Is it worth $850?

[X11_STE]

Well, I found me a nice little hidden bone yard that has some interesting toys. And sitting out on the front lot is a black 4 door lumina euro 3.4. The body is in decent shape for is age but the interior will need some help. After hassling the yard owner for about a month or two to get a price and deatails, he calls me and says the car has a clean title and runs and drives but has some sort of phantom electrical problem that they dont care to fix (or even look for). They want $850 for the car or if I give them a coupla complete junkers they'll lower the price to $750. Now, I know these motors can be built to perform but their lack of reliablity is a drawback. If the price is too much, what would a good counter offer be?
Thanks.

[birdman]

theres one on w-body for 500 obo so you could most liklley get it for 400. just fwi

[OldSkoolGP]

If you're that worried about reliability, you probably shouldn't be looking for a performance car/engine. There aren't too many cars I can think of that are built for performance or sports-minded driving that don't have their fair share of problems. Realistically, the 3.4 has gotten a bad rap, mainly from GM mechanics that prefer the old pushrod motors and hate to deal with anything more advanced. It's a good motor that will last you a long time so long as you take care of it. If you're looking for worry free transportation, maybe find something with a pushrod motor.

Also, it's probably not going to be worth it to try to talk down the price on the grounds you may or will have problems with the motor, because they don't care. But a Euro 3.4 is a rare find, there aren't too many of those.

[X11_STE]

Oldskool, I am not new to performance cars let alone ones with phantom issues. I bought an X-11 with 200,000miles and was sitting abandoned for 2 years and lord only knows what issues could have come up in that time (thankfully the issues were small and easily corrected). I have also owned an Audi GT Coupe that had sssooooo many problems I was happy when the nice police officer took it away. And everything in between with an array of pro's and con's.
I am well aware of the dohc's bad rap and thats why I came here first, looking for semi-unbiased answers from people who know the good, bad, and ugly of these motors and arent afraid to say whats good or bad about them. I wasnt looking to be told basicly "go away and let true car guys play with these motors". I know I can hold my own with anything put in front of me. Maintence is something I practice and preach (case in point, my grandfathers van has 334,xxx miles and has never been opened. Because of good maintence).
I am not concerned about "worry free transportation". I have my X-11 for that.


I guess I mis-presented myself in this question. What I meant to say is: I found this car and it seems like a good buy. After driving a 93 Bonny, I am very curious as to how this car will handle (being similar size and all). So curious in fact, that the fact that the euro is a 4 door is not really a distraction. I am considering getting it, fixing it up, driving it awhile and maybe have some fun.
So is it worth the asking price and what are some of the common electrical issues and will this car be worth at least the purchase price + moneys invested in the repairs?

[SappySE107]

I wouldn't pay over 500 for it with how you have described it. You can find a good condition one for 850-1000. If you want something to do, im sure it will keep you busy.

[Juglenaut]

X-11 I don't really think his post was offending you in anyway.

I won't pay much more than 500 because of the interior tlc needed, the engine is of less concern at least to me as well. Depending on the color it can be difficult to find matching and good interior pieces at a decent price.

[Zboy]

I agree with these guys. $400-$500 is the price to pay for a Euro. As for interior parts, what do you need? The junkyard I go to is crammed full of W-bodies. As long you don't need a dash pad I can probably get it pretty reasonable. Just let me Know.

[RednBlack]

$400-$500. Pull the engine, junk the body and sell the engine for $600! :P

[Juglenaut]

For the interior it really depends on color and which items, sure dash pads are alittle higher than expected only because the go to crap on about every w-body. Grey seems to be more difficult to find and seems to be a harder to get a close match. The most expensive item would be a new center console if it uses buckets seats, decent pillar trim, and rear deck speaker cover thingy those tend to come in all sorts of shades. Also the seats if bad enough need replacing and they too come is different shades and inlays.