85 Tercel 4WD SR5, Portland, OR

[Kathryn]

I have a 1985 Tercel 4 WD that I'm interested in selling and I am looking for help on pricing estimates. Every few months someone knocks on my door asking me if I'd like to sell, the last guy said he'd take it off my hands for parts. I would say its body is in pretty good shape. There is a small dent on the back drivers side panel. It has just under 118,600 miles. The interior is pretty clean except the interior door panel has been taken off to try and fix a non-functioning drivers side window. It is currently not running due to a dead battery. It has not been driven for a couple of years. When it was running it ran well and if I recall did have some radiator issues. There are 2 new front tires, no miles on them yet. I am not a mechanic and this has never been a project car. I'd like it to go to a good home, but due to financial reasons need to gets a fair price. I'll try to upload some photos. Any help would be appreciated and I'll try to answer questions to the best of my ability. I am located in Portland, Oregon on the east side of town. Thank you, Kathryn

The dark area on the photo of the drivers side is a shadow from a tree.

[Kathryn]

More photos

[Kathryn]

So I'm thinking I should get it running and take it through DEQ for current tags. Can anyone tell me what kind of battery I should get & if you're in the PDX area where to buy it? Thanks in advance

[Gottolovem]

Not a parts car it should have many more years of reliable service. That is low miles for one of these cars.
You can get much more if you have it running.

In my area that car would go for around a eight hundred twice that maby more with a little love.
I doubt anyone that knows these cars well enough to knock on your door wanting to buy it would part it out.
That being said us tercel guys are always looking for a cheep fixer upper.

If you know anyone that can help get it running do so you won't regret it.

[marlinh]

That is one beautiful car! You mentioned radiator issues. Do you remember what happened? Did the engine ever overheat? Those would be good to know for the prospective buyer.

[dlb]

agreed with gottolovem. that is very low miles for a car this old and the body appears to only have minor surface rust. the door panel is a 5-minute fix. overheating could be a few things but if you're not a mechanic, it's probably not worth your time to troubleshoot it yourself. i would find a good used battery for the car, make sure the oil and coolant are topped up, get it running, and sell it as a runner that needs work. considering the miles and overall good body condition, i would guess you could get $1200-1500 for it.

good luck, kathryn.

[Gottolovem]

If you decide it's to big of a headache I will make an offer on the car.
Keep in mind that I would need to repair it and drive it home so the offer would be on the low side.

If I were you I would fix it and drive it.
It's good cheep reliable transportation.

[Gottolovem]

So I'm thinking I should get it running and take it through DEQ for current tags. Can anyone tell me what kind of battery I should get & if you're in the PDX area where to buy it? Thanks in advance

Any auto parts store can help you get the right battery for the car.
Autozone,nappa,O'Reilly Etc.

[florykitty]

i am interesting buy the car from you if you decide about price

[Gottolovem]

i am interesting buy the car from you if you decide about price

Florykitty would you just remove the transmission and scrap the car or did you already find a transmission for your car.
This car should not be parted out it's in great shape with low miles.

[florykitty]

i buy it from you as is if you decide about price ,thanks

[florykitty]

i remove the transmission and save the car for parts if some of you needs something let me know i also have my 85 so everthing will match

[florykitty]

no will not scrap the car ,i love those cars

[Kathryn]

Thank you for all of your replies. I agree this is a car that should be saved and driven by someone who appreciates it..that's why I came to this board. I will get a battery and get it running and get its tags current. My brother tells me the radiator overflowed, no engine overheating. Maybe there are some other issues??? If anyone knows a good mechanic for this car in the Portland area feel free to let me know. Thanks again.

[Gottolovem]

If your brother is handy and helpful after you get it started the thermostat is where I would start on the boiling over issue. Don't buy a cheep one there unreliable get a good one there less than 20 dollar's.

Forum member GotToyota? Is an active member in your area he may be able to help you out for less than a mechanic. I would send him a private message tell him you pay him a couple bucks to get it going.
Mechanics these days are trained to repair cars with a laptop and charge to much. Lots of them don't know how to deal with a carbureted car.

Good luck