Looking for your Opinion: 98 Olds Intrigue Sell or Part Out?

[JBMark33]

Hey everyone, it's been a long time, but I am looking for some advice on what to do with my mom's 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue.

Here's the deal: I have a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue that needs some work to be inspected. It's a '98 with 135k on the L36-4T65E combo, leather seats, dual climate control, premium sound and is really a nice car. All the tires are about 1 year old (plenty of tread left), and aluminum framkes lower intake gaskets (and elbows) have already been installed as preventative maintenance. The problem is, it needs some work to get inspected, here in PA. I am considering either selling it as-is on craigslist, or parting it out. To be inspected it needs the pinch welds fixed and cat-back exhaust repaired. Also, it has issues filling with gas (the pump keeps shutting off before it's full), passenger cv boot is twisted and I believe that the driver's side air-mix actuator is acting up. Well, it's my mom's car and she doesn't have the money to get it repaired, so I was wondering if I should try to sell it outright on craigslist and whether it would be worth the time to part it out. The powertrain and literally everything else I haven't mentioned is in really great shape.

Since the 3800 Series II and the transmission are so reliable, there really is no need for parts in the junk yards. The local yard offered me $150 to drop it off. I thought I could surely sell the car, part it out or find someone who can fix it. It's tough to consider these options, because the interior and the rest of the car is in such great shape.

Thanks ahead of time, I appreciate your honesty!

[00Beast]

Sounds like it would be a decent car for a new driver. Throw it on CL for $2k and it'll probably be gone in a few days. The question is if she doesn't have the money to fix this one, how's she going to pay for another car that will pass inspection?

[JBMark33]

Shes driving my 2000 Pontiac Bonneville SE. In March I bought a 2006 Chevy Cobalt SS, so I'm just letting her drive it until she gets some money. My parents are getting a divorce and she just started a new job.

Thanks for the advice, I'm gonna throw it up on Craigslist this evening.

[BonneMe]

Why is there damage to the pinch welds? Sounds like it's been hit some...

If you do sell it, I would just say you've been meaning to sell it, and don't want to pay for inspection... Don't be forthcoming about all the items it needs, maybe mention obvious ones.

[JBMark33]

The pinch welds are not doing so hot from all the winter driving and salt. They're rusting out.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

Sounds like my car. The pinch welds are goners. As well as the passenger rear wheel well, which is going to disintegrate any second now.

[JBMark33]

Here's the pictures, I think they clearly depict how well of shape it's in.. well maybe there's a bit of rust.

[Bing]

Shoot for that I'd say $2,200 that way when they offer 2,000 its no big deal. Or who knows maybe somebody will bite at 2,200 you'll/she'll be 200$ richer, never know unless you try.

You could also possibly post it for surrounding states that don't have the inspection requirements. You might be surprised to see how far some people will go to get a half way decent vehicle for a decent price nowadays.

Just my 2 cents.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

Your floor pan is SHOT!!!!! That being said, somebody can patch that up for about $700 or so if they DIY.

I'm half-tempted to do the same with my LeSabre. Disclose the issues and sell it for more than I'd get trading it in.