Caramanos2000 Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Ok guys need some advie. IM considering rescuing a 87 sedan that was in a frontal impact. The drivers side fender is busted, drivers side turn signal and the radiator is leaking badly. It starts and runs fine with 88k miles on the odo. Its an auto with new axles. The read trunk are was also damaged and its hard to get the trunk to close. It does have some rust in the back on the body. Especially the area around the trunk gasket. The interior is the best part id say almost mint $200 is the best I could get it for? Idea would be a new fender and light, new radiator and full tuneup with the intention of having a reliable car for under 1k including the car and parts, doable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flowmastered87GL Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 i'm sure you could make it ok for under $1000, but that particular car is probably not worth it. yes the mileage is low, but it still probably could use timing belts and a water pump just due to age. plus it has some rust and needs the body work. and its a DL and auto... dont get me started on how bad the 3 speed autos are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caramanos2000 Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 Well I have only ever seen 1 manual here in Puerto Rico other than mine :-\ But I agree that tranny is crap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I would be very cautious trying to make a "reliable" daily driver from a wrecked car. if the damage is light with no serious structural damage - then maybe, yeah. but if there is serious structural damage i would pass. damage to structural areas can cause all kinds of issues with driveability, inability to properly align the car, uneven tire wear, tracking funny... you say the trunk is having problems closing - did it get hit there, too? if not, i would be very leary of this car - if it was hit in the front, but the trunk is not closing properly, that says to me serious structural problems...buyer beware... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crash321 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I agree with heartless, This may be a good parts car and nothing else. Unless you are a body man and have the knowledge and equipment to realign it, you should probably steer clear of it. These cars are made to absorb the impact all over the structure usually causing the car to be tweaked badly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caramanos2000 Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 Car hit a car that was parked behind it because it was pushed back. From what I can see underneath it didnt bend any of the steering assembly. It does feel ok on the road as it isnt swinging towards one side or anything. But I guess I should let it pass by or parts it out or....? Maybe I can keep the engine refresh it and lighlty work it some Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loyale 2.7 Turbo Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Maybe Posting pictures here could help... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 as a parts car, sure, it is usable - many parts can be salvaged. as a dependable DD - eh, maybe, maybe not. just because the front end doesnt "look" bent doesnt mean it isnt. the only way to know for sure is to get a lot of measurements - a good body/alignment shop would know what the correct measurments are, and where they should be taken. only other way to know is drive it a while and keep a very close eye on tire wear. I had a 78 Chevy Malibu wagon (also a unibody) once that got T-boned lightly (caved rear door, but still drivable) only visible damage was the door and a slight tweak on the B pillar. both doors still worked! - started wearing out the rear tire on the side that got hit = structual damage... These are unibody cars - the body "framework" is structural - and once bent is very difficult to straighten properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivantruckman Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 (edited) i could see if it was a 4x4 dual range , but an auto, i dunno, look for distortion on the strut tower, like paint cracking or metal wrinkles etc this one has no suspention damage and holds an alighnment fine i would buy it , because these cars are hard to find in the east coast of the usa, i have a 92 loyale 4x4 auto, i like it, it does rev 4k rpm or more at 70 mph, so i drive it around town as a beater Edited February 17, 2009 by ivantruckman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crash321 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 i could see if it was a 4x4 dual range , but an auto, i dunno, look for distortion on the strut tower, like paint cracking or metal wrinkles etc [ATTACH]6175[/ATTACH] this one has no suspention damage and holds an alighnment fine i would buy it , because these cars are hard to find in the east coast of the usa, i have a 92 loyale 4x4 auto, i like it, it does rev 4k rpm or more at 70 mph, so i drive it around town as a beater I'm surprised you have not been ticketed for the headlight. I was pulled over and ticketed for the same thing only it was still relatively pointed forward and it was someone elses car. I was told I either have to fix it or have it junked. UMMMMMM ITS NOT MY CAR!!! Thats the michigan state police for you (Caro post) BTW I see your location is Caro, Is that the one in MI? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caramanos2000 Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 Took the fender off and the bend didnt reach the inner fender wall. Drove it at 60mph and it feels straight, the tower is not distorted. I found a guy that will sell me a fender and rear glass (break in) for $100. Its gonna be my dads as he has no credit. Ok guys post up the list of items to buy/fix/upgrade and have me stay under $1,000 including the car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Reliability items, from my experience: Timing belts #1 - unless you are 100% sure of how many miles since they were replaced. New idlers & water pump with new belts. #2 Replace all 7 coolant hoses. #3 I have used synthetic ATF in all of my 3AT wagons. Absolutly no transmission problems. I have been operating & maintaining them since 1988. The vacuum modulator is the only part I have repalced. #4 Be sure to check the differential oil. The alternator will likely need a brush and bearings around 120K. Check the brakes. Check the CVJ boots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caramanos2000 Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 Belts and water pump I will do when I remove the radiator, hoses also. The fluids are all at normal levels. Brakes feel good, little squeeky. Both axles are brand new Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivantruckman Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I'm surprised you have not been ticketed for the headlight. I was pulled over and ticketed for the same thing only it was still relatively pointed forward and it was someone elses car. I was told I either have to fix it or have it junked. UMMMMMM ITS NOT MY CAR!!! Thats the michigan state police for you (Caro post) BTW I see your location is Caro, Is that the one in MI? omg the one and only caro . we have state poliece ,tuscola county sherrif ,and the local caro cops. , they love pulling over cars for lights , i got pulled and ticketed for no licence plate light. i was wonmdering if they were going to get me, but i planed to get it fixed in a few days anyway, so they would have to desmiss it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crash321 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 (edited) omg the one and only caro . we have state poliece ,tuscola county sherrif ,and the local caro cops. , they love pulling over cars for lights , i got pulled and ticketed for no licence plate light. i was wonmdering if they were going to get me, but i planed to get it fixed in a few days anyway, so they would have to desmiss it Small world. I lived in and graduated from Kingston, My sister lives in the caro area with her husband so I come through there sometimes. Nice to know there are subie owners near me. I also worked at the walmart and the dairy queen when I was in college. Edited February 18, 2009 by crash321 .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caramanos2000 Posted February 19, 2009 Author Share Posted February 19, 2009 How about turning into a full time auto crosser? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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