Thank you very much for the response, Moppie.
I thought about this for several days, and finally decided to buy the car, after having looked at it again that morning. Alas -- it had just sold! Live and learn, I suppose, though I am not _too_ heartbroken. I am glad I had decided to buy it again, and in some odd sense was loyal to a loyal car. I also am OK with not sinking thousands of dollars, as I would have had to.
Your points are really well taken, actually. I don't have tons of extra income right now, and would have been depleting dwindling savings from an earlier point in my life. In a few years, I hope to have more income again, and I am already seriously thinking about tracking down a really good '91 Camry at that time and doing what it takes to get it fixed up, and drive it around. Meanwhile, this car will probably do well.
Thank you again for the response, and for the welcome!
Stuart