I've been looking over the net, and checking out some cars in person, and I keep coming back to these two cars:

http://classiccars.com/listing-17967...ina-28027.html

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/cl...sationId=47112

If you couldn't tell, I'm partial to them yeller cars!

Don't know how close I am to pulling the trigger, but I wondered if you all would be so kind as to offer your honest opinions, thoughts, suggestions concerning cars such as these.

They are both at a distance from me, so they would involve flying out and driving home several hundred miles. Or having them shipped. I imagine I would wish to order an inspection, possibly take it to a shop to at least change fluids before hitting the road. I'm concerned that neither of them show pics of the underside, and am wary of recent repaints...

Like I said, as I think about my next purchase, I keep thinking that these have a lot of what I'm looking for. So your honest input will greatly help me whenever I'm ready to take the leap.

 

Someone was careless with the AutoTrader car.

The **** is missing from the wiper switch - easy to get and install, no excuse for a dealer to have missed it.

Paint poorly prepared - horizontal scratches not filled / sanded out visible on curve of trunk lid above Cutlass script.

The photos of the other car are too low resolution for me to say anything.

- Eric

 

I like the 72 the best. There are a lot of things to check out. What are the miles on the 72 and can they prove the low mileage on the 70 is correct. The 72 is a convertible. I am partial to the 72 convertibles since I have had two and the first one was yellow. They both appear to be very nice cars, Look for documentation on each car. Be aware there is no place to check the history of an Oldsmobile via the VIN number. Good luck.

 

One's a convertible and one isn't. That's a no-brainer. If both are within your budget and both check out ok, get the convertible!

 

I thought the cars presented themselves nicely in the photos, though they are not the best. The 72 showed a little better I thought, but I'm partial to the 70 because I've not owned that model before.

Its got to be scary trying to buy nowadays, with long distances and logistics of it all. This is something you have to see for yourself.

So I ask, Whats your gut telling you? Then go after that one. Maybe have somone check it out for you?

 

I vote for the convertible. Seems to be priced right and she looks pretty clean but I am a little sceptical about the trunk lid. I thought all the deck lids on cutlass Supreme models had OLDSMOBILE across the bottom. I could be wrong though.

 

am I wrong or is in the trunk script on the convertible incorrect for a 72'?

I have a convertible and I think its a nice feature to have.

Both the cars you have found are from dealers. personally I would prefer buying from a private party. it will save you big $$$!

 

My 72 Supreme convertible has the script and the trunk has never been changed.

 

Personally I try not to buy antique cars from a dealer!

 

Why?

I mean, a car's a car, and these old ones don't grow on trees. If it's otherwise what he wants, it checks out, and the price is right, what's the harm? It seems that one would be arbitrarily cutting oneself off from a potential source of cars if one didn't even consider a car based on who was selling it.

 

Because most times, they have no idea of the history, and the prices are way too high!

 

And private sellers always do?


And private sellers' prices are always reasonable?



Forgive the question, but what universe are you living in?



As I said, if the car checks out, the price is right, and it's what you want, are you going to not buy it just because you don't know its history? Many people buy cars without knowing the full history and then spend the rest of the time they own it trying to track that information down. It's part of the fun and part of the hobby.

 

Thanks guys. These kinds of comments are really helpful. Let me tell you a little more about where I'm at.

I live near Chicago. I'm 50, and am basically looking at staying under $20k. I COULD possibly go higher for the perfect car, but would really prefer not to. While I'd just as soon save any money I can, I have no objection to spending on the car that would make me very happy. So yeah, my preferred option would be to buy from a hobbyist who has lovingly maintained a car for a long time. But if a premium would get me the right car from a dealer, well, I'm fortunate enough that I don't have to pinch every penny.

Probably most important, since I was in high school in the 70s, if you had asked me what my all-time favorite car would be I would have said a yellow 72 Cutlass vert w/ a brown interior. Now that I'm getting closer to making my dream a reality, I'm trying to figure what really matters to me.

I've expanded my year range to 69-72, to increase the available cars.

I'd like a vert - I've never had one. But I really want to buy the most solid car I can find within my budget. And I really like the coupes as well. So if I found a beautiful hardtop from a buyer a trusted, I could be VERY happy going that way.

Yellow is my fave car color, but realistically, my favorite color is anything but resale red. Having said that, if the most solid cutlass I find is red, well, I'd be thrilled to have another red car!

I want bucket seats, center console, and AC. I guess I could go with the bench w/ armrest if a car was EVERYTHING else I wanted, but I'd really prefer the buckets/console.

I prefer the 350 powertrain, and would prefer a numbers matching. I'm not adverse to doing some work - heck, one reason I'm looking for a 40-yr-old car is that I WANT to! But I want something someone else has already put the major work into, and am not looking for a project.

I'm much more comfortable with mechanical work than body. I really want to avoid spending on a rustbucket.

This will be my primary driver between salt on and off the roads - basically March thru November. I am NOT interested in a show car.

I have a very good friend who is very knowledgeable about old GMs. He went with me to check out and buy the Corvair I recently sold. He said if I'm looking for a vert, I wouldn't want anything that was for sale for under $20k. I'm trying to figure out exactly where he is coming from, because I've seen a ton of cars out there for under $20k which look to me as tho I'd be very happy with them.

I could just hang loose, and wait for the perfect factors to come together with the perfect car available locally. Or I could aggressively look for my dream car wherever it might be. Which would then entail inspections, etc.

So does that further the conversation?

Thanks, guys. Keep the comments coming.

 

Seems top me you need an expert opinion from someone who can check the car out in person.
The main drawback to making any deal on either car is you are a long way from the dealers.
This will cause problems if you are dissatisfied in any way after you have made a purchase, if you think the car is not as described or you have mechanical failures for example.
I think you should travel to look at the cars in person and take someone knowledgeable about them with you if you don't know much about these cars. And be prepared to walk away and write off your travelling costs if the cars don't measure up.
These guys are dealers, they sell cars to make a profit, nothing wrong with that - so do I from time to time.
They should be prepared to have potential customers wanting to thoroughly inspect their cars, they aren't cheapo trade ins they just want off the lot after all. If they are reluctant to let you inspect and test drive them they may be trying to hide something.
You might be able to make changing fluids part of the deal, if they sell classics they should have a mechanic available conversant with such cars.

Finally a word in defense of classic dealers, remember these cars are old, they may develop faults just as any used vehicle might that the dealer didn't forsee.
I don't mean you shouldn't expect some comeback if the engine throws a rod or the transmission falls apart 10 miles down the road, but don't expect a brand new car.
Cars of that vintage were not reliable like modern cars when they were new.

Go in with your eyes open and you should end up with a good car for your money. I would opt for the hardtop but thats probably because it rains a lot in England!.

Good luck;
Roger.

 

How about this one eds
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...SS%3AUS%3A1123

 

Yeah - I saw (and liked) that one. The only thing it is missing is the buckets and console. Trying to figure how much those mean to me.

Like the steering wheel - would probably add one like it to whatever I buy.

Looking at the $$$, it is looking as tho early next spring might be when the planets align... It is just that that one in NC is the darn exact image I've been seeing in my dreams these past 35 years or so...

He says it is going back into storage. I may shoot him an e-mail and say he might not need to re-list it next spring...

 

The biggest problem with the two cars you originally posted - and any others like them, frankly - is that you have no idea what's under the new paint. The Supreme hardtops have a rust problem on the panel between the back window and the trunk lid in addition to the usual quarter panel and front fender rust areas. The convertibles have the added problem of rust in the boxed areas of the frame. I'm willing to bet that both cars have patch panels and how well they were installed will determine what they are really worth.

 

The '72 looks to sunfire yellow not bamboo, though it could be the lighting. Check the data plate. The silver trim around the gauges and woodgrain area of the dash is worn away and the drivers seat has been repaired on the bottom. You really need a personal view to determine how good or bad they are. The '70 looks to be Bamboo yellow, and the interior shows better than the convertible. The '70 will have more grunt due to the higher torque and compression/horsepower.

 

I agree the convertible is much more desireable. However, I find the prices a bit (not drastically) high for these type cars, in that year, with those options. I also agree with the comment about buying these cars from dealers. The prices are higher, and they know how to hide flaws. Getting a professional to look at them first would be a wise investment. Just google antique car appraisers or inspectors. It should cost you about $150 to $175 for a complete and thorough inspection and valuation.

 

Thanks some more.

Yeah, new paint really makes me pause. You don't know what it is hiding, and you can imagine they didn't spring for the best quality job.

And I just sold a 50-year old car, so I realize any 40-year old car is going to have issues. But I just want to do what I can to protect against avoidable big ticket items.

Keep the thoughts coming.

 

Hey don't shoot the messenger here, the internet is plethora of crap from old car dealers and individuals. If you don't have anyone who can check the car out, then you are going to spend alot of time/money traveling.

He's trying to buy a premium car, so an individual would be a better approach as most know what they have and can answer the questions we all would ask. If they don't know the answers then its not worth looking at it!

Neither of those two cars are prizes for the price!! Why not capitalize on buying one from an owner at wholesale just as the dealer did! There are a ton of those cars out there for less. I would not get hooked up on color, I would try and find the most car for my money!!!

 

Now you're changing the premise and are putting up qualifications.

Your original statement was this:

You didn't put any qualifications about not buying PREMIUM cars from dealers. It was just a blanket statement against buying cars from dealers, period. That's what I was commenting on.


From what I've seen, individuals with a car to sell, often with a premium car to sell, will sell it through a dealer, and there are several reasons for this.

1. The seller doesn't want to have to deal with the tire-kickers and general unpleasantness that can be associated with selling a car.

2. The seller figures the dealer will be able to advertise the care more widely. This is particularly important for a high-priced car as the pool of potential buyers is likely to be relatively small, and advertising is needed to reach them.

3. The dealer has knowledge of people out there who might be looking for a particular car and can bring yours to that person's attention if there is a potential match.

4. The dealer can handle all the paperwork involved.


Also, just because a car is being sold through a dealer doesn't mean that there is no history available. It's possible the dealer can put you in touch with the owner, or the dealer can contact the owner and ask the questions for you, or the owner supplied background info to the dealer at the time the deal was signed. You don't know until you ask. If the answer you get is unsatisfactory, then you walk away.


Again, the bottom line is, you're only hurting yourself if you automatically eliminate particular sources of cars when you're in the market for one.

 

i live in charlotte like 20 minutes away from were that cutlass is, and probably heading that direction tomorrow maybe i can take a look at it while im in the area. just to let you know im no expert but if you tell me were to look for any problem spots.

 

That is so generous of you. Thank you very much. But please don't go to any trouble on my part. As I said, it seems pretty unlikely I will be buying any car before spring. (A sewer line break last weekend has sucked up a good chunk of my available cash!)

Guys, I think we can all agree that there are reputable and disreputable dealers and private sellers out there, and that generally you'll pay a higher price at a dealer.

I'm not hung up on color. Earlier this year there was a blue vert in the Chicago area that went for a "Buy-it-now" price around $12K. I think that would have been a sweet ride, but I was in no position to buy then. And if the best available car turns out to be red, well, I've enjoyed driving red cars in the past, and would certainly enjoy driving a red Cutlass.

What I will most likely do is get all of my ducks in a row, and then see what pops up within a couple humdred miles of my house. That way I can drive there with my quite knowledgeable friend, and caravan back. I'm pretty sure if I follow that approach and am patient, I will end up with a car I love within a few months.

But it seems I would be silly to not at least see if there is a clean car out there that has spent its life in a dry climate somewhere. If a really sweet ride pops up somewher, I will have to consider if it would be worth taking a flier with an inspection and either travel or transport.

 

My opinion was asked, so I gave it! So since it is not the same as yours, you feel that you have to berate????

NO CHANGE IN PREMISE HERE< I, me, myself, DON"T BUY ANTIQUE CARS FROM DEALERS!


I gave the reasons earlier!!!

 

No beration intended. I just thought you were impugning the integrity of classic car dealers without basis. You still haven't provided a basis. Have you ever actually suffered in the process of buying a classic car through a dealer or know someone who has? If so, please provide the details. It would help us all.

On the other hand, if you want to say, "I just don't like them," fine.

 

I wouldn't buy any car from a dealer.

Call it "trust issues." I just don't like them.

- Eric

 

Wonderful. That's more cars for the rest of us.

 

I did not question the integrity of a dealer anywhere above. I sell cars for a living. I do however prefer to capitalize on someone elses depreciation!! Why pay retail when there are plenty of cars out there at a significantly reduced price.

 

Now you're changing the premise all over again.

What you are saying is true for the general new and used car market, where there really are lots of cars to choose from.

But we're talking about old cars, classic cars for which there are not necessarily "plenty of cars out there," as you put it. It's possible that you've looked high and low for the particular car you want, as the OP seems to be doing now, and you've determined the best one for you happens to be on the lot of a classic car dealer.

Will you turn it down just for that reason, without checking it out and possibly negotiating price if the car is OK?

Again, my complaint is this apparent knee-jerk negative reaction to classic car dealers.


I find your comment particularly interesting in light of the fact that you are a car dealer yourself. You apparently know enough about the business that you wouldn't buy from another car dealer! That certainly speaks volumes!

 

I'll repeat, I DO NOT BUY ANTIQUE CARS FROM DEALERS< period!

I will recommend buying a previously enjoyed late model car from a reputable franchised dealer, for all the reasons you made above!!

But, hey thats my opinion!!!! End of discussion!

 

I should have jumped on that one while I had my chance!
It failed to sell, with a high bid of $11K, falling short of the reserve and Buy-it-Now proce of $14.5.
The seller had said if it didn't sell, he was going to put it into storage.

It is back on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Oldsm...mZ180724193849
And the Buy-it-Now is now $17.5!

Who says these cars aren't appreciating!

 

I have bought cars and parts thousands of miles away and have had good experiences and some not so good.
Before you go anywhere get higher resolution pictures of everything, under the trunk mat under the car everywhere.
I would pay a couple of hundred buckets and have an independant inspector look at the one you really want ( convertible I hope).
If you are happy with what you see and hear than grab a plane and go see it.
I would not drive anything back, to many issues with old cars that have sat for a while.

Hope this helps

 

eds, maybe its an omen and she's calling your name. Good luck with your search. It took me a year of looking but finally found what I was looking for.

 

See if the seller can send you high quality high res pictures of all angles and areas so you can check all the details. If he will not do, then move on.
On the vert, the price seems in line considering the level of restoration. Heck if your serious, offer a little less and see if he will bite.
Ask all the questions you need. If no replies, move on. Many times, good pics will show most the details.
Only issues would be hidden damage or rust. See if you can get some chassis pictures, too.
Both seem to be bamboo - Sunfire is brighter, but with the low res pictures, the vert seems in between.
I know how you feel about trying to decide. I did that when I bought my vert and now I am deliberating a wagon. All part of the fun!

 

Eds, sorry, jumping on a little late here but noticed you're here in the heartland. Being in Nebraska, the time between salt is pretty limited and if your weather is similar, keep that in mind. I am a sally about driving mine in the rain and generally wait for the street sweepers to come through so my self imposed window is pretty small. I found mine on our local cl and paid less than the ones you are looking at and haven't had to do a thing save for oil and tire/rims (due to choice). Just my .02 worth.