95 ragtop Supreme for sale close to me. 88k on the clock. Had to be a garage baby. Close to being mint as I have ever seen. Not even any parking lot dings. 3.4 motor. Everything works. Top in mint condition. Price down to $3999 OBO. Dilemma for me. Current ride is ‘95 88 with 263k on clock. Runs perfect. Clear coat gone. Clean body. Recent replacement of rack, axles, ball joints, bearings, Power Stop drilled/slotted rotors, ceramic pads. Less recent, updated intake, upper/lower gaskets, AC compressor, condenser, dryer and almost every sensor, all struts, 16’ tires w/custom wheels, all leather interior w/console out of LSS. Trans rebuilt with apx 60k on it. Very solid daily driver. At 88k on the Cutlass, I figure intake/ gaskets will need replacement at least. Not familiar with 3.4. I know the
3.8 in the 88 is dam near bulletproof. 88 is comfortable on long/short trips. Great mileage for a land yacht. Cutlass would be better handling car. Ride firmer. Do my own work so not too worried about fixing things. Always wanted a ragtop. Figure I could get at least 2k for the trusty 88. What to do what to do?

Is the 3.4 the LQ1 DOHC version? If so, simple things like changing the alternator, water pump, spark plugs, etc. are miserable. It can be a good engine, and peppy for the day, but they had to be really creative when finding room for all those cams and the timing belt.

Oh yeah, it has a timing belt that is a pain to replace. While you're there, you may as well replace all of the timing belt pulleys at the same time.

Regarding the intake gaskets, I'd wait until there is a reason to do them. When the time comes, it will be a pain.

If it'* not the LQ1 then not so bad to maintain and repair.

It is the DOHC 3.4. Was wondering if it had a timing belt or chain. That question been answered here. I can only imagine it’* a pain to replace. Done a couple timing belts on my 02 Mazda Protege. Not too bad a job. One of my concerns with manifold issue is where it decides to take a dump. The 88 manifold took a dump 300 miles from home. Had to pay dealer to replace😖. Pisser was I had all the parts at home to do it and planned on doing the job after this road trip. Thinking seriously of offering him 3k and see if he bites. Do the manifold and timing belt while I still have the 88 to drive.

Yeah, I'd keep the other car around and daily drive that. Whenever you have to work on the LQ1 it will be work:



Imagine swapping the AC compressor on this thing in the car. Or worse, an alternator. And you will have to do an alternator every once in a while as it always gets cooked.

It'* actually both. There is a timing chain between the crankshaft and the cam belt drive pulley (not seen in this picture).

And check out the cam belt tensioner!

Pulled the trigger on the ragtop. Was as good in person as the pictures. Condition is a 9 in my book. 3400 runs strong. Couple leaks in top needing fixed. No biggie. Paint and body is perfect. Much better handling than my 88. Started my list of maintenance parts for Rock Auto. Belts, hoses (all Gates), wipers and miscellaneous bulbs. What sucks is I finally get a droptop and it’* been raining every day since I got it😖.
Factory cassete radio has got to go😏.

Pulled the trigger on the ragtop. Was as good in person as the pictures. Condition is a 9 in my book. 3400 runs strong. Couple leaks in top needing fixed. No biggie. Paint and body is perfect. Much better handling than my 88. Started my list of maintenance parts for Rock Auto. Belts, hoses (all Gates), wipers and miscellaneous bulbs. What sucks is I finally get a droptop and it’* been raining every day since I got it😖.
Factory cassete radio has got to go😏. Already got a buyer for the 88👍

Mother nature is testing you!

Congrats!