Rawja Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 (edited) Just bought another Reatta. $ 500.00Buick : Reatta - eBay (item 180592503121 end time Dec-02-10 21:26:29 PST)I dunno, saw it did a quick mental calculation and figured it was a no-lose proposition, worst case part it out to ebay and at a minimum break even. Went and picked up the car yesterday, nice fella (never been here on the forums) he bought the car for the windshield needed on his '90 coupe and broke it trying to get it out. The only item he ended up taking off the car was the hood ornament. Floors are wet from water leaking around compromised windshield seal, car has 160K miles. Paint is rough but there's no significant rust to speak of top or bottom, according to AutoCheck the car has not lived in areas subject to significant corrosion. Leather on the 16-ways is in fine shape, coupla of the power adjustments are inop, headlight linkages are shot, driver's window needs to be helped up.Car starts right up, suspension feels tight, brakes feel good, seems like a solid solid car that with some attention could be brought up to snuff.Mind you the above impressions are based on an extremely limited going over at pick-up and then in the dark a five hundred foot drive up my driveway, I'll be diving into details once I've had my coffee and gird and dress for my cold cold garage...So I'm $ 500.00 into her, figure $ 650 including gas, tolls and trailer rental.I'm looking at paint, windshield, rims/tires and a bunch of sweat equity for a nice driver, I've got most of what'd be needed parts-wise from parting my old '89 a coupla years ago.Emotionally as a Reattaphile I'd like to "save" it, but monetarily does it make sense?? 650 base cost1200 paint500 windshield (assuming I get lucky)400 rims and tires (again assuming I can snatch something cheap)500 miscellaneous ??3,250 minimum costLooking around on ebay even if I write the world's greatest ad copy it would be a struggle to make it to break-even, no?Just that it seems to be a sweet little car with lots of potential....I need an intervention. :eek: Edited November 30, 2010 by Rawja Change in Puropse (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rawja Posted November 28, 2010 Author Share Posted November 28, 2010 Here's pics:Sunroof works, does not appear to be any corrosion on the underside.Superficial rust nothing significant (at least to my Northeasterner-POV)Engine compartment pretty clean and tidy:Wheels need replacement or serious refinishing, tires are garbage.Forum wouldn't allow more than 20 pics... more to follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rawja Posted November 28, 2010 Author Share Posted November 28, 2010 Paint and lenses pretty badly oxidized...Interior in pretty good shape looks like it would clean-up pretty nicely...Like I said, I'm a bit of a hoarder, so I have plenty of pieces..... This car from a few years ago keeps running through my mind, picture it with a dark tint on the windows and maybe body color mouldings... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 Nice find Rawja. It looks too nice for a parts car. Wash the car with "Soft Scrub" and see what the paint really looks like. When cleaned up it might not look all that bad. I don't see any dents or deep scratches in the photos.If it runs and stops good it's worth putting a windshield and a few other parts in it and making a daily driver for someone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 89Reatta Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 I'm fairly new here and to the world of Reattas but it looks to me like it has potential and you certainly got a fairly low price point for entry. I say try to save it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthewlawe Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 I guess the exterior color is silver(gray?) with the dark sapphire interior. Very nicecolor combnation. And I noticed a black top. I've only seen one other with a blacktop and had thought seriously about doing that color to my top. Yeah, all in all agood buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 It is interesting the advt said "no rust". While I agree there is "no significant rust" it still needs a few days underneath with wire brush and rustolium. It does look like it would make a nice driver with about a grand invested - hard part is the windshield but it does have 16 ways and working sunroof and that makes it worth while.Suspect this is another example of what in a few years will be a "remember when...". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rawja Posted November 28, 2010 Author Share Posted November 28, 2010 It's the Yankee equivalent of "no rust". I'm quite happy with the seller's description.. Actually if the car was in worse shape it would make my situation a bit easier... I'm genuinely torn about its fate.Clearcoat is completely gone from hood and tops of fenders, car has maybe 4-5 dings half the size of dimes and a coupla minor scratches. Interior color is gray I could tell that from the ad, PO was probably blue-green color blind, it's the most common type of color blindness and I see color misdescriptions like that all the time, car with black roof is not this car just an idea I have floating around in my head if I do paint her.I've hit the carpet with my Little Green Clean Machine and it's passable now, will need to hit it a few more times. Car idles much smoother than my "minty" '88. Oil pressure sender is wonky, fixed the trunk popper thingy, paired an old keyless entry remote to it, sprayed lithium grease in the sunroof tracks, pulled back the trunk linings and toweled off all the condensation inside of trunk. She's now airing out with everything open in the driveway. Hopefully she's water-tight now and it's just a matter of time 'till everything will be bone-dry.It does look like it would make a nice driver with about a grand invested - hard part is the windshield but it does have 16 ways and working sunroof and that makes it worth while.Suspect this is another example of what in a few years will be a "remember when...".I dunno about a grand invested... even not counting the value of all the pieces and parts I have laying around since that wouldn't be "out of pocket" so to speak, I think the numbers I floated earlier are perhaps a bit too optimistic... though I'm perfection-obsessed which prolly hurts the math. The math for parting her works out pretty favorably though and that's the conundrum.This will definitely be one of those "remember when?" things (for me at least) but given that this is the sixth car in my fleet somethings gotta give, I can't afford to insure yet another one not to mention I've got no more indoor storage and the winter is just about here now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bushwack Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 Looks like a labor of love. Economically I see it as an excellent parts car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES89 Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 I bought a very nice windshield for $100.00 and paid a shop $100.00 to install it. You have a lot of the parts. Paint job $1200.00 [Macco is running a "black Friday" special]. You may not make money, but I bet you won't lose on it either, especially with a working sunroof and 16 way seats... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handmedownreatta Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 id love to have those seats.take aircraft remover to the rims and the clear coat will peel right off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Double M Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 You are my Hero. An awesome find. I too almost bought a parts car for $500, but I had to let it go. With the limited number of Reattas out there, and some ending up as parts cars, this seems to "speed up" the process of lowering the existing number Reattas that will be left and therefore raising their value even higher.Scoot On... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kitskaboodle Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 I'd be doing the same thing as you but I cannot. The difference is I have nowhere to put the thing!If I buy one more car the neighbors are going to be coming overwith pitchforks and torches! Kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 I'd be doing the same thing as you but I cannot. The difference is I have nowhere to put the thing!If I buy one more car the neighbors are going to be coming overwith pitchforks and torches! KitRule #743 with the Reatta:"When you're out of room for more, sell a Fiero" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 "One nice one of each" was my goal. Unfortunately it has been exceeded. Is partly a matter of how many cars can you drive ? Unlike Susan I cannot put one on each foot.Will admit that while I really like my 86 GT, it has a four speed & always wanted a five. OTOH it is only driven around to so what the heck... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rawja Posted November 30, 2010 Author Share Posted November 30, 2010 I've thought about it long and hard and parts it is. I'm presently unemployed and cannot justify "investing" in something with little hope for a return. Gonna try to salvage the carpet and a couple of odds and ends for my '88, otherwise everything else reasonably easily removal and in good condition is going on eBay.PM me if you're looking for anything in particular... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 What would you take for the whole car? The $650 you've got in it? If I did end up buying it, would you meet me half way (around DC I think)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Actually, half way would be more like just south of Baltimore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 That would be near BWI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handmedownreatta Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 id like to have the sunroof panel if its in good shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCBRIJEN Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 Roger: <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>I just received your info from the seller in CT and now see your posting here on the forum....This was MY Reatta until 2006 when I sold it to a soldier in Havelock, NC... actually he purchased it while he was in Iraq still on active duty and I held it for him until he returned home from duty. He evidently took it with him to CT afterwards. When I sold this car it was in next to perfect condition and was always garage kept and Buick Dealer maintained in Charlotte @ Folger Buick and I used to show twice a year at the Food Lion Auto Show here @ Charlotte Motor speedway and a few times in a local show in Lenoir. I even actually contacted the soldier that I sold it to over a year ago and asked if he was looking to sell it and he would consider it but then I lost contact with him.. until now I finally see my old Reatta here again. <o:p></o:p> BOY, a bit of a shadow if what she used to look like and... Is that rust that I see??? AAHHHHHH I did not even try to drive this car in the rain...what has happened in just a few short years? I guess the salt in CT has done something BUT it has only been 4 years max...? It MUST ONLY be surface; I did not have a speck of rust anywhere. <o:p></o:p>Other than my shock as disappointment at some of the pictures my old Reatta still looks like a gem in the ruff and a survivor and as you mentioned runs smooth as new still. <o:p></o:p>As a sentimental value this car is priceless as I remember taking my daughter at a young age for short drives and he being so excited to ride in " the special car" to weekend getaways with the wife to Charleston, SC to showing off my Reatta at the car shows while speaking with folks all about the unique qualities of the timeless classic. <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p>Here are a few pictures of my a few short years ago Reatta.<o:p></o:p>I'll be in touch.<o:p></o:p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest breather Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 Hi,I noticed you had a few rear parts with the B-U-I-C-K letters on them. Would you be willing to sell me a "K"from one of em? Let me know. My e-mail is jonca55@yahoo.comThank you,John (breather) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reattaron Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 Roger.....I sent you a PMThank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest geokirk Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 What condition are the leather seats and upper dah vinyl and metal dash or its clips that hold it down? How much for those? How much forsunroof? How much to ship to Chicago? Or just rive the whole thing? I am serious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rawja Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 All-The silver '89 is not presently in my possession. I will regain access to it in the next few weeks and will be able to deal with part requests then.In other news, I picked up an early '88 on Saturday (also in silver) that I've begun to disassemble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maintool-GS Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 How much, for the rear lens & if in good condition ?? Thanks, Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maintool-GS Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 Also, antenna & if in working condition ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rawja Posted April 3, 2011 Author Share Posted April 3, 2011 Hey Maintool, I'd suggest contacting our resident parts guru, Jim Finn JFinn@CPInternet.com he'll be able to fix you right up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juddev Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 I could use the latches for the glove-box and rear cubby holes...finding the dark Grey color isn't easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rawja Posted April 4, 2011 Author Share Posted April 4, 2011 I don't have the latches you need, sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest steveskyhawk Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 JuddevI have the latches you need in the color you need. Take a look at my eBay store. (Link below) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCBRIJEN Posted April 5, 2011 Share Posted April 5, 2011 <!-- google_ad_section_start(weight=ignore) -->Rawja<!-- google_ad_section_end --> : how much for the steering wheel with horn? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bwick99 Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 What would you need to get for the window regulators? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rawja Posted April 8, 2011 Author Share Posted April 8, 2011 Bwick:Contact Jim Finn: JFinn@CPInternet.com He'll fix you up.All: I'm gonna lock this thread for the moment until I can adequately respond to your queries. Sorry I've been unresponsive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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