Brother buying his first car...

caddycruiser · #1 (**permalink**) 10-25-06, 05:17 PM

Well, he certainly beat me to it

Took me until 19 (almost 20) to buy my '95 Fleetwood this past January, and now my 17 year old brother is about to buy his first car.

He had been looking at and wanting a mid/later 80's Monte Carlo/Cutlass for a while, as well as some interest in Camaros of similar age and later Caprices, but I was never sure why. But that's what he likes and being that it's his money, so be it.

The real car shopping hadn't started until this summer, and then more seriously the last month or so. He and my father would peruse the papers and go "spotting" on weekends. Besides some ragged Monte Carlos, the only other real candidate that fit his budget and was what he wanted was a '86 Cutlass Supreme with 76k. Looked nice, mostly, and was a local car, but also had a few oddities on the test drive and they finally decided it wasn't in the best shape for the asking price.

Just as a nonchalant suggestion from my father, he said they should try and find a Buick Regal from the same era--but that looked a little better and was considerably rarer than a Chevy or Olds. Nothing much turned up, and they were on their way to see another Cutlass and a Caprice some distance away when they spotted a '86 Regal in the paper just after pulling out of the driveway.

Long story short, the trip was revised, and he put a deposit down on the Regal pretty much immediately after they saw it. I'm still away at school, but according to them, it's in terrific shape and the classic "one owner old guy" car. An '86 Regal, a Limited model, has the extremely (at least in the Buicks) rare Olds 307 V8 option (pretty much all were the 3.8L V6), 73k miles, and is light blue with a dark blue or black (they couldn't tell) landau top, with a dark blue velor interior and factory wire hubcaps.

Definately not the greatest color combination in the world or my favorite car in general, but very cool that they just stumbled upon a car they never thought they'd find in such nice shape--and for a price less than HALF of that of the next cheapest car they had seen. Even if he decides not to keep it, they seem sure that they could turn around and resell it for a lot more than they're paying after a quick detailing, so sounds like a winner to me.

Can't wait to see it...as long as it all works out! I'm very familiar with the '90s GM B and D bodies, owning 3 at the moment, and these cars aren't that different in theory, just smaller and older.

creeker · #2 (**permalink**) 10-25-06, 05:46 PM

Good choice of cars, you seem to be partial to 307 olds, I've had 3 different cars with 3.8's, their a great motor.

caddycruiser · #3 (**permalink**) 10-25-06, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creeker

Good choice of cars, you seem to be partial to 307 olds, I've had 3 different cars with 3.8's, their a great motor.

Actually, I don't at all--and it would never be my choice. Hence the 90's B and D bodies we have with TBI 350's and my '95 with the LT1.

But these cars are what he liked, and he seems to think the extra simplicity over even our current cars is a good thing. I don't do the whole carbureter thing, and hope it isn't a series of problems, but we'll see. But yes, he definately wanted the V8 over the V6. Not sure why, other than just that it's a V8 and that's what we're all used to, but also probably because of the rarity factor. My mother had an '83 Monte Carlo many years ago with, I believe, the 3.8L and it had some issues, but it is still a generally strong choice.

The 307 in these cars does seem like it's fairly anemic at 140 horses, but I've never even been around one, so I have no real idea--the torque probably helps it considerably. We shall see.

Elvis · #4 (**permalink**) 10-25-06, 06:19 PM

I liked both motors. The 307 isn't anemic, but it is a little disappointing if you're hoping to mod it and give it ballz. From what I've read the return on investment isn't really worth it. But it runs and is great for highway cruising. Plenty of passing gear.

I think your little bro is about to make you VERY jealous when you see his new wheels. Sounds like a great catch to me!

Best of luck to him!

caddycruiser · #5 (**permalink**) 10-25-06, 06:28 PM

Haha, we'll see. It still won't compare to my car (I tried to talk him into something similar, he did look at some Caprices, AND my father offered to sell him the '93 Fleetwood at virtual pennies...), but this is what he's wanted.

This was all as of Sunday, and I don't even know if it's gone through yet or not.

He didn't take any pictures when they were looking at it, but based on the description I got, I presume it looks almost exactly like this (thanks Autotrader, and some random person!):

A bit frumpy, per say, but they seem to look a lot better with simple things like a wheel swap.

thydarkprevails · #6 (**permalink**) 10-25-06, 06:37 PM

for a 17 year old, that looks pretty damn nice!

congrats to your bro

although i would have jumped on the fleetwood

creeker · #7 (**permalink**) 10-25-06, 06:41 PM

I can see the logic in him wanting a " V-8 " over a v-6, I like the looks of a late 80's monte carlo,especially an all black one,if I had some spare money I would have one alongside my cdv. somewhat in the same league as a grand national.

caddycruiser · #8 (**permalink**) 10-25-06, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thydarkprevails

for a 17 year old, that looks pretty damn nice!

congrats to your bro

although i would have jumped on the fleetwood

Yeah, funny thing about that. I still can't believe he doesn't want to take up my father's offer to buy the '93 FWB for about 1/4 of it's real value, but oh well. He really enjoys driving it every day, I know, and did once or twice "get the smilies" and took mine for a blast while I was gone.

From what I've heard, this car is going to be a bit of a project between both him and my father--both will work on it, and it actually is going to be titled under my father's name, and is they decide to sell it, they'll split the profits.

But I still haven't seen it, and that pic is just a random Autotrader one, so I'm still waiting to hear.

caddycruiser · #9 (**permalink**) 10-25-06, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creeker

I can see the logic in him wanting a " V-8 " over a v-6, I like the looks of a late 80's monte carlo,especially an all black one,if I had some spare money I would have one alongside my cdv. somewhat in the same league as a grand national.

Actually, on that note, the GN's do look AWESOME, and even though this car apparently has great paint, a quote from my father was: "Yeah, kinda ugly colors, but paint it black and sell those hubcaps and then you might really have something." That'd look great, but probably won't happen, at least for a long time.

If it does actually show up at home soon, I will at least push for new wheels...that made a big difference on my Fleetwood, and would make a HUGE difference on this car.

Benzilla · #10 (**permalink**) 10-25-06, 08:32 PM

Hey, no blue G-body bashing, that's pretty much the exact Buick version of my '84 Cutlass. My blue is a little different, and I have the stock color matching rally wheels(I wouldn't have it any other way) But same idea. here's mine to compare

By the way, the running boards aren't gold anymore.

caddycruiser · #11 (**permalink**) 10-25-06, 08:38 PM

Oh yes, yours definately looks GREAT

Just goes to prove my point of how much of a difference upgraded wheels like that--alone--improve the looks. Other than that, very similar car too.

Do you still have that car? What engine, and how do you like it?

Benzilla · #12 (**permalink**) 10-25-06, 08:54 PM

Yeah I still have it, it's in my garage tucked away. It was my first car, and has been in the family since '84 when my grandfather bought it new. It is on it's second 3.8 litre Buick V6, the original one seized up in '03. and the guy who replaced it with a jasper(ever heard of them?) botched it, so it has a few minor issues, but I still love it. IMO a very classy looking car, not over the top, and not really luxurious, but I like how it looks. Nice riding, pretty good handling, not exactly a rocket though.

All in all, even thought I always talk about trading it off, I'd really miss it. I grew up with it.

CadillacSTS2003 · #13 (**permalink**) 10-25-06, 09:27 PM

end result boys
ANOTHER MAN SAVED FROM GOING ASIAN!!!!
he could drive something thats ready for the yard long as its not import the boys kewl by me!

caddycruiser · #14 (**permalink**) 10-25-06, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CadillacETC1997

end result boys
ANOTHER MAN SAVED FROM GOING ASIAN!!!!
he could drive something thats ready for the yard long as its not import the boys kewl by me!

Oh, you don't even want to get him STARTED on the mention of anything import...I even say one good thing about a Honda, Nissan, etc., and either get laughed at or barrated.

Then again, this is a person who refuses to use the AC in a car no matter how deathly hot it is (I got yelled at once when I rode with him and did turn it on), thinks power windows and locks are dumb, never turns the radio on for his life, etc...quite an interesting kid, and the exact opposite of most everyone else his age.

So a dinosaur of a car (well, relatively) should be perfect, especially if some of the accessories are no longer working

Elvis · #15 (**permalink**) 10-25-06, 11:09 PM

That Cutlass sure brings back memories. I had a silver '81 Cutlass with the same blue interior. No vinyl top, no floormats, either. As basic as you could get--but it DID have cold a/c and I replaced the Delco head unit.

In a way I'd love to have that one back. I'd also love to have my '85 Delta 88. Those were a couple of really good cars--not great, but GOOD. Unfortunately they only got about 17 mpg running around town.