So i have a chance to buy a 1999 Grand Am SE 4 Door, Red w/ 117,000. Its got the 3400 and its got a blow intake gasket, and there is a chance its got a blown head gasket. My mechanic just looked at it quickly and thats what he told me. the ABS also dosn't work. The body is in pretty good shape too, no rust just a few paint chips that i can probably fix.
The person who is selling only wants $1000.

If its the intake gasket my buddy and i can fix it, if its a head gasket i'll have to have it done by a mechanic (not sure how much that would cost).
It bluebooks for like 3100 - 3500. So after fixing it i'm sure i could sell it for 3000.

Would it be worth buying?

I would pass on that car not worth the headaches.

even for a turn and burn haro style?

Yeah but those cars he flipped had minor cosmetic problems not major engine problems.

good luck with the head gasket..... not worth it. Unless you can get a replacement motor cheap

If you can get it down to the LIM gaskets, you can handle the heads. As the push rods have to be removed to replace the gasket, about all that is left is the exhaust manifolds, and head bolts. You'll want to take the heads to a shop to have them checked. If they have to be machined, that can add to the cost.

As long as the crank bearings haven't been damaged by coolant, and the time and effort is worth it to you, it may be worthwhile for you to try. It will also give you a bit more experience.

if i remember correctly on my old car i had a blown head gasket. and i had a guy that my parents knew that worked at a dealer do it. and im pretty sure it cost me 700 not possitive but pretty sure. and he charged me half of what the dealer would do it for. and it was a 99 monte carlo 3.1 V6 so pretty similar.