http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...GONE-BY-THIS-WEEKEND-W0QQAdIdZ303479638#


I'm looking at this vehicle and wanted to know if it is a fair price ? or if this possible belongs to a member on the board please let me know thanks !

It's a 98, so you know it's got a revised 7 bolt in there. If it were me, I'd look for 4 things:

1: Rust in the rear wheel wells
2: Strut Tower Rust
3: Compression test
4: Color and smell of the oil. You can tell a lot by what the oil looks and smells like.

If you can get a good look at it, test drive, bring some tools and do a compression test before buying it, if everything is smooth, looks like a good deal!

If the car is clean rust wise, even if the engine comes back with low compression that's still a great deal.

alright thanks for the advice im on my way to take a look hopefully its a good car ill keep you posted. may be bringing a DSM home again !1

Just an update the car has rust above the shock tower thats gone through on the passenger side. Also the quarter panel just behind the passenger door has about a 12" section that would need to be repaired or replaced. The turn signals dont work possible faulty turn signal mechanism ? and it has a siezed passenger front caliper. Not to mention the windshield is crack and most likely need two rear tires. That being said the price has been reduced to $1600 should this still be considered as a potential purchase?

If you have the time to do a few things on it, assuming everything else is fine other than what you posted, I think so. Show up with $1200 cash, if he's desperate he'll take it.

How much and where could i get the strut tower metal repaired as well as the rocker section ? also a rough estimate or the other repair work ? perhaps a board member offers services ? a recommendation would be appreciated thanks !

James Karban does welding work for shock towers and the rear wheel wells.

Ryan do you do any work ? I would need some brake work a caliper replaced and the turn signal multi-task unit replaced if that was the turn signal issue ?

Most of that (non-welding) stuff is pretty straight-forward and most of the guys on here would be able to do it for you. I believe there are quite a few DSM'ers out your way so ask around

Thanks ! anywhere specific I should ask ? or perhaps a more appropriate area to start a post ?

I'd grab it for that price.

Maybe in the 'Help Me!' section? I honestly don't know the best section but you can bet that most guys read just about everything on here.

Just make a post somewhere saying your situation, what you need, what you can offer (i.e. what you're willing to offer in return for the services whether it be money, goods, or otherwise...doesn't have to be a specific $ value) and what location(s) would be ideal for you.

Someone will be able to help you out. I'm in Belleville 95% of the time otherwise I'd offer to help.

This type of work you should be able to do on your own. Pickup good old haynes repair manual from CT and follow the instructions & diagrams. If you always rely on someone else to work/figureout your DSM than it will drive you to bankruptcy. Your 1600 deal will turn to 16000 deal

Well just a rough estimate ive come up with :

Caliper = $80 (rebuild)
Turn signal issue = ?
windshield = $200
Two 17" tires = $250
Brakes/rotors =$265
E-brake cable = ?
Shock Tower repair = ?

Thats already over $800 with a decent amount of work still left to be done. I offered $1300 but the seller seems firm at $1500 and im torn on making a decision.

Best idea is to figure out what you want to do with the car and more importantly, what of that you can/are willing to do yourself.

Make a spreadsheet. Add in costs of things like e-tests, safety, registration, insurance, etc...make sure to add in 20% more than what you think it'll cost because if you think it'll cost you $3000, it'll cost you at least $3500, etc. You will run into unforeseen issues.

As Alex said, if you're paying someone to do everything for you then you'll soon be deep in the red although I'm sure there are many members who will help you learn if you are unsure but want to try/do it yourself. We were (or are, depending on who :P) all 'nubs' at some point. That being said, you'll be surprised how quickly you learn once you're knee-deep in grease and grime!

Thanks for that advice I appreciate all the help from everyone.