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View Full Version : The Good-but-Unsaleable Beater - What To Do

JustPassinThru
03-05-2014, 11:15 PM
Fantastic fate has me transferred from the Midwest Salt Belt to the West.

I have a "good" beater Winter Car - a 1996 Tercel, which is giving its remaining life to preserve the life of its descendent, my 2012 Yaris.

I have to be 1200 miles away, in a week. I've been advertising the Tercel on Craigslist.

KBB values show $2000 retail, and NO wholesale with its high mileage. Fact is, it runs great after an engine transplant.

I have $2000 in it. And no regrets. I have shopped it around used-car dealers; best offer by far was $1200. Me no likee.

I got turned down by The Ideal Buyer - wanted it for his kid. I'm advertising $1800 and he said Nyet.

Three options:

1) Let the scuzzy used-car dealer have it.

2) Store it, at $20 a month, outdoors, and in six months (this is firm, with this new job) come and collect the Tercel for a Mountain States Winter Beater.

3) Leave the YARIS here and try to get to work in the Tercel. Let it face the wear and the road-salt. The Yaris is fine but needs some mods (from the passenger seat out) and maintenance.

Votes?
nookandcrannycar
03-05-2014, 11:37 PM
I vote for #2. If you later want a second car of a similar vintage, you wouldn't have the same knowledge re what the car has been through (recent 'etc.' maintenance and repairs) that you do with the Tercel.
CrankyOldMan
03-06-2014, 09:16 AM
Option 4: have one of them transferred on a car hauler. I was able to get a New Beetle from Minneapolis to Grand Rapids for $425. It's cheaper than flying back to get it and drive it there yourself.
Brett!
03-06-2014, 02:01 PM
Option 5: Bring it to Texas and I'll give you 2k for it. :)
47_MasoN_47
03-06-2014, 03:49 PM
Option 4: have one of them transferred on a car hauler. I was able to get a New Beetle from Minneapolis to Grand Rapids for $425. It's cheaper than flying back to get it and drive it there yourself.

I would vote for this as well.
Bluevitz-rs
03-06-2014, 04:01 PM
if you're moving there with a moving company, just rent a U-Haul car dolly and have them drag it there.
nookandcrannycar
03-06-2014, 06:20 PM
Option 5: Bring it to Texas and I'll give you 2k for it. :)

:laugh:
Kal-El
03-06-2014, 10:55 PM
How many miles? You mentioned "high". I got a value on KBB closer to $1300. I put it 200K and "good" condition. I don't know anyone who would pay $2K for an 18 year old Tercel.
JustPassinThru
03-06-2014, 11:09 PM
How many miles? You mentioned "high". I got a value on KBB closer to $1300. I put it 200K and "good" condition. I don't know anyone who would pay $2K for an 18 year old Tercel.

That's odd - just last night I took a screen shot of the NADA value of the car - retail, $2100

This BBS software doesn't let me upload directly, my screenshot - but with 240,000 miles, clean, it gives that value. I'm willing to sell for less, but not for HALF.
JustPassinThru
03-06-2014, 11:11 PM
...the car-hauler idea sounds attractive; and I've been offered outdoor storage at $12 a month. Only trouble is, I won't be around to keep an eye on the car - it could be damaged by vandals, and then nothing done - which sends a signal - and then DESTROYED. And I'd never know about it.
malibuguy
03-06-2014, 11:20 PM
Yay terkles!


Unfortunatly salt has over taken my track day turbo 97...im parting it out now....I have the better part of 10k wrapped up in the car...I might make 2k after I sell all my extra stuff...and I have ALOT of stuff
ohms
03-07-2014, 06:58 PM
no one pays kbb for a car - check ebay completed listings and your local craigslist to get an idea of what people have actually paid, or the neighborhood of asking prices. 2grand for a 96 tercel would never sell in my area.
JustPassinThru
03-07-2014, 07:47 PM
no one pays kbb for a car - check ebay completed listings and your local craigslist to get an idea of what people have actually paid, or the neighborhood of asking prices. 2grand for a 96 tercel would never sell in my area.

I have.

Closest I came to was a 2000 Corolla...with bad brakes and transmission "but is drivable." $2000 they were asking for it. Of course they'll negotiate, if anyone is damn-fool enough to go and look...but not to half that.

Mine doesn't need ANYTHING to drive.
malibuguy
03-09-2014, 01:02 AM
TRy the tercel boards...they are a little slow right now but it may help

www.tercelonline.com
JustPassinThru
03-10-2014, 12:24 AM
no one pays kbb for a car - check ebay completed listings and your local craigslist to get an idea of what people have actually paid, or the neighborhood of asking prices. 2grand for a 96 tercel would never sell in my area.

Actually that's not true.

KBB and NADA GET those figures from average sale prices. Completed sales, not cars advertised for sale.