My car has about $2500 in rust repairs IF i wanted it done to permanently fix it. And since it has only 64K miles, I want it done right if at all. If this car had 200K miles on it I wouldn't care what it looked like. So I basically got some estimates and then drove to the dealership to see if they could give me enough to pay off my $2100 loan. Unfortunatley I have that much to pay off on a car that is rotting away, but the go figure...everything else with the car is fine...it will last 10 more years if cared for.

ANYWAY, I saw a nice red 2001 GTP with only 36K miles and the salesman offered me a test drive. I didn't get to really feel the power of the L67, but I am at least considering getting it...but I probably won't have enough after to put a downpayment on,which should put me at $200-225 payments...which is not too bad, but my income is not steady all the time, and on the other hand I don't want to spend more money a month on a car when I have other debts. :( I'm torn...I hate having a rusty POS, my Bonne was heading in that direction, now this one'* worse....I wish I could just win some damn money so I can get a decent car!

This test drive story turned into a rant...I apologize!

how is it that you did not really get the feel the power of the L67???? let it warm up a little and push the peddle down all the way and see what happens. Works best at about 26mph.

Where is it rusting and how much of the work can you do yourself? that could save some money.

Well I could have done that, but I would have been speeding too much and the guy was in the car with me...I didn't really want to drive the car like I would my own ....I knew what it was capable of so I didn't push it too much.

Jimmy, the rust on the 2 front fenders is the least of my problems. I totally fixed and repainted one of the fenders and it'* still in decent shape, even through the winter. The other front fender is worse, but I found an ebay seller who sells these fenders for only $120 each, and I could easily save money buying those and painting them myself.

BUT the front fenders is not even included in the $2500 repair. So the front itself if replacing fenders, would cost me about $400 shipping included. The rear 1/4 panels cost at least $1200 each to replace...and if I could replace them myself like the front fenders I'd do it, but there'* welding and all that good stuff that has to be done. I could ask if they could just install them and see how much it would be if they didn't paint them. I could paint them myself. But I am guessing I wouldn't save much because painting is probably the cheapest process for that job.

If this car had minimal rust, or no rust, I'd keep it. I probably should anyway since I don't have a ton of money, but I hate looking at it everyday.

And I just found out that the trade in value for this car with 64K miles, in 'fair' condition is only $1,150....even in "good" condition it'* only $1500. The rust that this has is through the body, so I don't even think it could be considered "good." It'* probably 'fair' at best.

To be honest Pete, at this point, let er rust...I mean, its not worth sinkin more into her (even tho I really like that car). Fix only the essentials, and start budgeting for a new car...even if it is at GTP

Yea, if you HAVE TO, just save your money and end up resorting to the GTP.

I will have to wait I think, because I doubt they'll give me $2000-2100.... I spent way too much on this car, but for the condition it was visibly in at the time, it was ok, but now the real damage was uncovered by winter, and now I'm screwed. I don't want to sink any more $$ into this, but I know I'm going to HAVE to sink in at least $350 for new tie rod ends, and $600ish for intake gaskets soon.

Intake gaskets shouldn't be anywhere near $600 for a 3100. For $500 I bought my head gaskets, head bolts, lower intake gaskets, plenum gaskets, tb gasket, cam, lifters, timing chain, cam sprocket, crank sprocket, coolant temp sensor, etc.... for my 3.1. (all the gasket stuff was 3100 stuff though) IIRC the lower intake gaskets are like $40 for the pair. I can't see labor being more than about $400, but personally I'd do it myself as its really not much work. Invest in a service manual, and give yourself a weekend, and intake gaskets should be pretty simple.

Shawn

I have been really consideringdoing it myself. I only have a Haynes manual, and ALMOST got one for the Cutlass on ebay...I'll have to keep looking.