GM / General Motors: 1996 Caprice, 171,000, 1500$, good deal ??

Hi, i'm looking into getting my first car, but i have no idea if this
is a good deal.

Its a 1996 caprice with the police package, 4.3l v8, 200hp, 171 000
miles

-the transmission was redone in dec. 2002, he says it should be
checked
-parts that were changed: radiator, brakes, rear brake disks,
alternator, water pump, ball joints, steering box, radiator fan motor
-master cylinder is new
-front windshield is cracked

he goes on to say that he has the pinions to install a 3:42, it is
currently a 3:23, and i have no idea what that means.

the guy wants 1500$ US for it
does this seem like a good deal ? i'll read what anybody has to say,
thanks

Hello Sean,
I'm not sure about the price and such, I have had several used Police cars
over the years and found them to be excellent value. I am not sure why he
wants you to have the transmission checked if it was just redone a year ago,
but that suggestion sends up the flag to make sure you take it to a good
mechanic and have it checked over good, such as a 200 point inspection.
Beware of the mechanics who will not give you an unbiased opinion, some
people including mechanics have no appreciation of the value of a used
Police Car.
In most cases, they are well maintained, driven hard, but built to take it.
I'm not sure about your area of the world but where I live, approxiamately
75% of our taxicabs are used Police Cars. If they are such a bad deal, why
do the taxi companies buy them, drive them hard, 24 hours a day and they
last many years, I have seen many with over 700,000 kms (42,000 miles).
Do your homework, have it checked, don't be suprised or discouraged if it
needs a little work, in most cases you are getting good reliable safe
transportation...
Good Luck,
Steve
"Sean Cronin" <com> wrote in message
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