I agree... hold out. If you aren't in dire need of a car.

The hold-out option sounds good, but you might not find another Regal with a price like that, in good condition...
Besides, with the savings over a newer/lower mileage car, you can afford any repairs it may need within the first few months, and if it doesn't need any, you've got mod-money...
To me it'* kind of a no-brainer. We know that mileage isn't that much of an issue with the motor itself. The trans is a mileage issue, but the newer car obviously already needs work, and the price difference is enough that you could afford to put in a fully build INTENSE or ZZP unit in the older car.
Plus it sounds like the newer car hasn't been well taken care of at all. It'* obviously not worth the price.

I say go for the 01. That'* a good price. I don't think I'd call it "settling".

well I will tell you first hand that the PCMs in the 03 and 04 regals are pretty much the redheaded stepchild. By the time 03-04 came around the l67 was pretty much on the way out and in 04 the GPs had already switched to the L32 so you are looking at a car that is really in some respects the forgotten platform for that year. I will tell you right here I can't get access to the 03 Gs PCM through DHP yet so the 03 and 04 are behind when it comes to that. I will say the cars are great and I had the clunk for a while too and it was the DP hitting the sway bar. I love regals and would get another in a heartbeat. I am sure if you are looking at regalgs.org you have seen that the agreed "best" year is 99 but that is just because supposedly they are some factory freaks. All in all I love mine but I would get the older one too just for the better support. the new one however has prolly never seen more then 4k rpms so the PCM is in old fart mode. The PCM of the later years also has a lot of TQ management built in. If you have any specific questions feel free to PM me

Sent you a pm Mark, just looked at a 04 GS Abboud edition, 32K miles, clean, $14K

Thanks for all the comments, guys. I really appreciate it.

At this point, my wife isn't very interested in the 04 either. The clunking really didn't settle well with her.

The owner of the 2001 just emailed me to see what I think. He said he was going to be parking the car because he'* trying to keep the mileage off of it (psychological denial of watching it roll 100K, I'd assume ). It'll be parked in a garage he said. I'm seriously considering this car. I'm waiting to hear what the Carfax comes back with before we make our final decision.

Plus, Travis has graciously agreed to look at a GXP for me in Montvideo. Once I hear how that fairs, I'll be in a better position to make a decision.

who would the Bonne'* replacement'* replacement go to? you or the wife?

Would primarily be my wife'*. Would replace the Grand Marquis. I'd still drive it, though (on occassion)!

Yup, going to be a race in the morning to see who gets to the Regal first if you buy it.

I wish you the best of luck

More than psychological for the owner, 100K is still a huge psychological barrier for buyers as well. Cars with 101K are harder to sell and bring less $ than cars with 99K. It doesn't really make much sense, but it is nonetheless an undeniable marketing fact.

I love to find cars with 105K. I pick 'em up a lot cheaper that way.