I could turn this into a long story...but took carb cleaner looking for issues.
Ended up deciding to clean the throttle body...gasket disintegrated, replaced. Better but not great. Son read a forum that came down to: you just don't know how to clean it. So attempted again. Found that sweet spot.
For the ball joint or CV took into dealer (believe or not, it was a test drive, we were close, when we decided not to drive it home)...well turns out we have new brakes all around but...rust is threatening integrity of wheel assembly doesn't even touch CV or ball joints...actually shocked they quoted us $190 to fix (and when picked up, it took less labor so they discounted it)...of course they did additional diagnostics, and it has turned into a great conversation. I have to say: I am really impressed with their customer service...sure they are hoping we invest in things, but they have really demonstrated they understand this is a "project" and have even commended us on some of the repairs we have done. With me in need of buying a new personal vehicle...I think they win.
I do have some research to do on recent conversation with them and that is of the catalytic converter...so far, they are of the opinion because car sat so long with gas, perhaps we did not clean out well. Recommendation was alot of short trips, cycling with fuel cleaner. Otherwise, it could be needing a new catalytic converter or else could cause damage to engine. I will have to do more research on that one.