Shut down the internet.
Get off the computer altogether.
Forget about some broken car which needs fixing eventually.

Dude...get some rest now.

I'm always amused when a seller advertises a new water pump and radiator like that's a positive thing. As a car guy, my first thought is "run!"

This
Talk calmly to the guy, tell him you want a different car I'd be willing
to bet he didn't know about the problem he would have dumped it at an auction

THIS!

We buy older subarus for family. First sign that the seller knows of a head gasket problem is advertising NEW WATER PUMP and/or NEW RADIATOR!

As far as the Buick goes it might be cheaper to buy a second hand engine and install that rather than keep screwing around with one that clearly has been terribly overheated. You'll chase leaks on this thing forever.

angela

So I called around to start the process of pricing out my options...as the dealer gave me a bullischt "it's not my problem" response....to see if it's worth raising hell or going about it myself.

Turns out, there is NO demand for these motors (GM 3.8 V6) and they're dirt cheap. $800 for one with 4k miles or $425 for one with 37k miles and everything in between.

I'm gunna swap the motor for less than front brakes on my old 540i. LOL

The intake manifold on that engine is liquid cooled and uses a ****ty plastic gasket.

They are notorious for leaking intake manifold causing coolant to enter the cylinders, steam cleaning the valves and cylinders, and if bad enough filling the cylinders with coolant causing the crank to hit the driveway the next time you try to start it.

Meanwhile the rest of the car falls apart around it leading to nice shiny looking cars in the junk yard that need motors and so many other part that motors aren't worth it to many original fed up owners

If you get a recycled engine look for signs of low coolant or internal leaking

As a precaution do the intake manifold gasket every 50,000 miles

( the duty cycle on those cars parts isn't very long which is why in the used market they are cheap and toyotas are not)

Do you want to vent... ...or get the situation resolved. Probably can't get both.

Go yell and move on if that is what you need.. ...or...

Go in, say this is the last straw, take the car back and give me my money... ..we'll part ways...

the 3.8 is the old 90 deg v6 from the 60's to the 80's
the newer 3800 is on it's third revision by 07 called a mark III 3800

they also come with a supercharger on some motors

Obviously it's too late now, but a solid PPI with someone you know that is independent of both parties ( on a lift). I strongly believe the dealer went beyond his role in making the deal right by reimbursing you, regardless of his knowledge of existing problems.

As far as keeping it - you need to asses your tolerance of future repairs VS resources.......

I did have a PPI done after I fixed the LIM and the high heater hose/coolant pressure persisted. Guy is a 30yr GM mechanic, thought everything looked mint.

I already did the LIM gaskets as they were leaking pretty badly. While in there I found they'd already been done and the LIM was very poorly machined (may have already mentioned this). Again, could dig in and see if this is the issue but a new LIM and gaskets are $300 more than a used motor...

It's an interesting crossroad.

No question on keeping it, car is solid as a rock and otherwise very clean...the engine has some story that has been diluted with the numerous repair and time.

I owned a Toyota, bought it for reliability...there was a story on here about that too. Thing was falling apart at 62k miles.

After owning a/multiple Porsche (2), VW (2), Chevrolet (3), Nissan (3), Toyota (1), Buick (3), Ford (1)...I'm very satisfied with my current status of a Suburban and this Buick.

This is also a very discouraging exercise forging realization of how exorbitantly overpriced the parts are for my air-cooled...