Been looking at a cheap 96 Sable GS

[Infinitrium]

I'm looking for a cheapish car, and I found a 96 Sable GS for $1000 Canadian (820.82 US). Body has rust spots, but no rust holes or little rust bubbles. Underneath is spotless, almost as nice as my father's 98 Taurus. The doors were locked when I looked at it, but I believe the odometer reads 212000 kms. Front tires are worn, but the rear winter tires still have good tread to them. I gave the guy who owns the car a call, and he told me he thinks it needs rear rotors and a flexible exhaust joint. He said it runs and rides good, and the AC still works. He bought it 2 years ago for 3500, and just drove it back and forth to where he works. One thing he did tell me, there's an ugly long rust patch on the roof, and when he bought it, it wasn't as big, but he thinks it might have been caused by something that was sitting on the roof, such as a taxi sign (eep!). I'm meeting this guy at the car tomorrow afternoon to look it over better and take it for a test drive. If it turns out ok, I just might buy it. Can anyone tell me some problem spots to look for on this car? I heard on another web board that the transmissions only tend to last 100K miles or so. Is this true? What kind of fuel mileage can I expect to get from this car? Gas is 99.9 cents per liter here and I need something that gets decent gas mileage.

[drdisque]

well, a '96 GS has rear drums, not rotors, so those are harder to fix. The transmissions are a major problem point and 100k mi. is GOOD for one of those transmissions. vulcans in good running condition can get about 21 mpg urban cycle.