1983 Silver SR5 4x4 in Southern CA

[Scotty]

Hey All,

I really appreciate all the helpful info I've gotten off this forum, but now it is time to pass my Tercel on to the next lucky owner. I bought this one while I was repairing rear end damage to my Miata and I'm all done now. Condition is pretty typical for a 1980s family car. Mechanically the car is sound. PO replaced engine with JDM motor and it has a rebuilt transmission. Clean carb, new distributor cap, plugs, wires, etc. The car does leak some oil. Mainly seems to be from the front axle seal on the passenger side. I replaced it once and it leaks a lot less, but still some. Theres another seal waiting to be installed.

http://s1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg5 ... %20Photos/

$1500 for forum members. If no buyers here or on CL I'm selling it to the CA vehicle retirement program for that amount.

Call or email if interested as I don't come on the forum much anymore.

Scott in Santa Ana

714 932 3993
swhomrighausen@yahoo.com

[Petros]

it would be a shame to have the car crushed, it appears in decent shape. looks like someone switched seats from a different color one. it would be an easy sell for that much, or even more, in the Portland/Seattle area (where they are exempt from emissions because of their age).

[Scotty]

Yeah it's definitely not an ideal car to try to sell in orange county. Anywhere north of SF and I could probably sell it much easier - half of the calls I've gotten have been from out of state. Perhaps I should offer a delivery option...But it sure would suck to drive 1500 miles and discover I'm dealing with a flake and gas is far from free. What would a realistic sale price be?

[Petros]

Good examples sell for from about $2000 to $3000, and an occationally really clean "like new" one for about $3500. there was one that sold on ebay for $10,800 a few years ago, but it only had 26k original miles on it and it looked show room new (very rare find).

This is what I would do: for any out of state buyers, provide all the info you can via email, more pics of all over the car, perhaps copies of receipts for major purchases, etc. And offer to deliver the car for an extra $600., non refundable. That should cover your cost and a return trip via commercial flight. If they do not like the car, they have the option of turning it down but still pay the $600 delivery (and return) costs. If they buy it they just drop you off at the airport (buy the ticket ahead of time, if you do not use it you can get a refund). Have them send you the $600 before you leave, or even the whole amount.

If you fix everything on the car, even new wiper blades, working radio, heater blower, etc. and clean it up real nice, perhaps new floor mats, paint touch up, etc. You should be able to get even more for it. To a buyer it would be well worth it.

I have both bought and sold cars that way, works okay if you are dealing with an honorable person. If you get the money before you go you risk little, and get a driving vacation out of it (I love road trips, especially if someone else is paying for it!). That would get them a nice Tercel for less than they can buy locally. Be sure you can fix anything that might happen on the road, bring a small tool kit, hoses fan belt, spare fuel pump, distributor, etc. You bring your tools back as checked luggage. I always use Southwest air, no extra charge for two checked bags. works for me.