I recently purchased a 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser with 0 rust. It has 260k miles and runs like a dream.
I had planned to keep my rusty 2004 Onyx and LL Bean two-tone Black Bean. It had 275k miles, a bent front subframe and rusted driver’s rear dogleg (around my previous repair), cracked windshield and many other battle scars, but I still loved it and drove it every day. I had planned to replace the front subframe and steering rack, but unfortunately I let it sit in the parking lot for too long. When I say long, I mean, in less than a week of not driving it, rats got up in the engine bay and chewed, and I mean hella chewed through my wire harness from the air intake and many places others.
I got a check engine light, thinking oh it must be the cats again (I clean the PO137 for cats every few months) but this time the code was different and it stubbornly came back once I started the car after clearing the code, so I took the hood off. In about 15 seconds I could see rat droppings sitting on my battery and turd tracks leading to the harness near the airbox/sampler area, and heaven knows where else.
At this moment it became clear to me, everything at once. I live in the city, it was during the weekend that the mouse came in because that’s when the trash can in the parking lot of my complex is fuller. I bought a pizza on Friday night which set off an odor in the car and then I let the car sit until Sunday when I discovered the damage. It was a perfect storm. I hadn’t driven the car enough, and after 15 years of living in the city, for the first time, rodents destroyed my Subaru.
Upon pickup I immediately realized the following: 1. I’m not going to buy a used subframe and steering rack +$$$ 2. I’m not going to mess around in my garage replacing those parts 3. I’m going to take a car off insurance and save $$$ 4. I’m going to sell this car at the junk yard and have fun this week with the Land Cruiser $$
So I originally paid $700.00 for this car. I have sunk $2500.00 plus my own time into it over a period of 4 or 5 years and have driven it about 50k miles since I have owned it. I sold it for $530.00 at the junk yard with the original cats on it (yes I know @Brucey the cats alone were worth triple that) and also gave up an amazing Die Hard AGM battery. Why did I do it? Because money is king, and the headaches behind me are worth their weight in gold. I got a 50% refund on my 2 year tags from MVA, and washed my hands and walked away. I gave the world an awesome deal for someone who really needs a good battery (Crazy Ray’s Erdman Avenue Baltimore, AKA LKQ Pick Your Parts) and helped that business, which employs a lot of hard working people, make a profit easy. from my car.
I never abused that old car. I’ve always treated it like gold… except for the last trip to the junk yard. I took the corner hard and stepped on it. The engine screeched but she moved smoothly as if I could do this a million times and she would never die to me. That’s exactly why, when the day comes and the time comes, I’ll pick up another H6 Sedan or OBW and take it to the rally. I have a lot of parts and know how to keep that car running. While I say goodbye for now, one day I will return to subaruoutback.org. 
PS Now I know that peppermint oil keeps rodents away from your vehicle. @eagleeye @Brucey @cardoc @1 Lucky Texan @Numbchux @SilverOnyx @idosubaru @traildogck
I tried to give as many mentions as I can and there are many people I could mention to thank, for all your kindness and sharing in helping me be a better DIY mechanic.
