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Pacific Northwest rust common? Thinking about a car in Portland

Billccm

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Hello:

I found a car in Salem, Oregon that I started a dialog with the seller. I'm asking for additional pictures, but so far I like what I see and what I've been told. Sounds like an older resto (like 15 years ago) that has been well cared for, but I'm getting more details.

Last year I looked at a car in Portland, and was amazed that the rust was minimal. Assuming this area does not have the accelerated rust like the mid west (use of salt)?

Link below to the car:
http://salem.craigslist.org/cto/5795951812.html

As always, I appreciate all the good, bad, and indifferent opinions.

Take care, Bill
 
Do you have any information on mileage, drivetrain/suspension codition? The pictures show a pretty nice RR for the price, needing a fair amount of TLC. I'd sure want to know what works and what doesn't and the condition of the hard parts. Good luck.
 
I was born and raised there and the PNW is a good place to buy cars. They don't salt the roads on the WEST side of the Cascades, but they do on the east. So you still turn up cars with that kind of salt damage that have made there way to the west side.

Cars up there still get rust, it's just in different places. Think puddling water from non-stop raining, and rotting pine needles, leaves, etc. (it's full of trees up there).

Look for inside-out rust in the vent cowls, doors (needles plug up the drains at the bottom then the door fills with water), and rear window leaking causing truck rust. A common problem is floor board rust from the inside out when the cowl fails and rainwater starts piling up under the carpets. Had a few cars like that.

But overall, the cars are very good. The lack of sunshine means the interiors didn't take the same beating from the UV.

Good luck!
 
The seller is an older gentleman who loves to talk about his car. Seems very honest and straightforward. I'm asking for trunk pan, backlite area, fender tag, and rear frame rail pictures today.
Mileage is 120K miles, and seller believes motor has never been rebuilt. He has original AM radio, cast iron intake, and carb to go with the car.
Not much history on this car. He bought it '15 years ago from a body shop that does restorations'. Seller admits that 50 grand appraisal was bloated for insurance purposes, but it does show some confidence in 2013 this car had everything working (I assume).
Calling today to get more info. This may be the car (finally)!
Take care, Bill
 
Know nothing about the PNW. I like the car. Take cash, get on a plane. In person you will know. Looks like a buyers market to me.
 
I've always heard that parts of the NW are good to find solid cars; grabberorange69 certainly would know being from the area. Looks pretty cherry in the pics and in my favorite mopar color. Be interesting to find out what the shop that had the car may have done to it. Good luck.
 
Called the seller to ask for more pictures. Also disclosed a few small things and a show stopper. The turn signals don't cancel (been there-easy fix), the car ran warm two summers ago in traffic. The radiator was rodded and a electric fan assist was placed in front (probably no worries here). Engine does not smoke. Auto tarns drips a small drop or two over the winter hibernation.

Then he dropped the BOMB!

Needed a roof for his house a few months back and the car has a title loan.

Here we go again. Just like the Wyoming Coronet I was trying to buy in August-another title loan situation.
When a HELOC is so easy and tax deductible why do people take out title loans on cars they intend to sell?
Buying a car long distance is difficult enough, but now you need to deal with the title loan on a weekday rather than buy on a weekend.
I said it once, and I'll say it again. I just need to focus on Phoenix cars and cancel the craiglist searches!
Thanks for letting me rant. Have a nice day, Bill
 
Title loans will eat you alive. How much? A roof in California costs a small fortune.

On the other hand, the whole Globe looks to Arizona for cars.
 
On the other hand, the whole Globe looks to Arizona for cars.
YEP. Only I seem to find nothing in the state in the 20K range. There are hundreds of cars 39 to 59K, and lots in the 6 to 10K. The price range of 20 to 30 is slim pickin's.
 
looks like a decent car, too......... I'd say from the pics it has been painted but never been apart
 
If you are still interested in it I can take a ride and look at it for you. How much was the loan for?
 
last time I was in Portland it was awash with classic cars. But no trailer queens, just driver classics all over the place parked on the street and driving around. Rust did not appear to be a problem but you need to see it in person to be sure.
 
I've been told the car is "probably" sold.
Thanks for all of the comments, advice, and offers to help.
I modified my craigslist searches for Arizona only from here on out.
Take care Bill
 
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Bill, if you can provide a list of acceptable models/criterion, I'll make a few calls to my AZ Mopar friends and poke around for you.
 
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