Should I buy this '87 Brougham?

[caddieboy]

After thinking about what car to buy, I finally decided I wanted an 87-89 because of the 5.0 and body style. I have a '92 Brougham in mint condition I want to keep off the road winters and need a winter beater, so to speak. But I still want something I'll love, and I may have found her.

First off, she needs some TLC for sure, but has lots of good qualities too, first with the good...

-Interior is near mint with d'Elegance red leather. The only thing that doesn't make it mint are the red buttons which have faded to almost white. No cracks or tears in leather and armrests are all perfect. 1st owner must have been a heavy man as it does dip a bit on the side edge towards the back, but barely noticeable. All seats work 6 ways.
-Factory sunroof works like a charm.
-New paint by 2nd owner and present owner (friends). 2nd owner has many classic cars but bought a new car so present owner bought it from him. They both do body work and 2nd owner intended to keep the car, so they worked on it long and hard. Looks fantastic. Red firemist paint. Two minor rust bubbles, one around wheel well edge and another at the bottom of back trunk and underneath the hood edge.
-It either has 80k miles or 140k miles, I'll find out soon when I get the Used Vehicle Information Package from the DMV.
- New radiator, muffler, catalitic converter, heater (I think he meant heater core) rear shocks and brakes.

The bad...
-interior lights don't work, he thinks it's a fuse. Dash lights and everything seem to work fine. Even dimmer for dash lights was fine.
-He doesn't know if the cruise control works or what's needed to be safetied
-The VIN seems to be wrong... 1G6DW51Y0H9747111... I think the 51 is supposed to be 69 (4 door sedan), no, or does the sunroof have something to do with that?
-No radio, although the original might still be with the 2nd owner. I have an old pioneer CD player from my old '87.
-Needs a new top as it's seriously faded and cracked.
-He banged muffler on driveway and so something needs to be done there, as it is loud.
-Lots of rust under the hood with some surface rust on edges.
-Needs tires and rims, but not a big deal as I have brand new tires and rims off another car my friend will give me (the rims might look good on the car, we'll see.)

Seems like a diamond in the not too rough, and I'd be willing to put some money into her. Since it's going to be a winter car, I'd like her to be reliable. No doubt it will require some money, but it doesn't look like it will need a ton of work. But for the price, it must need work. She will be a winter beater and road-trip car though, to keep my '92 mint and low miles. I don't see many 87-89s with the factory sunroof.

Any opinions? Oh, almost forgot, after taxes and stuff, we're talking about $1200US, as is. Sorry such a long post, thanks to all who read and reply!!!

[96Fleetwood]

Way too much money for a car with those issues.. especially the rust. If you look hard enough you can find a 1990 with the 307 (if you really want that) for $1,500.

[caddieboy]

Originally Posted by 96Fleetwood

Way too much money for a car with those issues.. especially the rust. If you look hard enough you can find a 1990 with the 307 (if you really want that) for $1,500.

I definitely do not want a 90, I'm keen on the 87-89 body style. And I'm not sure if I'll find an 87-89 with a sunroof nor an interior that's as nice. Is $1200 (which seems like very little money to me) and maybe $2000 to put into it a bad idea? What would be a reasonable offer? Seems like a great car, but maybe I'm wrong. The Canadian market is smaller than in the States, but I guess I do have the whole summer to find something. I just find that anything that's mechanically sound seems to be mediocre in terms of body and interior.

[96Fleetwood]

$750 is a good deal, even at that price if it is worse than expected, you can sell the interior for at least that price

[Motorboat]

I'm with you Caddieboy. If you like it buy it!

[Night Wolf]

Get a one-way flight to FL (your city of choice) and you'll find these things mint, low mileage and cheap.

From a cost stand point, it makes no sense for me to put money into my Brougham and fix up... $3,000 buys a mint one in FL.

But for me, i don't have $3k on hand, and if I did, it wouldn't be on another car... and the money I put into my Brougham will be spread over a long time... plus I'll be doing all the work myself.... its a project for me

But, otherwise $1,200 for a good car isn't bad at all... up to you

[caddieboy]

Got the Used Vehicle Information Package and the car has had 5 owners, the present guy is the sixth, and it looks like it's a high mileage car. My excitement has dwindled considerably. I think the leather was likely redone which is why I was thrown off with the mileage and ready to believe is was some old guy who barely drove it.

Maybe the flight to Florida isn't such a bad idea. I will have time in August to fly down and take my time looking around. And the Canadian dollar is at a 30 year high! Hmmm... thanks for planting the seed, oh wise Night Wolf!

Thanks to everyone for being a sounding board. You all rock!!! I love this place. Thanks for your support!!! Cross your fingers for me that I can find a 87-89 caddie with a sunroof!

[Night Wolf]

I've got an '89 Brougham with a big moon roof Though it's money value isn't really that high....

Anyway, When I was looking at Town Cars, I was just poking around at some Broughams in the Tampa Bay area... $3,000 will buy a mint, ~80k mile old person owned, garage kept, never seen snow car. Though as these cars get older, they are getting a little harder to find.

My parents got their (now my) Brougham in Fort Lauderdale in 1998, then brought it to NY where it was a daily driver.... then last year she came back to FL, now I have her in GA.... car has alot of use, and alot of wear, but I am fixing it up.

[caddieboy]

Originally Posted by Night Wolf

I've got an '89 Brougham with a big moon roof Though it's money value isn't really that high....

Anyway, When I was looking at Town Cars, I was just poking around at some Broughams in the Tampa Bay area... $3,000 will buy a mint, ~80k mile old person owned, garage kept, never seen snow car. Though as these cars get older, they are getting a little harder to find.

My parents got their (now my) Brougham in Fort Lauderdale in 1998, then brought it to NY where it was a daily driver.... then last year she came back to FL, now I have her in GA.... car has alot of use, and alot of wear, but I am fixing it up.

I think I'll tour Florida with a friend and try to find a car. Maybe set up a bunch of appointments before I head down. I'm envious of your 89 with moon roof. I'll keep watching for stuff here in Canada and head to Florida in August if nothing comes up.

[z06bigbird]

Originally Posted by caddieboy

I definitely do not want a 90, I'm keen on the 87-89 body style. And I'm not sure if I'll find an 87-89 with a sunroof nor an interior that's as nice. Is $1200 (which seems like very little money to me) and maybe $2000 to put into it a bad idea? What would be a reasonable offer? Seems like a great car, but maybe I'm wrong. The Canadian market is smaller than in the States, but I guess I do have the whole summer to find something. I just find that anything that's mechanically sound seems to be mediocre in terms of body and interior.

Maybe we are trying to give you some advice that will make sense if I state it this way: That nice interior will not get you anywhere. Many of us have finally realized that the mechanical aspects of the car are what GET US SOMEWHERE. Some of that rust may keep your proposed car from passing inspection.

Some states will refuse inspection for the following reasons:

A/C (defroster) does not work (Virginia). Safety issue.
Rust underneath car, holes. Safety issues. Carbon monoxide.
Rusted (and broken) springs. (Pennsylvania). Safety issue.
Holes in muffler. No gum gum or tape or coat hangers. Safety issue.

Although I listed just 2 states, many others will not pass a car for the reasons listed above.

By the way, your $1200 car will still be worth no more than $1200 after you spend all that money for repairs, radios, looks, etc.

Good luck.

[lochenjons]

jk but lets see it!

[caddieboy]

Originally Posted by lochenjons

jk but lets see it!

I went and saw it at 4 in the morning and it was dark at the guys place, plus he needed to get to work and I didn't have time, but there are a few pics on craigslist...

http://toronto.craigslist.org/car/340859237.html

Adam

[caddieboy]

Originally Posted by z06bigbird

Maybe we are trying to give you some advice that will make sense if I state it this way: That nice interior will not get you anywhere. Many of us have finally realized that the mechanical aspects of the car are what GET US SOMEWHERE. Some of that rust may keep your proposed car from passing inspection.

Some states will refuse inspection for the following reasons:

A/C (defroster) does not work (Virginia). Safety issue.
Rust underneath car, holes. Safety issues. Carbon monoxide.
Rusted (and broken) springs. (Pennsylvania). Safety issue.
Holes in muffler. No gum gum or tape or coat hangers. Safety issue.

Although I listed just 2 states, many others will not pass a car for the reasons listed above.

By the way, your $1200 car will still be worth no more than $1200 after you spend all that money for repairs, radios, looks, etc.

Good luck.

You make a good point. A car in great mechanical condition but with laclustre paint and interior would be better for my needs. I'd rather spend money on cosmetics than under the hood.

[lochenjons]

are you guys talking about smog inspection? isnt the seller supposed to smog it for you? i learnt that the hard way when i bought my suburban.

[caddieboy]

Originally Posted by lochenjons

are you guys talking about smog inspection? isnt the seller supposed to smog it for you? i learnt that the hard way when i bought my suburban.

Up here in Canada, any car after 20 years old doesn't need to pass "drive clean". Kinda dumb, the cars that need it most are older cars, newer cars pass everytime. Gov money grab if you ask me. All I'd have to do is pass safety and get it appraised for tax purposes.