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

 

Just make sure it doesn't BURN oil or coolant. Any other problem inside the engine bay can be repaired with relative ease.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Good to know guys! I'll be looking at the car Wednesday if I can get a hold of the guy. I'll be sure to report back after.

 

As long as youre not looking to sell it within a year or two, you should be ok. Of course make sure it shows that maintenance has been done.

 

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.

 

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

 

Hell yeah i'd jump on it. And yeah if the motor pops who cares, there's plenty of replacements.

 

pics?
I'd also look inside the valve cover to see how clean it is. If it's full of sludge then then it's been neglected.

 

Here's the ad, let me know what you think about it.
http://bloomington.craigslist.org/cto/3961744967.html

 

That looks pretty decent, It would be fun to see a roadmaster with an LE heads and cam loping around lol.

 

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.

 

I've decided that since this will be my DD, I'm just gonna stay will my reliable Century. I'll get a Roadmaster sometime though, just not this one.