katie Posted November 13 Report Share Posted November 13 There's a 1990 Turbo Grand Prix listed a few hours away that's been sitting in a barn for about 20 years. 130k miles. Cosmetically it seems like it's in pretty good shape (hard to tell the difference between clear coat issues and dust from the photos) but the seller mentions "I think it needs master cylinder rebuilt" and doing some research that sounds like a big problem for these cars... I'm trying to understand what options I may have here and how much of a time and money pit the brakes will end up being. Other known issues are tires, battery, and door handle linkage. I haven't contacted the seller yet but I'm assuming it hasn't been started in a long time, so there's also the risk of discovering other big issues after getting things ready to try turning it over again. They're asking $3500, but looking at the Bring a Trailer auction prices for running ones with less miles plus the brake issue I'm hoping I can talk them down quite a bit. rich_e777 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55trucker Posted November 13 Report Share Posted November 13 Being a *TGP* the car will have the PMIII abs system. To repair that will cost you more than it's worth & it was a troublesome system........ is this a southern rust free car? has it been sitting on a concrete pad or in the dirt? if sitting for 20 years expect a mountain of work to put it right..... post up a few photos of the car, especially the underside. jiggity76 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiggity76 Posted November 14 Report Share Posted November 14 (edited) 15 hours ago, 55trucker said: Being a *TGP* the car will have the PMIII abs system. To repair that will cost you more than it's worth & it was a troublesome system........ is this a southern rust free car? has it been sitting on a concrete pad or in the dirt? if sitting for 20 years expect a mountain of work to put it right..... post up a few photos of the car, especially the underside. Well said and I think the region from which a car lives in more important than whether it's been sitting in the dirt or on a pad. My Cutlass sat up in the original owners backyard for at least 9 years if not more. It being a Southern Oklahoma car is the reason why it's not rotted as they don't use any salt in that area thank God. Also, hello 55! Edited November 14 by jiggity76 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katie Posted November 14 Author Report Share Posted November 14 (edited) Yeah, I'm aware about the PMIII which is why I brought the brakes up first. I see people swap out the entire system for a vacuum-boosted setup but actual details or parts lists seem to be few and far between. It's obviously a project, but it's hard to get a feel for just how big of a project it is. It's an Indiana car. Only body rust I see is a bit around the antenna, but they don't have pictures inside the doors. Surface rust underneath but it looks a lot better than I'm used to seeing here in Michigan. It's pretty rural, so I'm guessing it didn't see much salt. Stored on dirt/straw, no obvious signs of rodent damage but obviously I'd be going over wire and every piece of rubber... These things come up so rarely it's hard to judge the value but I'm convinced that they're asking way too much because of the amount of work, unknowns, and mileage. This post was mainly to feel out if it's worth reaching out to the seller for more details and pictures or driving out three hours to see it in person. But the more I'm thinking on it the less likely it seems like this one isn't the one to get even though it's nice cosmetically. The fact that it's been listed for over a month at this point likely means they're not entertaining lowball offers. My first car was a '92 SE, this would have been a fun project. I also realized recently that the back of these only seats two - it's not the bench I remember from the SE. Which kills the "I know from experience we can fit all three kids back there if we have to" argument for it having some practicality as a second car. Not something we would need often, but very nice to have as an option. Edited November 14 by katie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55trucker Posted November 14 Report Share Posted November 14 From my own personal *biased* opinion the engine would have to be able to crank ( i.e. not seized), the turbo would have to do the same, hopefully try to fire with the aid of some starting fluid up the intake snorkel. Expect the alternator to be seized, the coolant pump may be in the same boat, a careful inspection of all the plastic vacuum lines for their condition, the coolant hoses would need replacement, etc. Expect to replace ALL of the brake components...calipers, rotors, flex hoses. With regard to the PMIII...the master assembly is mounted to a firewall support that is not the same one used for the non abs system, if one wanted to convert the entire PMIII brake system to vacuum boost one would have to locate a regular non abs car in a salvage yard & go to the effort to disassemble all that is needed to pull that support to install into your project. The chassis would have to be in really good condition, the paint the same......even then, if the powertrain needed an entire rebuild then in reality what you're purchasing is just a rolling chassis & would have to priced as such & the present owner understand that. jiggity76 and pwmin 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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