Keep it, or move on, what should I do?

[nogard]

Here is a picture of my 1988 camry wagon 3S-FE 5 SPD. It is a fun little car to drive, I have many upgrades on it, and I've managed 38 MPG with it. I stuck about $900 into the suspension. KYB's, Intrax springs, Whiteline bars, underdrive pulley, muffler, strut tower bar, battery, both new half shafts. I don't want to give it up but I'm worried about how safe it is. I also need a vehicle to tow a utility trailer with. Since I have a lot invested into this car I would like to fix it if it is worth it. Or at least stick with the same platform and find a 3rd gen wagon with a good body. It would get all the good parts and performance parts I've invested in this car. I already have winter tires and summer tires which all have a lot of life left. I like this car so much one of the harder repairs I've done was run new brake lines from the front to the back, in one piece.

I was looking at a few on auto trader. Here is my thought. Do I buy another 20 year old car for $2000.00 in good shape take really good car of it and swap my 5 SPD and parts onto it? Hope I can make it last 5 years or more. That is $400 per year cost. I have the money to do that. Or do I wait a little longer save, or take out a loan (don't really want the debt). Buy a car that is $8000 and 5 years old, hope it lasts 20 years and take care of it. This will also be $400 per year cost. I will also have to invest in winter tires and summer wheels, etc. Basically start all over with aftermarket parts. Window tinting, lowering.

I always said I would keep this car as long as I could jack it up and work on it. That is getting a little scary, but I seem to keep finding new sturdy spots to put the stands.

Here it is in its glory:



Here are pictures of the damage, mostly on the rear dog leg/rocker. I'm worried about the structure. I think with a lot of time I could get the original thickness sheet metal and repair it. But that seems like a lot of work. Might be better of putting my efforts toward another purchase?

Passenger side rear rock, this is where I usually put the jack stand in the rear. This seems like a strong spot.

The yellow stuff is great stuff I put that in there to keep the salt out in the winter. I know it does nothing for strength, just trying to close up the hole to keep more stuff from getting in there.


Same side, more of the dog leg.



This is what both sides of the bumper look like, and I tow. Always thought about bracing the hitch off the bottom of the spare wheel well with some angle iron or square tubing.



I could always put the rear jack stand in this location too.



The front of the car isn't as bad. These are the areas I'm worried about. Let me know what you guys think good or bad. Anyone know where I could get a good rust free 1987-1991 wagon? 4 cylinder 5 spd preferred, but I can swap out the auto trans to manual. The V6 could be swapped too, but it is probably easier to start with a 4 cylinder.

[zythr]

You'll have to let this one go. The rust is too extensive for it to be saved. As far as another rust free one, they are out there, but very hard to find. Toyota and Honda, used cheap metal in those years, so once rust would get a start it would be hard if not impossible to stop.

[LynchburgCSI]

I vote to ditch it and grab a gen 3.

[uibalnme]

^+1

[abew330]

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

I vote to ditch it and grab a gen 3.

1+ i agree

get something a little newer

[hill8570]

If you want rust-free, you'll probably have to travel. Plenty of rust-free cars anywhere they don't salt the roads. I haven't had to worry about body rot since I got the f*ck out of the midwest.

[2wickedtoyz]

don't get rid of it. search for another wagon in the lower states where there is no snow. the wagon looks nice sucks about the rust tho

[zythr]

Originally Posted by hill8570

If you want rust-free, you'll probably have to travel. Plenty of rust-free cars anywhere they don't salt the roads. I haven't had to worry about body rot since I got the f*ck out of the midwest.

Not all vehicles in the midwest rust. It all boils down to when and how often the car is washed (a Sat or Sun afternoon can take care of this). Also, many owners neglect or don't want to do the underbody, which if the car is washed at home, requires bending and maybe getting a little wet to get the salt/grime off. If you care for your car, then a little bit of a soaking won't matter

[bigbird]

if your lookin to keep the parts then id stick with a car like it. keep the mods, maybe get something a little different like a sedan and get the undercarrige coated.

[ricamryman]

Originally Posted by zythr

Not all vehicles in the midwest rust. It all boils down to when and how often the car is washed (a Sat or Sun afternoon can take care of this). Also, many owners neglect or don't want to do the underbody, which if the car is washed at home, requires bending and maybe getting a little wet to get the salt/grime off. If you care for your car, then a little bit of a soaking won't matter

I totally agree! People are so lazy, then they get upset when their car is a heap of rust on wheels in 10 or so years! I wash my Camry & Truck after every time they are exposed to road salt!.......

[zythr]

Originally Posted by ricamryman

I totally agree! People are so lazy, then they get upset when their car is a heap of rust on wheels in 10 or so years! I wash my Camry & Truck after every time they are exposed to road salt!.......

Yes they are. Good that you wash your vehicles so often, it can be fun and good exercise too

[nogard]

Thanks guys for some good input. One suggestion was to go to a gen 3. That thought crossed my mind. I think they have the same size tires, can't remember if the engine or drive train would swap. I think this is the least likely at the moment.

I have found about 6 on autotrader, anywhere from $950 to about $5000. I would be willing to pay $2000. There are a couple in this range, but they are in salt states. Like OR, VA, IA, and PA. I bought a 1992 4Runner from Utah once. It ended up being rusty and was quite a drive. Not sure if I want to make a trek like that again. If I would I wouldn't be in a hurry to get home. I would make a road trip vacation out of it this time.

I agree washing is a must, I think at least once a week and if going through an automatic wash pay extra for the underbody rinse.

As was said this is a special car and I would like to keep the soul a live. I would love to find a true body donor, but I think it is more likely to find another runner, then I could also drive it home, I don't have a trailer or truck, would have to rent.

I do have a welder and can weld decent. I'm in the middle of building a garage and the electricity isn't out there yet. I'm an electrician so it is up to me, I just need to get on the horse and get'r done. I don't have the time, and I would rather spend it swaping parts. That is great about the Uncle Hank comment, that made me laugh out loud in a good way. Reminds me of some of the older handier people I know/knew, those are special people!

Well I think that is what I'm going to do is look for another and get some more life out of it. I like the statement that was made, "get a few more years out of the soul of this obviously special car," that is really neat and was inspiring for me to read. It gave me a small burst of hope, thanks.

I know I have to travel to get one. Now the challenge will be to find one. I don't want a sedan, I want a wagon. Next time I will look at a gen 3 or someday, dare I say, might have to jump brands and get a subaru legacy GT, they look sharp around the 2005 year body style.

Any one know of a 2nd gen camry wagon for sale? How much would you guys be willing to pay? If I found a really good one what is the realistic amount of time I could keep driving it and still be able to get parts for it, maintain it etc? I want to be realistic.

[nogard]

I just realized that I put this post in the wrong spot. It is in the 3rd/4th gen, I meant to put it in the 1st/2nd gen.

How silly of me. If it needs to be moved, could someone do that for me please.

[deezeejoey]

move on.