Should I be afraid of high miles?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Evansville, IN
Should I be afraid of high miles? Hey guys, I'm looking at a 94 Buick Roadmaster wagon with a LT1. Seems like a solid car, especially for $1900 but the high miles (213k) scares me.
Do these engines run for a good while? Or is it on the verge of rebuild? Anything in particular I should look for when I see the car? Thanks
Do these engines run for a good while? Or is it on the verge of rebuild? Anything in particular I should look for when I see the car? Thanks
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 206
Likes: 1
From: Bowling Green
I'm no expert but I do know that LT1s can last a long time. A lot of people say "People are always rebuilding them at 100k miles." Yes, that happens a lot but mainly because people abuse the hell out of them. I'm on my fourth one but I take care of them. My 1994 Z28 had 247k miles and never had to rebuild it. Considering it's in a Buick Roadmaster wagon, I wouldn't imagine it to have been abused much. It should last a while longer. However, keep in mind that the specs of the LT1 in the Roadmaster differ from that of the specs in the Firebird, Camaro, or Corvette.
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Sewell, NJ
My t/a had 160k when i bought it, but my uncle was the sole owner until me. The d/b body lt1's really keep going since people just use them as passenger cars with some light towing. My dad works at a Buick/GMC dealer and this guy seriously has 3 or 4 roadmaster wagons, all light blue with the wood paneling and all. Not sure of their mileage but they're probably up there. I would buy your roadmaster you were talking about only if the interior and body were still in good shape. LT1's can be had for cheap since they're so "underpowered and prone to breaking" and putting one in a 2 ton steamship like the buick, seems alot easier than a f/y body. I wouldn't expect the thing to fall apart as long as it ran as it should and looked clean under the valve cover.
Considering cop car caprices made into taxis go up to 600,000 miles, I think your ok. My taxi driver in Chicago had 650,000 miles on the original lt1 in his caprice, ran great, forgot to ask how many optis he'd been through.
Trending Topics
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 2
From: Nebraska
Miles are only bad if it's been abused it's whole life. I've seen cars with 90K look like they need the scrapyard, yet my '98 silverado with 202K looks like it's got 80K on it. It's all whether or not it's been beat like a readheaded step child or taken care of.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Evansville, IN
Thanks guys, you're easing my mind haha I feel like if the body interior and everything else look nice, and I can haggle with the guy a bit, I'll be bringing it home. If the engine fails, junkyards are full of LQ4s
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 2
From: Nebraska
Hell yeah i'd jump on it. And yeah if the motor pops who cares, there's plenty of replacements.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Evansville, IN
Here's the ad, let me know what you think about it.
http://bloomington.craigslist.org/cto/3961744967.html
http://bloomington.craigslist.org/cto/3961744967.html
I'd roll the **** out of it, but 26mpg? C'mon... You can always see if dude will let you get a leakdown test on it, but for that kind of money he'd probably tell you to punch sand.
