Options... What would you do in my shoes?

2542 Views 24 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Ranger, Jun 13, 2007

QueensLacMan

Discussion Starter · Jun 11, 2007

1996 STS with 48,000 miles. Flawless everything. Tons of options. Just beautiful inside-out.

Head gaskets are starting to go.

I paid $4,350 for the car last month. I put an additional $1,100 into with tune-up, water pump, T-stat, taxes, labor, etc. So total cost (include DMV fees) was around $5,700. I have since gotten $1,000 back from the former owner who felt terribly bad about this situation. So... $4,700 is where I'm at.

My main goal is to try and get as much of that money back into my pocket. I do not want to pay $3,500+ to have the issue fixed. I want the car off my hands ASAP and as much money in my pocket as possible.

I don't want to trade the car in without disclosing the problem at some dealership because I was told I could end up in the middle of a fraud lawsuit. But I ask, how's it fraud if I say, "I didn't know"? Besides, I want cash. I don't want this to be a down payment on a lease, etc.

I won't sell the car to a private buyer without disclosing the problem. That's just wrong.

I was told a junkyard won't give me much for it.

What the heck can I do to maximize my returns?

1. I have a 1995 SLS that needs some work. I thought about taking everything from the 1996 STS that the SLS needs and just hooking the latter up. I would transfer the suspension, mirror, shifter, etc. This option seems like it could be costly.

2. I just post ads for the car with hopes someone will buy it in its current condition. Maybe I can get $2,500 for it?

3. What about removing the parts and selling them individually off of eBay? I feel like this could return me the most money, however, I see this taking an amount of patience I don't have. But I'm sure somewhere out there, someone would pay me $1,000 for my suspension; and that I could get at least get $400 for my year-old tires. Right there, that's $1,400. Toss in some mirrors ($50 each), a hood ($150), some other stuff, etc., and I'm at $2,000. But what will it cost me to have all of this stuff removed? That's what I'd need to find out. Still, this would take MONTHS.

Any other options?

Thanks.

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Playdrv4me

· #2 · Jun 11, 2007

I dont understand why if youve only got 4700.00 in it you dont want to spend 2500-3k to get it perfect. From everything youve said this is a low mileage perfect condition Seville in every other respect. You wont find another car like that for the money you want to spend.

Btw... the fact the seller gave you 1000 bucks back is more proof than anything he knows what a headache the car was and hed rather lose a g note than have anything to do with it again.

If you were to get sued by a dealer and you claimed the "I didnt know" defense... all the evidence theyd ever need is right here...

QueensLacMan

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 11, 2007

This is the thing. I have a 1995 SLS that runs fine. My initial intent was to buy the 1996 STS for $4350 and then sell the SLS for $3000. I'd be upgrading tremendously for just $1500 or so. I bought the STS and it turns out the gaskets are bad.

I live in New York City and only really need a car for the weekends. I work nights so I drive 15 minutes into Manhattan every day. The only reason I even bought a car was because I leave work at 3 am, and at that time the subway takes three times as long as it does during rush hour. I drive home - it takes 15 minutes.

My SLS runs great. For getting around on weekends and driving to work daily, it suffices. When I start working day hours again, I'll only drive on weekends. So having a car isn't a necessity the way it is to some of you.

So for me, I don't want to spend $3000+ to fix the gaskets (that would bring my total amount spent on the car up to $8,000) for an 11-year-old car that is bound to have some other problems in the future. What if whoever fixes the gaskets makes a mistake? What if I fix this and the tranny goes next year? The car is old.

I'm 29 and have about $6,000 to my name. If I were much older and owned my own home, had a primary car, etc., then I'd have the money and flexibility to RISK on this STS. Or... if I could somehow be guaranteed that after fixing the gaskets my car would be problem-free for a few years, then I'd consider it. But we all know, there are no guarantees in life.

I'd rather walk away having lost $3,000 then continue to throw more money at the problem. That $3,000+ I spend to fix the gaskets could be used to get me a newer Seville with comparable mileage and no problems for less than $5,000.

Just a sucky situation.

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Lac_Cruising

· #4 · Jun 11, 2007

Hey I would keep it and take that 1000 and add another 1000 and find someone who will fix it what part queens are you from I might be able to help you out.

Ranger

· #5 · Jun 11, 2007

Parting it out will probably turn you a profit, but that is a lot of work & time. Sounds like you have already made up your mind. I'd advertise it as needing head gaskets. Some mechanic will grab it for the right price, fix it and keep it or sell it for a profit.

jchughes101

· #6 · Jun 11, 2007

What about putting the 95 SLS engine in the 96 STS. Might be able to find someone to do that for a lot less than the HG.

QueensLacMan

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 11, 2007

jchughes101 said:
What about putting the 95 SLS engine in the 96 STS. Might be able to find someone to do that for a lot less than the HG.

Is this possible? My SLS has 118,000 miles on it. If I could transfer one engine to the other for less than $1,400, I'd consider it. Then I'd take my SLS to the junkyard for $500 or so.

I just don't want to keep throwing money at this thing.

jchughes101

· #8 · Jun 11, 2007

I am almost positive they are the same engine except for the STS/SLS performance differences. Someone correct me if I’m wrong but my grandfather has swapped out numerous 94-01 N*s. Even from different models, Deville-Eldo-Seville are all compatible.

JC316

· #9 · Jun 11, 2007

95-99 are the same motor, the only problem is that the STS is a 300HP L37 and the SLS is a 275HP LD8 and the computer knows it.

Your best option would probably be to fix it, or sell it. I tried parting a Mark VIII out and it's a HASSLE.

Ur7x

· #10 · Jun 11, 2007

The Cheapest way to do this would be to swap in a Vin 9 motor from a similar year wreck and then cross your fingers.

Independant shops will work for about $60-$70 per hour... about 12 hours of book time to Re&re... plus the used motor...
$2000 if your lucky... Your only out a grand...

QueensLacMan

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 11, 2007

I'm waiting to hear back on some offers from these "We'll Buy Your Car and Come and Get It" websites. If all of the offers are insulting, I'll probably opt to replace the gaskets; and then sell off my SLS for $2800 or so.

And then... if something goes wrong... :bighead: = :stirpot: = :gun:= :thumbsup:

Ranger

· #12 · Jun 12, 2007

The STS & SLS have different intake cams, different final drive ratios and of coarse PCM's.

rfishing

· #13 · Jun 12, 2007 (Edited)

Cash4usedcars.com came and took my 94 STS off today for $2000.00, I could have gotten more for it but did not negotiate well. Im pretty sure they would have paid 2500.00 for it had I negotiated better.

And, I did tell them about the head gasket leaking. Guy that picked it up told me they buy 400 cars a month, and they go to auction. Not sure if they will put a head gasket in it or not.

My wife wanted a car with front bench seat, so I bought a lame buick. Unfortunately, I had 4 cars, so one of them had to go. Personally, I would have liked to put a remanufactured engine in her, one from custom Innovations off of ebay.

Next car purchase in my house, will be for me.

Ranger

· #14 · Jun 12, 2007

Cash4usedcars.com came and took my 94 STS off today for $2000.00, I could have gotten more for it but did not negotiate well. Im pretty sure they would have paid 2500.00 for it had I negotiated better.

And, I did tell them about the head gasket leaking. Guy that picked it up told me they buy 400 cars a month, and they go to auction. Not sure if they will put a head gasket in it or not.

I'm betting not. They buy 'em, flip 'em and they are out of the picture and the next poor guy has to deal with it.

rfishing

· #15 · Jun 12, 2007

I sure hope they see the coolant leaking underneath. If I traded it in, dealer would have took to auction also. Only I get 800 instead of 2k. We had them sign a bill of sale stating it has blown head gasket and overheats, if that helps.

QueensLacMan

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jun 12, 2007

That Cash4usedcars site is for Southern California only.

I did contact about five similar sites via e-mail. We'll see what they say tomorrow.

Someone said they did their own head gasket for $600.

$600 (for parts, I'm assuming) + 20 hours of labor at $60 per hour = $1800. If I can have the gaskets fixed for $1800, I'll do them. I won't spend more than $2,000 though.

And then... if I add another $2,000 into it, my total cost will be around $6700 for a car that has 48,000 miles. Then I can sell it for $6000 - maybe - which means in the end, I only lost $700 in this whole ordeal.

Right now, I'm looking at a loss of at least $2500 (assuming I'd get $2200 for it).

So...I guess I have to see how much the gaskets cost, and how much folks are willing to buy my car for.

Is $2000 for gasket repair reasonable, or is it much more expensive than that?

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rfishing

· #17 · Jun 12, 2007

Remember you have to have the block timeserted, those are inserts that are installed for every head bolt. That is supposed to prevent the head bolts from pulling out of the aluminum block. If you can get it done for 2000 you are doing great. Average I think is around 3200. Find a mechanic that has done norstars before, if possible.

This Cadillac is a damn it car. Damn if you keep it, damn if you let it go. Damn shame to have this happen. When cars get older they just seem to deteriorate, so you got to remember that is an older car already, alot can happen.

BIG ERN

· #18 · Jun 12, 2007

it will cost at least $4000.00 if you can find a mechanic to do it. also labor rates have'nt been $60.00 per hr. for years

Ur7x

· #19 · Jun 12, 2007

At the dealership ya... I know of at least 5 top notch "owner operator" shops in my city who work for $70 per hour CANADIAN! I know by the end of the year this will be par with $US but right now that's still about $65US...

Fair price for these motors used is about US$1500-$1800 Not a lot of demand.

Yes... book rate at the dealership starts at $90US and goes up fast from there. Last time I checked book rate at my local dealership is $110CAN... They don't get much of my work.
Only Tech II specific jobs, and only begrudgingly.

QueensLacMan

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jun 12, 2007

BIG ERN said:
it will cost at least $4000.00 if you can find a mechanic to do it. also labor rates have'nt been $60.00 per hr. for years

Where the heck do you live?

My mechanic charges $60 per hour. Another two shops I have gone to charge $65 an hour. I guess it depends where you live. In New York City, there's literally a shop on every damn corner so I guess that's why labor rates are lower than what they are where you live.

The Timsert Kit costs about $350-$400. The head gasket kit is $160.

Isn't that all I need?

And the rest is labor, no? And if labor is $60 per hour, and it takes 20 hours, I'm looking at a job under $2000.

Someone even said it takes 12-15 hours.

Am I missing something?

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