Please read the whole thing before saying "don't do it".

I've been looking for a "new" used Seville or Deviile. What I really want is a Seville STS. I've been looking to spend under $5K for a 98+ STS, and it's not easy finding a clean one in that price range.

I was cruising a car lot today and saw a super clean black '01 STS, loaded with every option and only 72K miles. It's exactly what I want in every way down to the color and options, it's perfect.

I stopped and was checking it out when the salesman said "we can't sell that car". I asked why they couldn't sell it and he said "it won't pass inspection". He said something about the computer codes and wouldn't pass, so I pulled the codes and there are NO current codes and only a couple of history codes.

I asked what about if I bought the car AS IS knowing it won't pass inspection and he said $5500. I've never seen a car this clean for under $8K so I figured I would buy it.

I drove the car around the lot and checked everything and I wanted the car, I figured I could get it to pass inspection. One final thing I did was check under the hood and sure enough the oil looks like milk. Blown head gasket, or worse.



Now here's the deal why I'm considering possibly trying to buy it anyway.

I asked the sales guy if he could sell me an extended warranty on the car. If he sells me an extended warranty couldn't I take the car in for repair as soon as I bought it and I'd only pay the deductible and I'd have a near perfect '01 STS with 72K miles for $5500.

He's going to let me know tomorrow if they can sell me the car with an exended warranty. Am I crazy or is this a doable deal?

 

worse than crazy.

i dont believe that warranties cover "existing conditions", so I dont know how you could do that.
but
my guess is that for the price of such a warranty, you could spend the money instead on a salvage engine.

however,

oil in the water, although it dont look good, could be from another problem besides blown gasket .. ie:
- cracked block
- moisture through the intake .. moisture WILL ac***ulate in the crankcase if the car is run over and over and doesnt reach temp where the moisture is evaporated
- FLOOD car, engine was under water .. like driving into a ditch nose down, no interior damage
- RIVER runner, car was run through a deep water area and inhaled water

Why wont it pass inspection? better find out details.




.

 

Don't do it is good advice. If you really need a Seville, there is a black2000 STSat a small dealership here in Lebanon Missouri thathas 110,000 miles on it and looksgood, for $4500. It must have some kind of issue to be that cheap, and I figure they probablygot it at an auction house,but I can take a look at it for you if you want. I thought about getting it myself, but I am happy with my 1995 SLS (paid for). You could probably fly out here (well, to Springfield, MO), buy the car and save enough to pay for the plane ticket. Or you could drive. I ran MapQuest on McKinney and you are not that far away. Let me know. If you want I can just give you the phone number of the dealer. I do not work for them. I am retired military and don't work (mostly).
Keith
1995 SLS

 

A new engine is say $3,500. Price thecar accordingly. I figure it's worth $1,500 tops.

 

Well, the 2000 STS for $4500 is gone, so too late for that option.
Keith
1995 Cadillac SLS