Topic: 1990 Toyota Corolla wagon

[redrafting]

Hi all!

My DH and I are looking to get our first car, but with a very tight budget - we can probably swing about $2500 (and we don't look good on paper either, so no financing).  We've been looking for a station wagon for the hauling capability - I'm not that keen on pick-ups as only vehicles (ie not a second car), and SUV's are more expensive (both to buy and to run).  Have considered a minivan...  or just a little puddle jumper to get us around in the mean time, depending on local availability.

Quandry:  we've been in discussions with someone nearby who has a 1990 Toyota Carolla wagon for sale.  They are willing to negotiate on price (started at $1000, we figure we could probably get them down to $500).  The car is mechanically sound, has a few lights to fix, but the main problem is the rust.  We've been trying to get it looked at by a professional - he had to cancel the first appointment, so he took it to a mechanic near him.  We've got that report, but it has no estimate, since the mechanic doesn't do body work.  We've called a body shop, but they can't make an estimate without seeing the car.  But the body shop guy didn't think it was worth the risk - he points out that there's no way to see how far the rust has gone without taking the panels off, and the cost could be that much greater.  He said he has a 1996 Toyota in the shop right now (that had a few more things wrong with it) that's going to cost ~$2200 with taxes to fix.  He points out that putting $3000-3500 into the vehicle would be fine if it lasted a few years, but what if the transmission kicks the bucket in 6 months?  As usual, big on the 'you don't know the history of the car'.

But we don't know anyone who has a car to sell us, so we will never know the history of the car.  Guys like him will sell us cars they say they know the history of - but I can believe them just as much as asking the dude who's selling the Carolla.  Any used vehicle could have the transmission keel over in 6 months - it's always a gamble...  And we don't have the finances to go the waranteed route.  Are we stupid to consider a 16 year old car?   Or should we keep hunting for a newer vehicle, or one with no rust?  Ha, non-rusty car for <$2500!

[dorin]

What's a DH? 

Anyway, does the rust have to be fixed in order to get the car on the road or is it purely cosmetic?  If it's cosmetic, then do nothing and just live with it.  If it needs fixing to get on the road, then look into doing the bare minimum required but nothing more (you can find DIY instructions for bodywork on the 'net quite easily).  It's hard to say anything else without at least seeing pictures.

[Mr Meow]

And we don't have the finances to go the waranteed route.  Are we stupid to consider a 16 year old car? 

Nope...Its takes a bit of looking but their are cars out there that are still good. you don't need to look that far back either. However if you have no clue you need to get the car Inspected. you got to expect to spend 400 bucks year on any car anyways. I know for a fact I could find a good car for 2500 bucks....no probs.....just takes a bit of looking.....thats all.....I would leave the wagon and keep looking. you can pick up a high millage camry or accord for 2500 lots out there, some of them must be good. I would most likely go private.
.

[redrafting]

Thanks for the insights!  We had decided to drop it, but apparently didn't word the email that strongly - because they are back again.  We're the only ones who showed any interest in the vehicle, and they don't seem to want to advertise again...  Our thought at the moment was to offer $150-200 for it, since it seems silly to pass up a perfectly working car for peanuts.  I do wish we had a digital camera for just these kinds of situations though.  That and a mechanic living in the house  .

Another Q - is in possible to replace the foam in the seats?  Since it's the frames that keep you safe, could we just cut new foam, or does it need to be special stuff?

Oh, and DH='dear husband'.

Would love any more opinions!

[tenpenny]

Ya want a 98 Subaru wagon with 270000km?

hahahaha

[mrthompson]

Can you find a Suzuki Esteem wagon in your price range?

[redrafting]

Can you find a Suzuki Esteem wagon in your price range?

My husband says "Oh, yeah - I've been looking for those", but has only seen one in our area so far.

[PJungnitsch]

Unless the rust needs to be fixed in order to pass the registration inspection (or you can't live with an ugly car), the state of the mechanicals is much more important. A 1990 has pretty old rad hoses, brake cylinders, fuel lines, radiator and heater, etc, all stuff that ages with time more than miles.

Rust can be held in check by cleaning off the loose stuff and oiling the hell out of it. My '87 Mazda pickup has been kept going all through 6 years of school this way. Every spring I go to the carwash and wash off the salt as best I can, then oil up the bodywork with 3 dollar cans of chain lube, paying especial attention to brake lines, fuel lines, gas tank hold downs, and nooks and crannies in the sheet metal. I learned that from my old Datsun, oil+rust=dead rust.