engine and drivetrain should i buy this 2002

[white_prop_blue_sky]

hello all 

so i went and checked out a 1974 2002 that im thinking of buying and was looking for opinions on it.

there is some rust issues as you can see in the pics but it starts right up and engine accelerates smooth. four speed transmission was winy(bearings). looks pretty clean underneath but im going to bring it to a shop and get it on a lift depending.  sunroof, seats are shot but over all the interior was 6/10.

the shock towers and tire well are all right but but the rockers need to be replaced

 

any thoughts would be appreciated, new to this so any help is good

 

thanks

 

[stricht8]

It all boils down to price. If the price is right then you can budget in the repairs.

[chadley]

Yeah, I would ask, what are your intentions for this car?  How much are they asking? and, Is that tractor for sale? because that tractor looks to be in great shape!

Edited April 22, 2015 by chadley

[ray_]

Looks like a good $1750 car to me. As long as it's structurally safe.

 

My $0.02.

 

Cheers,

[tisalover]

Dear white prop blue sky, those are some serious rust issues. I would get a body shop estimate on fixing all of the rust completely, and take it with me before negotiating on the sale of this vehicle. The body shop bill may exceed the value of the car currently. Believe me I want you to have a 2002, however, you do not want to be upside down in your car, unless you have rolled it over while driving too fast. The rocker panel, and door damage looks expensive. There may be other evil rust issues lurking below. I respectfully encourage you to do your research on rust repair, it can get expensive unless you are cutting and welding it yourself. Wish you all the best, and driving happiness, Peter

[thinksound_mike]

Unless you're really good with welding and have done this before, I would say no. Looks like a lot of work to set right and would be very expensive to have a shop do it for you. 

[pklym]

My inclinations are no unless price is real cheap. That being said, this amount of rust may be nearing the new normal for unrestored 02s. If you can do body work its definitely a salvageable car.

[saaron]

^^^ couldn't agree more with the above responses.  

 

We live in sort of a weird time where someone wrote something on the internet that 02s are really cool and are going up in value, so the above $1750 car becomes a $9500 car in terms of asking price.  That's what you have to look out for, and not get sucked into.  

 

If you are OK with the big bumpers, you can get a much nicer one for not ridiculous money.  A few in the PNW have popped up lately for what - I can't remember - maybe $5k - $8K?  They looked to be nice, solid cars.  Like drive away and be happy kind of condition.

 

Scott

[white_prop_blue_sky]

Yeah, I would ask, what are your intentions for this car?  How much are they asking? and, Is that tractor for sale? because that tractor looks to be in great shape!

 

lol, i want to either restore it or convert it to a race car not sure yet. he's asking 2600 but with the rust and the transmission im thinking much less and yes i think the tractor is for sale!

[hnichols]

Even if it were free it would be too expensive.  My advice:  keep looking.

Good luck!