On what planet would this be considered "good" condition

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
10/24/2018 at 12:53 • Filed to: FB Marketplace is the new Craigslist

Because I am perpetually looking at garbage cars for potential future Gamblers, I clicked on a link for a $700 Oldsmobile 88. I like these cars, and I don’t care what anybody else says to the contrary. Imagine my surprise when I found this picture of a car which is listed in “good” condition.

Now, to be fair to the seller, there are actually two pictures of the problem, but c’mon dude, this thing is done.

DISCUSSION (22)

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > shop-teacher
10/24/2018 at 13:01

I wonder if thats from an impact or just rust?

fintail > shop-teacher
10/24/2018 at 13:03

4WS option?

shop-teacher > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/24/2018 at 13:17

Could be both. The description claims it just needs a lower control arm, which is included, but obviously there’s more going on here or it would be fixed. This is a $700 car, AFTER it’s fixed. But I bet it actually isn’t fixable.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > fintail
10/24/2018 at 13:17

3WS, for when predictability in directional control just don’t cut it any more.

shop-teacher > fintail
10/24/2018 at 13:17

Super rare!

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > shop-teacher
10/24/2018 at 13:25

Too bad you aren’t in Virginia, I got a lead on a car guaranteed never to have a radiator fluid leak.

BigBlock440 > shop-teacher
10/24/2018 at 13:32

Doesn’t look like too much rust, a little bit of peeling but otherwise ok paint, depending on the interior and mechanicals , it could be decent for $700. When you’re at that price point, condition is relative. Without seeing the rest of the pictures, I can’t say. Maybe it’s worth fixing, maybe it’s not fixable.

As for why they didn’t fix it yet, it could be because it won’t really increase the price any, and to take the couple hours to do it for nearly no gain doesn’t make sense to them? Same reason I’m not changing tie rods and spark plugs on the car I have for sale (or wash it), it’s going to make zero difference in the price (not hindering operation, just maintenance) and I don’t even have time to work on the house or cars I’m keeping, I’m not going to waste time on something I’m getting rid of.

shop-teacher > BigBlock440
10/24/2018 at 13:49

These things rust really bad underneath. I guarantee it looks like the Titanic on the bottom. I'm with you on not doing maintenance for cheap cars that you're selling, but this particular car will be worth $700 after it's fixed. As it sits, an undrivable hunk, it's worth scrap value.

shop-teacher > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
10/24/2018 at 13:49

Corvair?

Aaron James > shop-teacher
10/24/2018 at 14:09

on craigslist “good” just means not currently on fire.

shop-teacher > Aaron James
10/24/2018 at 14:17

Hahaha! Good point!

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > shop-teacher
10/24/2018 at 15:37

Yep, gotta let mine go fast with all the changes happening to my life.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > shop-teacher
10/24/2018 at 16:22

If it really just needs a control arm, the rest of the car looks pretty clean. Be an easy $2k fixed in my neck of the woods.

Although I’m going to bet the rear suspension is rotted off, which is why it looks like that in the first place, to which, I’d give scrap price for it.

shop-teacher > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/24/2018 at 16:48

I bet the bottom is so rotten, you couldn’t even jack it up safely.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > shop-teacher
10/24/2018 at 17:02

I agree. Those cars rusted so weirdly. That’s why the first thing I do when I go look at one is crawl under in front of the rear wheels and check them out. Between the rear suspension rotting off and the engine cradle rotting off, it’s amazing how many I still see around here.

shop-teacher > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
10/24/2018 at 18:27

Oh, right. That's too bad you have to let it go, and also too bad that it's so far away from me.

ranwhenparked > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
10/24/2018 at 18:53

Wait, how much are you asking?

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > ranwhenparked
10/24/2018 at 19:20

If I got $1000 I'd be happy. It's registered, title on hand, and drivable. But it needs paint and weather stripping like you would not believe. It was a California car until 2014, so the only structural rust is trunk pan where it had collected water.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > ranwhenparked
10/24/2018 at 19:22

http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/read.php?1,998824

ranwhenparked > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
10/24/2018 at 19:25

Sooo tempting, I know I shouldn’t, but, wow, tempting.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > shop-teacher
10/25/2018 at 19:33

The wheel is still attached, so condition = GOOD.

Wheel not attached, condition = FAIR.

Car on fire, condition = POOR.

shop-teacher > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/25/2018 at 19:48

TRUTH!

Although, I think I could debate whether or not that wheel is actually attached :)

The cars on this platform rusted particularly badly on the bottom. I doubt there’s any metal for that new a-arm to attach to anymore.