About to buy a 5000s beater for US$300.

[Keith Lawyer]

Oh, it's sad but true!!

However I too am guilty of having an '86 5ktq I picked up for $300.  It needs a new head (timing belt failure at rpm) and I keep telling myself I'm gonna resurrect it...........I have no idea of the condition of all components listed below (sigh)

>>> "Doyt W. Echelberger" <doyt at buckeye-express.com> 7/26/2005 7:28 AM >>>
The engines, transmissions and galvanized body shells are incredibly 
bulletproof. It is the rest of the systems that keep these main units 
working that shoot down reliability on an old 5k.

Lots of critical things routinely and predictably fail on most of the 5k's, 
with exponential frequency as they age. Reliability of any of them 
seriously reduces the driveability, safety and convenience of the car. 
Figure $500 to $1,000 USD for every line item.

Steering rack
Hydraulic accumulator & hydraulic hoses for above
Radiator, heater core, heater valve, all hoses
Ventilation blower and control modules and mechanicals
Air conditioning system, condenser, evaporator, compressor, drains & hoses
Water pump/thermostat/timing belt & associated tension devices
Metal brake lines and fuel lines
Gas tank including fuel pump, filler pipe and overflow/vapors system
Entire exhaust system and catalytic converter
Alternator & battery
Electrical harness wiring/control modules/all those sensors and chips and 
connections and wires
Entire lighting systems
Wheel bearings/tie-rod ends/CV joints & boots/springs/hubs/struts
Alloy wheels which corrode and stop holding air
Windshield wiper mechanicals
Locks, door handles, window lift mechanisms & control systems
Headliners, sunvisors
Horns, instrument cluster board and gauges

and the list goes on.

The "Beater" term also applies to what 5k ownership will do to your wallet, 
especially if you get a car that previous owners have allowed to run down, 
system by system, until only the bulletproof units survive.

Beware, unless you are prepared to become a dedicated 5k fanatic and 
already have considerable resources of skill, time, money, work space and 
alternative transportation.

Doyt Echelberger