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Comments
I thought it WAS a '98. My bad.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Sounds like you just picked a bad one.
C70 is OK, but they have their problems, too. '98 is the best if you can find one.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
But you're right, 3-series BMWs are painfully cramped if you're over 6 ft or so....I think the newer ones are better.
It's one car I never owned because I can't get comfortable in one.
The brakes are good for about 30-40K at around $900 for pads and rotors.
Level I maintenance is $150 every 7,500 miles. Level II is $300-400 every other time (maybe every third time).
The convertible tops are crap. If you use it all year long the plastic rear window will be toast in no time. They constantly go out of alignment requiring regular adjustments once they are older.
And I haven't yet mentioned the radios and climate control systems that go out regularly, or the window regulators that fail, the suspension rebuilds, all the other buggy electronics or of course the notorious cooling system.
Mine was maintained by the book will all records since new. And the prior owner was spending cash on it at a similar clip to me. At a tad over 80K, it was going to need lots of suspension work and a whole new cooling system in the next year, so it wasn't going to be any cheaper for the next owner.
It might have been a little more expensive than average, but I don't think it was out of the ordinary.
You sure you want an older luxury convertible??? Really doesn't sound like a good move for you. I wouldn't buy ANY of the cars we are discussing if I had to worry about repair bills.
How about a Celica convertible? Or Solara?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Doing similar stuff on a BMW requires special tools to do even minor tasks like resetting the oil change light. And for the convertible tops - even the dealer won't let their staff touch them. They call in a specialist that does nothing but help them with convertibles.
And I don't really want an older luxury convertible. My wife does. I love the Miata. It makes me happy. I've thought of buying something newer with a CPO, but I hate car payments.
By the way, the experts (well, the internet facsimile anyway) seem to consider the E30 to be far more durable than the E36.
And the associated video of the guy frying his Z06 clutch is a good one, too.
I've never done a "burnout," personally. Never understood why I'd want to.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
As for the car itself, I'm a bit biased at this point, but the 2.0T is proving to be pretty good. With those miles, it is due for a timing belt. Also, there are a couple of problem areas that need close scrutiny. The major one being the cam follower on the HPFP. It wears out and can cause major damage if not attended to. You'll want to make sure this one has not worn through, and even if it has been replaced, you'll want to look in there and check for scoring on the camshaft lobe. This is all very easy to do. Takes maybe 20 minutes.
The other is to look for oil pooling on the filler cap after you drive it. This is a sign of a clogged PCV system. Again, easy to do, but can cause problems if it has been neglected too long.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I don't really care what we get as my wife now insists on an automatic, so that takes all the fun out of it for me.
The same dealer also has a 2001 Saab convertible with an auto. 90K miles. It has a few scratches but looks to be a decent car. Any thoughts on that one?
and as Q notes, have it inspected by someone that really knows the problem areas to look for.
and for sure, would rather have this than a SAAB.
I actually would prefer newer but high miles over old but low, if it was something I did not plan to put a ton on myself.
if I saw this, I would give it serious consideration, although I hate white cars. and would have to debate the tranny. But for the wife, if she wants AT and likes the color, seems like a deal.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
wait until you read what they almost name it!
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
T-belt is an 80k item according to the folks on vwvortex. Pushing further is just too risky.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Just drove it to work today, as a matter of fact, because it is the only car in my stable with snow tires. It has been good to us so far. Has 122k now.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Sounds like a car to avoid...
at that price, if it checks out by an expert, hard to see going wrong with it. and I can't beleive I just said that about a SAAB!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
SOOO... when I say this is the quietest, most comfortable, and most solid convertible I've owned ... ehhh... just doesn't mean all that much.
Oh, OK, actually, the Jeep was more solid (old body-on-frame with a rollbar, so it had to be) and more comfy to sit in (after bolting in large recliner-like power seat from a T-bird), but obviously not comfy in terms of "hey, let's blast on down the highway in the Jeep at a max speed of 65mph and screaming to have a conversation."
Saab... let's see...
Pros: cheap to buy, quiet, luxo ammenities, good visibility for a vert, easy to work on
Cons: sluggish off the line, questionable reliability, as stylish as grandma's hair
That's my list. Yours may vary. For example, if you need to take it to a shop ... well, where do you go? does anybody work on these?
I think the one you posted looks nice, and it is 2 years newer than mine and 30k or so less miles. That one has about a $4k trade-in value. So as long as it needs nothing, that's a good deal.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Is it normal to have big billowing clouds of greyish smoke behind it every time you goose it a little? Is it bad that the carpets were damp and if I pull up the rear seats a little, I can see rust? Is it bad that the thick folder with a Carfax sitting below the rear window had been soaked completely through?
Wait, why haven't you yet purchased this thing? :P
In the original description seller posted: This GT350 is in the Shelby SAAC Registry.
Then seller added this note:
SAAC Registry has this auto in its registry as a Theft/Unrecoverd auto from 1987. The registry as stated that they would not update the registry without a letter from the Insurance Company stating recovered. This letter is unable to be located since the insurance company from 1987 is un-known by the registry or by any Multi State agency to locate the company. The car was said to have been recovered and purchased over 20 years ago and in storage. This is not a perfect history car and any bid placed is based on bidders own determination of value based on history, restoration or personal interpretation. Please do any required personal research prior to bidding.
Seller added another note:
The Front body clip that was replaced on the car come from a "A-Code, 66 Mustang". Other parts sheet metal used looks to be aftermarket replacment. The sheet metal that may be original to the car can only be speculated by the sheet metal date codes and/or parts that a Shelby would have on it. Shubber Plate, Rear Trunk Support bracket, under seat support plates...those items.
And still somebody apparently bid/purchased this car for over $66k! Is there any chance that the new "owner" may risk an insurance company claim that this is their car which has been missing (in storage?) since 1987? Or is that just a Shelby GT-350 registry issue?
Is he at risk? HELL YES!!
The car went for $5000,which seemed crazy to me, since I saw a very nice driving 29 Buick sell on eBay recently for $9900. This one hadn't run in years, had rotted tires, a hole in the roof and god knows what else. I bid $2500 and I thought I was being generous. Even restored this car would be worth maybe $20K, and I like to stick to the "Rule of Projects", which is to pay no more than 10% of restored value.
So, a beater Porsche 912 = $1200
A beater '29 Buick $2000
A beater 66 Corvette Coupe 327/350 = $6000
ETC ETC
By 'beater' I mean a 99% complete, non-rusted, non-running, authentic car.
Regarding the Buick, way too high. You can get worn but running and driving Model Ts and As for that general price.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
The Buick topic hit a chord with me. I just finished a chapter in PJ O'Rourke's 'Diving Like Crazy' book about a cross country trip in a '56 Buick.
Very different from his current stories. So far, the book has a Jack Kerouac vibe to it.
There's also a link from the video to a site with 200(!) pics of the egineering/building process. Amazing work and results.
29 Buick -- oh, I just wanted it because I stumbled on it. I would have enjoyed bringing it back to life. The fun is the process, not the destination.
When I was a kid, a guy who lived near me had a Model A Tudor, kind of beat up, that he used as a daily driver...this was maybe in the late 80s. I thought that was a pretty cool way to use the car, and still do. In a small town, it was perfectly adequate to drive.
As for driving, they are a bit scary, with mechanical brakes operated by rods, very heavy steering and noisy engines and transmissions. But they'll do 55-60 on the highway if you're brave enough and they make so many improvements (rubber motor mounts, cooling fans, higher HP heads, etc etc) that you can sorta kinda civilize them.
I would only buy a 4-door town sedan, because the driving position on the roadsters and coupes is very very tight if you are a big guy.
I like the town sedans, with the blanked out rear quarter window, kind of classy looking especially if they have sidemounts. The real cool one to find would be the town car model with the removable front roof panel, like a sedanca deville.