ON THE OTHER HAND -- Regarding Mr Nabisco's original post--the 1980 245 w/M46 I've been driving since 2000 was a fairly well maintained example with 127k when I got it as the third owner. The body was straight on top but showed some poor body work in the very rear quarters and the transmission would sometimes slip out of 3rd gear on deceleration. This, despite the car having had a new clutch and supposedly a trans overhaul at about 110k. The 2nd owners had it for 18 years and towed a camper trailer which explained the short life of the original clutch. The car now has over 300k with that replaced clutch still in and I learned early on how to manipulate the throttle so it wouldn't slip out of gear. BUT NOW -- Having nursed it along the last few years mechanically while the body disintegrated with increasing speed - especially the rockers and floor under the driver's side. The car has signaled me it was time to give it up -- between a patched up exhaust, seeping fuel pump, temp gauge suddenly inoperable, odometer working only when the weather was cold and a sand pitted windshield difficult to see through with a setting sun it now has made a final statement. Came out of the house the other day to find a 12 inch long section of the rocker laying on the ground but still attached by a sliver of metal - an obvious plea to end the misery. The 1993 re-incarnation of my former '76 265 with Oldsmobile 215 V8 is near completion - and none too soon. The 245 is (near) dead! Long live the 245! --Dave