Good morning! Today we’re going to look at a couple of cheap cars that are local to me. Both of them run, but both need some work before being put into service. Which one is worth the effort is up to you.
Yesterday, we kept things simple – really simple. Though, as some of you pointed out, neither of yesterday’s cars was as simple as it could have been; both had the absolute decadence of not one, but two side mirrors. And the Mighty Max had carpet and cloth upholstery! Pure hedonism, that. The Mighty Max took home an easy win, but I have to applaud those couple dozen of you who voted for the third-party Hyundai Excel. I really wanted to feature that ridiculous little thing; I’m really disappointed it sold.
I think the Mighty Max is the right call here; small basic trucks are cooler and more useful than small basic cars. But if the Fox were any color except “Sidewalk,” or if it were a wagon, I might be tempted to take it instead.
Now then: I’ve spent the last two days wrenching on my wife’s car. I had to replace the steering box, pitman arm, and idler arm in order for it to pass Maryland state inspection, and I did the tie-rod ends and swaybar links while I was under there. It got me wondering how many cars get sold for cheap around here because they won’t pass inspection, so I went looking for slightly broken fixer-uppers in the area. I found these two just across the border in Delaware, which is apparently even stricter when it comes to inspections. You’ll need to put in a weekend of work before they’ll sign off on either of these. Let’s see which one you’d rather fix up.
1987 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham – $1,500
Engine/drivetrain: 3.8-liter overhead valve V6, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Seaford, DE
Odometer reading: 94,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives, but power steering is out
If someone asks for a recommendation for a big, cheap, reliable, comfortable car, my mind immediately goes to the GM H-body. It features the bulletproof 3800 V6, a sturdy overdrive automatic, tons of room inside, and a ride that, while maybe not quite like floating on a cloud, is pretty damn close to driving around in a La-Z-Boy. And since they’re typically considered “old people’s cars,” they have nice low resale value. They’re getting a little thin in the classifieds these days, especially these early square ones, but when you find one, it’s still worth a look.
The most compelling argument for these cars, of course, is that V6: GM may get a lot of things wrong, but when it comes to refining and perfecting an engine design over time, no one does it better. This one only puts out 150 horsepower, but it will continue to do so until the end of time. Unfortunately, there is something that doesn’t work so well: the power steering has a bad leak, and the seller has removed the belt as a temporary fix. On a front-heavy car like this, that’s not really a fix at all. I bet parallel parking is a pain in the ass.
This is a top-of-the-line Royale Brougham, with the comfy leather seats that you just sink into, and all the power toys available in 1987. We don’t get very good views of the interior, but it mostly looks okay. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is in rough shape, but it could be re-covered. Or you could install a completely out-of-place Grant GT wheel or something.
This is a low-mileage car with only one owner before the current seller, but we do know one thing about that owner: they did not have a garage. This car’s paint is done for. And no wonder: the seller includes a photo of the original window sticker. It lists all the car’s options, but nowhere do I see any mention whatsoever of Tru-Coat.
2000 Volvo S70 – $1,500
Engine/drivetrain: 2.4-liter dual overhead cam inline 5, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Dagsboro, DE
Odometer reading: 125,000 miles
Operational status: Starts and runs, but radiator leaks too much to drive
I have known plenty of folks who wouldn’t be caught dead in an Oldsmobile, no matter how reliable it is. But show them an old Volvo, and they’re all over it. And to be fair, Volvo has a reputation for reliability and durability of its own. The S70, basically a facelift of the earlier 850, is more than capable of racking up the miles – even if the odometer sometimes quits before the car does.
The 850 and S70 were a major departure from Volvo’s tried-and-true “Red block” four-cylinder engines driving solid rear axles. This car features a twin-cam inline-five, mounted transversely and driving the front wheels. The engine has a good reputation, the automatic transmission somewhat less so, but this one’s current major problem lies in the cooling system – the radiator leaks like a sieve, to the point that the car simply isn’t drivable. It has been sitting in this state for a few months, but the seller says it fires right up if you give it a jump. You just can’t leave it running for too long.
It also has inoperable power windows. Because it’s all four and not just one, I would suspect a relay or control module or something; I bet a few minutes with a Haynes manual would point you in the right direction. The interior itself is in decent condition, except for the armrest. But that should be fixable, if it bothers you.
It has suffered a little bump in the left rear corner, which not only took out the taillight but also damaged the surrounding sheetmetal. On a $1,500 car, it probably isn’t worth fixing all of the damage, but you might have to bend some things back straight before you are able to install a new taillight. But apart from that, it doesn’t look too bad outside, though it’s in desperate need of a wash.
I don’t know how common it is anymore to buy cheap cars and fix them up. It’s a shame, though, because too many cars end up in junkyards before their time for something that could be fixed on a Saturday afternoon, if only someone was willing to put the time in. I know one guy who is doing his part, and when I see cars like these two, I start thinking about doing something similar. Maybe I will sometime. But for now, I’ll leave the choice up to you: do you want to fix a power steering leak, or replace a radiator and a crunched taillight?
(Image credits: Facebook Marketplace sellers)
I was expecting to go all-in on the Volvo, but ooof! That one looks like it should have way more than 125,000 miles on the odometer, like twice as much!
If my man Tucker can swap a PS box, then I bet I can, too! Besides, everything you need to get the Crazy 88 running should be available at any middle America pick-n-pull.
And the real kicker is that Royale w/cheese interior! Damn, I wanna climb in and take a nap in there right now.
Honestly, this is a wash. I wouldn’t have either.
I would go with the Volvo if it weren’t for their flakey immobilizer system and programming the ECU to only work with oyher compinets that it recognizes combining to make the cars basically unrepairable. I love earlier Volvos , but treating your customers like criminals, really sucks and I wouldn’t touch this one.
The ovloV got me with its flashy paint and the exotic charms of its engine. Between cars and motorcycles I’ve had nearly every common configuration of cylinders, but inline-5 has eluded me so far.
Also, it probably still has an intact frame.
Volvo.
As to people buying and fixing cheap cars, I doubt it’s very common. ‘Old’ cars now are from the 2000’s, with difficult to diagnose electronics that are often difficult to find used or in the aftermarket and may no longer be available from the OEM.
Add in an airbag or two and the cost can quickly exceed the benefit even before addressing any mechanical issues.
People may do it for special interest cars, but not many are going to bother with an old daily driver – especially when you can probably find a complete running example for less than the repair costs.
I already have a 3.8L 2004 Impala so I’m going Volvo. If only it were a wagon with a stick… and third row seats
Went with Volvo because pulling a radiator is something I’ve done on a Volvo. The Olds power steering problem could be anything from a cracked fluid reservoir or holed hydraulic line to a bad pump or a compromised steering rack. Usually folks try to fix the easy stuff first, so I’d bet on the bigger problems. Still, a bottle of Bluedevil might “git ‘er done” for a cheap beater. Still rather have the Swede.
I mostly picked the Volvo because I already mostly own fwd GM cars that are 88 adjacent. Including a 92 SSE with the supercharger, so the Volvo adds more variety which I’m starting to enjoy.
I kind of expected a closer to 50/50 split here. I’m not sure you can go wrong with either choice.
If I’m going to be stuck with an 80’s GM sedan, it’s going to be the Bonneville, not the Olds. For whatever reason, I actually like the way the Bonneville looks (even though it’s essentially the same car). These 88s do nothing for me by comparison, ridiculous red interior aside.
Gimme the Volvo. Seems fixable, and then I end up with a car I would actually want.
The OIdsmoboogie all day long.
We had the Lesabres of this era, and then the next gen 88s and a Park Ave. All were excellent cars. And that’s no BS. They always worked, never gave a lick of trouble. Fast (for the era) and comfortable.
Speaking as a 1987 Olds Delta 88 owner this is not the bulletproof 3800 but the pre-3800 3.8 Red Dot. 1988 was the first year of the 3800. That was also the first year they put a balance shaft in there. My 87 3.8 has a very rough idle and also you have to deal with the Magnavox ignition coils. All that being said though it’s really a great Highway Cruiser and super comfortable! Olds for me!
Magnavox ignition! Today I learned something new.
Came here to say this. I also have a 87 Delta 88 just like this one although mine is not a Brougham. Those engine are pretty quick for a 150hp but those cars are lighter than they look.
The LG3 or Red Dots engine are notorious for timing chain failure. Mine was changed by the upgraded all metal design that should last the life of the Olds.
Oh I completely forgot about the plastic timing gears!! I honestly don’t know if mine has been done, it just ticked over 80k recently.
I have done it at 65k miles and it was not about to fail but it was in bad shape. The guides were worn an the bottom gear was missing 2 teeth and was very cracked.
My family had a 1993 850, purchased new the week I was born, and kept for ten years. It was identical, down to the wheels, color, and rear spoiler, as the one driven by the mom in Mrs. Doubtfire. I loved that car, so I’ll be taking the Volvo.
Gotta go Olds on this one. Fix the power steering and run it for pennies afterwards. The 3.8 has a hell of a reputation, as does the 4T60 trans. Plus it looks so comfy inside – it’s like sitting on a sofa. And COLOR, this world needs more color.
I just see the Volvo as being more expensive to run and maintain.
Come away with me, Lucille, in that 3800 powered Oldsmobile. Get the power steering fixed and give it a vinyl wrap in a cool color, and you’re set.
The condition of the Olds’ paint is one thing but – is that blue with a maroon interior or is it a trick of the light and it’s black? I ask because black with a red gut would’ve been pretty common in its’ day but blue with red would’ve required the sort of special order where someone in Detroit calls the dealer back to make extra sure they didn’t make a mistake on the form before approving the build.
I was ready to vote for the Volvo until I saw the body damage. If the trunk opens reliably, I have to imagine it leaks. Add the scuffed up bumpers and it looks like the car wasn’t cared for very well. Olds it is.
I wasn’t sold on the Olds until I saw it has the luxury interior in good shape – those seats are amazingly comfy. Replacing the steering rack will be a pain, but the Volvo looks rough all over and I suspect the radiator is just the tip of the iceberg of necessary repairs to make it roadworthy.
The olds look like it has been treated much better then the Volvo. Doesn’t have a smashed taillight, scratched bumper and the interior looks like it is in better shape then the Volvo. And I am assuming GM parts bin parts will be much cheaper and easier to obtain.
The Volvo would be a “better” car when it comes to driving dynamics, but that Olds is a friggin’ hammer. PS on that will be easy to fix and find parts for, and a garage paint job won’t cost more than $500 for materials if it really bothers you that much. Olds FTW.
Replacing a radiator is probably easier than replacing a steering rack or power steering pump, but I still voted Olds. The NEXT thing to break on it will likely be cheaper to fix on it.
This is the correct answer.
You buy a $1500 automatic sedan because you want something cheap. The Olds will be way cheaper to get into perfect working order and keep there.
I’ll take the one that won’t be a 1980s GM product when I’m done fixing it up.
Volvo.
Easy fixes including the radiator. Safer, looks better, and the I5 is a good engine.
I do appreciate the red interior in the gm, but it’s also so horribly dated.
I’m drawn to the Olds because any car that’s blue with a red interior deserves extra notice.
Also because I want to hit the drive-thru in this one so I can get my Royale with Cheese.
THIS! I just spent 15 very nerdy minutes disappearing down an 80s GM trim code rabbit hole: the original brochure says Midnite Sapphire Blue Metallic was ONLY available with Dark Sapphire Blue interior. Dark Garnet Red leather would have to have been a special order.
We’ll take the Eighty-Eight, for its rarity and that bulletproof 3800.
Upvoted for your dedication to the research. Truly, not joking.
French quarter pounders w/ cheese are great!
Dark blue over maroon is a criminally underappreciated combination.
I’m pretty much drawn to any blue with red interior car – such as the grey-blue over red Shah of Iran 300SL Roadster:
https://classicmotorsports.com/news/late-production-mercedes-benz-300-sl-roadster-car-catcher/