Howdy Guys,

I'm tossed between these 2 vehicles here for a winter beater. After all the money I've soaked into body work to A. repair previous winter damage and among other things, fix other damage, I think it's stupid to drive the Monte in the winter anymore.

With my commutes I'm almost doubling what I used to put on a car in a year, so I also don't want to be racking them up on my truck (and honestly, this truck doesn't handle well in the winter, even with sand bags in back). But I do prefer RWD for winter driving, so these are the 2 I've found.

1995 Buick Roadmaster > KDK Auto Brokers Inc. | Brunswick OH

AND

Cars for Sale: 1994 Ford Crown Victoria in Brunswick, OH 44212: Sedan Details - 323163811 - AutoTrader.com

I'm liking the Buick a lot actually - plus, for the price I can pay cash for it. The 180k has me a bit nervous, I don't know a whole lot about those engines. The Crown Vic is nice on the miles, though.

The RoadMaster has a 5.7L V8 rated at 260hp. Anyone familiar with the engine, how reliable is it in the long run? I'm going to check them both over tomorrow and then run them to my mechanic.

 

The buick has an iron head LT1 i believe so itll have optispark which is known for being a pain, i nvr had any issues with my camaro though

 

Is 180,000 a lot for one of those engines? Yes it's got the iron head LT1

 

so wait you prefer RWD in winter? Thats got me lost lol I was going to say don't the truck have 4x4? Anyway I'm not a huge fan of crown vics, my brother had the interceptor version with 188k it was a beast of a car but it was hard to keep a trans in them.

 

Nope, the trucks 2-wheel. Really, I prefer RWD ALL the time, but in NE Ohio winters... you can be pushing through 4-8 inches of snow before they get to plow the streets. I have more control over a RWD car.

 

Not really sure on miles being too many i see alot of camaros being beatin to the ground with 160k on em, just drive it & see how it runs, look & see if the waterpump is leaking if it is than deff walk away & i like rwd in winter its alot easier to control

 

Thanks Mike - I was curious about that myself actually after seeing where the pump is. Some people say a good opti should be well sealed, though, so they think the pump dripping on it is a crock. But I'll be sure to check that first.

Found out it'll be a sinch to remove that home plate silencer on the intake, by plugging it with a hockey puck.

 

Huh maybe I'm weird. Its awesome to hear people still drive with just rwd in winter for sure. When I had my 85 impala as a winter car it was a pain to take corners without spinning out, but when i felt myself sliding i just let of the gas and it controlled it pretty well. It was still a pain getting out of driveways though lol.

 

Save your money and use the 2000 Monte for winter and look into a newer Monte with the 3.8 in it.......

 

I have way to much into mine to screw it up as a winter beater. Over 2 grand in body work alone. I don't really want a 3.8 monte either. Mine sounds better

I'm just looking at the Buick because it's so cheap. But hopefully what they say about cheap s*** doesn't apply here.