steves ls6

I am looking at a 98 WS6 auto with 190k on it. If the price was right would you consider it? The current owner says it runs like new....what ever that means. No lights shifts good blah, blah, blah. What would you pay for it? I'm thinking 3k. Is that a low ball? Looks decent in the pictures. Has a couple of imperfections and the wheels look trashed. This is a long distance buy so any questions I should be asking? I know its kind of silly buying a car with out driving it but if I can get it for under 4k shipped I think I'd be doing ok.
I'm thinking LS3/tremec swap in the future if I bought it. I just want to be able to drive it for at least a couple years to get the cash together for that. I know these motors if properly maintained 190k is just broken in.

red04montels

iTrader: (1)

That's a lot of miles, but its is an old car as well.

Is it the original motor and trans? I would be more worried about the trans than the engine, but they're both worth being considered.

Where is the car from? Would be curious if it has an rust or paint issues. I think it would be a good car to start on if you have LS3 plans in the future.

30th t/a

iTrader: (51)

If its silver, I know which car your talking about. It caught my attention as well. Although Im probably going to hold out for a white WS6.

I think 3500-4000 for that car. If you can have it shipped for 4000, I think that's pretty good. It would make a nice car to mod up.

Tipnitty

iTrader: (3)

If you want to drive it for a few years before you do anything major, I would recommend you see the car in person. Or get videos of it running or driving. You'll get what you pay for. I wouldn't buy it unless you had enough funds to put into it immediately if something were to happen. I wouldn't trust a "runs like new" at 190k unless I saw it in person.

Flaring Afro

I'd ask what's been replaced or fixed. AC, shocks, fuel pump, etc. You should be prepared for some stuff like this to go with any old car with those miles. I also wouldn't buy it without driving it.

steves ls6

Original motor and trans. Everything works except the drivers window. It's not silver. It's black. It's about 500 miles away so I can't drive it. This would be more of a slow project. This car seems to fit what I want an original car that isn't too nice where pulling the drivetrain later will ruin it's value. I just want something to cruise around in for the time being and dropping in a GMPP big cam LS3 and a tremec later down the road and keeping it factory looking.

Kevin Lee 487

iTrader: (1)

Project or not, you don't want to spend $4000 on a 4th gen that has some major issues.

Roidz24

Would I buy it? No. Bad idea? Possibly. If you're going to replace the engine and maybe the trans, why not for that price?

SS_TOR

what are your plans for this car? i think that should help you decide if it's worth it. if planning on replace a whole lot like engine trans then mayme. but then again might be cheaper to buy a roller.

Mr Phil

Well if you read my post about finally got her tuned, the miles on the motor might not be an issue. I have over 200 on mine and its still healthy... But like they said trans might be an issue. Check for other things like shocks, fuel pump, headlight motors, rear end whine etc... I only paid 2800 for my ta but I've also put a decent amount in repairs since I've owned it...

NC01TA

Nearly 200k miles on any car has 'money pit' written all over it 9 times out of 10. $3,000 is NOT lowball and may be too much! I hope your mind is not made up because this comment you made is certainly one I do not agree with, "I know these motors if properly maintained 190k is just broken in." Getting it for a roller price is fine, but not more than that. Be smart, don't waste good $$$.

JC316

iTrader: (1)

Depends on the location and the care of the car. I had an 01 Frontier Desert runner with 96K miles on it. Pistons were melted to the cylinder walls, interior was shot, paint was shot, body was banged up etc. On the flip side, I had an 00 Expedition with 276K miles on it. Looked like brand new, original engine, original transmission, etc. I live in a state where miles rack up quick.

My 98 Formula has 176K on it right now and you would never guess that to see it or drive it.

steves ls6

I didn't go for that car. I'm working on a different one. 2002 WS6 with a manual. 140k on this one wants 4500 it's in Ga. I get the money pit point some of you guys mentioned. My previous DD was a 97 GTP with that many miles. Granted I owned it since it had 50k on it but I hit it and traded it in. It ran great. So I'm not afraid of miles if it has been maintained it should be fine for a driver till I get the money together to build it up. I know I can find a cream puff for 10 - 12k I don't want to buy a nice car and mod it. I would rather save one.

delrio_bird

Ive got 159xxx on my V6 Birdie and both engine and trans work great. Only showing the mileage with the paint but thats Texas for ya. There's nothing saying you cant go see it and then make your decision. Ive bought some cars sight unseen and Ive been lucky.

LS1Guynes

I bought my '99 T/A with 185k miles on it for 6K almost 4 months ago, had my tech check it out before I bought it and he said it was in excellent shape for the year/miles blah blah blah. It has literally every suspension component done and a few other things. T-top, M6, NBM, I think I got a good deal. Threw some wheels on it, that's it. Only thing that's given me trouble was the Master Cylinder and knock sensors which is normal from what I see. But I guess it's either a win or a lose when the miles are that high. I'll drive it for awhile like this until I look into a LS2/3 swap.

red04montels

iTrader: (1)

That GTP you had with the L67 is pretty much the V6 equivalent of an LS1. Nearly bulletproof.

So this new one at 140k is just the beginning for that drivetrain. Let us know how it goes!

DrEvyl

iTrader: (5)

Depends on what I was gonna do with it.... if it was going to be a track car, sure... if I wanted to make a show quality car... not so much.

steves ls6

Nice car.

steves ls6

I had 3 different cars with L67's in them. I miss them all actually. The 1997 that I had I only modified the suspension, brakes and removed the resonator when it rotted out. I had the suspension set up awesome on it too. On the w-bodies the alignment makes a huge difference. I could win a lot of 0-70 mph races on the street to modded later ones. After 70 is when they would start to catch up. Not fast but on the street that's all that matters I guess. Cant go too much quicker from light to light.

steves ls6

I guess I'm looking for a car somewhere in between a track and show car. Something that's dependable and fun that I wont care where I park it.