The search begins! Need help finding an LT1 wagon.

Well, you guys told me to let you know when I was ready to start my search, and that time has come
my budget is about $3000, so I'm looking at cars that could potentially be talked into that price range (I guess up to $4000 listed...)
I have a preference for the Caprice Wagons, but really would take any LT1 wagon.
not too picky about colors either.

Hopefully I'll have my car gone by September 28th, so I'll need to find something soon after.

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/cto/2597462344.html

http://worcester.craigslist.org/cto/2598392618.html

http://southcoast.craigslist.org/ctd/2599068089.html

Tom C.

Oh! The Berkley one still exists?

has anyone seen this one in person?

Lunenberg - WTF, I sent that guy three e-mails that were never returned!
Bellingham - If you're set on a Caprice, I might be willing to look at that one with you and trade
Berkeley - Rustbucket. I could break off a piece of frame with my hand. A/C doesn't work, gate doesn't close easily, some other gremlins I don't remember. But the guy knows his wagons and has been dealing with them for years. (FWIW, he also has a showroom condition '87 Grand Marquis coupe for $5K.)

mp775 wrote:

Lunenberg - WTF, I sent that guy three e-mails that were never returned!
Bellingham - If you're set on a Caprice, I might be willing to look at that one with you and trade
Berkeley - Rustbucket. I could break off a piece of frame with my hand. A/C doesn't work, gate doesn't close easily, some other gremlins I don't remember. But the guy knows his wagons and has been dealing with them for years. (FWIW, he also has a showroom condition '87 Grand Marquis coupe for $5K.)

damn. Looks clean from the outside (Berkeley one...) in the photos.

Has anyone seen the Bellingham one or the Lunenberg one?

The Bellingham lady got back to me, but said she was listing for a friend (god damnit)
and there's no photos.

Would any of you guys be willing to either look at these or go with me to look at some of these to help me determine problem areas?

The one in Berkeley not only looks nice from the outside, it rides perfectly. I took it up to 80 on Route 24. Tow pack car with the mechanical fan replaced with electric, IIRC. If it was a grand or less it would be a perfect winter beater.

I'm no expert (and pretty much everything I know is from what I've read here and on gmlongroof), but I'd check the other two out with you.

mp775 wrote:

The one in Berkeley not only looks nice from the outside, it rides perfectly. I took it up to 80 on Route 24. Tow pack car with the mechanical fan replaced with electric, IIRC. If it was a grand or less it would be a perfect winter beater.

I'm no expert (and pretty much everything I know is from what I've read here and on gmlongroof), but I'd check the other two out with you.

I assume he wasn't budging on the price?

He's budging all over the place with the price! From 8/11:

http://southcoast.craigslist.org/ctd/2541033785.html

I wasn't interested, so I didn't bother trying to negotiate.

mp775 wrote:

He's budging all over the place with the price! From 8/11:

http://southcoast.craigslist.org/ctd/2541033785.html

I wasn't interested, so I didn't bother trying to negotiate.

yeah, wait... he went up $500 and then down $500 then up again?

I think it was down $855 and back up $455, but... yeah. He's also a dealer (Perry Motors) even though the "lot" is his driveway.

mp775 wrote:

I think it was down $855 and back up $455, but... yeah. He's also a dealer (Perry Motors) even though the "lot" is his driveway.

the guys on longroof are suggesting I get one from Texas and drive it back... that might not be as easy as it sounds... It'd be $300 for airfare for myself, wife and son... then gas, lodging, entertainment (my wife wouldn't want to just do a flatout drive, she'd want to enjoy the sights and stuff)
at that point I'm way over $1000 in transport fees...

I wanted to do that but someone else beat me to it.

I also looked at this '94 Caprice in Cleveland (from the outside only; lot was closed and car was locked). Wasn't bad, but not totally "rust free" - no rot, but definite surface rust underneath. The rear wiper is broken off, and there's a hole through the rear glass where the stopper for the wiper blade should be. I also thought the tops of the front doors looked like they were considerably higher than the roof, indicating a possible front end collision.

As far as driving one back long-distance goes, remember mine didn't make it from Avon to Pawtucket

yeah...
crap... Maybe I will just end up getting a P71 for now

Take it easy, its only been 1/2 a day...
They're out there.

sdstick wrote:

Take it easy, its only been 1/2 a day...
They're out there.

LOL!

ok, yeah. I have some time.

I just need some help. The guys on Longroof have me thinking that every North East car is going to fall apart into dust right now.

Cheap RMW in Mendon (with LT moter and automatic!) - http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/cto/2599641510.html

chapel wrote:

yeah...
crap... Maybe I will just end up getting a P71 for now

About 40 mins from me:

http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/2596062237.html

Had a look at it?

chapel wrote:

Had a look at it?

Nope, but if you want to I can go down and take a peek. I have to go down there for some other business anyways.

Cadet57 wrote:

chapel wrote:

Had a look at it?

Nope, but if you want to I can go down and take a peek. I have to go down there for some other business anyways.

I'd appreciate it.

Cadet57 wrote:

chapel wrote:

yeah...
crap... Maybe I will just end up getting a P71 for now

About 40 mins from me:

http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/2596062237.html

Justin must be broke as usual or he would have snapped that up. That could be a very good deal.

Tom C.

silverfox103 wrote:

Cadet57 wrote:

chapel wrote:

yeah...
crap... Maybe I will just end up getting a P71 for now

About 40 mins from me:

http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/2596062237.html

Justin must be broke as usual or he would have snapped that up. That could be a very good deal.

Tom C.

That and if anymore B-bodies showed up in my driveway my father would pitch a fit.

Cadet57 wrote:

silverfox103 wrote:

Cadet57 wrote:

chapel wrote:

yeah...
crap... Maybe I will just end up getting a P71 for now

About 40 mins from me:

http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/2596062237.html

Justin must be broke as usual or he would have snapped that up. That could be a very good deal.

Tom C.

That and if anymore B-bodies showed up in my driveway my father would pitch a fit.

Get him into one!

silverfox103 wrote:

Get him into one!

We've tried.

here's the Lunenburg one:

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/cto/2597462344.html

this is what I got when asked about rust.

"Great Condition, very little rust"??

mp775 wrote:

"Great Condition, very compared to whats there, you only see a little rust"??

fixt

so, the big question is: will I even find a rust-free car up here in my range?

It happens. Your odds go way up if Crovo or Al isnt in the market...
Ask yourself...if I had a rust free LT1 wagon, what would I sell it for?
$3K dictates some give somewhere. Interior quality, mileage, etc
But it is a 15+ year old car so your # isnt unrealistic.
Your not going to see ALOT of choices & when you do see the right fit, they may not last long.
As you probably know, dealing with non-operator owned transports is like poking yourself in the eye.
I cant remember if you ever said how mauch of a hurray your in?

chapel wrote:

so, the big question is: will I even find a rust-free car up here in my range?

Yes. It wont be easy, or cheap probably. But its possible. I dont want to toot my horn, but I really feel like I got lucky with my '93. Solid frame, quarters were iffy but salvageable, but overall the car was very clean and in great shape for the age. You just have to keep looking and if one does show up you can hesitate, be the first with cash in hand and be ready to drive it home.

sdstick wrote:

It happens. Your odds go way up if Crovo or Al isnt in the market...
Ask yourself...if I had a rust free LT1 wagon, what would I sell it for?
$3K dictates some give somewhere. Interior quality, mileage, etc
But it is a 15+ year old car so your # isnt unrealistic.
Your not going to see ALOT of choices & when you do see the right fit, they may not last long.
As you probably know, dealing with non-operator owned transports is like poking yourself in the eye.
I cant remember if you ever said how mauch of a hurray your in?

Bingo.

sdstick wrote:

It happens. Your odds go way up if Crovo or Al isnt in the market...
Ask yourself...if I had a rust free LT1 wagon, what would I sell it for?
$3K dictates some give somewhere. Interior quality, mileage, etc
But it is a 15+ year old car so your # isnt unrealistic.
Your not going to see ALOT of choices & when you do see the right fit, they may not last long.
As you probably know, dealing with non-operator owned transports is like poking yourself in the eye.
I cant remember if you ever said how mauch of a hurray your in?

yeah, the guy who bought my car just paid $1500 to send it west... on top of the $6500 I got for it.

I've seen some TBI cars locally that are in much better shape than LT1s. I don't know if that means the TBIs hold up better, or if it means that the LT1s in good shape aren't for sale, and the TBIs that are as beaten to hell as the LT1s on the market have all been junked.

Here's a '96 Buick in New Hampshire - I don't like the paint scheme, but it looks good, at least in the CL pics - http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/2536171355.html. It's been listed and relisted for at least a few months.

page not found
is that the "Bel Air" one?
I thought that was closer to $6000.

Maybe I should consider a TBI car... I just need to get something without expending a TON of time and energy...

That's the one. Sorry, forgot you were looking for $3k. There's also a 43,000 mile '93 RMW at a dealer in Tyngsboro for $6k.

As for $3,000 TBIs:

Nice looking '93 RMW in Wakefield, RI: http://classicchryslercars.com/1993BuickRoadmasterEstate-ClassicChryslerCars.html

'93 Caprice, allegedly no rust, in Seabrook, NH. Guy is selling for a friend, didn't return my call when I said I was heading up to see it: http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/2538054199.html

wow, $6500 dropping into your bank account sure looks like a lot of money... shame it's all pretty much spent

just to keep track of my stuff:

Quote :

http://worcester.craigslist.org/cto/2598392618.html
1995 buick roadmaster station wagon - $2300 (bellingham, ma)
1995 buick station wagon for sale. Well maintained, blue woodgrain, automatic, 8 seater, 4 door, 2nd owner, must see. For sale $2,300. Please call 508-966-1637.

I emailed this person, but need to follow up with a phone call apparently. the email lister isn't actually selling it. I guess it's her mom.

Quote :

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/cto/2597462344.html
1994 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon - $3250 (Lunenburg, MA.)
Great Condition, very little rust. 8 passenger with third row seating, also able to fit a 4x8 sheet of plywood in the back with the tailgate closed ! 113K miles. Very strong LT1 Corvette engine, New Muffler, runs great,just had an oil change. Wood grain sides with soft, near perfect velour interior. Power everything, and most everything works. Book value $3500-$3700, asking $3250. I would not be selling this car, but need the cash.

Bad rot on the rear fenders.

Quote :

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/cto/2599641510.html
Roadmaster for sale 1994 - $1200 (Mendon )
Selling roadmaster. Millage 183000. Runs fine. Body is great. It is automatic. It has LT moter. I am asking for 1200 or best offer. You can reach me at 508-561-6835 for any questions or if you want to look at it. You can also send me an email.

Thank you.

emailed, no call back

Quote :

http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/2569245828.html
1994 Roadmaster Wagon Custom - $2150 (Ballston Spa)
1994 Buick Roadmaster Wagon
- LT1
- Flowmasters and complete custom exhaust from front to back $750
- Lowered springs & shocks $600
- air, cruise, window, locks, cd all work
- new battery
- 3rd seat
- Interior nice, 1 quarter size hole in drivers seat, no other rips and the dash is excellent
- Comes with the original 4 w/hubcaps and snow tires on the back, not the wheels pictured
- 178K, I've had for 3-4 years and changed oil every 3K
- always maintained..brakes, waterpump, battery, optispark....

This car starts up everytime no matter how long it is sitting. Excellent in the winter, has
as much room as a full size Tahoe

Emailed, no return.

Quote :

http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/2596062237.html
96 Roadmaster Wagon..LT-1 350 - $1350 (Newington Ct)
For Sale: 1996 Buick Roadmaster Wagon...Powered by the desired Chevy LT-1 Engine and automatic transmission, with only 110,000 miles....The wagon is in very good condition......Excellent leather interior....All power....Runs great.......Gets up to 22 MPG with plenty of power and comfort.....$1,350.00...Call 860-982-8363.....Jon

emailed. will need to call this weekend.