Guest BJM Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 1988 Buick ReattaAlso, I see smashed taillight housing and at least one fog lamp or turn signal lamp busted out? Marck, still have those blue seats out of Maui car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 When you carefully look at the photos and read where the seller says: "It's a great running car that is rare. It's a V6 3.8, that's in good condition. It has been well taken care of.", you should ask him, "Do you really expect me to believe that?". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 The left right rim shows a lot of metallic brake dust residue. Left front does not. Looks like Reatta brakes adventure in the making. Make sure it does not have a yellow or red brake warning light on. Also the "just needs a charge" excuse for the AC warnings will be expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Yup, still got the seats. I would ask milage first of all. Looks to be sorta high. Next would be the history of the car, how many owners it's had, etc. Run a CarFax.History of the car is key. I recently mentioned in a post about one of my cars I acquired from military personnel. I'm about 2 hours from Fort Bragg, and about the same from Camp Lejeune. Lots of military cars. I have nothing against the army or it's members, but all the cars I've picked up from such people have been driven into the ground so far it's unbelievable. I'm always wary of buying Reattas from car lots. You have no idea where they came from, and who cared for it (or in some cases didn't care for it) before the car lot acquired it.And of course, always use Padgett's Super Duper Car Buying Guide when looking at a Reatta:Rust or cracked glass = passNonoperational A/C = $ 1000 offABS light on = $ 1000 offTransmission issues = $ 1,000 offOther mechanical items = same cost as to fix a 1990 Bonneville (even has the same ECM just a different PROM)I think if you can get it cheap enough (like $1100), and the milage isn't too bad(under 160K) you could end up with a good car. Even if it needs AC work or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest blue72beetle Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 So can I charge $1,000 to change the ABS fuse and make the ABS light go out, like I did on my vert? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BJM Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 (edited) Thanks. This car is not a 1st choice. I did a sweep of Reattas around Iowa (Iowa / Illinois / Missouri / Minnesota / Wisconsin) and the best car I think is available that is NOT over-priced is that 1991 Coupe with white wheels in Wisconsin for $2995. Just not sure I want to spend $2995.I like that color of blue wwith blue interior. Not sure what Buick called it but I have seen it on 2-3 Reattas, I believe all 88's recently. I also like the gunmetal grey and red or claret with tan interior. Edited November 30, 2011 by BJM (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES89 Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 I would ask the guy to read the codes for you thru the CRT. Then you know exactly what is going on. You will need a complete taillight, and horn button in addition to anything else you have seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 A/Cs are just expensive unless you are equipped to DIY.ABS fuse/relay is the easy part. Just look at double M's trevails fixing an intermittant. My real concern with an ABS fuse/relay is the years of no POST.The real problem is that a decade ago most Reattas were garage queens. Today many have been left out and driven into the ground. What you see may just be the tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BJM Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Just called on the 91 in Appleton, Wisconsin with the white wheels I thought might have been a Select 60 until I was informed and the mileage is 200,000 and they want $2,995 so I am crossing that off. Too high of mileage. Called on a 90 Claret/Tan for $950 that is over on the Reatta Buy/Sell from a 1 (new) poster only on to sell his car. He has not checked back in so I finally called him. 128,000 miles, nice windshield (no cracks) He is going to send photos. 2 owner car in Cincinnati, OH. Nice tires, one coolant flush, one trans flush, water pump replaced, brake work done. He said it has a cracked fron drivers fender????? He said it is fiberglass? Reatta front fenders are fiberglass? Keep the learning curve coming.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BJM Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 A/Cs are just expensive unless you are equipped to DIY.The real problem is that a decade ago most Reattas were garage queens. Today many have been left out and driven into the ground. What you see may just be the tip.I am not an A/C expert but I am an A/C expert. :confused: I am ASE certified master tech that worked on A/C systems for 8 years and have all the tools needed (hoses etc). Having said that, when (not if) I purchase a Reatta it will only be driven in rotation about 2000 miles a year and in Iowa we only get uncomfortable (in my opinion) from about July1 through Sept 15. So, A/C repair would not be my #1 issue but it is something I would tackle and try to fix. I liked A/C work because it made me think.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BJM Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Called on the $500 Claret/Claret car Barney posted on the Buy/Sell side. I prefer to talk to owners then car dealers. Dealers never know much it seems. Had to leave a message on the Claret/Claret. I sent an email to the blue 88 dealer in KC. No response yet. I really don't want to call them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BJM Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 I would ask the guy to read the codes for you thru the CRT. Then you know exactly what is going on. You will need a complete taillight, and horn button in addition to anything else you have seen.All excellent points but I think the dealer is going to laugh at me. Which means a trip to KC to check these things out in person, which probably means keep looking. I just thought maybe throw $1000 at him and see if he bites. I get an 88 in a color I like and then chip away at the issues (probably including new paint). We will see if he answers the email.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gotitright Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Front fender is plastic, not fiberglass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES89 Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Just called on the 91 in Appleton, Wisconsin with the white wheels I thought might have been a Select 60 until I was informed and the mileage is 200,000 and they want $2,995 so I am crossing that off. Too high of mileage. Called on a 90 Claret/Tan for $950 that is over on the Reatta Buy/Sell from a 1 (new) poster only on to sell his car. He has not checked back in so I finally called him. 128,000 miles, nice windshield (no cracks) He is going to send photos. 2 owner car in Cincinnati, OH. Nice tires, one coolant flush, one trans flush, water pump replaced, brake work done. He said it has a cracked fron drivers fender????? He said it is fiberglass? Reatta front fenders are fiberglass? Keep the learning curve coming.... I took a quick look at the white '91 and I would pass. There is some serious bubbling of paint on the rear quaters. Some rust underneath. Windshield is excellant, interior very good, w/burgandy interior, 6 way seats, and has Reatta floor mats. Did not fire it up or drive it. Price now $2488.00. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 Just took a quick look on CL and found this. Strange steering wheel. Or if have more time than money, this.I have too many as it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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