YIKES! You Can Buy a RIDICULOUSLY Cheap Classic Car, But Should You? | Buy or Bust Ep.4

[@williamegler8771]

I had the Cadillac as my first car! I was gifted one by my elderly neighbor who could no longer drive. I had done errands and chores for her since I was in middle school and she knew I was looking for a vehicle. It was five years old but only had 10,485 miles on it when I got it. It was in immaculate condition and she even changed the brake pads and the tires before she gave it to me. I drove it through the final two years of high school all the way through college and then all the way through veterinary college and even drove across country to my first real job . Only left me stranded once it all those years from a failed fuel pump relay. Mine was extremely reliable and finally met its end, at 245,000 mi, when it was rear-ended by a Ford F-150 pickup truck at a stoplight. The only thing that didn't work on it was the CD and cassette player. Hardly the greatest car I have ever owned but with proper maintenance they could be quite reliable and how many people can say their first car was a Cadillac?

[@aussie2uGA]

Thats a pretty cool story to have for your first car. People used to give to others much more back in those days too, I think that's an unfortunate trait not often seen now. I'm sure it left an impression on you.

[@bldontmatter5319]

@@aussie2uGA well, cars back then were cheaper thanks to no cash4clunkers programs or any of that nonsense

[@AndrewAMartin]

@That V8 Life Good deeds are their own reward. Why do you feel like you deserve more?

[@dewdew34]

There's a vet around my way Doc Egler...DE/MD area.

[@HemiChrysler]

is 'gifted' an obtuse form of _given_ ?

[@bunky8077]

4:59 That Caddy (well the Opel version) was the car the Australian VT Holden Commodore was based off, which then spawned a 2 door version called the Monaro, which you got stateside as the Pontiac GTO.

[@MikeB4pl]

In Europe hearing "compact" about the biggest Opel model you could buy at that time sounds so funny :D The smallest one was a Opel Corsa with 1.0 engine 55 HP :D 3,7 meter long small city car, than Astra, Vectra (based on it coupe Calibra) and rwd Omega (with 2/2.2 liter inline 4, 2.5 V6 and 3.0/3.2 V6 in top spec, they wanted to make an 5.7 LS V8 version in Europe, but it ended only on a prototype sadly). Oh and they had also a diesel version from .... BMW ? :) the 2.5 tds

[@drmyers85021]

This series is a lot of fun - keep up the great work! The Caddy would've been my personal pick of these three today :)

[@DoctorPrepperMD]

I bought a turbo GL-10 in Montana in 1987! It had a digital dash and turbo! It was amazing. Snow. Death Valley! It went anywhere.

[@matthewcaughey8898]

Those mid 1980s Subarus all had one fatal weakness. The entire rear suspension of the car rests on one gigantic hollow tubular crossmember. The crossmember is absolutely vital to keeping the rear suspension geometry in line and holding the whole back end up. Over time being hollow this component tends to rust quite badly ( this is made worse in some cases by inadequate rust protection like ziebart. ). In short once compromised or cracked this will basically cause the rear wheels to kick out and the halfshafts on the rear will be all that’s holding it together. Before I would buy any Subaru from that vintage I would have that member inspected. Secondly those boxer 4s tended to have lifter problems. IE they ticked like a bomb. The problem with all 3 these days is parts, with nobody making parts for em restoring one would be a good effort

[@Rick-vg2pz]

I owned a Brat. I wish I still had it. I really enjoy and look forward to TFL classic. Keep up the good work

[@Ambrose4k]

I'm whipping around a 1988 xt, because it fwd

[@brentl1931]

Did you have the seats in the back?? I think they were optional back then!

[@91CavGT5]

Cadillac Catera, the Caddy that zigs! That was the tag line on the commercials when it first came out. Cadillac was trying to market itself to younger buyers so the commercials had it going down a twisty mountain road. The Subaru GL-10 Turbo station wagon has always been a bucket list car for me. As I get older though and they become more rare, it is unlikely that I will ever own or even see one again.

[@GustavLindstroem]

Those wheels in the back of the Saab are 9000 wheels, would not come standard on a 900. Looks good on them as well, though.

[@zacariaspiedrasdelrio8984]

I remember being a Valet parking employee in the 80s and trying to figure out.... Where’s the Switch to start the Saab?😂 I really love this series of videos, guys!

[@PapiDoesIt]

I had a 900 turbo with European specs. It was a lot of fun and with comfort and versatility to boot. Loved it.

[@kevineckelkamp]

I had an 86 turbo 900 silver hatch

[@dalejones4322]

I love these auction videos. Great job guys and thanks for making this classics channel so fun to watch.

[@spyrolover24]

Those old subarus were tanks. Those ea82 engines ran good, leaked oil pretty good as they aged tho. The fuel pump probably bit the dust on it tho if I had to guess why it stopped running. If they sat around for a while it tended to happen. They are super easy to change tho. They are just an in-line fuel pump in front of the drivers side wheel I believe. They are held in place on a plate by 3 bolts.

[@FuckSlowShit]

Replace the seals and it'll be happier

[@subaru4me]

That GL had the hi/low transfer case! I had one of those and man it could crawl.

[@Ambrose4k]

Hell yeah, I don't have one, thats why my 88 xt is still here

[@brentl1931]

900spg turbo, I remember one stopping into the burger joint and I'll fell in love! "Unique", I was 16 at the time and now I'm 54!

[@nunyabusiness4651]

My first car, 84 Subaru GL wagon 85hp with the exhaust removed took me impossible places. They are definitely underrated and I miss them every time I fill up. 10 gallon tank and you got 36 miles to the gallon! Loved it!

[@mikehessphotography]

My first car was a 1986 900S 16V. In the same paint and interior as this one. Rose Quartz was the color name. 120HP from the 16V NA engine. Decent torque for around town driving. Super comfortable and great in the snow.

[@kevineckelkamp]

I had an 86 turbo 900 that looked just like this one. I still have my 85 900 but plan on gifting it to a Saab friend.

[@larszenthio1012]

SAAB 900 16V came first 1988 and 128hp and SAAB 900s 16V 1990 145hp

[@pauljakubowski4322]

I love this series! You guys have hit on a really great format. PLEASE keep it up!

[@27Zangle]

NICE!!!! I used to have a Subaru Loyal as it was later called, the GE as it is known here. I traded a laptop for it in college. It was a 5-speed manual with selectable 4wd. I knew the previous two owners and it had a new clutch, struts, and some other work. I got it with 228k miles and drove it for two years before snapping a timing belt at 273k miles. The 5th gear would pop out unless you stayed on the throttle or put a vitamin water between 5th and the emergency brake to keep it in place. I used to take it to the beach with my wife and we would load it up with friends in the back seat, the back wagon area and on the bumper. It would crawl through the sand nearly up to the bumper. It was raced on an ice lake several times and has been down man ski trails in middle of Alaskan winters. I remember when the oil bypass valve blew out and it read no pressure for nearly 30k miles. Not once did this car complain and took the abuse with ease. The timing belt broke on January morning while the car was warming up, it was -40(ish) degrees for about a month straight at this point. Clearly the belt had enough even though it should've been fine on miles. Tough cars, I always called it a my Japanese tractor or Sue-bob-aru. I would love to find a clean low mileage one from the '80s with high low range gear box and manual transmission with turbo. I've seen a couple over the years for sale but they want about 10k or more for one in such shape.

[@shawnscott1254]

The Saab was cool. I would’ve thrown a bid on that Silver Saturn SC1 at the end if it was a 5 speed too. Cheers guys.

[@kcp7042]

Those of us who were in high school in the ‘90’s remember that Subaru. Except every one in my high school parking lot had a rear hatch that was a different color because it was replaced at some point!!

[@super_slav91]

Why, SAAB "because we can", love SAAB. Also we had something similar to the Caddi in Australia look at the VT commodore, based on the same chassis but we had the buick 3800 in it, RWD, body is very similar same chassis. Props on the w8 I drove one for a while loved it. No one knew what it was but 9.5l of oil in the sump big boi no power nice noise.

[@WildNwhEELING]

Yes the old Subaru wagons I had one for 1st car , wwd , had 4wd button on the manual trans stick and also a separate low range transfer case lever , loved them , spare tire on the engine lol

[@aaronbehindbars]

Ah yes! The Caddy that Zigs! Live the wheels on that Saab. That design is right up there with the Isuzu Inpulse wheels that had the square holes. Poor Suby...would have gone for a grand had it been able to cross the block under its own power.

[@kalebaldwin5398]

I still see those older Subarus around every now and then here in southwest Montana. They sold like hotcakes here, for obvious reasons. Once in a while, I’ll see an AMC Eagle, too…which was also a pretty strong seller up here.

[@bldontmatter5319]

Do people just take them out in the summer? I can't imagine anything past 10 years surviving the salting of Montana

[@kalebaldwin5398]

@@bldontmatter5319 Nope. They’re usually serving as the winter beater.

[@rationalsanelogical8910]

@@bldontmatter5319 well, considering Montana doesn’t use salt, I imagine it lasting a lot longer than that! Being in southwest Montana myself, I see these all the time. I’ve had two of them , a GL and the newer Loyale.

[@bunnysparklzbunnytime5117]

I saw the same exact Subaru yesterday with the wife. The sticker at the top of the windshield said "Panty PD Dropper" on it. Needless to say the only pantys that dropped where mine. I love old Japanese small cars lol

[@dansdinc]

The Saab looks really good, a Saab fan would definitely snatch it up. A great flip opportunity for the buyer.

[@reyinvisible9550]

I had the 1987 version of the Subaru in automatic and I loved it. We once fitted 12 people inside the car to go to the beach.

[@donadams8345]

Bought a red '85 Subaru wagon brand new. Drove it for 14 years. It was a great snow car but definitely underpowered. There were a lot on the road for quite a while then they all suddenly disappeared. Virtually never see one of this vintage around anymore, likely they all either rusted out and/or simply wore out. They were real work horses.

[@laurat1129]

Yes, I had a '94 Loyale 5spd 4wd wgn just like that one. The 4wd on-the-fly was great in the snow, why these were very definitely CO or VT cars, plus the cargo room. Most I'd guess rusted out, though, or blew the HG as mine did. Since I sold it for $700 as-is to a Nissan mechanic in LA, and I think I saw him still driving it a decade later, I'd say we both made out pretty well on the deal.

[@paulblichmann2791]

Asian cars, at least until recently, had super cheap steel. Great reliability, until they rusted apart in 10 years.

[@donadams8345]

@@paulblichmann2791 I bought a Toyota pickup in 1982 new and finally sold it after 32 years of use and it was almost rust free. It just depends upon how well you take care of it. I sold it because my wife told me it was time to get something safer with airbags. (she really wanted something with 4-wheel drive so she could go cross-country skiing easier)

[@dgurevich1]

The Subaru GL/DL was ubiquitous in Israel, in fact Subaru had the biggest sales here before entering US market, and second after US when they did. I still see those on the road fully restored, people love them that much.

[@mi30modela-ok60]

Great series TFL Classics. Keep the classics coming!

[@williammodlin2621]

Just a note, all the Saab logos fade away. It happens pretty quickly, too!

[@aaronbritt2025]

I had an '86 Subaru XT GL-10 4wd. It had a manual trans, turbo engine, selectable 4wd, and an adjustable height suspension. I had it in '90, so it was only 4 years old. Was a great winter car in Massachusetts.

[@grunkohlaktionar7474]

Funny to see you call the Catera „small“. The Opel Omega, which this car essentially is, is/was considered a huge car back in the day here in Germany, one of the larger sedans you could buy. The wagon was one of the largest offered. And they were relatively popular

[@spannersautoandcomputerser1649]

That Montero pushing the Subie is nice as well. For sale?

[@alexanderdeburdegala4609]

FUN FACT: I sold the Loyale when it was new and the training manual stated " When preparing for a test drive in the summer, have the AC running and the car cooled down before the customer enters the car. Then as the customer opens the door turn off the AC button and select a test drive route that starts down hill"

[@dmcnamara9859]

He forgot to mention or did not know,with 2 wrenches cranking on coils,you could get another 2 inches+ of ground clearance for adverse conditions. And technically speaking they did not have low range but a H stepover from input shaft to mainshaft to get what was a reduction- ratio to mainshaft ; basically a reduction ratio versus a typical 4WD setup that is done from output shaft and dedicated transfer- reduction case.

[@arnegerhardsen3755]

Hello Brendan and Tommy. I think Tommy and Brendan are the best journalist in TFL which in my opinion has some of the most experienced and interesting motor journalists in all the industry. And as good friends I love their friendly talk of the old cars and their small competition in who will guess the right price. This Saab was an icon in the eigthies and was maybe the safest car you could buy. My wise and lovely wife and I bought a used one as our first family car after we married. Our eldest daughter born in 1986 was often very car sick in this one then we was driving looking for a summer house after our economy as a young couple.

[@spannersautoandcomputerser1649]

That subie was sweet actually. I have looked at cars for sale much dirtier than it. For the age, not bad condition at all!

[@shiftmotorsports9803]

I love watching these! Each car brings back memories. Tommy is ready to open a used car lot! Edit: I like the Montero that was pushing the Subaru

[@BDraggon]

Same! I remember seeing those cars on the road as a teenager. And, I said the same thing about the Montero. I would love to find the 2-door version of it or aka Dodge Raider

[@Creating_Space]

the montero pushing the subaru is super cool too

[@michaelschikschneit8550]

I can't wait to see more with the Subie!!

[@Ambrose4k]

Hell yeah, I'm a old scoob too

[@gwcrispi]

True Fact: That Subaru had no model name. It was a Subaru. The trim level was a GL. Caused massive grief at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Later on they named it the "Loyale" but originally there was no model name. I had an '87 sedan in blue. Great car.

[@peterbutlien1335]

That SAAB was a bargain. Always loved the style of that car.

[@andrewsharman4419]

Love these videos. You are a great pair and make this very enjoyable.

[@stuartleckie]

So funny that the Catera is thought of as a smaller car, yet in the UK, known as the Vauxhall Senator, it was thought of as a large saloon car 😆 I’d have one for sure.

[@raymason9907]

I love these episodes!! Please keep them up!

[@houseoffolly]

I'll bet that was a dealers auction. if it was a public auction those cars would have gone for considerably more. Someone who wanted one to keep would pay more than a dealer who wants a big markup.

[@markdavis3539]

I had two of the Subaru GL's. The first one when I was working a post office rural route. Pretty good cars, but you had to change the timing belt every 60k or they would snap. There was a fusible link that would kill the engine, too. That's probably what happened to that one.

[@Happymali10]

5:22 It's funny to hear that thing being called "small and compact", it was solidly middle class here in germany.

[@robpowers9281]

Great episode, love these, makes me miss my Saab 9/3, well only slightly

[@thebigguy8306]

Thanks, Tommy, the episode had a Chasing Classic Cars vibe, minus classic Bugatti. Also my fav Subaru GL - owned an 89 - also popular in Minnesota where they rusted from 6 months of winter road salt. First AWD I owned with pushed button AWD and not lockouts. All cars headed to crap lots selling for $2500

[@hughjassle5876]

I had an '87 GL wagon that exact same color. I had it until it finally died at a little over 440,000 miles.

[@wwz1011]

All three would make fine buys. Real 4WD Subaru! You needed to buy it for a future cheapie 4WD face off!

[@TheVintageApplianceEmporium]

4:57 Oh my god a Vauxhall Omega in the USA! That's amazing. My uncle had one brand new back in 1994. It caught fire. Then he had another new one in 1996. That also caught fire. He went to Toyota after that XD

[@Wannabecowboy004]

Makes me miss my old Subarus, especially my old 92 Loyale 4wd 5spd wagon 😢

[@Ambrose4k]

Whipping around my 1988 xt, like I'm from the future 5spd too

[@laurat1129]

I had the exact same, but a maroon '94.

[@Wannabecowboy004]

@@laurat1129 mine was maroon as well 😁

[@laurat1129]

@@Wannabecowboy004 Maroon... but I still called my wagon "Lil' Red". 🛷

[@Yophillips3272]

I had no idea those Cadillac's were rwd, the cool factor went way up imo.

[@PizzaDave802]

The caddy that zigs... I still have the little duck stuffed animal that came with my grandfathers in 98

[@kevinburroughs6583]

love this series. It is cool to see how you can get some of there great classics that need some TLC for affordable prices.

[@mkshffr4936]

The Saab is the only one of those that is even remotely a classic. As far as the car design is concerned it is wrong wheel drive but if you are going ti drive the front wheels longitudinal is absolutely the right configuration. The Swedes put the engine in backwards for a reason but I have forgotten what that was over the years. Being a non turbo is an advantage in my opinion on maintenance alone. At $500 I would consider it if the "frame" was still good.

[@kevineckelkamp]

The Subaru is definitely classic too, but yea I'm a Saab guy

[@mkshffr4936]

@@kevineckelkamp My first car was a 122S so I have always been a bit of a RWD Volvo guy. I loved to watch "The Saint" just to admire the P1800. 🙂😇

[@kevineckelkamp]

@@mkshffr4936 I love old Volvo too. I saw the Saint in the theaters.

[@andrew.the.one1]

My dad has a 1990 Saab 900 Turbo Convertible (auto 🙁) and it's hard to maintain. It doesn't run the best (and isn't in the best condition) but it's still a super cool car and it's rare to find nowadays in Canada.

[@harlandurant7014]

That subaru will be a classic, TFL should buy one and run the ranch.

[@shitloveaduck]

They already have. If you go back Tommy had a grey (?) one that he tested on gold mine hill.

[@NickTarterOKC]

I like those old Saabs. They are a bit difficult to work on at time, but have a cool classic look.

[@Tallnerdyguy]

They are a lot difficult to work on, especially parts

[@paulblichmann2791]

They aren't any more, they are just standard 4 cylinder 5 speed fwd cars. You can get them worked on anywhere, at least if you bring parts.

[@jmac6782]

Been watching since Andre was speaking Russian and was only in the videos for a brief moment. This is my favorite series yet. Keep up the awesome content.

[@bldontmatter5319]

Yeah, he couldn't speak Russian anymore or the ukrainanаzis would come out of the woodwork and ruin his life... All in the name of freedom, or something

[@MalachiBurke]

We had two Saab 99s , one turbo one not. Both couldn't take the southern California heat, and the turbo constantly rattled itself apart. They are a cool car and if you stay on top of the cooling system the NA one could be reliable. Then again, the exhaust system literally fell off of mine.

[@scottbenke7182]

One of the great things about TFL is that they do not edit out all of the mistakes. The hood bumbling on the Caddy was classic. That Catera looks like a Taurus from the side, it is no wonder that it was not well received. You know what they said about the Catera's? "It's gotta be better than the Cimmaron. 😀

[@anthonyc1883]

Tommy's "win" in the final auction was probably hugely affected by the fact the car no longer ran. His and Brendan's price predictions were based on a running car.

[@16driver16]

Someone sabotaged it because they wanted a low price

[@danielcamacho6123]

i bought my wagon $700.00 in cash and SOME WORK REQUIRE AND I GOT EVERYDAY CAR IN FLORIDA WITH 35,572 ORINGAL MILES CLEAN AND CLEAR TITLE

[@samharvey6194]

Funny thing about them Saab engines is there a heavily reenginered British Layland Triumph Dolomite engine I believe

[@amigachris]

By this stage not much dna remained. Though the very early 99s used the dolomite lump before triumph itself..

[@67FORDTRUCKF250]

I had a Subaru like that...was amazing in the snow....it was rode hard before I bought it so didn't last long...

[@Ambrose4k]

88 xt for life

[@markchandler90]

Worked at a Cadillac dealer when these were new and a while after. Saw 3 on the lift with holes in the block!

[@MikeB4pl]

In Europe they run up to this day no problem, when they not rust out of age :)

[@stig120212]

70 degrees here !! ugh that weather

[@DoubleDsp]

Great series. Only suggestion is price is right rules. Closest bid without going over. And yes, you can go with a buck!

[@Rouxenator]

Don't forget the model predecessor to the Catera had the Lotus Omega/Carlton in its lineup. A car that outran the police, like 40RA.

[@christophecamus8410]

The second one is a Opel/Vauxhall omega in Europe

[@mattgorman6643]

Love TFL for this series, great job team!!

[@Unknownintothe82]

That Subaru will almost run FOREVER. One of the best cars they’ve ever released. Just gotta watch the rust lol

[@nf100]

had an '87 gl-10. 2wd, more ground clearance than my 95 s10 blazer fwd. fun until pinion said hi the ring, took a while to find a replacement in the early days of the interweb

[@JeremyBanham]

Interesting video but personally would have liked more about the cars and less about your price guessing. Felt a bit rushed. Still enjoyable though, and only meant as constructive feedback

[@callancollins7708]

My favorite series. I have been looking for a low milage riviera from your first episode.

[@xotic8617]

The Cadillac catera is built on the same body as the VT Holden commodore in Australia

[@corysm30]

This is my favorite series of all the tfl content.

[@j_mars_cars]

Saw the LOYALE on the thumbnail and clicked right away!

[@NickTarterOKC]

$500 was about what I thought on that Saab. They are cool, but a pain and parts aren't getting any cheaper.

[@joelhorton5895]

Value of the parts way more than 500

[@kevineckelkamp]

You're telling me

[@pgilb70]

Cadillac is the basis for the Oz 1990s Holden commodore. The Holden was actually a very good car.

[@shawnharris7747]

Love these episodes thank yall for this make em longer lol

[@kyledavis4890]

You didn't specify if that was a "dealers only" auction. Could be the reason why the pricing was so low. Around here, any of those vehicles would've sold for the higher amount mentioned every single time.

[@cwsill]

They mentioned it in a previous episode.

[@josephhertzberg2734]

The gen 1 Montero pushing the subaru would've been my pick

[@dieseldrax]

I love it, Tommy sweeped the auction and beat the pro's predictions. :D

[@davidwithey6036]

it's a Vauxhall Omega classic here in UK. Just back is different. I'll own one

[@laurat1129]

Of the three cars I've owned so far in my life, the last two were a '94 Subaru Loyale 4wd 5spd wgn, and not a Saab c900 but a '99 9-3 5spd cv which I still have. So I just gotta say: Do I know how to pick classics or what?😂

[@robertcarly4186]

My Mom had an 82' Subaru hatchback and I worked at a VW-Mazda dealership and I would grab unused spares and put them on my Mom's car and put her old tire in the Subaru. I don't think that she ever paid for tires? The General Sales Mgr was fine with me doing that.

[@DanTheMailman330]

You could have a free Saab after selling the turbo rims for $500!

[@marylandrcboatmarina]

The key on the center console had a safety purpose. SAAB thought a key in the steering wheel shaft, like other cars, would increase the potential of locking the steering wheel in a bad situation. Not a bad idea after all.

[@kevineckelkamp]

It was to prevent people crushing kneecaps

[@alafrosty]

You two are nuts to even think about that Saab. You even explained why not. Even $500 was way too much for that thing. The subaru is a no-brainer. Good car, pretty reliable. Only problem is the clutches didn't last very long. The thing must've run out of gas.

[@Timberland1963]

The Saab is a $500 beater that I would change the oil on to give it a chance to last six months but not spend a cent more than the oil change. The Caddy was a buy with the low mileage and if it was reasonably sound it would get tires and some plugs. The Subaru I wouldn't even stop to look at.

[@iadubber]

Loving this series! Wish I could get that Saab!

[@mikerinck8523]

I wouldn’t be surprised if the GL broke a timing belt, I had an 87 and they broke on me twice. It’s thankfully a non interference engine.

[@Ambrose4k]

I'm doing my time belt on my 88 xt, wish me luck

[@PizzaDave802]

A saab like that just sold down the road from me here in central Vermont in way worse shape, like there were small shrubs growing inside and he got 2800 for it 😬

[@mofomoco]

Im guessing the auction houses suck all the gas out of...EVERY car that rolls thru

[@lunabouch]

These segments are a great. Keep up the competition bids.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@beatglauser9444]

Those Canteras were Opel Omegas in Europe and were a very common car. I owned 3 stations . And thye were great fo transporting things or travelling on vacation with a family. I wish I could still buy an acceptable station Omega. But the have disapeared by now. I always thought they were quite US car like.