2nd Gen Resale Values!

[TBayToyotaBoy]

I've actually had the wind knocked out of me. I was thinking of buying another 1988 Camry from work (scrap yard) because it's a 5-speed LE and I can get it for around $500. I decided to check AutoTrader.com instead of Autotrader.ca so I could get a larger sampling of resale values. I ran a USA-wide search.

All I can say is Holy freakin' crap, are these cars pricey in the US! The high end was $8000.00 (Yes, eight thousand dollars). The vast bulk of the 277 search results were over $3000.00 and most of the ones under $1000 had major issues like blown engines and trannys.

Am I living in a fantasy land here in Ontario? Because most of these cars, even in great shape, don't go for more than around $2000 here. Given the parity of the Canadian and US dollars lately, we don't even have to convert funds. Should I be buying these cars by the dozen and then exporting them for a MASSIVE profit? WTF?!

[atobe]

i really doubt it.. i mean i got my gen2 almost 8 yrs ago for only 5000$ with 72k miles on it... i see them for around 2000$

[89 2wd]

Dealers like to thow a couple extra grand on the reasonable value. I saw a completely original 91 LE V6 w/50K miles at the local scion lot for $5000 just earlier this year.

Most people (private party) are selling them in turn-key, running condition for $1000 to $2500 for gen 2 cars/avg 130K miles.

Just today, I found this car on ebay. It's in the exact condition that mine was in when I got it-elderly owner, nothing ever replaced, basketweaves-except I got mine for free (minus $400 registration back fees)

[HomeGrown]

Nah TBay, the realistic value I've seen is more around a couple grand when you get away from autotrader online. Last year when I bought my '91 for $4100, it was dead on-target with KBB pricing. Dealer wanted $5000 for it, but I wasn't interested at that price. I've seen the crack-smoking dealers who put $6-8k prices on them. I *MIGHT* consider paying upwards of $6000 for one, but it had better look like it just came out of a time-capsule, and have less than 10k miles on it.

They are definately good cars, but not very highly sought-after or interesting enough to merit high prices. 8k will buy a much newer used car than a gen 2 Camry. That's gen 4 territory.

[89 2wd]

haha, love the sig HomeGrown

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Well, thanks for all the input...I guess the issue boils down to this: these cars generally sell for the same across North America. The difference is that Canadian AutoTrader dealer listings tend to be closer to private sale prices, without some of the crazy mark-ups.

That said, Canadians are (or were) known to be pushovers, and I know that we get violated when it comes to trade-ins. A friend recently neglected to tell me she was trading-in her 95 Camry LE; she got only $1000 at the dealer. I guess they don't have to charge as much when they pay so little for them!

[HomeGrown]

Originally Posted by 89 2wd

haha, love the sig HomeGrown

Thanks 89. I'm on my last day of a 2 week stay in your beautiful part of the country (I'm in SD, right on the bay). Gotta go back to the cold tomorrow.

I ordered a regular cab 4x4 Taco, and I'm anxiously awaiting it's arrival.

[90camdx4]

The highest i seen a gen 2 in canada was $5000...with 60km on it. Mint.

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Oh, you can find them for more than 5K in Canada. Especially out west in Alberta, where everything is more expensive. Stupid oil boom...

[HomeGrown]

I looked up the '90 listed for $7950. Nice car, but WAY out of line. I don't understand their pricing at all. It is a nice car, but IMHO $4950 would be a more appropriate starting point.

SPECIALS

For a mere $50 more you can get a 2000 Corolla

They list a nice looking ES250 for $6950, a grand less
For a grand LESS, you can get a nice looking '91 ES250

But for a grand MORE, you can buy a 1998 Avalon XLS

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Um...mileage? Heh, it does seem a little odd. For 9K I'd take a 98 Avalon.

[white90dx]

Yeah, sounds like you found a lot of overpriced cars. I got my '89 Alltrac in very good condition with 92k miles on it for $3800 at a dealer in Norther California (still more than I actually wanted to pay!). This is a no-rust, perfect interior car... The V6 autos were slightly more expensive new, but there is nor reason to pay that much for the less-rare V6 anymore. Decent California (aka no rust) 4-cylinder gen2's go for less than $2k around here, generally.

Besides, I bet there would be some horrible tax or something to bring cars into the US.

-Charlie

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Nah, importing (or exporting) cars isn't necessarily pricey (tax-wise), it's more a paperwork hassle. Generally so time-consuming that it's not profitable. Oh well.