22 year old American is in way over his head

[Jayzer]

Hey guys,

Who: I'm a 22 year old student
What: who bought an 88 white hardtop n/a
Where: on craigslist back in seattle washington
When: in mid august, about two months ago
Why: because I wanted a fun, efficient daily driver
How: Paid $1350 cash when it was all said and done

Problem: I am trying to decide if I should keep my MR2 or not.

Past and Present Problems:
Blown engine - replaced
Hood latch failure - hood flew up and broke windshield, dented hardtop, replaced
chronic oil leak problems - still reoccurring
chronic exhaust problems - still reoccurring
speedometer gave out yesterday!

I think I'm in over my head.

I've had ongoing mechanical problems and now that I have fixed most of my problems, it's cost me more than double what I originally paid for the car. And every week new problems come up.


Here's the backstory on the car:
http://www.mr2.com/forums/check/Toyota- ... regon.html

Here's a thread where I ask basically the same thing on the forums:
http://www.mr2.com/forums/general-maint ... story.html

Right now I'm uploading a couple of videos to YouTube of the car's condition, they should be finished uploading by morning: http://www.youtube.com/user/JackalJayzer


Please let me know if you think I have a keeper and I should keep throwing time and money at it, or if I should swallow my pride and walk away. I am inexperienced with cars but I have the time and intelligence to troubleshoot and find solutions. What I don't have is money to keep replacing all the parts in the car.

And if you think I should walk away, I'm open to any advice on how to sell this car to make some of my money back. Would I get a better return selling it as a running car with issues? Or should I part it out? Is anyone reading this message in the market? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!
Jayzer

[Jayzer]

anybody here with an opinion?

[No3157]

Seen a LOT worse...I wouldn't say it's a lemon, just typical of a car this age which hasn'e been pampered it's whole life...

Body's good, which means the mechanicals will probably need attention...as you say, they do...

Go here: http://www.mr2oc.com/index.php?

Ask some local members if they'd fancy taking a look at her with you, as long as you're prepared to get stuck in, and learn...

If you're not, then probably better to let her go...but she's not a lemon!!