'85 SR5 with 41K miles on eBay - Amazing !

Post by **ARCHINSTL** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 4:17 pm

Check out the new listing on eBay:

<a href='http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... S%3AUS%3A1' target='_blank'>http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... AUS%3A1</a>

If the link does not work, the auction number is 4564353502.

Unbelievable condition - everyone's dream find with exactly the right equipment - about 2K miles per year!. Worthwhile to follow and see what the final price will be in 9+ days - already up to $1525. Also worthwhile to save the 24 pics to use as a reference mark for the rest of us.
Tom M.

Post by **Mattel** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 8:42 pm

Probably the best preserved one left in the world? We should Lobby Toyota to buy it and put in a car museum. Sometimes car companies do things like this.

One of my mates bought a 1968 Isuzu Bellet Twin Carb a few years ago.. It still had the factory clear plastic on the rear passengers seat unfortunately he hasn't been able to look after it quite as well.

Happy bidding guys!

Gasoline Fumes · Post by **Gasoline Fumes** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:14 pm

Mattel wrote: Probably the best preserved one left in the world? We should Lobby Toyota to buy it and put in a car museum. Sometimes car companies do things like this.

There was an article in the magazine Sport Compact Car a few years ago about the Toyota museum in Japan. In the background of a picture, you can see a Tercel Wagon (Sprinter Carib?). Looked and probably is brand new.

I should see if I can find it and scan it.

clbolt · Post by **clbolt** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:21 pm

I'd be willing to bet that there are at least a few hundred 4WD Tercels in the US in that condition, with comparable miles. A lot of them were purchased by middle-age and older drivers who didn't use them much, but liked the utility. I can across one as nice as that one a few years ago, and didn't follow through to make the trade.

Just around the corner from me lives an old lady who drives a 1970 Mustang Grande, with the original metallic green paint and white interior. It still has a sticker from the bicentennial on the back bumper. From the condition, it can't have more than 40 or 50k miles.

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 12:14 pm

I've seen 2 around town that look in that good of shape. Though most of the others around town are well abused lol.

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 12:17 pm

8 days 8 hours left- $2,500

I just told my mom.. response: "Oh my God! What shape is it in... No kidding? Well, we need to watch that closely, thats not a bad idea!"

Hmmm.....

brianp · Post by **brianp** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 1:24 pm

That's in amazing conditon! incredible!

Was the roof rack an option when the cars were new or what? Because I have an '85 SR5, and it doesn't have a roof rack.

the price is now $3100!

3A-C Power · Post by **3A-C Power** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 1:24 pm

That's a really nice car. Also the first one I have seen with a sunroof and a roofrack at the same time. Usually the SR5 had one or the other.

.

tercel4wdrules · Post by **tercel4wdrules** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 1:42 pm

brianp wrote:Was the roof rack an option when the cars were new or what? Because I have an '85 SR5, and it doesn't have a roof rack.

the price is now $3100!

I guess it was because my '83 has it but my '84 doesn't, both SR5s. I see a little rust in the same location where my '83 has some (under the bumper). The emblems are just flawless!

I'm still looking for my dream Tercel '87 SR5 with two tone, absolutely every option in the book and 30k or less miles. Does anyone know if such a thing exists?

I say it's easier to find one with 100-125k than it is to find one with less. This car is quite exceptional I have to admit, I hope whoever buys it joins this forum. I can't quite stop thinking about it, makes me think about the horrible mistake I made when I didn't purchase the '85 SR5 silver with 110k miles and a blown engine. The guy was an elderly man and the original owner was an old lady who he says she drove it like 2 miles a day in a canyon area. He acquired it when she passed away and it only had like ~30k when he got it. Most of the Tercels I see here (in Southern California) are a far cry from being mint, much less having less than 200k miles. The California sun and weather is brutal to the interior and the paint, that's my theory for which mint Tercels are scarce in Southern California. I can be wrong though and I hope I am.

clbolt · Post by **clbolt** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 2:06 pm

A few years back I ran across an SR5 4WD sitting in a carport behind a vacant house. The car was silver (my favorite color on a Tercel), blue interior, with the 6 speed, just over 100k miles, and it was beautiful inside and out. It had absolutely zero rust, and the original paint was in excellent condition. It did need a windshield.

Anyway, I ran the owner down and asked about it. At one point I made a low offer, and he told me he'd give me first option when he decided to sell it, since I was the only person interested in it. He happened to call just as I was walking out the door to buy another car, and asked if I still wanted to buy it. He said he'd had an offer of $1000, but since he'd promised to offer the car to me, he'd give me forst shot. I said great, I have $1000 and I'll be right over.

No, he said, if ytou want it. it'll cost you $1200. It just wouldn't be fair to let me have it for what the other guy offered.

I turned him down flat. While the car was worth every penny, I didn't like being played like that. I still regret not just jumping on the deal.

tercel4wdrules · Post by **tercel4wdrules** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 2:45 pm

In the sale description it mentions a little grinding when shifting fast. Is that the famous syncro problem or could that be something else?

Inkyturbo · Post by **Inkyturbo** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 2:56 pm

Gasoline Fumes wrote:
Mattel wrote: Probably the best preserved one left in the world? We should Lobby Toyota to buy it and put in a car museum. Sometimes car companies do things like this.
There was an article in the magazine Sport Compact Car a few years ago about the Toyota museum in Japan. In the background of a picture, you can see a Tercel Wagon (Sprinter Carib?). Looked and probably is brand new.

I should see if I can find it and scan it.

I found the article and scanned that page. If you can give me instructions on how to upload it, I'll do that. It's way in the background, so I don't know how great it would be, but I have it.

GTSSportCoupe · Post by **GTSSportCoupe** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 4:18 pm

Inkyturbo wrote:
Gasoline Fumes wrote:
Mattel wrote: Probably the best preserved one left in the world? We should Lobby Toyota to buy it and put in a car museum. Sometimes car companies do things like this.
There was an article in the magazine Sport Compact Car a few years ago about the Toyota museum in Japan. In the background of a picture, you can see a Tercel Wagon (Sprinter Carib?). Looked and probably is brand new.

I should see if I can find it and scan it.
I found the article and scanned that page. If you can give me instructions on how to upload it, I'll do that. It's way in the background, so I don't know how great it would be, but I have it.

I plan to visit Japan (I have some friends there) in 2006. One of my must do's is going to the Toyota museum. I will be sure to take pictures of the tercel 4wd in there (if there is one). I'll be taking pics of everything else too.

Gasoline Fumes · Post by **Gasoline Fumes** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:14 pm

Inkyturbo wrote: I found the article and scanned that page. If you can give me instructions on how to upload it, I'll do that. It's way in the background, so I don't know how great it would be, but I have it.

Great, you saved me some time digging through old magazines!

Yeah, it's obvious SCC didn't care about the old wagon in the back. :rolleyes:
Open a free account with <a href='http://www.photobucket.com/' target='_blank'>Photobucket</a> and upload it there. That's where I host my pictures.

Gasoline Fumes · Post by **Gasoline Fumes** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:18 pm

GTSSportCoupe wrote: I plan to visit Japan (I have some friends there) in 2006. One of my must do's is going to the Toyota museum. I will be sure to take pictures of the tercel 4wd in there (if there is one). I'll be taking pics of everything else too.

We should all go! tercel4wd.com field trip!!!