Okay, I have an '89 Iroc and I think it is fairly clean at least for living in Ohio. The paint is stock and for the most part looks good. However my left front quarter has a lot of surface rust (easy fix) and the left rear has a little patch but all of it is easy to sand off. The only spots that I am afraid about is the right rear quarter and under the car where the bumper meets the gas tank. I think it is all okay but I want some opinions to if I should sell and find a cleaner shell or just fix it.

I really dont think its that bad. If you cant afford to fix it, Just put some POR 15 on it, and fix it when you have enough money. IMO, if thats all the rust on the car, its in good shape. If seen many member on this board deal with alot, and I mean ALOT more rust then you have.

Doesnt look to bad. definantly fixable. and the rear crash bar can be replaced. true question is how are the floor pans?

I don't know man,that 2nd pic looks like it might be covering something already.
Notice the (surface rust) on the wheel opening?
Looks to me that theres been some paint work in that area and the rear quarter looks kinda wavy between the front of the rear wheel and the back of the door opening.
Anyway,good luck and I hope I'm wrong for your sake.

POR15 it.

lol, do you think a gallon is good enough for rust repair? i was wondering if i should coat the whole underside where ever there is rust... cause thats like probably the best 300 dollars i will spend to completly remove the worry of rust from my car lol

Rust is like a scarey movie ... It's what you cant see thats gonna hurt you. In my opinion the 1/4 panel isn't too much, but you can only see a small part of it. When you cut it open, thats when you get the real picture. And if anything else underneath looks like that rear impact bar you're in trouble. Hey but what do I know...I live near Seattle ... we have rain, but not much snow or ice, so local cars don't get like that around here.

That doesn't look too bad but I'm from PA and they rot quick here! If it's too much work I'll give ya $72 dollars American for it. Seriously it's not that bad, and a stick car too. Save it Bro!

not bad. BTW

The rust in the back... by the bumper... Thats just the bumper, mines like that.. easyreplace ment, and thats not that gas tank next to it, thats ur trunk. The gas take is above the rear end....

ok thanks for pointing that out for me i always thought that the gas tank back there would be horrible weight distribution lol

I just had some rust fixed on my 91 gta, the rear quarters where the inner meets the outer part of the quarter. It was minor but it bothered the hell out of me looked similar to what you have. I went to the place that repainted my car 10 years ago. I was proud to show off the car as the paint still looks new. I asked them if they could put together a price to fix the rust. The owner told me it would have to be cut out and new metal welded in. Then he decided that he is not even interested in doing rust repair. So I asked around to people that had nice work done recently. I was introduced to a individual that has been in the auto body trade for over 20 years. Worked out a cash deal and it was the best $1100 ever spent on the car (including welding new metal, and paint). The rear quarters look perfect!!! He even included step by step pictures throughout the process.
The guy that did my car said that even though rust was cut out it will always come back your just buying time. I can live with that!
You have to look at the whole entire car on a hoist by a professinal and realize the amout of work required to fix the car. The body is sometimes the best representation of the car in respect to rust. So the undercarrage might need more attention then the body.
Its sure nice to keep these thirdgens alive but rust can break the bank.

if its a TPI car & a 5 speed id say keep it & do some work.. honestly ive NEVER seen body rust on a 3rd gen car in person but thats because i live in TN haha

it def should be a keeper though