keep the car or sell it? the car is full of rust underneath

[sethtroy]

ok just took it to the mechanic and the gentle men tells me that the car is full of rust underneath. the car came from minnesota so its seen its share of salt. i bought the car for 2,400 dollars here in california. i bought it from the original owner who bought it back in 1991. she got parkensins deiease and cant drive it anymone. so i am the second owner of the vehicle. i caouldnt tell you how perfect the interior is on this car nothing missing, no cracks, no sun wear, cloth interior is perfect, the carpet on floor board dosent even show a foot print. now for the outside of the vehicle 3 door dings on passenger side door and thts it. no oxidation on the paint. the rubber around the windows is still perfect not even cracking. this car is like show room condition inside and outside. now the kicker the car i found out needs new seals probably all of them( leaks alittle oil) new radiator already have it ordered though. and then all the rust underneath. the mechanic says its on the drivelines everywhere.

what to do

nate

 

[Locke]

Considering the mechanic has nothing to gain by telling you it is rusting out, (I am guessing he is saying it is unsalvageable?) it is probably pretty bad. You could post some pics, but if it is that bad, you may want to purchase another vehicle. If you bought another DSM with good motor and body, but crappy interior, you could pick it up pretty cheap. Swap the interiors over, install your new radiator, and part-out/trade the rest of the vehicle to gain some money.

Or, you could spend more money on a better DSM, have to do nothing but enjoy it right away, (hopefully) and wait around forever for somebody to buy your current one. (You won't get much for it from any of us, since you just told us all that the shell and motor are bad.)

If it were me, I would buy another one and keep the old one for its parts, assuming the shell really is unsalvageable, or not worth salvaging.

 

[spooln4fun]

Really get some pictures up here for us to look at if possible. But always get a 2nd opinion on the car its self perhaps take it to a body shop see what they would charge if they can get rid of the rust, and maybe under coat it to prevent it for rusting for a while not permenatly once rust starts it can't be stopped unless that whole piece is cut out.

But if the rust is so-so maybe can undercoat it. to keep it for a couple years.

Fix the motor from leaking. find a shell you like swap the motor and interior as well is a solution

 

[luvmygst]

Is the rust on the drive line components or is the body itself rusted? If the body is not rusted bad I would not worry about it.