So I found a 1996 Buick Riviera that has been wrecked and the guy told me he would sell me the entire car for 500 bucks.

The only problem is that the car has 170k miles on it. I know you want the engine and transmission to be as new as possible, but how would the entire thing fare after rebuilding the motor?

Lemme know what ya'll think please!

 

With that many miles on the body, and all of the terrain parts I wouldn't bother about rebuilding the motor & trans.
I'd just have it as a daily driver and keep up with the regular maintenance.

 

I'm not quite sure what you're referring to when you say terrain parts and keeping the car for a daily driver and keep up maintenance.

What are terrain parts?
Keep which car as a daily driver? My 02 Monte Carlo or the wrecked 96 SC Riviera?

 

I overlooked the wrecked part, i guess that being a dd is out the window:P

I don't know much how much longer after a rebuilt engine and trans would fare.
There's a few in here that may give you a better idea.
How much are you looking to spend on the rebuild? it's not cheap.

 

i dont really have a limit on what i would spend on rebuilding. im not loaded by any means, but if i spent 5 grand over the next 6 months rebuilding it, i wouldnt cry about it.

well 5 grand over 6 months may be stretching it a little. i could do that in 8 or 9 months comfortably i guess.

in any case, i do want to build the motor to put out more than stock power, but i dont need an 8 second alcohol car either.

my monte is my daily at the moment, but i could rent a car for a week to make sure its all patched up and debugged. so i dunno what to do really.

 

If you were going to put more money into the engine/trans, I wouldnt even bother with the riviera. Spend a little more (probably not much more really) and find a lower mileage engine/trans out of a newer car. Those Rivieras were heavier than the montes and GPs. That trans after 174k is probably on its last leg. Its also not hard to believe if it was rebuilt once already and probably already wore out a second time. Also, rebuilding a 3800 is kinda pointless. It will most likely not be as strong or last as long as the stock rotating assembly would. I would pass on the deal and find something else if all you want from the car is the engine/trans.

 

great reply. thank you. ill look for a much lower mileage one.