u/Superb-Diamond5407

I’ve been looking for a budget Ex for a short while now. Just found one 200mi out. The seller states the suspension needs to be addressed. Showed me the underside on FaceTime and it looks to be surface rust. I added in some poor screenshots from the FaceTime call. Has the normal rocker rust for a Florida car, seller mentioned it has rust above the windshield that leaks in heavy rain. He currently uses it to haul a construction crew to and fro, until gas prices skyrocketed. We negotiated on $1,200. I’m looking to haul cars that I buy from the auction. I’m ok with fixing it up as I have an interior swap and the McNeil front end kit on my list. Is the 2WD V10 good for hauling long term? Has anyone addressed the suspension on a 2x4? Good deal if all is well mechanically?

Kind of just posting for support. I bought a 2009 Maxima S from the dealer’s auction for my niece for about $1,500~. 132k miles, super clean. Sunroof. Looked great I even drove it around the auction for about 3 days, just a few mins but still gave me confidence in it. I buy it and the day leaving the auction it overheats. Take it home and notice the lower radiator hose was disconnected. Dealers do damage all the time to get a car cheaper. I reconnected the hose and the engine goes from running smoothly to sputtering. I throw Bars head gasket fix thinking that was it, then refill the engine oil, added in seafoam treatment. Engine dies on me. Now it’ll start and run for seconds but cut off.

Checking to see if it’ll be worth it to put an engine in it, I’ve found one on eBay for $560 and found someone to put it in for $1,000. Which means I’ll be $3,000~ all in for a 17yr old car. Either that or sell for parts to recoup.

Any suggestions are welcome.