YACT: 86 Olds Cutlass 442

[fbrdphreak]

Anyone know anything about an 86 Olds Cutlass Supreme 442? My Dad is a complete moron and wants to spend his bonus on a car, despite the fact that he is still in debt. There's an 86 "442" one of his employees is selling and he thinks he can get it for $500. Interior is pretty beat up and needs a paint job, supposedly good mechanical condition. According to Wiki these were still RWD (Buick Grand National body style) with the 5.0L LG8 engine.

Any particular things to look at on it? Any suggestions in general?

I'm still trying to talk him out of it. He wouldn't even work on it himself, he'd just have a guy he knows do the interior/exterior work. If he thinks he's gonna get a decently presentable and mechanically sound car out of that for $3000 including the cost of the car, he's out of his mind. There will be stuff mechanically wrong.

Gah, family....

 

[MikeMike]

flip the first two numbers and buy it.

but, as an 86? i dunno.

try and tell him to find a Fiero, it will be more fun than anything, specifically an 88 Fiero GT.

 

[wetcat007]

Unless your Dad is a mechanic I wouldn't recommend it

 

[fbrdphreak]

He's got enough connections that he can get anything he needs fixed, but he's crazy if he thinks $2.5K will turn this $500 car into a presentable weekend cruiser, much less a reliable one. He's just jealous because my gf just bought a 92 Camaro police package car and I'm doing a lot of work on it (with help)

 

[Black88GTA]

Well, it's kind of rare.

Only 4,273 produced in 1986.

Other than that...the GM 305 was a reliable workhorse, but not exactly known as a performance engine - probably somewhat inadequate for that heavy car. OTOH, parts would be dirt cheap (except for 442 specific items) and the car would be super easy to work on.

I guess it could be OK as long as the body is in decent shape and it runs alright. If nothing else, you could probably flip it on Ebay for a lot more than $500 just because of what it is.

 

[PAB]

Ok, if you think I'm a total BS artist, don't listen to this but.....

Me and my business partner buy and sell old cars.

Any Oldsmobile made after 1972 isn't worth owning.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: PAB
Ok, if you think I'm a total BS artist, don't listen to this but.....

Me and my business partner buy and sell old cars.

Any Oldsmobile made after 1972 isn't worth owning.

other than the Aurora.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
Well, it's kind of rare.

Only 4,273 produced in 1986.

Other than that...the GM 305 was a reliable workhorse, but not exactly known as a performance engine - probably somewhat inadequate for that heavy car. OTOH, parts would be dirt cheap (except for 442 specific items) and the car would be super easy to work on.

I guess it could be OK as long as the body is in decent shape and it runs alright. If nothing else, you could probably flip it on Ebay for a lot more than $500 just because of what it is.

That's another thought he had. He can get the interior/body work done at cost and if it is mechanically sound, he can flip it for a little extra money in his pocket. Frankly I think that is a waste of time because he could end up having a car that won't sell, and end up losing money.

You'd think him being in debt since his 20's would give him incentive to get out of debt before he wastes bonus money and refi's the house to add-on to it :roll: Ugh

 

[SuperSix]

It wouldn't be a bad investment over a few years, as Black88GTA said, they are relatively rare, and there's tons of parts available for repair. ( http://www.gbodyparts.com )

It's not by any means fast, but the value will go up on it - over a few years at least. It would be a great father/son project, but you don't sound like you care much for your father in the first place.

It's a RWD G-Body (Regal/Monte Carlo/Cutlass), the last of those rolled off the line in 88, not sure

You should check the following to make sure it's authentic:

The eighth digit of the VIN should be "9"
RPO code W42 on the RPO sticker (located in the trunklid)
Dual snorkel air cleaner with a chrome cover
Dual outlet exhaust system.
1987 (Only) will have a 120mph speedometer (non-Canadian cars)
8.5" Ring Gear in 3.73:1 ratio differential (anti-spin optional)

Also - if it has an RPO code of "G80" on the trunk build sticker (3:73 posi rear end), the read end may be worth $500.00 alone. (Same rear used on posi Grand Nationals)

 

[sash1]

if he can drive a manual, i have a '94 protege I need to sell.

 

[Zenmervolt]

The Chevy 305 (5.0 litre) is not the most well-liked Chevy V8. It's reliable enough, but as mentioned it's regarded as kind of a wuss. Overall the car seems like a neutered version of the Buick GNX.

ZV

 

[Demon-Xanth]

IMO, a bad year.

Between about 1972 and 1988 pretty much everything was junk. The laws and the market was changing so fast the auto manufacturers couldn't keep up, and even the highest quality car available during those years would struggle to keep up with the lowest quality car built today. Slow, heavy, and choked.

 

[Toastedlightly]

make sure it isn't a Calias clone of a 442. And 80s 442 is nothing.

 

[SuperSix]

Ignorance abounds... :disgust:

They do not have a Chevy 305. It's an Olds 305, a smaller version of the Rocket 350, and yes, they can barely get out of their own way (150hp, IIRC), even with a 4Bbl carb. Nearly indesctuctible motor, it's the same block Olds used in their failed Diesel V8 in the early 80's (With VERY minor mods) The horrible flow of the cyliner heads is the main problem.

They are no where NEAR the class of GNX. (GNX = Limited edition Turbo Regal, Only 541 produced, mint examples selling upwards of 60k on Ebay)

Yes, they are an average American RWD coupe from the 80's, with all of there inperfections, AND with the benefit of most parts being EXTREMELY inexpensive to replace.

No, they aren't the badass 442's that roamed the streets in the late 60's/early 70's, yet they are still collectable and sought after cars.

Demon - So using your logic the Buick Grand National/T-Type/T are slow/heavy/choked?
The Turbo Regal (Based on the same frame as the Cutlass) is no more heavy than a large amount of mid-size cars today, and is still feared on the streets...

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: SuperSix
Ignorance abounds... :disgust:

They do not have a Chevy 305. It's an Olds 305, a smaller version of the Rocket 350, and yes, they can barely get out of their own way (150hp, IIRC), even with a 4Bbl carb. Nearly indesctuctible motor, it's the same block Olds used in their failed Diesel V8 in the early 80's (With VERY minor mods) The horrible flow of the cyliner heads is the main problem.

They are no where NEAR the class of GNX. (GNX = Limited edition Turbo Regal, Only 541 produced, mint examples selling upwards of 60k on Ebay)

Yes, they are an average American RWD coupe from the 80's, with all of there inperfections, AND with the benefit of most parts being EXTREMELY inexpensive to replace.

No, they aren't the badass 442's that roamed the streets in the late 60's/early 70's, yet they are still collectable and sought after cars.

Demon - So using your logic the Buick Grand National/T-Type/T are slow/heavy/choked?
The Turbo Regal (Based on the same frame as the Cutlass) is no more heavy than a large amount of mid-size cars today, and is still feared on the streets...

Close... its a 307 Olds motor. Also in 86 it came with a updated cam and lifter setup so the power was a little higher. The early 80's Hurst olds cars had the 150hp motor that I think you are thinking of.

I had a buddy that had a couple of early 80's Hurst olds with the lighthing rods. I did a good amount of work on them.

Only good thing about the 307... you could pull it and put in a better Olds motor that would fit.

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: SuperSix
Ignorance abounds... :disgust:

They do not have a Chevy 305. It's an Olds 305, a smaller version of the Rocket 350, and yes, they can barely get out of their own way (150hp, IIRC), even with a 4Bbl carb. Nearly indesctuctible motor, it's the same block Olds used in their failed Diesel V8 in the early 80's (With VERY minor mods) The horrible flow of the cyliner heads is the main problem.

They are no where NEAR the class of GNX. (GNX = Limited edition Turbo Regal, Only 541 produced, mint examples selling upwards of 60k on Ebay)

Yes, they are an average American RWD coupe from the 80's, with all of there inperfections, AND with the benefit of most parts being EXTREMELY inexpensive to replace.

No, they aren't the badass 442's that roamed the streets in the late 60's/early 70's, yet they are still collectable and sought after cars.

Demon - So using your logic the Buick Grand National/T-Type/T are slow/heavy/choked?
The Turbo Regal (Based on the same frame as the Cutlass) is no more heavy than a large amount of mid-size cars today, and is still feared on the streets...

Close... its a 307 Olds motor. Also in 86 it came with a updated cam and lifter setup so the power was a little higher. The early 80's Hurst olds cars had the 150hp motor that I think you are thinking of.

I had a buddy that had a couple of early 80's Hurst olds with the lighthing rods. I did a good amount of work on them.

Only good thing about the 307... you could pull it and put in a better Olds motor that would fit.

Doh! It's like I hadn't owned 2 of them! (They were also used on the V8 Buick Regals of the time) They did have a decnet amount of torque though.

And OP - That engine code is for a 3.1V6 - Are you sure it's an "LG8" motor?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_GM_VIN_codes

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: SuperSix
And OP - That engine code is for a 3.1V6 - Are you sure it's an "LG8" motor?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_GM_VIN_codes

I was just going by the Wiki page that talked about the 85-87 Cutlass Supreme 442

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_442#1985-1987
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_V8_engine#LG8

I think I've talked him out of it. Altho he did confirm to me today that they are out of debt except for the house and cars; I'm sure there's a little left, but it sounds like he finally got out of the hole. Then he's gonna go re-fi the house and get into more just for an addition :roll:

And no I don't hate my father; this would be a fun father-son project, but I'm 22, live an hour away, and have my own project car plus a full-time job; no spare time for that!

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: SuperSix
Demon - So using your logic the Buick Grand National/T-Type/T are slow/heavy/choked?
The Turbo Regal (Based on the same frame as the Cutlass) is no more heavy than a large amount of mid-size cars today, and is still feared on the streets...

That was one of the few exceptions. (along with the 25th Anniversery Firebird which shared the same engine) At the time the 454 in the SS454 truck got a whopping 230HP, my first car's 1.6L engine put out a now lawnmower like 77HP. The Corvette for a year had a standard 165HP engine and an optional 185HP engine.

The GN/T-type/GNX is one of the few cars from the '80s that will ever be a classic.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: PAB
Ok, if you think I'm a total BS artist, don't listen to this but.....

Me and my business partner buy and sell old cars.

Any Oldsmobile made after 1972 isn't worth owning.

other than the Aurora.

Especially the Aurora. They are pretty much worthless.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: SuperSix
Ignorance abounds... :disgust:

They do not have a Chevy 305. It's an Olds 305, a smaller version of the Rocket 350, and yes, they can barely get out of their own way (150hp, IIRC), even with a 4Bbl carb. Nearly indesctuctible motor, it's the same block Olds used in their failed Diesel V8 in the early 80's (With VERY minor mods) The horrible flow of the cyliner heads is the main problem.

They are no where NEAR the class of GNX. (GNX = Limited edition Turbo Regal, Only 541 produced, mint examples selling upwards of 60k on Ebay)

Yes, they are an average American RWD coupe from the 80's, with all of there inperfections, AND with the benefit of most parts being EXTREMELY inexpensive to replace.

No, they aren't the badass 442's that roamed the streets in the late 60's/early 70's, yet they are still collectable and sought after cars.

Demon - So using your logic the Buick Grand National/T-Type/T are slow/heavy/choked?
The Turbo Regal (Based on the same frame as the Cutlass) is no more heavy than a large amount of mid-size cars today, and is still feared on the streets...

Interesting, I was thinking that the only chevy 5.0 was the 305 that was a bored version of the 262 with a 350 crank.

I can see where my GNX reference can be taken wrong. Only meant that it's the same generic body style (G-Body) as the GNX. I looks kinda like the GNX only it's slow was all I meant.

ZV

 

[PAB]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: PAB
Ok, if you think I'm a total BS artist, don't listen to this but.....

Me and my business partner buy and sell old cars.

Any Oldsmobile made after 1972 isn't worth owning.

other than the Aurora.

Especially the Aurora. They are pretty much worthless.

This man speaks truth, the Aurora is useless.

 

[0]

Get the Hurst / Olds.