Buying a Spare Buick

Found a 2002 Buick Regal locally. Sitting with no tags. Anyway, I ask to see if it's for sale and said she would get back with me. She said it may need a gasket replaced. Car over all look decent. Read on the internet that the 2002 Regal came only with a 3.8, this one had a 3.1. Even on Rock Auto they do not show a 3.1 for an option. She want a grand, offering half that. No pixs yet.

 

Century same body as Regal had a 3.1 & 3.3

 

3.1 is 60 degree V-6. Not as robust as the 90 degree Buick V-6.

 

Crazy thing is you look all over the internet and even Rock Auto, shows only a 3.8!

 

Bill, interesting! Didn't realize the Century and the Regal were the same body!

 

The 3.1s were ok. It probably needs a lower intake gasket which is a bit of a job but easy enough. Its eas to tell, take a look towards the valley and you'll see coolant. They did pop head gaskets once in awhile though.

 

Thanks for your follow-up. If she takes my offer the first thing is a compression test.

 

Intake gasket as Joe said..notorious on them

 

I sold buicks in 2000/2001 regal only had 3.8 then supercharger on the gs 3.8

 

Found another one to look at, 2000 LeSabre. Report back tomorrow. This is more my style .

 

If Regal must be a 3.8
Are you sure it isn't a Century AL?

 

I think you are correct! The Regal was a 3800 and the Cenury was a 3100.

 

Went to look at 2000 LeSabre, too many cosmetic issues, head liner stapled up, drywall screws holding the dash together, clear coat lifting, cigarette burns in the carpet, velcro sections glided on dash, and yellow glazed head lights. The 2002 Century was way better shape.

 

That was when GM was really turning crap out..

 

My mother in law had a ‘98 Park Avenue (FIL got it new as a company car). It was beautiful, rode great, was very comfortable and pleasant to drive when it was new. About 120k, it started to fall apart. Intake blew twice (120k and 150k), paint failed in sheets, mirrors delaminated to sepia opaqueness, security system decided all the keys were fake, the steering rack broke twice (physically broke the housing), coolant elbows leaked and every plastic bit inside squeaked, creaked or broke its tabs and fell off. Power seat switch was dangling by wires, seat belt retractor covers loose in the floor, seat pedestal covers cracked and loose, steering wheel turned into a crumbling nerf cover and bare steel. New it was $27k. Sold it at 170k for $600.
Patrick