In about an hour I am going to check out this eldorado this guy is selling for 800 bucks. Anything I should pay extra close attention to? I own a 92 deville and was skimming through the post and stumbled on it and figured I would check it out.

No one has an opinion or comment or anything... tough crowd...geez..

I don't really know anything about the '80 Eldorado, I believe it has the 350? Or was it the 368? At any rate, shoot a reply here to let me know how you liked it, how it went, etc. I always like good deals, as long as they're in decent shape. Is it local to you?

-Jon

Well, didja check out the '80? How was it?

Regards,
Jeff
'72 CDV
'80 Seville
'02 STS

Id check the underbody for rust.
Trunk for rust under the mats.
Use a magnet and a rag and see if everywhere on the panels are the same amount of 'metal'... that might be a minor point since it is 800 bucks...
Then Id drive it for 30-40 miles... and at least one good hard acceleration and see how well the trans and engine work, all without the guy talking to you or the radio playing... then go under the car and see if it drips oil, may have to wait a while, then with the engine running and on level ground check the trans fluid, black is fine, bubbly might be ok, if its just too full... engine oil check etc...

Does anyone know if their is a 'warmer' and 'off' diagnostics code check on those?

Good luck,
Brian

At $800 for the car, there is not too much more you need to know about it! If it still runs and looks okay inside and out, you got a good deal. They normally run in the 3K-5K range if in very good condition, and you can find the rather small following that likes that model year.

BTW it is a 368 with nightmare diagnostics installed. Ask anybody who has owned one.

wow, I hope its a diesel like mine.

Blaze

then with the engine running and on level ground check the trans fluid, black is fine, bubbly might be ok, if its just too full...

mmmmmm
I would smell it and look for a pinkish/reddish color

[not necessarily in this order]
pull off the oil cap and look for deposits on underside top of cap.
look in oil spout and run finger inside of valve cover for deposits.
take off radiator cap and look at fins and run finger inside for deposits.
look in surge tank to see how clean it is.
do a quick visual check under hood for anything that looks unusual
drive car after warmed up and take notice to shifting.
if can't get it on lift, take along large handheld mirror to look underneath car.
check tire wear pattern carefully.
ask were car is usually parked, then look on ground.
stand behind car and ask him to start car.
drive car on highway.
drive car in parking lot real slow doing cornering or zig zags.
try and make all accessories work.
open door and look for tell tale signs of being repainted.
check for current inspection sticker and mileage when inspected.
ask if any service records were kept or recorded.
if you are comfortable, drive to your mechanic's place for quick inspection.
point out things you see wrong and make an offer.

IMHO
look for 1978 and earlier
1994 and later
ELDO's (all are FWD)

anything in the 80's can be picked up for like you said 800.oo or less, wondered what happened in detriot in that time period

read up some