tubbymother

I came across a '86 GXL yesterday, for sale, asking $1,500.00; but the body had the following problems: surface rust on door and on hatch, surface rust near brake light, and dent between passenger front quarter panel and front bumper. The dent is my concern, the other problems can be cleaned up, there is a gap between the bumper and the sheet metal. What would have caused such damage? The metal seems to have been pounded back away from front bumper, from the top around to the bottom of the passenger quarter panel, yet there is no surface dent on the side of the quarter panel. Moreover, the metal has rust on it and it appears the only way to fix it is to cut out the damaged metal and weld a new piece. I am getting a carfax check, maybe it will provide additional information.

Anyone have any thoughts and additional places where rust accumulates on a "86 GXL?

Thanx for your input!!

ponykiller

I would be more worried about the engine. 1500 is a lot for a car with a rough body and bad engine. What about the interior? Tell us more!

Joonas

by front quarter panel do you mean front fender? if so it sounds like you got a similar dent as in my car and I think wont be to hard to pull the fender off and hammer it out

tubbymother

The egine has 70,000 miles on it-I would insist on a compression test before even making the seller an offer. The interior is clean: leather seats, good carpet, good dash, cruise control, sunroof (no leak), A/C, good headliner, normal wear door panels, and pioneer sound system.

Waiting on the carfax, I believe $1,500.00 is too much, also, but the seller is less than a mile away. I have an '85 RX and am looking for a fun weekend car. My RX does not have a sunroof or cruise control.

Thanx for your input!!

tubbymother

Joonas, the dent is on the tip of the front fender, where the fender meets the front bumper. But the dent follows the tip of the front fender down to the ground and creates a noticeable gap. On the driver's side, the front fender rests flush against the bumper.

Joonas

ok my dent is on the tip of the front fender where it meets the bumper but it is like only 7" in diameter so yours sounds alot worse

tubbymother

Not sure how the front tip could be damaged while the area around it is not affected? Maybe not the original fender? Is there an area, like behind the storeage bins on my "85, where rust can get to the '86's frame?