lost my son's car in flooding water (not the Valiant)

[Sussmad]

I was going to work and took a right off a busy road and landed in 3 feet of water with my son's 96 toyota. It was a good car (expensive parts though) but I had bought it from my Dad who was the original owner. Hopefully the insurance will give me some $: I would buy another dart/valiant but my wife doesn't like the idea for my son's daily driver. Anybody have experience or knowledge with the Lebaron 90-95 models; I hear the trannys are suspect. I can only spend in the 2-3k range. Any other suggestions, There is a nice 46K 87 Cutlass around but a little out of my range ,I always liked those cars.

 

[cudamark]

If it was fresh water, I'd clean it out and run it. If you let it sit too long, you'll never get the musty smell out. I wouldn't pay more than a grand for a '90-5 Le Baron. Trouble 4cyl. areas are head gaskets/cracks; 5 speeds (the autos hold up ok if you dont' race them), turbos, axle shafts, and digital dash parts. The 3.0 V6's are a little better if they've had the valve guide repair already. If either have rust in the cooling system, pass it by.
Mark

 

[greenhornet]

I had an ex-girlfriend that drove her escort into a pond, car always smelled musty and never did run right after that..