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tclaemont · 07-03-2008, 03:36 PM

They are nice cars, with a very good ride. Not performance machines by any stretch of the imagination, though. Good that it has the 350. Color combination does not sound too bad.

This is one of the Cutlasses that is pretty unremarkable. Not a high demand car. Not a low demand car. Not a great performer. Not a total slouch. It is kinda stuck in the middle.

As for things to look for, make sure the rear bumper is still firmly attached. While not as problematic as the lously bumpers on the 78 and up cars, the 77s had their weaknesses. If the bumper is loose, start looking at the rear frame rails.

Even with the low miles, the ponderous doors will likely sag. Dont get real hung up over this, as hinge rebuild kits are readilly available.

Buying a car with low miles can be a headache. There is a good chance that the valve seals will leak, resulting in blowby when first started. Chances are pretty good that the trans and rear differential fluid have never been changed. While the miles are low, these fluids are still pretty likely to be thirty years old. Same story with all of the rubber parts like brake hoses, fuel lines, etc. A higher mile car tends to keep these parts lubricated through normal usage. A low mile car might look prettier, but is going to be subject to the aforementioned issues.

Aftermarket support is not as high as either the previous or the next generations. There are likely some parts that you are going to have to be pretty patient as you search for them. Mechanical parts, however, should be as close as your nearest parts store.

Five grand sounds a little high for an unremarkable car (notice I did not say undesirable or not valuable). Perhaps a 442 of the same vintage might provide a bit more fun for similar money. While the 442 is still not a performance car in those years, they come with a bit more eye candy and promise a bit better return.

All of the above is just my opinion. I have owned a 68, a 73, a 77, a 78, and an 85 Cutlass, so I think I have a pretty good grasp of the comparisons I have made.

07-03-2008, 03:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
tclaemont Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 41	They are nice cars, with a very good ride. Not performance machines by any stretch of the imagination, though. Good that it has the 350. Color combination does not sound too bad. This is one of the Cutlasses that is pretty unremarkable. Not a high demand car. Not a low demand car. Not a great performer. Not a total slouch. It is kinda stuck in the middle. As for things to look for, make sure the rear bumper is still firmly attached. While not as problematic as the lously bumpers on the 78 and up cars, the 77s had their weaknesses. If the bumper is loose, start looking at the rear frame rails. Even with the low miles, the ponderous doors will likely sag. Dont get real hung up over this, as hinge rebuild kits are readilly available. Buying a car with low miles can be a headache. There is a good chance that the valve seals will leak, resulting in blowby when first started. Chances are pretty good that the trans and rear differential fluid have never been changed. While the miles are low, these fluids are still pretty likely to be thirty years old. Same story with all of the rubber parts like brake hoses, fuel lines, etc. A higher mile car tends to keep these parts lubricated through normal usage. A low mile car might look prettier, but is going to be subject to the aforementioned issues. Aftermarket support is not as high as either the previous or the next generations. There are likely some parts that you are going to have to be pretty patient as you search for them. Mechanical parts, however, should be as close as your nearest parts store. Five grand sounds a little high for an unremarkable car (notice I did not say undesirable or not valuable). Perhaps a 442 of the same vintage might provide a bit more fun for similar money. While the 442 is still not a performance car in those years, they come with a bit more eye candy and promise a bit better return. All of the above is just my opinion. I have owned a 68, a 73, a 77, a 78, and an 85 Cutlass, so I think I have a pretty good grasp of the comparisons I have made.