90 Corolla Wagon - worth fixing?

[beauwulf]

Hi all,
I just joined up and looking for some advice. My 90 wagon has been a solid little beater and served me well, but now I have to decide whether it's time to put it out of it's misery.
The car was hit on the right front wheel and the alignment is shot - to say the least. At a miniumum, it needs a new steering knuckle, spindle and struts. The parts are relatively affordable, but the labor cost for several hours work is frightenting... and who knows what else might be bent.
So I'm looking at a couple of options:
1 - Try doing the work myself. I'm fairly mechanically inclined, but I've never tackled suspension work before. I know it won't be easy - lots of rusted bolts & such, so any tips anyone could offer would be appreciated.
or
2 - Write it off. I didn't pay that much for the car (got it used from friend) but it still seems it should be worth something to someone. Is there any demand for parts from this car? The best wreckers will offer is free towing when they haul it off for scrap.

comments welcome

thanks

[karugs]

If frame is bent, it's gone.

Part it out or sell as a whole parts car.

If frame is OK, fixing it is up to you. You know your car best. Perhaps you could elaborate more. Car has problems? All running strong? Engine healthy?

Glad you're OK. Best of luck.

[REN69]

Best advice I would give you.. forget about fixing it and buy yourself another AE92 wagon or sedan or coupe, you'll be able to use most of the parts from your car on the next one anyways so it shouldn't be too bad. From your description, it sounds like the damage is enough to consider the car a write off, so might as well let it go and move on to the next one or sell it for parts.

[beauwulf]

Originally Posted by karugs

If frame is bent, it's gone.

Part it out or sell as a whole parts car.

If frame is OK, fixing it is up to you. You know your car best. Perhaps you could elaborate more. Car has problems? All running strong? Engine healthy?

Glad you're OK. Best of luck.

Frame is good - I was worried about the strut mount but the mechanic who estimated the repairs showed me at least that part was still straight. Lots of good parts on the car, the engine is running pefectly, the previous owner had a new clutch, radiator, and alternator put in over the last few years and maintained it well, so it seems like a shame to just toss it.
This is why I'm undecided, if there wasn't anything worth saving it would be a simple decision. My other car is a '00 Celica, which I'm very attached to - but the Corolla I've only had less than a year and I'm not so sentimental over.
Maybe I'll start pulling it apart and see how tough the job seems. If it's beyond my skills I can part it out or scrap it then. Which leads me to the question - is there any demand for parts from this car? (1.6 litre -I think- EFI engine with 5 spd manual trans.)
I suppose if I just post it in the for-sale forum I'll get the answer to that one