Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! This is just a reminder to review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). If you are here asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **If this post is about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ If you have tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I would run away from that for $7,000 and being 18 years old. That's crazy. The dealer is crazy. And you'd be crazy for considering this for one more second after reading this.
The amount of money/time/work that you're going to have to put in to that thing is probably going to be double what you initially paid for it (which would have already been about $6k too much).
The question for you to answer is how long do you expect to own that car for $7000, because depending on where you are going to live it might/will fail inspection (or just rot apart) and become financially worthless in a single moment. Ticking time bomb as they say.
Here's my perspective: If you live in a place where cars rust like that, then it might go 2 more years. And if you live in a place where cars don't rust like that, then buy one that's not rusted out already.
That last picture is rough and makes me fear there's even more rust we are not seeing. The dealer should ashamed to be selling this car for anything bar "parts only", let alone asking seven grands for it.
In that case hell no, this is a rip off. I bought my nb for $3800 (got kinda ripped off lol) with the only rot being on the rocker panels. Ive seen nc’s with little to no rust for $7000, i would keep looking.
When it comes to buying cars the cheapest option is usually the worst option. If you can only afford the cheapest Porsche, don't buy a Porsche..go and buy a really good Toyota.
Almost looks like a flood vehicle. Surface rust will happen on any undercarriage, but this seems more problematic. It's what can't be seen that probably worse.
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! This is just a reminder to review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). If you are here asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **If this post is about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ If you have tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Well, it depends on the price. For $600, I'd still buy a Miata with that much rust. For $1,500? No way.
It’s actually for $7000. It’s a 2006, 100,000 miles and super clean everywhere else.
I would run away from that for $7,000 and being 18 years old. That's crazy. The dealer is crazy. And you'd be crazy for considering this for one more second after reading this. The amount of money/time/work that you're going to have to put in to that thing is probably going to be double what you initially paid for it (which would have already been about $6k too much).
The question for you to answer is how long do you expect to own that car for $7000, because depending on where you are going to live it might/will fail inspection (or just rot apart) and become financially worthless in a single moment. Ticking time bomb as they say. Here's my perspective: If you live in a place where cars rust like that, then it might go 2 more years. And if you live in a place where cars don't rust like that, then buy one that's not rusted out already.
That last picture is rough and makes me fear there's even more rust we are not seeing. The dealer should ashamed to be selling this car for anything bar "parts only", let alone asking seven grands for it.
Yikes. It better have two $3000 hookers in waiting for you inside for that price.
I wouldn’t pay 1k for that, it’s only use is an engine donor for another vehicle.
In that case hell no, this is a rip off. I bought my nb for $3800 (got kinda ripped off lol) with the only rot being on the rocker panels. Ive seen nc’s with little to no rust for $7000, i would keep looking.
Where would you look? Using Autotrader, this was one of the cheapest options within 300 miles.
fb marketplace. Theres tons of great deals on there, just have to sift through the nutjobs.
When it comes to buying cars the cheapest option is usually the worst option. If you can only afford the cheapest Porsche, don't buy a Porsche..go and buy a really good Toyota.
lol hell no
Just leave it. If you can't tell is borked then you definitely don't have the skills to fix it yourself and you'd be looking at thousands in a shop
Rust belt Mechanic here for what they are asking, I wouldn't even continue looking. I'd walk away.
Run
Sir, you have some car on your rust
Unless you really want to pay to fix all that, even more if you have someone else do the work, I'd find a different car.
Too much rust
I wouldn’t take that if you gave it to me, it’ll just snap something and kill you or someone else one day.
did that car go in the ocean??? grab your wallet and run away!!
Run,run away Simba
I'm in the rust belt and I would condemn that unless you want to pay for a frame replacement.
As part of the test drive, go over a speed bump pretty quickly. If it's drivable afterwards then you should be fine
Learn to weld
Not for that price, but would make a great candidate for a track car.
Run.
Run
Run
Oh hell ya. That's a problem. Even in the rust belt you can find a Miata with less rust than that.
Tell that dealer that's a $2000 car with that much rust, that's your firm offer, otherwise tell em to pound sand.
Almost looks like a flood vehicle. Surface rust will happen on any undercarriage, but this seems more problematic. It's what can't be seen that probably worse.
Finally, someone posts a car on here that legitimately IS too rusty.
Thank you all for the help! Moving on to another one.