Just wanted to let y'all know that it looks like I have reached a deal to buy this wagon!

I told the seller I couldn't get him the money for a week or so, he said "fine" and handed me the keys, said I could use it anyway until then. "Consider it yours," he said. "Take it." So I drove it to work this morning and the car just drives like a dream! Really amazing for a 23-year-old car. And it turns out the AC works after all! It's just the center vents that don't open. Even the cruise control works perfectly! Listening to "Car Talk" on the radio in cool comfort with the cruise control pulling me down the freeway was pure bliss!

There are still a few things to fix on the car, of course, but nothing I can't handle myself. Now I just gotta come up with the money! :p

Many thanks for your help. This forum rocks!