So this is probably a mistake but: Giant Wagon

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/5072877973.html

So my move to Washington state plan didn't work out as smoothly as I thought. Long story short, The job I had lined up wasn't here, the move cost way more than anticipated and the car I had lined up is now not available while the sun is up... Also I wasn't able to sell my Buick so that's still in FL (if anyone wants my ultra reliable tank it's still for sale.) basically the whole thing went tits up.

I've got a job lined up that starts in a few weeks but I need a car before then. So bottom line is I need a $500 car that I can drive right away, as I own exactly no tools.

This crazy oldsmobile might just be the ticket. Or the worst mistake I've made in a while, what do you guys think?

Pretty sure that has the TBI 350 in it, if the trans fluid is red and not burnt smelling, it shifts right, and the engine has oil pressure, and it passes a general beater car inspection, it should be fine.

It says "exhaust leak" so I'm thinking headers and side pipes...

The flat folding floor of the wagon will provide a comfortable place to sleep should your situation continue to degrade further.

A windowless van might be a good consideration also.

In reply to AClockworkGarage:

For your situation I'd think more like ignore or repair. Probably needs new donuts and springs or something stupid and cheap like that.

Yeah, i'll d what I can to get it roadworthy, but unless it is a total pos I'll likely keep it for a while.

I've got a decent job with a boeing contractor in a few weeks, but I need a caqr to get back and forth to that job. After that I should have decent monies... then comes finding a house and getting pissed off at every seahawks sticker I see.

I would hit that!

Mistake. Cheap cars can be very expensive.

unless you want to send me money, cheap car is the option.

Looking at that ad, I'd say the wagon was a replacement for the Durango when the trans went bad, and now the seller has inherited a Toyota.

It's a GM with a V8 and a auto. It will run bad longer than most cars will run.

If it's temporary, then it might be fine. I've got a later cousin to that car (94 roadmaster wagon with lt1) and I love it. But I went in with my eyes open knowing that it would cost a good bit to fix up to good daily driver status. It does have a bunch of cool station wagon stuff going for it.

If you're just looking to buy cheap and live with any problems, then drive it and see if you can live with it the EXACT way it is for a while. It's mostly a bubble caprice with some different parts here and there. I'm pretty sure that will either have the 305 or 350 tbi which is just a gen 1 small block with fuel injection stuffs.

For a bunch more info check out the wagon section of impalassforum and gmlongroof4umer.

Good luck with decision and job situation.

Looks like a great deal. If you look how dirty it is in the picture, I bet a weekend of elbow grease and it will look like a completely different car

That's a downsized B-body, that's not very big...

Knurled wrote: That's a downsized B-body, that's not very big...

So it's not very big, just "merely huge"...

Unless there's some huge issue the seller isn't telling, $500 for that seems like a steal. I wouldn't think about it for long.

Sorry about the move related problems man, that's been a rough trip so far.

As to the car: dude, buy that E36 M3 right now!! Huge floaty wagon goodness, there is no downside to any of that.

Similar Oldsmobuick

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/the-customization-of-an-olds-custom-cruiser/102628/page1/

Toyman01 wrote: It's a GM with a V8 and a auto. It will run bad longer than most cars will run.

Yeah this!

Wagon buying is never a bad idea. Never.

Feedyurhed wrote: Mistake. Cheap cars can be very expensive.

not cheap b bodies. they just go forever.

I think that for $500, it's a safe bet, so long as the transmission shifts fine and the fluid doesn't smell burnt.

92s are pretty rare, so once you're ready to upgrade, if you clean it up well and list it right, you could definitely make some money selling it on.

Or, just sell it to me!

Knurled wrote: That's a downsized B-body, that's not very big...

217.5". For reference, the 71 Olds wagon was 225.8", before the huge bumpers.

patgizz wrote:

Feedyurhed wrote: Mistake. Cheap cars can be very expensive.

not cheap b bodies. they just go forever.

My father and uncle went through a bunch of $500 B bodies putting thousands of miles on them and then scrapping them for what they paido when the floors disappeared.

Wally wrote:

patgizz wrote:

Feedyurhed wrote: Mistake. Cheap cars can be very expensive.

not cheap b bodies. they just go forever.

My father and uncle went through a bunch of $500 B bodies putting thousands of miles on them and then scrapping them for what they paido when the floors disappeared.

i bought an $800 91 wagon with 212k and freshened it up 10k miles later with another 212k mile 305 and a rebuilt trans. i put 10k on that, 8 with blown headgasket.

had a $400 92 that had no reverse and no oil pressure, my buddy borrowed it and drove it to work for 2 weeks before i parted it out and scrapped it for 402.50.

my string of cheap b bodies is long. never paid more than 1200 for one, and that was my impala ss.

A local GRM'er can't borrow you a car? I know we tend to have multiple running or none running beaters that we won't miss for 2 weeks.

If not though, buy that b-body. $500 running gm v8 autos almost never give out. Plus the wagon has pretty low miles.