I have a 1993 Buick Roadmaster. V8. 5.7 Liter Corvette Engine..

[BrklynLiberal]

Until recently it was running fine.

Right now I have no reverse gear, and was told it would cost almost $1000 to fix the transmission

I was also just told that I could get $1000 just for the engine if I sold it.

ANY advice input, information...ANYTHING that might help me to decide what to do with this car.
oh..and the fan just stopped working..so altho the A/C works.there is no way for it to get distributed inside the car.

Thank you in advance.

174000 miles.


"1992 Buick Roadmaster: A 4-door sedan joined the Roadmaster wagon as an early '92 model, carrying a 5.7-liter V8 engine that developed 180 horsepower. That engine also went into the Estate Wagon, displacing the original 5.0-liter.
1993 Buick Roadmaster: Change was minimal. "

[flvegan]

1. Technically not the Corvette engine.

Yes, they both shared the 350 cubic inch GM engine. However, the Corvette engine put out 300 or so horsepower (the ZR1 was over 400).

I think that ultimately it depends on what you need from the car. If you have no other transport and you need this car to run, it appears you need repairs. If the car is on its deathbed and you don't need it, sell it for parts. If you can get a grand for the engine, I'd take that.

The 1993 Roadmaster, btw, was a fantastic car when released. Luxury, could carry 8 people comfortably, and 180 horsepower may not sound like much but 300 or so lbs/ft of torque is very nice. Plus, IIRC, this car could tow a good amount.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. I can see that it was once a really grand car. Leather interior and all the "amenities" of

the day.
still rides pretty damn good. Smooth...but HEAVY!!! and a real pig on the gasoline.


Thanks for the input.

[Gold Metal Flake]

2. Those are slightly collectable by the long-roof crowd.

Fans motors can be replaced. How difficult it is depends on the car. I have had easy jobs and damn hard jobs. I'll bet there is a tutorial somewhere on the net. Have you checked the fan fuse? The speed resistor sections usually break first leaving you with only high. Could also be the fan switch.

Might just wanna sell it and get a good used Focus or something. Do you have a budget for a replacement?

[BrklynLiberal]

3. Not unless I really can get the $1000 or so for the engine.

I did check the fan fuse..I think. I will try to get someone who really knows what they are doing to check it out again.
Thanks

[Gold Metal Flake]

5. You want to sell the entire thing.

Only weird gearheads like me part out cars. Too difficult to get rid of the leftovers. As Flvegan wrote the engine is not at all special. It's a common engine in the junkyards. Sell the whole thing through Cragslist. You can have the trans fixed, but next it will be the starter and the alternator and then an upper ball joint and then shocks and then fuel hoses and on and on. From long experience I have learned that when dealing with old cars there comes a time when it becomes important to stop thinking optimistically. And that is coming from a guy who can repair or replace ANY system on a car with decades of experience. But if you think you can keep up with it, try buying a rebuilt trans outright and replacing it yourself and save about 500 bones.

Browse all of Craigslist at once from the very cool webpage:

http://www.craiglook.com/

[BrklynLiberal]

6. Thank you very, very much. I will take your advice and keep you updated.

[BrklynLiberal]

7. Wow. This is my car if it had been taken care of....except my interior is cream colored.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/ctd/1815321558.html

I have all the same amenities...but the guy I got it from drove it around the country for 175,000 miles and did not bother to maintain the exterior. Paint is peeling and some of the chrome is missing. I just needed a car to get from point A to Point B and this was parked in a friend's driveway so they let me have it for $750. Aside from getting the passenger side electric window fixed, it was all ok until the entire load of sh*t hit the fan at once..Transmission and A/C

Wow. This one has only 49000 miles on it...
Guess the "little old lady who only drive it to church on Sunday" owned it.
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/1816011319.html

and yet another ...
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/1815336261.html

This guy is asking $3495 with 92K original miles and it looks like he detailed the "Legendary 5.7 Liter Engine."
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ctd/1815588119.html

http://twintiers.craigslist.org/cto/1813379206.html

There are several more ads there. Surprised to see so many. And asking well over $1000..But mine is not in such great shape and the transmission and A/C need work.

Any suggestions for an asking price?

[Gold Metal Flake]

8. Oops. I thought you had the wagon.

I don't know what a sedan is worth. I would think not much for a well-worn one.

[BrklynLiberal]

9. Sadly, i am sure you are right. Mine is in no where near as good shape as those pictured.

[Gold Metal Flake]

10. A similar sitch...

Maybe you got your $750s worth and it's time to back out of it for whatever you can get? When I was done with my 1984 Crown Vic wagon that we got used for a good deal it was still good, still ran well, the AC still worked, but it had a large dent on the rear quarter and the interior was aging and the headliner was held up with thumbtacks and the tires were old and it was getting harder to smog each time. I traded it for some labor around the house. Just was not worth it to me try to clean it up and sell. The dent would have been a big turn-off.

Think about it.

[BrklynLiberal]

11. Will do. thanks so much for your help.