Thriller

Power = current * voltage, so a 110 V, 1.5 A unit is 165 W. Now, if you had 100% efficiency in everything (which isn't reality), you'd be at almost 14 A draw on a 12 V battery, or a more realistic number like Padgett posts. I have a multi-use battery pack...I forget what it is rated at, but it is essentially a battery with the inverter and various connections attached. Take it inside and charge it, then use it outside with either 110 V AC or 12 V DC...mine also has a light and an emergency boost feature. They used to run in the hundred dollar range.

I feel a bit foolish having to ask, but TV? Spending more time here recently makes me think Reatta owners have their own lingo....

Now Mitch, don't you think that is a bit harsh considering we don't know how much money changed hands? Lance - I think that may be a sticking point. I get the impression that you feel you overpaid for what you got, and feel a bit stung considering it is someone you have done business with before. I'm not suggesting that full disclosure is necessary, but if you paid considerably more than what driver quality or needing replating pieces are going for, then you probably have a legitimate beef. Good luck in wrestling with this one.

Not as yet...I reported it to Craigslist and e-mailed our VP to see if he had time to "see" the car, since he's in the general vicinity. Truth in advertising? Who'da thunk?

Caesar? Tiberius? I think you can see where I'm going with this....

I would take this as a learning experience and would probably come to the conclusion of no photos, no deal. This is particularly important with bright work. There is some difference of opinion, but keep in mind that the seller did suggest 90% would buff out, implying that the seller knows something about bright work! That suggests there may be something toward misleading going on. If it were me, I would suggest to them that I am disappointed in the transaction and that it causes me to question whether to deal with them in the future despite the considerable sums spent in the past. This does speak to a deeper issue that eBay has effectively caused (and Craigslist has perpetuated). Some folks make money selling on these sites. I don't begrudge anyone making money, but there are too many unscrupulous people out there, and they seem to gravitate toward scam. For an example, see 1952 Buick Straight 8 Runs Good. ALL ORIGINAL. Clear Title. and compare the photo with one on my car's page at 1952 Buick Roadmaster Four Door Riviera Sedan. If there is any question of description of a part, particularly when reasonably large sums of money are involved, photos are a necessity. We've gotten to where digital cameras are very inexpensive and easy to use. There's no excuse for a business making money selling used parts not to have one and the ability to use it.

That suggestion may evoke another image from the younger crowd though - the Knight Industries Two Thousand, or KITT, a fancy Firebird piloted by David Hasselhoff. Some of us may try to forget, but unfortunately can't. As a bit of a pun, I tend to call my Electra Carmen, after another noted gal with a bit of a bad gal reputation, although as Paul says, the headlights on the '75 are a bit small.... Suzanne doesn't much care for the name because carmine is red. She has come to grudgingly accept it though, possibly because we haven't come up with anything better.

I don't think it has been repainted. There is some touch up work that was done. The snow on the car could also be contributing to an illusory effect...some of the front pinstripe is covered by a light dusting in the photo. Of course, I didn't make a really close inspection - I would have liked to, but it sitting outside made that a bit more difficult. I'll know more for sure when I get it out of the snow and can more easily crawl around it with better light.

The Canadian dollar is pretty close to par right now, so using the currency calculator at Currency Calculator, it is about $1985 US. Of course, by the time my shop is done and I can pick up the car and pay the remainder, the exchange rate may have changed somewhat.

Ah...before I could say or do anything, the seller had started it with the remote starter. Of course, the screen didn't come up without the key. I may have overpaid at $2k, but I'm reasonably pleased. Once construction is done on my toy box (new shop building), I'll pay the remainder and pick up the car.

3.14159 etc.

White with blue leather, 212,000 km (a bit over 130,000 miles), sun roof, $2000. There is a transmission issue, in that it rolls in park. I don't think that's a big issue. Receipts for work are available. It is just outside the city, so transport cost is effectively nil.

I've bought 4 cars on eBay now. I am happy with two of the purchases. The reason? Those two cars were local - the one I knew and had a very high opinion of. The other I went to see it and they wound up ending the auction early with my high bid. I think knowing that the car would find a good Buick home helped them out. Both of those also turned out to be very good deals. I think part of that is that the cars were north of the border and a lot of folks aren't interested in finding out what is involved in importing them. The two that I wasn't happy with were both misleading, if not involving outright lying on the part of the seller. I would buy through eBay again, but if the car is at a distance, I would find a BCA member who is willing to inspect the car on my behalf, just to make sure it is accurately described.

Thanks guys. The brother in law bought the car from the original owner, then went to hubby, then she got the car. So, I'm the fifth owner, but 3rd family. The brother-in-law collected parts when he came across them, so I don't think it would have been a wrecking yard. Some of the odds and ends are in original boxes. So, for the pieces noted, I can start from a low of around a hundred, to a high of 2-3 times that, then considering in the extras. The seller will have no more use for these, but I'd prefer to be fair and reasonable with her. Thanks again.

I'd posted that on the buy / sell forum last night...since it is here, if anyone wants a visual, I can provide it, acknowledging that I have little expertise in these cars, in spite of the number I have seen.

Thanks Dave, I'll have to start making a list of things to look for and start with your suggestions. I've never seen the "Show", so your reference is completely lost on me. I've always liked sequential signals though...I'm not sure I'll be so bold as to ask for that as a Christmas gift, although the price is more reasonable than what I spent yesterday.

I'm with both sides of the argument. I wouldn't do a full frame off restoration, but start with the mechanics and electrical so that it can be safely driven, then make it one colour. After that, dealing with interior and other aspects takes a back seat while you enjoy the car and show the world a car that isn't seen very often.

Whimper. I'd love to have it, but I don't see it happening unfortunately.

Great stuff Brian. The December sun may be rare for you, but rare for us would to take outside shots at this time of the year unless we want a photo in the snow.

Welcome Russell - if you go to the "Me and My Buick" forum, there are a couple of '55 restorations in the works, interspersed with foolish comments provided by the likes of me. Welcome Newbie - purchases are always so exciting. The '46 has a lot in common with '41-'42 Buicks as well. There are some knowledgeable folks here who should be able to help out with whatever you need.

:D:D:D:D I was just harassing Mike....

Well, the deal is done. Things considered in my thought process are that it is a local car - no transportation cost and I could see it. The car is very clean, although there is the beginning of paint bubbling in front of the driver's rear tire (so rust is starting). This car saw two winters in its life, with limited mileage. It is a bit on the high mileage side (210,000 km - about 130,000 miles) compared to what I would have preferred. There are some weak points with the paint showing its age and some touch ups on the front of the hood. It has a new windshield, the brake lights went off as described above and the touch screen functions as expected. I understand that the newer ones offered some advantages. If I were actually looking for a Reatta, those are the types of things I would have considered. This one more or less fell into my lap. I haven't told She Who Must Be Obeyed yet...I may be in better shape if I print out a photo and put it in a card under the tree.

1988 Buick Reatta Coupe - Winnipeg Cars For Sale - Kijiji Winnipeg Canada. I have no interest in this car, but could look at it for anyone who is interested. Original owner and essentially no miles. I don't know what is involved in importing a vehicle to the USA - I've only done it the other direction.

Hello everyone. I'm in the process of buying an '88 coupe. The seller has some spare parts that would be a separate deal from the car. I want to give the seller a fair deal, so I was hoping you could ball park values of the following for me: Sun roof motor Front signal assembly Bumper guard Dash plastic bezels There are a few other odds and ends but these were the most significant pieces. I have very little idea on value of these since I haven't dealt with Reatta parts before. Thanks.

Yeah, but is the colour right?