To Buy, or Not To Buy?

[Canadian84]

Looking at making an offer on a 2000 Bonneville SSEi
Black on Beige, all options. Driven Daily & Long Distances
it has 360, 000k, or 223, 000 mi

He's done the brakes all over, and re-done the front end.
Transmission was rebuilt last year, as well as bearings and
some seal work in the motor.

I had an 88 & 89 sse back in the day, and drove them forever
and they seemed to wear like iron, and well past the kms noted
on the above car. How will the newer one fair toward 400k?

Im a friend of his wife's, so hes only asking me $2500 cert.

Thoughts? Opinions? This is just for fun, because I miss my
Bonnevilles.....wont be a daily driver....but i also dont want
a huge headache.

[DCJREDLINE]

Engine should last ya till your 400km but there are lotsa other problems, do a search on the board for common problems. If you have alot of those I would ask for a reduced price. That price isnt too high if everything is working ok. IMO

[smokinssei02]

I just bought an 02 with 193k mostly highway miles on it from a friend of mine's dad. It needed brakes all around, intake gaskets, coolant elbows, a tune up, sway bar links, and an oil pressure switch. Paid 500 for the vehicle and so far and put about 500 or so in it and it's running like a top! Still got a lot of life left in her I can feel it! I'd say, if it's dry underneath and it runs good, go for it!

[Canadian84]

Looking like I pick it up tomorrow (no banks open today)
I dropped the price & bought as is so I could do it myself

Going to drop the cash to his wife @ work in the am, and
trade her for the keys & ownership. I read i can plate it & drive
with the temp for 10 days, so that should tour me around enough
to get the safety work done.

[ChilinMichael]

"Engine should last you 400k", uhm wrong. There is absolutely zero guarantee of that...it depends when and if LIM failed, what was done to fix it, wear & tear, oil used, etc. They are very dependable, yes. I don't know how Canadian dollar converts to American, but I know $2,500 American would be a little on the steep side for that high mileage. You state you don't want a huge headache? Stay away from it then. I have a 95 with 201k and age unfortunately wears at the body, seals, etc. Unless you know this to be perfect, with a statement like "I don't want a huge headache" I don't think it's for you. Sorry.

[1oldman]

My personal opinion is anything over $1500 is too much for any vehicle with 225K+ miles on it. - BC

[dpnewfie]

IIRC the Canadian dollar is pretty much par to the US dollar so I'd have to say that $2500 is a bit more than I would pay for a car with that mileage.

[nos4blood70]

I agree. That's a bit much for a 2000 with that many miles. It would have to be PRISTINE.

[94SilverSSEi]

I'll go the opposite of everyone else. I could care less how many miles a car has. All 3 of my cars have 200k+, one is almost to 300k.

If they are maintained properly you get to a point where you are almost driving a new car because everything has been replaced.


IMHO, high miles knocks the value in EVERYONE ELSES (or most people) eyes. So I go for the high mileage vehicles especially if they are in good shape.

For the most part condition is everything.

[repinS]

One could get a 200,000km 2000 SSEi for that kind of money fairly easily. Having a rebuilt transmission is a plus but I'm willing to bet there are many other worn parts on that car.

[Canadian84]

I got it way less than 2500, by buying it as is....happy about that. So far, my only report is it needs a windshield & brakes & they will give it a thorough inspection tomorrow. Mechanic already said it looks pretty good.
I gave it a good rip before dropping it off, and the engine & transmission feel fantastic....supercharger still has lots of kick too!

Missing 3 center caps, and the sunshade fabric is letting go....those are my only nitpicks so far

[01bonneSC]

Do you know if the LIM gaskets have been changed?

[Canadian84]

I asked him to look, because if not, hes doing them for sure

[01bonneSC]

I asked him to look, because if not, hes doing them for sure

New design is silver between the LIM and the head, they are aluminum. If its black, they are stock, replace and flush/fill back up with the Prestone All Makes coolant.

[deano55]

how could the LIM gaskets not have been done with that kind of mileage? I thought everything on this forum said they dont last 100K

[BlackHawk99]

I asked him to look, because if not, hes doing them for sure

New design is silver between the LIM and the head, they are aluminum. If its black, they are stock, replace and flush/fill back up with the Prestone All Makes coolant.

No, not necessarily stock. Perhaps they were changed with new plastic gaskets. Remember, not everyone opts for the aluminum...especially if they're not 3800 savvy.

[ChilinMichael]

...or like me 2 years ago being stuck driving from dealer to dealer with everyone out of stock on the revised ones. Had to go new original.

[BlackHawk99]

Yep, I had to change mine on the 99 SE I had before the aluminum frame gaskets were even available. I think that was back in 04 or 05. The revised design hasn't been out all that long, relatively speaking.

[Canadian84]

LIM has been changed, so have valve covers front and rear apparently
All it needed for safety was a windshield and some pads & rotors.....now I have to clean the beast up
and get looking for the friggin center caps you cant seem to find anywhere