TheCrimsonStar
Tech Monkey
Alright so I have a 1992 Pontiac Bonneville SE. It's green, been used pretty much daily since it was bought. My grandfather bought it brand new, used it and gave it to me when I got my learner's permit at 16 years old, not too long after he put a brand new transmission and suspension in it. Oh and my grandfather is a retired mechanic, so he kept it in really good condition. Free car ftw.
Anyway...I need a new car. This one's got an engine issue that neither me or my dad have the time to fix. I could give it to my grandfather and let him fix it (he's bored at home with nothing to do, he rebuilt my dad's jeep engine for him. Heh.) but that would leave me without a car, and both my parents have active schedules. My work shifts always change so it just wouldn't work for me to not have a car. So here's the pros of the car:
Pretty good engine, 3.8L V6. Same exact one my mom's 2001 Chevy Impala LS has.
A/C, heat work perfectly.
19MPG city/24MPG Highway (My grandfather claims this was higher than when he had it) (Also only gets that when the engine's working right, more on that in the cons)
All the little stuff (windshield wipers, power lock doors (what car DOESN'T have this nowadays?) windows work fine, tilt steering, REALLY roomy.
Aftermarket stereo head unit/front/rear speakers w/ Amplifier wiring already run to the trunk (All Pioneer equipment).
Now for the cons...
Slight oil leak loses about 1/2Qt/month. nothing big.
Driver's rear strut needs replacing (squeaks and bangs when turning or on bumpy road)
Driver's side front brakes and rotor need replacing. I bought Duralast stuff last time I replaced these....so I get them for free. Lifetime warranty ftw.
And the big one...the engine issue. I think I have narrowed it down to the Intake Plenum Gasket, which I have already bought. To replace the gasket you have to take apart the whole fuel injection assembly, and neither me or my dad feel confident enough to do it, much less have the time to do it. Anyway, here's what the issue is. Whenever I'm driving for a while, you know 30 minutes and up, if I try to push the car into passing gear, or simply accelerate (after said driving for a while) the engine start's acting like it's choking for fuel. It'll rev, stop, rev, stop, rev, stop, until I let off the gas. Problem is, once this starts, it keeps happening until I'm going too slow to drive on the road and I have to pull over. If I shut the car off and let it cool down, I can drive it again for a while before it acts up again. Now, my engine is NOT overheating. Antifreeze level is fine, temps are fine, and my radiator works fine. My theory is that since the plenum gasket is leaking (mechanic told me this during a routine check-up while getting my tires changed), once the car gets warm...the gaps or cracks in the gasket become bigger and my engine is sucking in air into the cylinders. If you know a good bit about cars, this is a pretty simple fix if you have the time. I only live about 7-8 minutes from where I work, and if it's cool enough on Sundays I can drive 20 minutes to church and 20 minutes back without issue.
Alright...back to what the title says
I got home tonight (about an hour ago actually) to check the KBB value of my car, since 3 of my co-workers showed interest in buying my car from me (even with said issues) once I get another one. I told them, you know maybe ~$300 as-is with these issues. I go to the KBB's website, customize my car (issues and all, AND with 288,000 miles) and click see value. Trade-in value: $658. Private party value: $1,387. I was like WTFBBQ NO WAY. Went through the customization again. Same result. I looked at my screen like this... then after a few seconds...it turned to this:
After texting one of my co-workers this...he offered me $700 for it. That's about what I was thinking of selling it for...because seriously, all those issues and it's worth nearly $1,400? Even if the KBB does say that, I'd still feel like I was ripping someone off. I told him I wouldn't sell it for more than $1,000 and he offered me $700. I may take it, but I need to get another car first. Looking at an Acura Integra or a mid-90's Honda Civic.
Anyway...I need a new car. This one's got an engine issue that neither me or my dad have the time to fix. I could give it to my grandfather and let him fix it (he's bored at home with nothing to do, he rebuilt my dad's jeep engine for him. Heh.) but that would leave me without a car, and both my parents have active schedules. My work shifts always change so it just wouldn't work for me to not have a car. So here's the pros of the car:
Pretty good engine, 3.8L V6. Same exact one my mom's 2001 Chevy Impala LS has.
A/C, heat work perfectly.
19MPG city/24MPG Highway (My grandfather claims this was higher than when he had it) (Also only gets that when the engine's working right, more on that in the cons)
All the little stuff (windshield wipers, power lock doors (what car DOESN'T have this nowadays?) windows work fine, tilt steering, REALLY roomy.
Aftermarket stereo head unit/front/rear speakers w/ Amplifier wiring already run to the trunk (All Pioneer equipment).
Now for the cons...
Slight oil leak loses about 1/2Qt/month. nothing big.
Driver's rear strut needs replacing (squeaks and bangs when turning or on bumpy road)
Driver's side front brakes and rotor need replacing. I bought Duralast stuff last time I replaced these....so I get them for free. Lifetime warranty ftw.
And the big one...the engine issue. I think I have narrowed it down to the Intake Plenum Gasket, which I have already bought. To replace the gasket you have to take apart the whole fuel injection assembly, and neither me or my dad feel confident enough to do it, much less have the time to do it. Anyway, here's what the issue is. Whenever I'm driving for a while, you know 30 minutes and up, if I try to push the car into passing gear, or simply accelerate (after said driving for a while) the engine start's acting like it's choking for fuel. It'll rev, stop, rev, stop, rev, stop, until I let off the gas. Problem is, once this starts, it keeps happening until I'm going too slow to drive on the road and I have to pull over. If I shut the car off and let it cool down, I can drive it again for a while before it acts up again. Now, my engine is NOT overheating. Antifreeze level is fine, temps are fine, and my radiator works fine. My theory is that since the plenum gasket is leaking (mechanic told me this during a routine check-up while getting my tires changed), once the car gets warm...the gaps or cracks in the gasket become bigger and my engine is sucking in air into the cylinders. If you know a good bit about cars, this is a pretty simple fix if you have the time. I only live about 7-8 minutes from where I work, and if it's cool enough on Sundays I can drive 20 minutes to church and 20 minutes back without issue.
Alright...back to what the title says
I got home tonight (about an hour ago actually) to check the KBB value of my car, since 3 of my co-workers showed interest in buying my car from me (even with said issues) once I get another one. I told them, you know maybe ~$300 as-is with these issues. I go to the KBB's website, customize my car (issues and all, AND with 288,000 miles) and click see value. Trade-in value: $658. Private party value: $1,387. I was like WTFBBQ NO WAY. Went through the customization again. Same result. I looked at my screen like this... then after a few seconds...it turned to this: After texting one of my co-workers this...he offered me $700 for it. That's about what I was thinking of selling it for...because seriously, all those issues and it's worth nearly $1,400? Even if the KBB does say that, I'd still feel like I was ripping someone off. I told him I wouldn't sell it for more than $1,000 and he offered me $700. I may take it, but I need to get another car first. Looking at an Acura Integra or a mid-90's Honda Civic.
