Like I have said, many times before, I'm looking for a used Bonneville, since I'm turning 16.
Remember awhile ago I was asking about that '02 SSE? Well, someone bought it. So now I came across this... http://spacecoast.craigslist.org/cto/1802914230.html. By TLC she means that the headliner is falling, the A/C doesn't work, the electronics on the dash don't work, and one of the windows don't roll down. Should I go for it, or is it just the begenning of a nightmare? I guess one could never tell, huh... Thanks guys.

It'* a older car, in rough shape. You plan to do all the work yourself? I would offer $500 but no more.

Yeah, I guess it is an older car. But hey, my dad is a mechanic, and I would LOVE to learn my way around the car. How much do you think it would cost to fix each of those?

The qucik answer as to how much it will cost is a lot. You have to shop around and balance cost vs. quality of workmanship. My advice would be to pass. When I got my 95 it was in excellent condition but the normal upkeep on an older vehicle can still get very expensive. For example, I have replaced or repaired the air conditioner compressor, front wheel bearings, shocks and struts, lower intake manifold gasket, supercharger gasket and coupler, paint job, cracked rims, air mix actuator, electrical wiring harness, headlight switch...that is off the top of my head. These are the things that you have to look forward to with a vehicle that was and is well maintained so first, love the car or else it is not worth it. If you race the care or run it hard you will be looking at a different type of repairs. You don't know what other issues will crop up with this car but you can be sure there will be other issues. I think that the bonnevilles are great but with a little patience (and I know that is asking a lot of a 16 year old) you should be able to find a similar vehicle that has been well maintained and if you decide to go for it anyway know that it will cost you many times over the initial cost. Two other questions. Is the inspection sticker current and did it fail inspection or is one required in your state and what is going on in the area of the dash just to the left of the passenger side air bag?

Crece... one, I have no idea about the inspection situation. Two, what do you see above the passenger side airbag? As for my patients, I guess I have very little, but I hope that my love of cars, particularly my own, will outweigh my limited patients. I guess either way I look at it, I will be getting an "older car" because I would rather drive a sixteen year old car that is almost luxurious, than a newer ricer, plus, I don't have a big budget.

If that'* what you're looking for, I would also take a look at some older w-bodies. I'm partial since I owned one as my first car, but they're a little more fun to drive being smaller and lighter cars. Look for a 94-96 Grand Prix with the B4U package.

This car looks like it wasn't taken care of, which begs to question what other maintenance items need attention. Shocks, brakes, ball joints, tie rods, subframe bushings, control arm bushings, sway bar bushings strut mounts, etc.

How'* the underside look in regard to rust? If there'* rust, don't walk; run away. If you're on a budget, you might find that car to be a nightmare.

It just occurred to me that you did not take the pictures. The picture on the bottom that was taken from the front passenger side appears to show a black area just to the left of the air bag on the dashboard. That should definitely not be there. It looks to me like a gap. In addition to being a cosmetic issue it could also mean that the airbag is missing or non functional. Like ExtremeRevolution stated, this one could easily turn out to be a nightmare. Try doing a search on this site on how to buy a used car so you can get an idea of what to look for. I think I have seen something like that here. If not then just google it. There are good used cars out there but you want to first be safe and remember that once you buy it its yours for better or worse.

You asked for opinions so....IMO I would pass on it. What is being told to you are things that are broke now and you will have a very hard time finding replacement parts, and then you need to take into consideration the bigger things that could possibly go wrong in a short period of time - engine, transmission are the two big wallet eaters.

Yeah. Everything all of you have said make sence. I guess I'll have to think about this one. If I were to bite the bullet and buy it, it'* only $650, compared to upwards of $2000 I was looking at. And if it turns out to be a good car after I fix everything, then good for me, but if it a nightmare (which is more likely), do you think I'd be able to sell it for the value of the engine?

Hard to say since you don't know the condition of the engine, mileage, ect. But if I were looking for an engine for my 95 it would be a series II (1996 and beyond) not the series I that is in the 94. Also, if you pay $650 for that vehicle even if you put no money into it and sold it tomorrow you probably wouldn't get that for it and even less for the engine alone.