Sorry this is sort of long, but I'm looking for some advice on buying a used Bonneville. I recently wrecked my old one, but saved lots of parts from it, so now I am looking for another one.

Here are the descriptions of the two cars I'm looking at (in the owner'* words, not mine). Both cars are priced below $1000, which is my current limit. Which car do you think I should buy?

Car #1
"Its a white 96 se with leather. seats are worn. chrome wheels decent tires a little rust showing. cars has approx 180000 miles. the engine runs great and the car is driven daily. it has had excellent maintenance and has several new parts over the past three years since my girlfriend bought it. It is far from perfect but still looks good. loaded with power sunroof, cd,spoiler, etc. air blows cold. some of the major parts, are ball joints just done, gas tank, fuel pump and sending unit, starter, alternator, radiator, brakes, battery, rotors, front end align, blower motor, ac pump complete tune up and several other misc..it was just inspected in october. she is getting ready to buy something newer."

Car #2
"I have a 1998 with about 130,000 miles on it. It is green with leather interior, auto locks & doors. It is in good condition. There are a few minor issues with it - the cd player doesn't work (but the radio does) and the AC doesn't work. It has been sitting since September but i used to drive it 45 minutes to Brockport everyday and it ran fine. Inspection is up, the check engine light is on - i think b/c the gas cap can't get a tight seal so its an emissions thing."

I would lean more towards the 98 because it'* newer and less miles. But would check that SES light first. What trim level is the 98?

I'd lean to the first car but I would go out and look at these cars in person.

I'm with Dan and leaning to the newer 98. The things that are wrong are not the difficult to fix.

Which one do YOU like better? Has the 98 had an upper intake plenum installed yet?
It sounds like the 96 has had good maintenance.

I'm in favor of the older one with all the usual already replaced as new. The mileage difference isn't a real big issue considering what is been done to the older one. It sounds as if #1 has keep the car up, and #2 has let things go to the point of now selling it.

How about prices that would give you an idea of value.Aslo your knowledge comes into play. How much you can do yourself.

The guy wants $850 for the '98 (car #2). He sent me some pictures today and it looks almost flawless inside and out. Judging by the pics, the car is an SE.

I haven't gotten a reply yet for how much the other car is.