Is this a Good Idea?... (first car thread)

[OriginalCheezIt]

Here are some... Well, interesting finds that I've seen in my area. I wanna know if any of these are good ideas for first cars. This list will be updated as I find more 👍

Spoiler: 1988 Buick Reatta Coupé

http://m.alserra.com/auto/used-1988-buick-reatta--grand_blanc-48439-mi/1878426/

For a first car?

It's a 1988 Buick Reatta. Which I actually think is an '89, due to the fact that it actually has a moonroof (which was added as an option in '89) and the touchscreen interface (which was removed for 1990), in which case, (VIN confirms it's an '88, and Wiki said that the moonroof option was added late in the model year) There are only 4,700 out there. Amazingly, they didn't add a cup holder until 1991...

You can find most of the specs (and pics) on the link I posted (which is the car I would be buying, so don't steal it from me ), but I'll provide a short overview.

• Buick 3800 V6, 170hp (at least in '88, anyway)
• FWD
• 4 speed auto
• 142,000 miles
• All the electronics appear to function, at least as of July 24 (view pics of it's late '80s glory on the website posted)
• $3500

I am madly in love with this car, now that I know 100% what it actually is. I just want to make sure it's a good decision.

 

[Dagger311]

Sounds good to me. Those engines are supposedly bulletproof, and will be not terrible on gas.

Mileage is a little high though. Put on your Lady GaGa face and offer 2,500, try and get it cheaper .

 

[ilikewaffles11]

Well, I don't know how good/bad they are, however I do have a buddy who owned one and the transmission went on it. It also developed a handful of other problems in his ownership of it, so he ended up scrapping it. So do what you will with that information.

 

[Slash]

I'd go for it. Mileage isn't too bad.

 

[Tornado]

Just give me the $3500 and I'll set it on fire for you.

 

[OriginalCheezIt]

Upon looking at the CARFAX, it has been reported as have been in 1 prior accident, a minor one with no airbag deployment. Other than that, looks good 👍

EDIT: Turns out that it doesn't actually have airbags TO deploy...

 

[nizmo_bro]

It's interesting looking. I wouldn't pay that much for it, so you should definitely haggle over the price.
I'm surprised all those electronics are still working in the interior. Bet that was top of the line futuristic back in the day.

If it's something you absolutely want, I say go for it. But if you have $3,500 to spend, you have a ton of other decent cars you can choose from, or you can even use most of it on a good down payment towards a newer car that gets more than 12.2 mpg

 

[OriginalCheezIt]

12.2mpg

I saw that, and I hope to God that it just needs a tune up

 

[MedigoFlame]

Those cars are fitted with a lot of electronics...aren't they? I always had an attraction towards them, but for a first car I can't say I'd be sure it's the best choice. Considering what I can only assume would be a lot of electronics from the 80s, something may fail. Also...how is insurance on it...?

It's a cool car, but choosing something unique and funky isn't always the greatest choice for a first car. The price does seem rather high for the vehicle. And being a dealership, it may be difficult to haggle. Do you have any other options you're looking at?

 

[EF12345678]

Upon looking at the CARFAX, it has been reported as have been in 1 prior accident, a minor one with no airbag deployment. Other than that, looks good 👍

EDIT: Turns out that it doesn't actually have airbags TO deploy...

No airbags!?! Pfffft

 

[OriginalCheezIt]

No airbags!?! Pfffft

Not they were removed, the car just never had them to begin with. The Reatta didn't get a driver's side airbag until 1990

@MedigoFlame, yes I have been looking at several different models, I only asked about this one because it's so much different as opposed to pretty much anything else. But without airbags, I think this one's just a pipe dream.

 

[Dagger311]

I saw that, and I hope to God that it just needs a tune up

I wouldn't be so sure, but since it's a v6, I would assume it can get a bit more than that. They were rated brand new for 18 in the city, but engines will lose fuel economy as they get more miles on them.

Maybe all it needs is a tune-up, but I'd definitely get it inspected before buying, to be sure.

 

[coop500]

It's interesting I'll give you that!

If you're interested in working on cars then have fun.

If you're not and don't have loads of spare cash to throw at it I'd stay clear of it and buy something cheaper to run and maintain as your first car.

 

[Tornado]

Those cars are fitted with a lot of electronics...aren't they?

Lots of state of the art mid-1980s electronics (like touch screen driver controls, computerized digital dashboards, electronically controlled hydraulic anti lock brakes) made by a company who at the time was having serious issues even implementing basic things like electronic fuel injection. If the OP wants a cheap sporty-looking car that will get attention all the way up until it suffers catastrophic failure two months after he buys it, he might as well go whole hog and look for an Allante. At least then he can maybe find replacement parts for it off of an Eldorado or something.

 

[OriginalCheezIt]

Lots of state of the art mid-1980s electronics (like touch screen driver controls, computerized digital dashboards, electronically controlled hydraulic anti lock brakes) made by a company who at the time was having serious issues even implementing basic things like electronic fuel injection. If the OP wants a cheap sporty-looking car that will get attention all the way up until it suffers catastrophic failure two months after he buys it, he might as well go whole hog and look for an Allante. At least then he can maybe find replacement parts for it off of an Eldorado or something.

Something tells me that if those electronics survived over 25 years without fault, then they aren't likely to explode into a ball of flames under my ownership.

With that said, I doubt this is going to happen. The lack of airbags make this car little more than a dream. New, male driver in a car sans airbags? The monthly insurance payment will likely be more than the car

But I'm going to keep this thread open in case I find anything else noteworthy.

 

[ilikewaffles11]

Something tells me that if those electronics survived over 25 years without fault, then they aren't likely to explode into a ball of flames under my ownership.

Actually the fact that they've survived 25 years probably makes it more likely that they will fail on you.

But hey, if you want it go for it. But like I said, my one friend owned one and it was far from a reliable car.

 

[michrulejj]

Car seems in good shape for its age but as a first car and for that price I'm not sure of it. And if it failed before all that means is that you have a newer better one now 👍 (Generally speaking)

Anyways saw that this car was located around the detroit area, so I got bored and looked up some cars that you might find interesting. And if I can pitch an idea, get a manual. If you are a car guy like you seem you will love a manual. I'm 18 and when I was 16 my parents bought me a 2008 VW Rabbit 5 Spd which I absolutely love driving. Only car our family owns thats a manual. So this is just food for thought. Anyways here are some suggestions so you look at all options before you commit:

2000 Eclipse GT Manual 114k miles for $3,000

1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo Manual 117k Miles One owner for $4,000

Just from autotrader searches. And that MR2 would have the unique factor you want and would be really fun to drive.

 

[ilikewaffles11]

@michrulejj I don't think an MR2 would make a particularly good first car. Especially a turbo.

I mean for one, imagine the insurance rates on that thing.

Not to mention that fact that it's a mid engined car, which personally I don't think would be the best idea for a new driver...

 

[OriginalCheezIt]

OP updated to reflect change in thread direction. This is now a thread on weird first cars in general, not just the Reatta.

 

[Xilor]

What about this?

If its legit, then its a lot rarer then the Reatta, only 16 were ever produced. Its also got less electronics, a manual gearbox and an engine out of a Mazda, so it should be quite a bit more reliable especially with only 80k miles on the clock.