What do you guys think? Advice needed

[jhayes]

I'm trying to get a festiva for very cheap, but am having trouble finding one.
What do you guys think of this?

http://dayton.craigslist.org/cto/2998519066.html

I've been emailing the owner and so far he has included the details as well
It is an automatic, probably could use a set of tires. Has around 170 k miles. Muffler needs replaced. Has some rust on hood and the drivers window needs fixed.

I'm debating on offering like 400 for it

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/2975598711.html
Haven't gotten anymore info out of this one yet

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/2955973684.html
Not much other info here as well

Any ideas on which is best and why? thanks

[FeistyFesti]

Definitely the last post, its got a five speed and "newer" engine. Seems like the best one to buy.

[jhayes]

Definitely the last post, its got a five speed and "newer" engine. Seems like the best one to buy.

That's true, I'm just trying to spend the least amount as possible, so I may see what the white 88 could be haggled down to.
I want a super deal :p

[drddan]

Those are all good deals. I am liking the last one. Looks like the best deal imho.

[JPT]

The last one is fuel injected. If you ever want to do an engine swap, this would be the easiest one to do it to.

The 1st one is nice and also fuel injected, but the '89 auto cars have a unique setup.

[jhayes]

I don't know how much engine swapping that I will be doing. I'm basically wanting a clean, gas mileage machine. While being the cheap. The old one I bought in my sig was only 650 and was one of the cleanest I have ever seen, but I had engine troubles with it and couldn't figure it out and ending up selling it for 1000. So that one being so clean and only 650 sets the bar high for this purchase

[drddan]

When did you own your that 91 GL? That is setting the bar high. Nice car!
I ask, as the last couple years, the prices have been rising for these cars, and get snatched up pretty quick.
All those are good deals to me, still would try for the newest, at $850 it isnt bad.

Sweet wheels on the first one!

[jhayes]

When did you own your that 91 GL? That is setting the bar high. Nice car!
I ask, as the last couple years, the prices have been rising for these cars, and get snatched up pretty quick.
All those are good deals to me, still would try for the newest, at $850 it isnt bad.

I owned it 1-2 years ago, so it was recently. It was a retiring Professor's car that he drove to the local university every day, that was the only place he drove it. It was an amazing find really, it's just there were phantom engine troubles, where it would not start for a day then the next day start perfect and it would begin messing up while being driven at times. Had to sell it off after trying a few things, can't argue with 200 dollars made off it.
Now I have a 97 neon that I want to get rid off for around 1500 and get a festiva instead, I just like them better and the gas money it would save would be worth it. I'm a student and drive to class everyday, so money is tight and having great gas mileage in a decent festiva would be awesome.
I'm debating on offering like 650 to that last one, due to the slight rust.

[Bert]

Better than listening to "our" advice which is entirely derived from low-resolution photos and (likely embellished) descriptions maybe you want to enlist the service (via case of beer or some such) of an experienced gearhead or mechanic to give those cars a thorough once over. Looking for tell tale signs of accident repairs, bondo, doing wet and dry compression tests, looking for oil leaks, hoisting the car in the air to check the wheels and bearings etc and a host of other procedures, in advance of a sale, are a much surer thing.

[georgeb]

Automatics get worse mileage. As much as 25% less. '89 autos have some one-year only elec stuff making them the riskist buy. But for some reason I'd like to have one!

[drddan]

I'm debating on offering like 650 to that last one, due to the slight rust.

There ya go!

[jhayes]

Better than listening to "our" advice which is entirely derived from low-resolution photos and (likely embellished) descriptions maybe you want to enlist the service (via case of beer or some such) of an experienced gearhead or mechanic to give those cars a thorough once over. Looking for tell tale signs of accident repairs, bondo, doing wet and dry compression tests, looking for oil leaks, hoisting the car in the air to check the wheels and bearings etc and a host of other procedures, in advance of a sale, are a much surer thing.

yea, I will have to have someone look over it and see how it is. I just figured that FF.com would have members who were more knowledgable on Festiva stuff, which many mechanics don't have a vast knowledge on.

[Basement_Modder]

It depends. I got mine from a guy wanting $500, and got it down to $400. It has, or rather HAD, more rust than a shipping yard, and was non-running. Some filters, oil, fluids, and an ignition switch got it running like a champ. I now have about $600 into the car, and it is 75% complete for a stocker. Once the body welding and aspire swap are done, I'll look into swaps.

But to get mine running and rust-free 100% stock, I'd be looking at about an $850 total investment. So that last one is a pretty fair price, considering I'm at 250k miles.

[jhayes]

yea I'm thinking I'll just throw out the offer of 650 on it incase it needs something. I'll just say that rust is the reason why. If that guy even emails me back.

[Safety Guy]

Here's another one:

http://chillicothe.craigslist.org/cto/2960741463.html

Looks really nice.

Karl