You just can't trust a liittle old lady anymore

[patrickth]

Now that I am really getting a chance to go over this 1970 Buick Electra, the paperwork is telling a whole different story than what I was told.

I have found a large collection of paperwork on the car, seriously detailed, one book for instance is full of how much gas,at what cost per gallon and what city, When oil was changed, when a quart was added, tranny fluid, everything.Jim was a local municipal bus driver and was annal about these cars. He had 5 of them as I remember. The car doesn't show a lot of use, and I can get it looking very good for about $600 and a lot of TLC, but either the odometer has been tweeked or it is missing the first 245,000 miles since engine was rebuilt by a local shop.

She and son (verified) it only has a bit over 60,000 miles on the car. I am no rookie. I could originally believe that story with the exception of some really crappy paint. I have not seen title, but it might even be a salvage job. Gonna see if I can determine that today.

[Barry Donovan]

missing 245 k?

heat rise metal tube on the exhaust manifold is enough to add 3 times the miles by appearance...

are you tricking yourself into thinking higher mileage?

the paint really is that crappy. they don't just keep on trucking along orignal.

[patrickth]

missing 245 k?

heat rise metal tube on the exhaust manifold is enough to add 3 times the miles by appearance...

are you tricking yourself into thinking higher mileage?

the paint really is that crappy. they don't just keep on trucking along orignal.

I don't do it anymore, but back in the day, I would have had to drink at least a cold pack before I laid on paint this bad on a repair area on rear quarter. The glove box was literally stuffed ful of receipts for exhaust, batteries, tires. automatic antenna motor, add on cruise control. I am calling his insurance agent in a half hour to see if I can weasel some info out of him.

As to missing 245,000. Mary and her son told me it only has 60K on it, Now I know its at least 360K,

[Scott Liggett]

What's the asking price?

[patrickth]

What's the asking price?

Complicated question. She wanted me to evaluate and tell her what its worth, based on several people telling her and sons google searches, they thought if I cleaned it up, she should be able to get $3k for a low mileage car in this condition. I sort of agreed that was "probably doable. But now I am not so sure.

It never needed anything that they didn't do since new from a local dealer, but thats still pretty high miles. Make a fantastic long range cruiser with very little money to bring back to primo, but price would have to come down from their expectations a lot.

She is in a nursing home, probably reasonable, but I don't know that for a fact at the moment.

[Scott Liggett]

The '70 455 makes it a $1500 car just because of the engine if it runs good. Beyond that, the rest of the car is irrevalent. Sure, you might find some guy who wants an old four door cruiser, but granny sedans just aren't bringing the cash anymore.

I'd ask $2500 for it, no matter the mileage and take what you can get.

[skullbucket]

The numbers on the odometer are not strait across that usually points to rollover.
What are you buying it for the engine and then get scrap price out of it at the junkyard?

[yellomalibu]

If the air works, that adds value (to me). Knowing it can cost around $800 to "fix" an a/c system that only "needs to be charged", I really appreciate finding one in working condition.

I look at the wear on the brake pedal and the seat to get an idea of mileage on an old vehicle more than I do the odometer. Also, the accumulation of gunk on the frame under the engine can be a good indicator. None of these are foolproof, however.

[yellomalibu]

...also, I've know a few little old ladies in nursing homes. Between age and medications, I wouldn't trust their memory. That's not saying that they are lying intentionally - just that their memories may not be reliable.

[patrickth]

The numbers on the odometer are not strait across that usually points to rollover.
What are you buying it for the engine and then get scrap price out of it at the junkyard?

I was just going to use it for what it is and call it soup, but it took so long for them to decide what to do, I lost interest. Last week the kid showed up with the car and said his mom made a deal with me and wanted me to clean it up, check it out and sell it for her. Her and I were cool, but now son is in the middle and I don't like drama. I have known her for over 30 years, now they moved her to a nursing home. It runs like a striped ass ape, couple of little issues and its probably could easily give me another 100k without too many issues.

I had decided to buy a fairly new suv of some sort, but don't want to part with $25k or so. Just want something for long haul trips in comfort.

[Deaf Bob]

Worth... A very loaded question... It is worth what someone will pay..
My son just bought a 76 New Yorker.. 135K miles. No rips and tears. 440 runs great.. $500 and drove it home..
I hear of derby guys paying that much or less for any brand of BB luxo-barges..
Got 3 good running 455 Buicks in the barn being saved, a 455 Olds under a canopy I dunno what to do with now we got the 440...
Some guys like the bodies that old.. We like them 73 and up..

[TC]

Worth... A very loaded question... It is worth what someone will pay..
My son just bought a 76 New Yorker.. 135K miles. No rips and tears. 440 runs great.. $500 and drove it home..
I hear of derby guys paying that much or less for any brand of BB luxo-barges..
Got 3 good running 455 Buicks in the barn being saved, a 455 Olds under a canopy I dunno what to do with now we got the 440...
Some guys like the bodies that old.. We like them 73 and up..

I paid $500 for my '71 GMC and that is documented to have 42,000 original miles.......

[patrickth]

I paid $500 for my '71 GMC and that is documented to have 42,000 original miles.......

I can find them, and I can find them cheap too. I just am not that enthusiastiac about messing with them these days. I just want to load my cameras and go take road trips.

Derby guys wouldn't get a .05 cent discount from me. They do what they do, fine, but they can pay for their fun, just like me.

[realsteelfreak]

Personally I would only give $800. Its a barge waiting to overheat and blow a head gasket. That's how I would look at it. Just because its a old cruiser with a 455 isn't good enough for me.
JMHO.

[antmnte]

Id drive that every day,they are nice cars like Caddy's from back then.My Uncle had the twin to it with a vinyl top though, 455 is a freakin power house too.