1983 Toyota Tercel 4WD DLX - $350 (Los Angeles, CA)

[tercel4wdrules]

This is a quote for what I wrote in the ad:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/ct ... 49882.html


I have a 1983 Toyota Tercel 4WD DLX wagon for sale. It's currently PNO registration status. There is less than 210k miles on it. The battery is currently dead. It starts and runs, but there a lot of issues with it. I thought I would try and sell it to someone before I send it off to the junkyard. I paid quite a bit in order to bring the registration to current status and it would be a shame for it just to go straight to the wrecking yard if someone might be inclined to fix it. Here's the long list of things that are wrong with it.

-engine burns/leaks oil
-torn driver's seat -black smoke on hard acceleration
-left CV axle is damaged (clunking and vibration on acceleration)
-clutch is worn and will begin to slip under hard driving
-transmission whines in 5th gear
-left strut mount is broken
-driver's door cannot be opened from outside, the door handle is inoperable
-sand particles inside and all around (it was driven out by the beach and probably abused)
-the entire suspension needs to be replaced as it's very worn
-tires are worn/cracked
-surface rust
-exhaust system is rusting out

Before ending up in disrepair, it seemed like the original owner really took care of this car. I'm asking $350 which is what I would get if I junk it. If you're interested please feel free to contact me and I'll get back to you as soon as I can, it will be sold as-is and I will sign over the clean CA title over to you.









I have a feeling it might just end up in the junkyard soon...

[Petros]

why dont you put some of the good things about the car?

you will never sell it with such a depressing list of issues (many of which are not really issue, like "sand inside"??). Who expects to buy a $350 car and not have to clean it out? I doubt the entire suspension needs replacing, but just some of the parts. Come on, do you want someone to save this car or not? now go write a more up beat ad for it! I help you write it if you want.

[Mattel]

Is that sand in the rear door handle on the last pic?...

[dlb]

my version of the ad:

"1983 4wd tercel. runs but needs work. as is or it goes to the wrecker. $350."

[Petros]

you will not sell much with a ad like that DLB. I wrote him a new ad, it now reads like this:


Must sell! 1983 Toyota Tercel 4WD DLX wagon project for sale. Great little 4wd wagon, very reliable and rugged, great fuel economy when properly maintained. Remarkably roomy and caries quite lot for such a small car. Body in great shape for a 29 year old, just needs a little cleaning and TLC. Original owner kept it well maintained. rear window defroster, Am/fm radio, all the glass is good. Equipped with cruise control, and a/c but both need to be serviced. Power steering and brakes works great. Starts and runs and can be driven, shifts through all six gears no problem, 4wd works great. But the car needs the battery to be recharged (it has been sitting for a while), and needs a few repairs before it is really roadworthy. Parts are plentiful and cheap, still available at auto parts stores. I was going to fix it up myself but I have too many project cars now and do not have the time or the money for it. My loss is your gain!

It has only about 208k miles (and will go many more with just a few repairs).

here are some of the things it will likely need:

it has minor surface rust (no holes, just surface, easy fix, underbody all good)
rear part of the exhaust system is rusty
driver's door handle needs to be replaced (have a replacement for it, easy fix)
seats and interior worn but useable (about what you would expect for a car this age)
minor engine oil leak (likely a seal/gasket, cheap to fix yourself)
Needs a left upper strut mount, and some of the other bushings in the suspension (strut mount is only $40).
CV axles worn
It may need a clutch soon.

It's currently PNO registration status. I paid quite a bit in order to bring the registration to current status and it would be a shame for it be parted out.
It is a great little car and well worth the price, please come and rescue this fixer and put it back on the road. It will make someone a great little economical ski rig, extra car for the mountain cabin, or a tow behind car for your camper/motor home. Most people that own these rare cars love them.

it will be sold as-is and I will sign over the clean CA title over to you.

[dlb]

you will not sell much with a ad like that DLB.

at $350, he's not selling much though, is he? for that price, i don't think it's worth writing a novel over, never mind the fact that most people looking at $350 cars aren't into reading verbose ads anyway. they expect a beater they will either repair or drive into the ground. if i write an ad for $5000 vehicle, then i go nuts with details because people investing that much in a vehicle will care more about it. cater to the audience, i say.

not that the style of ad matters. put a running car up for $350 and someone will buy it.

[tercel4wdrules]

Is that sand in the rear door handle on the last pic?...

I believe so... it was probably really abused out on the beach at some point before I acquired this vehicle.

[tercel4wdrules]

Well, I rewrote the ad the way Petros wrote it and I'll see if I can get a bit more interest, but so far most of the replies have been for people that want to send to the wreckers. That's not what I want if I can help it, in that case I might as well rip out anything I would want to keep and have them tow the rest that I don't want away. A minimalist ad can certainly start something, but I have a story about a minimalist ad, which turned out to be a very long adventure, whenever I get the time to finish it off and post it on here. I certainly don't want to have to keep enumerating the issues it has, but for the price, I guess you can't expect much.

[North of 64]

Two different styles: glass half empty or Petros' glass half full.

T4wdrules I 'm glad you aren't writing ad copy for local animal shelter inmates looking for a new home!!

[tercel4wdrules]

Two different styles: glass half empty or Petros' glass half full.

T4wdrules I 'm glad you aren't writing ad copy for local animal shelter inmates looking for a new home!!

I'm good at some things and terrible at others.... Perhaps not so good at selling things.

[ARCHINSTL]

T4wdrules I 'm glad you aren't writing ad copy for local animal shelter inmates looking for a new home!!

Wanted - a new and loving home for aged movie star dog named CUJO.
The Bad - he eats people
The Good - we are still looking...

Tom M.

[tercel4wdrules]

T4wdrules I 'm glad you aren't writing ad copy for local animal shelter inmates looking for a new home!!

Wanted - a new and loving home for aged movie star dog named CUJO.
The Bad - he eats people
The Good - we are still looking...

Tom M.

Oh dear...

[Petros]

you are just wrong DLB. The more useful information in any ad, the more response you will get, that is a long known fact of advertizing. Even you respond more often to ads with lots of useful information. It does not matter if it is for a happy meal, an old car, or a new airplane. It is just the simple psychology of selling. T4wdrules wants to find someone that will buy the car, fix it up and enjoy owing it, the more response he gets from the ad the better chance of finder that person.

If he just wanted to unload the car he can get $350 from the wreckers.

[tercel4wdrules]

Petros was right. Rewriting the ad got me more responses and most importantly, people that might be interested in saving it. I might have even found a buyer for the other car I'm selling.

[dlb]

you are just wrong DLB.

no need to be so aggressive, pete. i just don't think a $350 car is worth writing a big ad over. i think a simple description and a few pics would sell it just fine. it's fine by me if you disagree but, similarly, i don't think this is worth arguing over.