What should I do here?

[Festiva4SHO]

Hey guys, I have come across a 1988 festiva for sale that she originally wanted $600 for. It needed some work and had 155k on it. I figured eh, no big deal.....Until I looked under the car. I have her down to $450 on it now, but I think she needs to go lower. Here is a pic of the frame rail I saw. Both sides are like this. What should I do? How dangerous is this? How much is the car worth?

[ejp2fast]

what trim level is it? L, LX? when you get a chance, update your profile "User CP" for your location (i assume up north somewhere by the looks of it)..Without details, $450 is a decent deal but $300 or lower is better How much work does it need? Does it run? Clear title? As far as your rust issue.. hmm.. some of you norhtern guys will have to chime in for this..

[Festiva4SHO]

You are right, I live in Ohio. The car is an L and it runs and shift excellent. Only about half the frame rail looks like that. The rest is good. Is it worth her asking price then?

[thered56]

What are you going to be using the car for? No offense, but is there really no more of a rust issue than the frame rails? I hope it works out to a good deal for ya though!

[Levitan]

Dude, I have bought alot of Festivas. That is a MAJOR problem unless you have mad skills and finances. I've got parts cars in way better shape than that and only paid $100. Hold off for a rustfree car....or at least less rust car.

Just my 2 cents.

[Festiva4SHO]

Thats what I was afraid of...I plan to daily drive it. Couldnt I just get a couple of 1/4 inch thick bars and run them along it, and weld them to the parts of the frame rail that isnt rusted yet? Or wont that work?

[Damkid]

if you know how to weld, i would get some angle iron and weld them over the frame rail, but i would prefer to find a different festiva in better shape for the same price

[Festiva4SHO]

well I think she may go $350 on it. I duno where I can get one cheaper than that, and it runs. Is it dangerous to drive it the way it is? It is only like that on the front half of the rails. The rear of the rails is solid.

[Damkid]

i've found several for $200 or less with less rust, but thats me :lol:

if you can't find one in better shape for close to the same price and your good with a welder and have access to one, then i'd buy it and fix it if it's one that you want and if your willing to do the work it needs

[Festiva4SHO]

Well call me stupid but I bought it. $400 I pick her up tomorrow. Im just gonna run full length angle iron all the way down the rails. That should hold'er HA!

[mechanicaldj]

what are you going to weld TO?

that is what i call a parts car and not much more

[rcottle]

Keep looking for another that maybe needs a drivetrain. In my opinion Rust is the worst thing to fix - usually where there is rust there is more & more & more. Goodluck. Took me several months of working weekends to get mine on the road and there is still more I need to do before I feel comfortable taking it on a long high speed road trip............