good deal?

[Ratman667]

ok, i have been looking for a play car. i have the green machine as a daily driver but, i need something to drive on the weekends and just to have fun in.

that said, i found a 1994 cavalier wagon 3.1. it has 41,000 miles, grandma owned. the interior is perfect. only two small blemishes on the exterior. i test drove the car. it drives awesome. plenty of power. no problems with the motor that as far as i could tell.

now for the bad.

its an auto. it needs a complete rear brake overhaul. we are talking from the proportionate valve back. well not the valve, but the lines, wheel cylinders, shoes, hardware, and drums. i can do all the work myself, but i am still looking at about $200 for parts. then it needs the driver side cv axle. $110 for the part. it also needs basic stuff like a tune up and all the fluids changed.

asking price is $1200.

according to kbb.com the private party price for good condition is $1475

i am sure that i could talk them down a bit.

[2000mc]

Originally Posted by Ratman667

ok, i have been looking for a play car. i have the green machine as a daily driver but, i need something to drive on the weekends and just to have fun in.

that said, i found a 1994 cavalier wagon 3.1.

why is this car more fun than your 2000?

[Jay2TheRescue]

I'd explain the work the car needs and offer them $900 or $1,000. Sounds like you'll have a fantastic ride when you're done with the work. I don't think I'd pay more than $1,000 for it.

-Jay

[Ratman667]

Originally Posted by 2000mc

why is this car more fun than your 2000?

first the 2000, if it was completely stock only had 115 advertised hp. it didnt have enough grunt before the WAI to be considered fun. I purchased it for fuel economy. I was planning on holding out for a early 90's Mitsubishi Galant VR4. Needless to say, that isn't going to happen.

the '94 only has 150 advertised hp, but it has a good platform to build on. It may be wrong wheel drive, but with a decent build, it should have more than enough power. Plus, it is a wagon, so i can haul a few people plus beer cooler and other misc. beach supplies in it.

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

I'd explain the work the car needs

they know what it needs. that is the main reason they are selling. they were quoted nearly $900 to fix everything major. But i am fairly certain that if i show up with $1000 cash in hand, i can leave with it.

[bowtieguy]

i had the same vehicle in a '91 version. when i sold it, it had well over 140k miles. never had any major issues. it was a great car, and i miss the hatch.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Yeah, I miss my old wagon as well. Talk about a sleeper car. Bonneville wagon with two tone paint, seated 9, and came with a nice big block V-8. It would leave the kids driving V-6 Camaro's and Mustangs in the dust, and give an out of tune V-8 Camaro or Mustang a run for their money. I called it my Mean, Lean, Grocery Gettin' Machine, but most of my friends called it The Family Truckster. (Remember the car from the movie Vacation?)

-Jay

[Ratman667]

ok, i had to look that movie up. its older than i am...

[Jay2TheRescue]

Here's a pic of the car from the movie..