Disclose, and you’re good.
I’m one of those people who genuinely prefers an older ‘fixable’ car, as opposed to a newer ‘full of computer crap’ car, and would buy something like that in a heartbeat!
I am positive I am not the only one.
(And if it only lasts a year, well…awesome! For the price of one car payment, someone got a car for a year. Good deal!)
The car lot lady will buy it for 300, send it to the auction, pick up whatever buyers feel it’s worth, and nobody goes to a car auction expecting fully functioning vehicles.
Or she’ll trade it with a bunch of other duds in exchange for a better vehicle a current looker wants.
If you want 100 percent guilt-free, don’t EVER have to worry about it, sell it to the car lot.
300 bucks is 300 bucks!
Donate the car to charity.
There ya go.
Did that with the last 500 dollar van I realized I had no inclination to fix up. 
Cat Whisperer, that was absolutely my concern. The prospect of selling someone something that could kill them if they aren’t warned is what made me worry about the ethics. I do want to make sure they take it seriously. Maybe I’ll mention the master cylinder to the buyer. Like I know what I’m talking about.
In the past 4 months the car has stalled at 60 mph (on my way to my own wedding), the check engine light has come on 3 times, and I’ve needed a tow twice because it wouldn’t start. Each symptom has been treated, but I don’t expect it to last a month without something going wrong again. I hope the person who buys it is someone who wants to tinker with it. I’d rather not sell it to someone who thinks they’re buying transportation.
I thought about the charity donation, but I’d really like even the $300. I’m sort of terrified of having a car loan. I don’t have any debt and it scares me. I’ll run the ad for 2 weeks, then sell it to the car lady if nothing comes of it.
I just remembered that the most recent tow truck driver gave me the card of a dude that fixes Volvos out of his home. I think I’ll call him and offer it to him for $500 before I list it.
Now that’s an even better idea!
There ya go - that sounds like a good solution.
Yay! Thanks everyone for the support and ideas!
Sell it/donate it to Mythbusters?
(Late to the party, I know)
Don’t worry about it. If I bought a 1989 anything with light rust and obviously iffy electrics (ie., often-shorted indicator) I’d be awfully surprised if it started every morning. Disclose, and you’re good to go.