Ok, so I have been looking to trade my truck (1996 dodge ram 1500 2wd v-6 5 speed) for a fox body cougar or bird. No luck yet. I saw a '69 buick riviera with a 430 motor in great condition, all original (so he says). I emailed him on a whim asking if he would consider a trade for the truck. Never heard back from him, until today, when he reply's "When do you want to make the swap?" I don't know if I should hold out for a fox, or just get it.????? Let me know what you guys think!!!!!!!
http://http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/1086149634.html (http://"http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/1086149634.html")
Here are some pictures of my truck.....
If the Riv is in good shape I'd go for it. That's just me, though - I've always loved those cars...
I have too. Even the newer ones. I am definitly going to check it out, especially if it's in as good a condition as he says...
I have always seen the Rivera as a wanna be buick cougar. if you like it go for it.
From a side view it kinda does I think the shifter is pretty cool too.
Just make sure you look it over for rust. 9 times out of 10 people decide to sell cars because it has a prob that they don't want to fix. I hate to be the downer here but be careful, I'd hate to see you get screwed.
I would try and do some research on them and common problem areas. Such as strut tower rust for us. That is commonly over looked by a first time Fox owner.
Pull the carpet up, truck carpet, inspect the bottom of the 1/4 for repair (bondo).
any sign of rust starting around the windows
Past history, including storage, drive time, seasons.
Just a few ideas I came up with. I would try and make a list. I dont know about you but I forget half the I wanted to look for when I go over something that I want.
And what are those wires coming out of your fuse box?
Looks like the 430 Buick V8 had around 360 Hp in its day (I'm sure a few horsies have escaped in the years). If it has hidden headlights I would check and make sure they operate correctly, if not it may be a pain to fix (Good learning opportunity here). In the end this will be a car you will have memories with. I cannot stress this one point enough, make sure you check the car over 100% for rust, this means you need to keep a cool head and try not to get too excited (I have this problem) remember this car is much older than our cars so that means it has a head start on rust and could possess more rust than you realize. I think you should go for it.
I have done a little research on it, just general stuff, but I will be looking deeper to find the problem area's. I do expect a little rust, but if it's somewhere that is a real problem area (strut towers, frame, ect.) then that would definitly be a deal breaker. I'm not gonna rush it and buy a lemon without really looking over it good, and
try to remember everything i want to look at and make sure it is in decent shape. My truck ain't the best looker, but it is
reliable and rot free.
They are the previous owners rigged way of putting some stupid speaker/light combo's on the door speakers. They don't light up anymore (I made sure of that) but just never removed all the wiring. I don't mess with or even drive the truck much, so I don't really worry 'bout stuff like that. It is an eyesore now that i see it in picture. Nad the red wire is the foglights. They need to be tied to something.
I'm going to look at it tomorrow. He left me his number this time, we talked for a good while about his car. His father was the original owner! He said it had 69,000 original miles - heat and a/c still work. Vinyl top and front seats need recovred, it needs tires, rear shocks, and paint. He said as far as he knew there wasn't any rust, as it was kept in a garage most of it's life up until about a year ago, but I will be the judge of that lol. Man, I hope this deal works out, it's a badass car. I especially like the shifter....
They are a beautiful car, and I am sure if this goes down without issues you will have a car to hold on to for many years. That is the kind of car you hold on to and have many memories with. Take good care of it and it will return the favor and look pretty cool while doing it. I assume you are a younger fella (I'm not real old myself) this is the kind of car we always wish we could have but can never afford Not to mention how many 20 year olds own 60's Riveras? Enjoy!
I know it, man. Yea, I'm only 20 (my 21st is actually next month - my wife got me Metallica tickets as an early present, even though the show isn't untill september lol) and it has always been a dream to have a car like that(although a '67 XR-7 would be my first choice). Hell, I can get a base model Dodge any day of the week around here, I'll miss the convenience of the truck though.
Well look at it this way. Keep it for a while and maybe even sell it sometime. You know I am sure a Riv will sell for around the same price as an older Cougar. I always dreamt of having a 60's cougar too :D.
Oh, I'm sure I would enjoy it for a while (the 360 minus some hp and 475 lb-ft of torque mostly) but as always I will still be longing for an 87-88 cougar.
Well hang on to the Riv for a while and I am sure that will make you happy for the itme being. :D
Yea,it's not lookin too good now, cuz I just sent him some more pictures, and he says the paint is rough and he wants some cash too. , I'm never gonna get rid of this truck. Oh, well, the search continues.....
Well hang in there. Someone will be out there that wants a fullsize truck. How much cash did he want?
1000 - says it would be to get it painted, but thats bs.
Yeah thats a bullshiznit. I'd tell him he needs to find another sucker. Keep the truck and keep looking You'll find another fox of some sort sooner or later. It took me around 4-5 years to get mine. Just hang in there. I've kinda lost my excitement of my car as of late but give it time and I'll be back into it.
More like the other way around, the Rivera's were on the street four years before the first Cougar...
Really the first Cougs were just fancied up Stangs, the Rivs, Tbirds, etc were true personal luxury rides...
Assuming the Buick is solid, a grand and the truck is still a screamin' deal...
Yeah that actually would be. Id DEFINITELY go for it assuming I had the liquid cash of course. But those are sweet rides...60s buicks are just really solid. That 430 will roast em too :evilgrin:
My favorites are the first gen and the boattail ones.
If I had the cash, I would be buying an '87 Cougar. It's my favorite car, hands down. Can't wait till I get another.
Well...yes. Im sure. Hopefully ya get a good one someday soon man. :D
Yep. As always, it's in the making...
Well, this little deal is still bieng negotiated....:D Guess the guy figures he aint getting what he wants for his car, heard from him again this evening;)
Ha, he's calling you. That means he's getting desperate, so now it's your turn. Try out his car and tell him the motor seems down a little on power. Then tell him you'll need $1000 cash from him to put towards a motor rebuild. lol. Whatever happens, good luck!!
I'd go for the rivi, but I may be a little bias
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa74/4bangen/DSCI0042-1.jpg)
Thats a good idea, when I didn't email him back he dropped it down to 800 lol. I think I will wait a little longer, and email him back. And yes, he is getting desperate lol
Niiiiiice, looks like you may end up with it yet :D, should be good fun.
How much could/would you give cash with the truck?
Right now, none. I have my ways of getting cash though, probably around 500 or so.
Then when you email him back tell him you just cant do that much cash. At the most you could do is 500. The deal is getting more involved now with the amount of time it is taking so I would try and keep the bullshiznitting to a minimum. Just to make it easier. All depends on how good you are at it and how good he is.
x2. DVP has a really good point here. If you really want the car and thats about all you can get, go for it!
Well I was straight up with him the whole time. Sent him an ass load of pictures of the truck, especially ones that showed where the paint was worse (that was my very first email to him, and he responded back "when do you want to make the swap?") So I kinda got pissed when he later asked for money on top of the deal after setting time to go check it out, and agreeing on an even trade. I hat getting the run-around from people, and I hate bullshiznittin' too. A quick trade is really what I was looking for, and he has been beating around the bush, holding me on by a thread until a possible better deal comes his way, then I'm out. Screw that, he can keep his car, and hold on to it for however long he wants, as I have lost interest in it now anyway. I have always been a Ford man at heart, and that Riviera would have gotten in the way of me getting a Cougar. I admit, from the pictures it looked nice and I was excited for a while, but after emailing him a million times, and calling him once, only for him not to answer my calls after that, I am done with this loser.
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Well don't worry man, you'll get another fox cat/bird.
:iagree: Bro you'll have to just keep on looking friend. ;)
I'd give a nut for that riviera. That's just me. I love my beat up bird, but nothing replaces big block sound and power.
Yea, the Riv is nice, and a classic, but nothing will replace that feeling I get when I look at a cougar (:catbang: Oh yeah!). An '83 ls was my first car, so naturally (and luckily) I really got into liking them. Almost every car I have had since I was 16 was a cat - minus the POS grand prix gtp and the toyota camry - Like 6 cougars (fox's and mn-12's). Well anyways, time to save up and find one
HMMMM.Makes mine seem like quite a deal doesn't it?I was squiggles with it in front of the house just a few minutes ago.
A Riviera takes a special buyer.I have a 68' with a 70 455,White,Buckets and consloe shift,RARE factory posi trac and it's a Washington state car meaning no major rust issues.Well worth the $2800 I have been asking and no takers.Not even lookers........It leaves massive positrac smokers for at least 100ft.
You can never replace that Buick torque.BUICK is the TORQUE king!
I'm sure something will come along in your price range,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvfL6JpRzzMPatience..
YES! Buick IS the torque king. The 1970 455 is unbeatable, especially the Stage 1 engine found in the GSX. Id LOVE one of those. 510 lb-ft. Nuuuuuts.
Nothing like an old torque monster for an occasional burnout!:burnout:
I have won more street races with big old Buicks back in the day than I can remember.My 73' boat tail and 63' nailhead 401 were some sleeper favorites!