[Super Sport]

New car idea (a Scooby Baja)! Scroll down to post #17 for details!












Ok, so I'm just going to do this in one big thread, and just change the title as the car in question changes.

Today, I found a 1986 Cutlass Ciera GT Convertible for sale. It's 7 hours away from me. He's asking $2000. There were only 814 Ciera Convertibles made over a 3 year span, and 86 was the last year. I do not believe I've ever seen one in person. It's maroon and gray two-tone, and the seller tells me it's in good shape, although in need of a new top. It's got either 47k or 147k miles.

The GT was a more sporty package, and I'm sure a GT 'vert is very rare. It has vinyl/cloth seats, Buick's 3.8L (150hp 200 lbft), two-tone paint, special emblems, and console shifter.

LINK: http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/2023831853.html

I really am not looking for a 'vert, as I want to find a coupe or sedan to do a L67 3800 S/C engine swap with. I could do it in this, but I'm not sure I want to. I just feel like this is a great deal on a rare car, and it's cheap. There's actually an ever rarer Century 'vert for sale, but I'm not a fan of Century's and it's even farther away.

So what do you think? The seller is supposed to send me pics, and when he does I will post them.

[REVolution]

I have to say, I have never seen a Ciera Vert!

[Super Sport]

Here's the one-of-125-total Century 'verts ever produced: http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/cto/2028413252.html (not the car I'm looking at, but somewhat similar)

He's got his numbers wrong too. There were only 125 produced over 2 MYs.

[REVolution]

Wow, yea, that is rare. I have never ever seen one. Hey, if its everything he says and its in decent shape then go for it. If you are still getting rid of the Jeep to get it though, you want to make sure the top is patched up or fixed. The last thing you want is water or any moisture getting into the interior. You will have mold problems.

[Super Sport]

(11-01-2010 10:03 PM)RevitHigh Wrote:  I have to say, I have never seen a Ciera Vert!

I know! Awfully rare. It'd catch some stares. They weren't actually a factory option, but were coach convertibles done by Hess & Eisenhardt.

I mean, it would be pretty cool to own. It's not necessarily what I'm looking for, but it would make a nice start to my car collection for cheap.

[REVolution]

I say go for it if you think the vehicle is worth it man.

[Floater]

I would say go for it. A unique car like that is always a nice addition to any garage. I can definitely say I've never seen a Cutlass Ciera vert.

Bonus points for not having the Quad Four that GM was pushing back in those days. It was a stout engine, but it was known for grenading itself at low miles. That's exactly what my old Grand Am did.

[Gixser995]

I don't think I have ever seen one, either.

If it's something you like, I say go for it!

[Super Sport]

Well the guy has yet to send me pictures....

It has to look almost like this one though. It is hard to find any pictures of Ciera 'verts, and they changed the style in 86 so that makes it even more difficult!

[lengnert]

My best friend's mother had a non convertible Ciera almost identical to that one pictured. She put a lot of miles and had it for a lot of years.

It was a great car for the time. It rode well and got good mileage.

The one concern I would have if mechanically the car was sound would be the top. Was the conversion company known for making quality mechanicals for the top? Is the top itself (the materials) still in good shape?

I would hate to think you would have a car that ran well, but then had to put dough into fixing the top.

[Super Sport]

The owner told me that the top does have some tears, but it goes up and down just fine. There is so little info on these cars that I have no idea how well H&E made them.

My guess would be that, being the 3rd MY they did the conversion on these cars, they knew what they were doing by then. JCWhitney also sells new tops for these for a couple hundred.

[lengnert]

Well, then it sounds like something worth considering.

Oh, and btw, you gots' to love the ashtray in the back of the drivers seat!! I don't smoke, but I find it almost humorous in looking at older cars how some of the small things have changed over time.

I smell a thread (or is it just the memory of cigarrette smell imbedded in old cars?) coming on about that.

[Super Sport]

Well I think it's more red than the one pictured above. He sent me two pictures today on my phone (he said he couldn't get pics to upload with his dial-up). They really aren't even worth posting...

[ReaganLogan]

use it!!! see how good it is!!!! hahaha

[ArtRiX]

If the car is in good condition and if you like it, IMO you should go for it