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A car cannot be diagnosed by people who cannot work hands on: ie the internet. You wont know how much it will be until someone is digging into it. If it were possible to do it via internet, there wouldn't be shops. Sitting for 5 years is a long time, there will likely be more than one problem. If animals moved in and started to eat hoses and wiring it may be a write-off.
Take it to a mechanic. Get it running and drive it for a year. The air filter, tires, windshield wipers are all things you can do yourself it’s really easy. The general check up can be a two edged sword as a mechanic can start wanting to replace things that are still ok. So be careful what you have them check. When you’re done with the car you’ll still be able to sell it for more than you got into it as its basically a two door Camry and usually a very reliable car.
Have the mechanic throw fuel injector cleaner in it and fill it up and take it for a long long drive once you get tires and filters on it.
Imo buying a used car can be more of a problem as you have no idea what you’re buying. You most likely will not find the same type of vehicle for less than fixing this one so you’ll have higher acquisition costs. Unless this car was giving you problems before it was parked I would fix this rather than get a different used car.
You're looking to minimize your costs.
I agree with this approach. At the very least put 5 gallons of fresh gas in it with some Seafoam and see if it keeps running after turning over. If it doesn’t then only $20 spent.
I actually remembered that I drove it about 3 years ago.. so it really hasn't been sitting as long as I thought. There isn't much gas in it now either. It's close to the empty level.
"Any thoughts?"
given the one-year need:
fix the old car.
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