I paid $8K which I felt was a bit high after seeing the car in person
Well that makes me feel pretty stupid. I paid $11k! I could not get the guy to go down. We discussed price over the phone and I was willing to pay $11k based on his description. I guess he figured he had me over a barrel considering how far I had come to just see the car, and he knew I had the money since we were talking $11k initially.

• My front bumper support was completely rusted through, and sitting loose in the front bumper.
• The transfer lever was completely rusted through, and broke off in my hands the first time I put it in 4WD locked mode.
• The windshield wipers had a lot of surface rust. Pulled them off and refinished them.
• Rear license light bracket completely rusted through.
• There is surface rust all over the suspension and bolts everywhere on the undercarriage of the car.
- ditto.

The car is from Kittanning, PA where there is no ocean but there is a river. I think road salt is the main culprit since there is little white spots everywhere there is rust.

I may not have made a mistake but I have certainly learned some valuable lessons from the experience.