Advice needed

[Davy Rocket]

I am about to purchuse a 94 Grand am GT for $255.00 off Ebay. Of course there are a few problems, some minor probs and one (1) major prob. The major prob is he said there is water in the oil. Head gasket? If so should I replace the head gaskets or replace the whole engine? It is a 3100 3.1 V-6. Minor probs are, needs radiator, Steering wheel column. The steering wheel column is broke. I mean literally broke in half as in the steering wheel is on the floor board. Is it worth $255.00?

Thank you,
Davy Rocket

[Degtr]

If there's water in the oil, you'll want to know if and how much damage it has done to the engine.

[Hoags]

How many miles? as if it matters if the car os selling for $255.00. The engine may not need to be replaced, you may get away with head gaskets. but if the milage is real high you may want to replace the engine to avoid future problems! Was the car wrecked? How the hell do you break a steering column in half? If you can get the car for that price even if it cant be fixed I'm sure you could part it out and make back your investment plus!!!
Good Luck.

[Davy Rocket]

It has 167.xxx miles on it. He also said since there is no radiator in the car the person probably ran it w/o it, and overheated the engine. It looks to me like the person knew it was about to be repo'd, and messed it up intentianally, and broke the steering column also. The body is in great shape other than the front bumper (spoiler) is broke, and missing the passenger turn signal, and fog light, and no keys. Yes I am going to fix this car to be a daily driver. The car I have now was sold to me by a car lot with no title...COURT TIME!!! Thats right I am sueing them. I know this is a fairly easy fix for the Grand Am. It's a great looking car with the exception of the problems lol. Anyways Thank you for your advice.

Davy Rocket

[GTP Dad]

Expect to replace the engine and possibly the transmission in this car. Depending on the engine and whether you can get a used one will depend on how much you will need to spend. The radiator will cost you at least another 100. The body is worth the asking price but be prepared to spend some additional bucks on the remainder of the car.

[cleto]

Bud dont waste your time on that piece of s*** its a night mare in the waiting look else where for that money you can buy something running

[Davy Rocket]

Originally Posted by cleto

Bud dont waste your time on that piece of s*** its a night mare in the waiting look else where for that money you can buy something running

To late I already bought the car, Besides I have wanting one of these cars for along time, and I enjoy working/fixing cars.

Now..How hard is it to replace the steering column? I am hoping I can just put it back together being how I cannot, do not see how one could literally break it in half.

I do not have the car in my possesion yet as it is about 240 miles away from me, and I will have it delivered to me hopefully sometime this week.
Also I am not to sure if the previous owner would run the car w/o the radiator, then again it is a crazy world huh. lol

[grfnkl]

I saw that car on Ebay, it was a black 2 door... It was in good shape body wise. Not bad for a fixer upper, Since your putting a new engine in anyways try to get some more horses out of it before you put it in. It didn;t look like the column broke it looked like some broke the steering wheel off, you'll know more when you get the car. Good Luck with it.