Decision! How much would you pay for this?

[Kingdom934]

As a long time Gen1 Member...I think I may give up my '85 Deluxe Camry. I've got a lot of sentimental connection with this car, but I always had one thing that would push me to get rid of it...

This...






It's a 1983 LE model. Has all availible options with the car from the pictures. All power (Windows, locks, mirrors) along with sunroof. Has two-tone option with factory alloy option. Not sure about the radio option...as it had either the AM/FM or the upgraded AM/FM/Cass. Car has 104K on it also

The seller (A private business - transmission shop) owner is asking $1,450 offer. I'm very very very much tempted to go buy this one as I think the two tone color trim is just so beautiful. I've seen this car around the island a few times, I believe it must had been brought it a the plates are still fairly new (or it was not registured for a long time). I've seen it here and there in person around the island (like drove past it in a parking lot/side of the road kind of stuff). It is the best one I've seen on this island. I'm assuming that the owner who had it when I saw it around the island had to sell it or something since it now belongs to a transmission shop (I google'ed the contact number), but still....how much would you offer for the car?

Now, you all must be wondering...just go buy it. Well...I'm willing to let go a part of my childhood with my '85 Deluxe camry. It was a car that belong to my late grandfather who past little over a year ago. Poor car though, as my uncle started to not 'upkeep' the car as time went on. The car has multiple body blemishes such as rust over on the roof (rear) side (holes) and around the gas door. Has rust over along the rubber trunk seal and two small spots on the lower front fender near the bolts. Trunk leaks like crazy when it rains. Transmission has been acting strangly with it not shifting in 3rd when the car has been on for awhile - have to sorta just keep trying and it'll just shift in 3rd. Figured out it's most likey an electrical issue. Besides that, the engine has it's share of sludge buildup which I saved it from dying from frequent oil changes. Front suspension is shot with worn/dead shocks and steering is loose. Front CV joints click and knock. Has already 153K on it;.no power options also...I hate to let it go, but for something this nice (and loaded)....how much would YOU pay for the 1983 LE Camry?

Any advice would be great!

Thanks,

[Sturdavj]

I would pay as little as the owner was willing to accept, and not a penny more…

It appears to be a safe purchase, so what we are talking about here is " How much do you desire to be the new owner"

So the real question is; " How much will you regret not having bouhgt this car as the years go by"

I will not bore you with my list of regrets, but I can assure you there is more than one vehicle on my list

[Kingdom934]

Originally Posted by Sturdavj

I would pay as little as the owner was willing to accept, and not a penny more…

It appears to be a safe purchase, so what we are talking about here is " How much do you desire to be the new owner"

So the real question is; " How much will you regret not having bouhgt this car as the years go by"

I will not bore you with my list of regrets, but I can assure you there is more than one vehicle on my list

I'm going to be giving this guy a call, set up a time for a visit. I want to see the car in person.

I want to be the new owner...can't stand it going in the wrong hands. I think it's about time that I've given up my old Camry. Think it's been through too much to ever be fixed right due to my uncle, especially the rust.

Well one vehicle I'd love to own is one of these two toned Camry. I love my sunroof and power options...and well this has everything I want. Only minus about the '83 has the smaller speedo, but eh...it's minor

Again, I'll call this guy up, meet up and bargin down how much he's willing to sell it for. This is the only one I seen down here as I recall as early as I can remember...ever since I've never seen any other one like this one on this island (not joking)- a lot because these cars always rust out hella fast if not taken care of due to the humidty and rain.

[atobe]

you can always keep yours as a parts car as you know the condition of the parts on it . that looks very good for an 83

[Kingdom934]

Yea I was thinking about that. Thing is...almost everythign on my old one...well need replacing lol..

Anyhow,

This car is a fully loaded with every option availble for the 1983. Has the upgraded premium sound (double decked with built in equalizer). I went and took a look at the car and drove it around. Gonna post pictures

[Kingdom934]

So a few things I noted:

Both mirror has this cracking around it. I guess the rubber mirror covers dried out...after all it is like 28 years old. Mirrors itself is fine along wit hthe power option

Power attenna is bent. I can hear the motor though for it.

Intensity button for dash is sorta finky. still works though

Car is leaking oil from valve cover. Other than that, car engine is spotless and looked well maintained.

Rust on the sunroof cover (seprate from the chassie). The body of the car is very clean except for the tiny rust spot under the trim on the lower front driver and a spot around the gas cat (it's very minor looking).

reverse gear takes about 2 sec to engage when coming from another gear (N, P, D, etc). Is this normal? Everything else shifts without issue though. The shop had the car's torque converter replaced due to it being bad (and owner not paying up, so thats how they got the car and want to sell it)




Interior of the car is immaculate....I swear it's the best condition interior I've seen. Like almost as if it's 'show room' clean, minus a few dark grease marks.

[91 Camry]

looks like a great buy for the price. i say go for it!!!

[Sturdavj]

Check with the transmission shop, I think there maybe some adjustments that can be made to the linkage to help with that.

My 90' Camry does the same thing, mostly when it's cold < 35deg.

Sweet looking car, I would love to see it with tinted windows

[Kingdom934]

Thanks folks. I think I'm gonna buy this car. In term, I'm gonna be have to get rid of my Cressida...gonna give it to a friend since I know two of em wants a car (one of them would want to have a cressida per say). The only thing is that I gotta take care of the back taxes (didn't put plates in storage). Since the Cressida has a little more things to be taken care of, but is in better shape, atm, I'd rather have two Gen1 camry since parts would be easier for me to get if I need them (meaning less 'different' parts to get for two different cars)

[Eugee]

If it runs half as good as it looks I would buy it early tomorrow morning before someone else does. Prices vary quite a bit depending on location but if that was here north of San Francisco it would be gone in a day! Good Luck.
Eugee- 86 Liftback

[Kingdom934]

Yea,

I'm gonna go buy it. Gonna call about it tomorrow...dear god i hope it's still there though.

To be honest, a lot of people here don' really like older 'stuff'...especiaally with the rust and what not (it rains a lot). I'm not too worried about it since there's a lot of other camry out there which is selling for around the same price which are Gen2 and a fair abit of Gen3's.

[84Cressida]

There was an 1983 LE in that same Red Two-Tone color scheme on eBay about 6 months ago. It had a lot less miles, but it was a very nice car and I believe the Gen 1 Camry Toyota has in their museum is of this same color, too. I would buy it and fix up the few things wrong with it and then enjoy the car.

[Kingdom934]

ATM...as much as I want to buy, I've done some research and figured out my expenses.

At the moment I don't have the room/space at my house and I don't think it would be smart of me to fork over a thousand. I could buy it, but with this semester school starting...ehh...the books would be hella expensive....so unless something happens in favor for the car, I can't buy it/wouldn't be smart of me to buy it. I know i'm gonna regret it but I can't help it . As long somebody takes good care of it, I'll be happy.


Somebody...who is from Oahu...please buy this car and take good care of it! IT is still posted!