Teaser

[nessanater]

Just a quick preview, but I plan on selling my blue 1985 SR5 4wd around the middle to end of June over here in Vermont. I'm moving back to Washington, and would rather just pick up a new one when I get there rather than drive this one back, because I need to drive a moving truck and really don't want to tow it. It was a Washington state car for it's whole life until this past year. I purchased it in October 2011, and it was the previous owner's second car for a few years before I got it. The interior is fabulous, I'm talking near mint, original blue argyle seats (no tears, no stains), cargo cover and everything. It has about 207,000 miles on it right now. The transmission was replaced by the previous owner, and doesn't have any major problems, just the normal sync in 3rd that takes a little more skill to shift without the small catch when you're going into gear. I had the transmission oil changed about 2.5 years ago. I've done a fair amount of work, some because of an oil leak that I ignored for too long, but here's the list of what I can remember right now:
Timing belt October 2012
Crank & cam shaft cover seals (this is where that oil leak was) October 2012
Wires, plugs, distributor cap October 2012
Steering rack assembly June 2013
Passenger side CV axle January 2013
Passenger side front tie rod end January 2013
Fuel pump April 2013
Front brake pads May 2013
Brake lines (I think all the way around) May 2013
Misc new hoses as needed
New winter tires (Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 studless) on 13" stock steel rims November 2013, changed the wheels back to summers in March 2014
New summer tires on 14" alloy wheels March 2014
I even have summer and winter lug nuts, cause the winter ones got a little rusty, and looked crappy with the alloys.

I'm sure there are some things I've forgotten, and I'll add later as I remember. I've gotten oil changes every about 3,000-5,000 miles. Oil still mysteriously disappears, so I check it about once a month, maybe have to put about half a quart every month or month and a half depending on how much I drive. It has gotten alignments on a regular schedule at least twice a year, and will get one before it transfers ownership.
It does have a little bit of rust here and there, but nothing major, I may get the driver's side rear quarter panel repainted before I sell it, because it has a small dent above the wheel well as well. The power sunroof works, but has some rust at it's front lip, so should really be repainted before the rust gets worse, but it doesn't leak at all.

I'm getting tired of writing about it now, but if you know anyone who has been on the lookout for one of these in the New England area, I thought I'd just give you a preview and get the word started. Any questions, just ask. And if you know of a decent Tercel or other fuel efficient cheap to fix vehicle in the Seattle/Portland area, I'll be out there end of June, beginning of July...

[Gottolovem]

Sounds to me like a car worth keeping

[Jarf]

Ness - I would be interested in seeing pictures of the undersides and all areas of rust.
I am on the hunt for a replacement and you on the right side of the continent…

Jarf

[nessanater]

Got some good shots of the underside while it was on the lift at the shop today. I discovered that I have a ball joint starting to go bad on my drivers side, so I have to order one of those and get them to put it in. Underside looks pretty good in my opinion. Could use a new oil undercoating for someone who is driving it in a salt state in the winter. I put a new clamp on the exhaust as well.

[nessanater]

I'll have to get some newer pictures, forgot I have the rack with the kayak attachments and the cargo box. Those would be included as well. Any ideas on what this should be priced at? Only other one I've seen for sale on here in Vermont was priced at $3500 I think, but that didn't have much information that I remember, other than being from California. And it was white, and we all know that the blue ones are much prettier. Look at all the fun stuff you can do if you have this car!

Check out the video:
First I break it: http://youtu.be/znu3hwgeu4o
Then I take it down: http://youtu.be/IDA34aURVSk

[Gottolovem]

That's a great looking car you will have a hard time finding a replacement as nice.
I think you're foolish to get rid of it!