If you can get the car up on a rack and check out the underside for rust problems. If the rust spots on the body are near or in the fenderwell area pay particular attention to the condition of the quarter panels when you have it up on the rack. Another area to check out is the radiator support.

 

I would also ask for all the maintenace records (invoices) from the seller in order to ensure that a high mileage vehicle has been fully maintained and recieved an addiquate amount of TLC...

 

If it's white and silver I say buy it! Awesome color combo (jk don't buy it just for that)

Is it this one? 2003 MONTE CARLO SS (LIMITED EDITION)

Doesn't look too bad to me.. if it runs good and has had a few things replaced I say go for it.

 

Honestly if it is the one you posted. It dosent look bad but $4000 seems steep to me for 196k

 

I like the color combination too - looks pretty sharp if you ask me.

That's the one!

Just thought I'd give you guys a little bit of an update. At noon I took it for a test drive...came back, told the guy I was interested. He told me that if I came with $3500 cash, it was mine. I finished work for the day and headed over to his place again and he let me take it to our mechanic's shop.
The mechanic got it on his lift and said the bottom-side wasn't too bad and it should last a little while longer.

My mechanic said that the lower intakes were leaking oil, but it wasn't urgent so they won't need to be replaced super soon. After finding out that the lower intakes were leaking, I wasn't sure if I should spend the 3.5k on the car. Talked to an uncle who's also a mechanic, and he said that even if the guy would sell for 3500 I should take it. Went back to the owner's place and we settled on $3400.

Aside from the little bit of rust, i'm pretty stoked about the car. It looks great, and it should be some fun to drive (that's what counts, right?).

Now that I actually own a Monte, I'm sure you guys will see me here a little more often asking how to clean it up a bit. Definitely looking forward to it!

 

Congrats!
BTW - Doing lower intake gaskets (LIM) on a 3800, IMO is a BREEZE!!! I'd do them sooner then later and get yourself the FelPro aluminum gaskets (the old nylon gaskets go bad around 80-120Km they SUCK). And also make sure to replace the upper intake (UIM) gasket while doing the job.

I looked at that posting, it looks like a nice car, hopefully you can get many good mile out of her.

 

Congrats!

 

congrats!

 

Congrats on the Monte!

 

awesome, congrats............