Rattles and Leaks-Significant Problem?

I test-drove the 89 Iroc I've been looking into. Drives great, the engine seems to be in pretty good shape, but there's some problems that I noticed and my Dad noticed.

There's some moisture in the car. If you flip down the passenger visor, there's mold on the inside, which tells me there's water getting in there someone. Also, I was spraying the top down with water to check for leaks, and a little bit was dripping down from the plastic on the ceiling right behind where the driver-side seadbelt comes out of the ceiling. Also, at the bottom-passenger side of the windshield, there's some wide mold growing, and if you push down on the windshield, it has a tiny bit of give and you can see a little bit of water squishing up against the glass.

Also when driving, there's the occasional groan. My dad went jerked the wheel left and right and almost everytime he jerked it left, the car kinda groaned a bit. Othere than that, there's the occasional shake and rattle.

If it weren't for these problems, I'd probably buy it right away (for around 4 grand Canadian-a bit pricy based on "book" value, but it's damned cheap/average for what's avaliable around here, so don't tell me it's overpriced because I know that "technically" it is) asuming the mechanics report (it's getting checked out tommorow morning) is good, but the moisture in the car and the minor rattles and groans are kinda making me worry. How hard is it to fix problems like this, and how pricy?

WIndshield has give?? NOT GOOD!!!

A tiny bit. How much would that cost to fix?

Actually I just drove it again and I tested the windshield-it really doesn't have any give at all...just barely enough to make the water right under the glass move, and only in that core. But I wouldn't really call it "give". It doesn't visibly move down and itdoesn't feel like it's moving down-the water just moves.

A tiny bit. How much would that cost to fix?

Does it have T-Tops??? If so the weather stripping on those get old and they leak. You could find new weather stripping around $150 bucks. Maybe cheaper stuff for less. It may be a pain in the ass to change though.

I just did an accident check through ICBC, here's the vehicles history:

On April 29, 1989, a sum of $367.78, Canadian, was payed out in an insurance claim to pay for collision repairs.

On October 4, 1989, a sum of $9505.61 was paid out in an insurance claim to pay for collision repairs

On July 30, 1995, a sum of $1807.47 was paid out in an insruance claim to pay for vandalism repairs.

Clearly, someone messed the car up the first year, but paid a lot to fix it. 16 years later and it's still going...what is your guy's opinion of this?

Just an overview of some other problems I forgot to mention:

The hood doesn't completely close-it shuts tight, but it isn't flush with the sides or the bottom.
There's moisture in the fog lights.
The driver's side door catch is worn, takes one or two tries to get it to shut tight.
Damage (small dents, scratches) to the left front fender.
There's a kind of...bubbley texture on the hood in like a 1 foot squared area, I think it was spraypainted.

The damage doesn't really concern more, nore does the hood/driver problems. It's just the leaks that concern me and the mold. (There's a little bit under the passenger side mirror, under the windshield at the very bottom, and a little bit on the back seat in a concentrated area.

Other than these problems, the car runs great...I haven't really noticed any problems with it mechanically, but I'm getting it checked out tommorow. I'm also going to get an estimate of how much it will cost to repair the body damage and fix the seals.

My advice, don't get it.

I know it's exciting but just relax, be patient, and wait for something better. Trust me there are better cars out there. If you get this car, you'll regret it. For one it sucks having a car that has that much damage and for two your not going to be able to sell it once you want to get rid of it.

Well, if your wanting to buy the car as a daily driver, then my advice to you is to definetely wait to find a better car. It just doesn't sound reliable enough to be driven on a daily basis IMO. But if you're wanting to buy it for a side project car or what not, then I'd say go ahead and get it. It sounds like it fun little task to work with.

the leaks are obviously due to a worn out seal around the windshield, that needs replaced, how much will it cost? Can't tell ya, you'll have to make some phone calls to find out.

As for the groaning when you turn, i'd say it's worn ball joints.

Figure it should cost less than the price to replace the entire windshield. Down in the US that would be under $300. Any reputable shop would replace the seals for less. However, they may have a valid concern that the glass is no longer true to the shape of the opening. They may want you to A) sign a waiver of indemnity or B) buy a new windshield along with the seals.

The existing mold can be removed with a dilute solution of bleach or to avoid interior staining ammonia is probably a wiser choice.

Almost all F-bodies leak to some extent. I've had many of them from 2d gen on to the 4th gens. Most of mine leaked in the hatch area. The wheelwells of most Camaro/Fbirds would upon inspection reveal telltale signs of dampness. I just hit them with a shopvac and febreze(cloth deodorizer) and kept them aired out when the weather was warm and dry.