Oil light problem and CV joints question

[Akuma]

I just bought a '93 Tercel for a commuter car.
It has 120k miles and was in nice condition.
I took it to a garage for a prepurchase inspection.
They said it needed new belts and one CV boot was cracked and the joint on the other side was going bad, but other than that it was in good condition.

So this was about 2-3 weeks ago.
The oil change sticker on the windshield said the next one wasn't due until
121K. And then yesterday the light oil light flickered for maybe 1-2 seconds when I pulled over the make a phone call. I noticed but forgot by the time I got home.

Today it came on again for almost 3-4 seconds when I was stopped on the street to check the mail. So I immediately parked it and checked the dipstick. There was no oil.
Wasn't sure if you were supposed to check it with a cold or warm engine ?
Anyways I added a quart, started the engine again let it idle for 30 seconds and shut it off. Checked it again, and it barely was on the stick at the low end. Added another quart, and now it's almost at the full mark.

So bottom line I drove this car for the last 2-3 weeks (around 200 miles) with probably 1.5-2 quarts low on oil. Really stupid thing to do I know but I assumed the fricking mechanic would have checked the oil and condition and it wasn't due for a change so I never checked it myself until the last 2 days when the light started coming on and I realized something was wrong. . Do you think there was serious damage done ? You would think the oil sensor would come on constantly if it got that low, and not just flicker once and then come on for 3-4 seconds and go off. What's the damage ?

The mechanic said there was no leaks, so I'm assuming the valve stem seals are bad and it's burning it up.

Also is 240.00 a good price for getting a rebuilt front axle ? Parts+Labor ?

[Tercel GTS]

I doubt you did any damage but now that you know it uses a little oil you can keep an eye on it. The 3E-E only holds 3 quarts.

That's prolly a fair shop price for the axle swap.

[drehtwnftbl]

yeah, just carry a coupla quarts in your car, it's what i do

[Akuma]

Ok thanks guys.
i was really worried that I did catastophic damage and I was gonna throw a rod any day now.
I feel really bad for the car. I try and keep stuff in good condition.
I'll be checking the oil level every week now to avoid this problem from happening again.
So far it's been a great car. Getting over 30mpg.

[drehtwnftbl]

if you hear any clicking that sounds like its coming from under the valve cover, then you might try going to a garage and ask, that's what happened when the last dude that had my car drove the car on low oil for like a week or two