My "free" car has been great so far. It's a 1987 Mercury Sable wagon with either 125k or 225k (has a 5 digit odometer) but the people said it was 215k when we got it, so I guess it is 225k now. The paint is typical Ford, has clearcoat leperosy, but hey, it runs.
So far I have had to replace the water pump twice, and the radiator had a hole in it when we got it, so that was $150, and I had to replace the ignition module on the distributor, but for less than $350, I have a great car as far as I'm concerned. Lol, plus it got hit, and I got $1200 from the insurance company (hers, not mine), and bought a "new" door from the junkyard for $40 and spent the rest on computer parts and Christmas presents.
BTW, if anyone needs a radiator, i would highly recommend
www.1800radiator.com They are awesome. I got an OEM Visteon radiator for my Sable for $145, plus $5 next day delivery! And because it was an OEM part, it was easy as pie to put in, not a generic, fits in 4 different cars, have to turn it 4 different directions to get it in cheapo.