If the owner doesn't care about all the you listed wrong, what makes you think he cared about a normal maintenace schedule.
Move on .... keep looking.

[Smith1000]

Go for it. Sounds like a great deal. I have bought many $300 cars that needed some work. They have always worked out and once all the kinks are worked out, they run for years. Then you can sell it for more than you paid for it.

[spinne1]

Originally Posted by Smith1000

Go for it. Sounds like a great deal. I have bought many $300 cars that needed some work. They have always worked out and once all the kinks are worked out, they run for years. Then you can sell it for more than you paid for it.

I wonder if you have ever had to deal with a steering wheel replacement. That is a HUGE job (airbag to fool with, and getting the whole thing apart, and is there damage in the shaft itself or the electronics running through and beside the steering shaft?). If it was just the wheel itself, then maybe it is doable, but if the damage is more severe, I would NOT fix this car.

Needing some work and this car are two different stories.

[Alibi]

Replacing an entire column isn't a big deal. I've swapped columns in a couple hours before. Granted this was a non-air bag column, but as long as all the electronics are disconnected the bag shouldn't go off.

[Loekee75]

Thanks for the input, everyone.
I do love doing this kind of work, it is a learning experience. This would be a "around town beater" car, nothing do depend long trips on or anything, and moreover a hobby for me. My mother drives from her house to my sister's every day (about a 10 minute drive) and this car would be able to do that much.
The water pump is not a problem, I've replaced mine I don't know how many times. In fact, the only reason I would consider taking any of this on is because I've already done all these jobs several times before (airbag/ wheel removal, body work and tons of interior customizing) I love it all! It keeps me busy. Thanks again for the replies!