A few months ago I posted in another section a rather specific list of "wants"for a used HHR purchase. One turned up on Facebook Marketplace that's a reasonable distance from me in Pennsylvania about 150 miles from my home.

It's black with tan cloth interior, moonroof, 2.4, 5-speed manual...ect.👍 Being a PA car it has to be inspected regularly so it's likely to be in good overall condition but it does have over 120K miles on it. The seller sent me a few more pics and it does have a bit of exterior fender rust behind both front wheels. Does $2800 seem fair?

​​​On a side note, a small local used car lot has a black 2008 special edition HHR for the same price but with 175K miles and of course 2.2L A/T.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/562483187518042/

 

 

If it has exterior fender rust, imagine the picture underneath the car. I would run away from it, no matter the price.

 

That's why I mentioned PA state inspection. Cars that are just slightly past the inspection date are likely to be decent. My county has no annual inspection. As soon as I get a PA car like this, I take it to a local body shop where they treat the underneath and problem areas with krill oil which stops all corrosion for a couple of winters.

Having said that, I wouldn't buy it without getting it up on a rack before I give up the $. Then I wouldn't have to "imagine" anything, I'd know what it's like underneath.

 

 

Only a few states care about rust. Mine does not care about it unless it is causing a safety issue, I have never seen an inspector look under a car.

 

 

I read the PA state inspections laws and they generally say the same...no holes that would allow exhaust fumes inside the cabin...or words to that effect. I believe WV law states a maximum size for holes but not PA.

 

Back in the 70's and 80's PA had a rust hole size specification of nothing larger than a dime... It was also acceptable to patch with aluminum duct tape. Go figure.


They were really strict on mechanicals... Inspection was every 6 months and you would be lucky if they only found $200.00 worth of repairs needed. Usually more than that. Made the shops a lot of money...

 

It doesn't matter the size of the rust hole. Working on that car will be impossible. Stay away from it, or start reading on removing LCA with seized bolt. Just an example.