Congratulations. You will be prepared for dealing with vendors, fine print, etc. And reading our favorite "Brit Lit", the RAVE. It has some body repair sections.

 

You came to the right place. You need to sell this car as soon as you can. Be willing to lose a little money on the sale. You'll be far ahead in the long-term (like within a month). I'm not kidding.

Look, as an enthusiast, you can "restore" a Land Rover to functional condition if you have a healthy budget, and plenty left over to keep it going after that. If you actually have something to do besides work on the car, you expect it to last a long time, and your pockets aren't so stuffed with money that it's falling out all over the place, then it's not the right car.

As a "clunker" that you pick up for say a thousand bucks (what I estimate your car sold for based on the pictures), you can only expect it to be good for parts. If you have any plans other than parting it out, it will cost you more than a good-running Disco in a very short time. They're just not the kind of car that you get lucky with and they turn out to be a bargain. That's incredibly rare with Land Rovers.

 

And the dictionary sums up pessimist in fewer words.

 

as said don't worry about the exhaust the rear dog leg is a common spot for rust. there is no way to tell the complete damage until you clean it up and see what is left for solid steel to work with.
Grab some safety glass, a wire wheel or brush and some rustoliun metal restorer, clean is a good a possible cover it with restorer and check it in a week.

 

Binvana-
I'm not giving up on the car. Like I said the only issues are the rust spots. I treat my stuff pretty well and some of the fly fishing locations I go to I need an off roader. I'm willing to spend money to get the car fixed up. I have an appointment with the local mechanic today to see what he thinks. Hopefully it will be a quick welding project because the rest of the car is fine.

 

Guys, I appreciate the help! Having this car has been quite fun already. Most of the high schoolers in my town own jeeps or Lexus rx300. At least my car is a breath of fresh air for a change.

 

You will earn a minor in Mechanical Engineering, DIY can serve as a "break" from more studious work. Repairs may not look pretty, but a welder can help you out and keep the frame going a little longer. Use it as motivation, once done with school and Bar exam, you'll be ready for $350 an hour and can afford a new one, for chasing ambulances.

If you have to pay some one for all repairs and services, it will take a significant chunk out of available student funds.

Might be a good time for you to review your insurance fine print to see if you are covered should modifications to a rusty vehicle fail.

Good luck in both careers.

 

I'm giving you sound advice from plenty of experience. The rust spots are not the only issues. If you believe that, you're ignorant and a fool. I may not have valued the car fairly based on what I can't see, but don't kid yourself.

Exactly how much money are you really willing to spend?

You're taking it to a mechanic?

Sell it. If you really want to go to college, and go fly fishing and stuff, get a car or pickup that won't fail you and consume all your money. The fishing trip is just a romantic fantasy. It will be canceled because the rover is broken and needs something, and it's expensive, and you don't have time to fix it.

I know you might think, "gee, this guy's bitter, I guess he must have got burned, but it'll be different for me." That's not true. I'm not disappointed with my Land Rover. But I spent more money on my Land Rover than you will spend on law school, and consider it thrifty compared to alternatives available to me. I've also done all my own labor, at least several hundred hours worth. I'm not saying you have to be like me, but I'm telling you from my experience and knowledge of the car, that with what you're willing to put into that car, it will disappoint you, it will burn you, it will fail you. You'll figure this out on your own, but it will probably take you a year and a bunch of money that you won't get back when you sell it. You don't have to take my advice, but at least remember someone tried to help.

 

I understand you are trying to help but selling it is not an option as of right now. This was not a clunker found in some junkyard. The car I bought was recently refreshed. The transmission is new, the breaks are new, spark plugs, o2 sensors, new sylvania headlights, tires. I figured just buying the car for its tires was a steal enough. I'm a stubborn SOB and I'm gonna try to make this iconic vehicle work for me. I'm willing to pay for what is needed.

 

Depending on your available working space, it would probably be best to spend $3-400 on some tools and learning to fix things yourself.

There are tons of DIYs on the various forums.

Though these things aren't reliable, they are relatively easy to service.