Imports to Domestic...

I've been a long time owner of imports (not effing honda, hate honda), and work for toyota. I've been looking for a new platform to build for a while now, and the other day I wound up picking up a roadmaster wagon as a trade in and had to drive it 30 something miles to a wholesale lot. Short story: I loved it, it was like sitting in one of those pillow couches, but it need far more work than what my price for it would have been at $2500. gauges didnt work, and there was definitely something wrong with the rear end.. So to craigslist I went, and what a surprise, only 3 local results -_- well I found one for $1800 and I'm going to check it out on sunday. Also the b-body wagon will be my next car, no exceptions... I've kinda fallen in love with it for some reason and I don't know why... I'm preferring buick, seeing how its more grandpa esque, and its a 94, so that means lt1, right? I hope to god so....

Anyways, is there anything I should really be looking at as far as common issues? I know the spare tire well seems to rot out commonly...

Thanks!!
-Drew

Welcome!

Yup, the 94 is an LT1. Make sure the tranny works good, shifts properly etc. Common places where they rot: rear lower fenders, "D" pillars (on either side of rear window and give it a good look underneath.

Tom C.

Spend more on a better one, if you can.  I've bought cheap ones and expensive ones and the expensive ones are ALWAYS more cost-effective in the long run.

Where are you located?

As you have already been told,stay clear of the rustbuckets no matter how cheap the price.If you have to go south for a rustfree wagon,paging texas Mike in 5 4 3 2 1!

I'm from Long Island NY. Had the guy take pictures of the under body and frame, surprisingly looks like only surface rust. Tranny has only 20,000 on it, front end was just re done too. Hopefully it turns out alright. The paint is faded to ****, but I have friends that are painters..

Oh and the body/motor has 150k

150 is fine as long as it hasnt been beat on. i have a 94 with 223k on the orig motor. i bought the car at 135 and the tranny had been done.

other things to look for, mech fan = towing pkg and 2.93 rear vs. base 2.56. also spid tag in tailgate area g80 = posi rear.

schmittz wrote:

. I've kinda fallen in love with it for some reason and I don't know why...Drew

It's not love... With that wide rear end, it's more actually more like a sexually transmitted disease.


Dave

Sprocket wrote:

 also spid tag in tailgate area g80 = posi rear.

wait, what?? ^^

Ok, so here's my previous ride:


And here's what I'm looking at now:


So Its a regular package, no posi so now a question, anybody use a "lunchbox style" locker??

Welcome aboard! Good luck to you in your search for your first whale, you'll find plenty of great information here and even a little bit of useless info.  

DBeaSSt wrote:

Welcome aboard!  Good luck to you in your search for your first whale, you'll find plenty of great information here and even a little bit of useless info.  

well, useless info is better than no info at all

schmittz wrote:

Sprocket wrote:

 also spid tag in tailgate area g80 = posi rear.

wait, what?? ^^

WHen you open the tailgate on the passenger side there should be a sticker with a bunch of codes 3 positions each code, mix of letters and numbers. These are the build codes for different options.

G80=positraction
L05 = 350 engine - 91-93 cars
L03 = 305 engine - 91-93 cars
all 94-96 had LT1 engine (port injected 350) that makes about 85 more HP then the L05.

you can google GM RPO codes and get a looooong list of them so you can decode. the GU* codes denote the rear end gearing (sorry don't have them memorized) although on LT1 cars it easy. If there is a mechanical fan, it's a tow pack car and has 2.93 rear (may or may not have posi). electric fans on a wagon - 2.56 open rear.

Tbi cars had a 2.73 rear or 3.23 with the tow pack, but they all have mech fans so need to see the tag.

Its a 94 lt1, dual electric fans, so open rear
Its ok though, I still like it and will save up for either a locker or a posi rear..

or got to the JY and get a whole rear outta another one. Get a TBI posi with a 3.23 and wake that LT1 up (reflash of computer necessary)

Nothing wrong with the 2.56 rear. I bought one and avgd 23 mpg over 1400 miles. Got 420 miles per tank on the hwy!

I can see why you need a wagon with all that stuff on the roof of the 'yota! lol. Looks like a cool little cruiser.

Uggghhh I went to check it out in person... I'm buying it.

It needs work, but I think thats part of the charm... Its mechanically sound, and hes including a full stet of chrome trim, window motors, dash, carptetting, two cargo covers, and god knows what else for $1,850 total. It rides/drives beautiful and the seats are in good condition. No dents on the body, but the paint is pretty faded.. Underbody is MINT.

Satin Black in spray cans is a popular mod around here, lol. TWO cargo covers? You will be able to sell one of them pretty easily. Mech sound and clean under body is a good start! Look forward to seeing you mod it out. Congrats on the best car buying decision you ever made.

It does have rust under the spare tire well, but I can probably patch that up. Paint, I'm probably gonna go with satin burgandy.. Window is off the track on the one side, he said something about two plastic pieces being broken, but its up for now, and doesn't leak..

window rollers, common issue on the breed not to hard to fix

Sprocket wrote:

window rollers, common issue on the breed not to hard to fix

Alright, sweet!