Just a 3VZ SE 5-speed whim. Opinions?

[LynchburgCSI]

1992 Toyota Camry (Parts car or needs repair) - $875

1992 Toyota Camry SE

- 157K miles
- V6 engine, 4- door
- Manual transmission, 5-speed
- Black exterior, grey leather interior.
- Moon roof and sun roof
- Alarm system
- Front wheel drive
- No rust (except for undercarriage)
- I don't smoke (and neither did the previous owner).
- I have the title

This car can be driven away, but it needs work and might be better as a parts car. ($875 OBO). It will be sold "as is". This could be a great car for someone who does their own maintenance.

My mechanic said that the car needs:

- New muffler, new exhaust pipes, and new catalytic converter
- Work on front axles
- Break work in both the back and the front. (The back is the more immediate need).
- Right rear break light bulb.
- Dent in back door. (I bought her with the dent and never bothered to fix it).

Also, the AC doesn't work, but that may be a quick fix. (I'm from MA, and I never needed AC, so I never asked someone what was wrong with it.)

Serious buyers only please. Please email with questions or if you would like the VIN number.

And of course I emailed the seller:

Hello Ken,

Yes, the car is still available. I attached some pictures of the interior. The car has a grey, leather interior and a black leather steering wheel. What the picture doesn't show you is that there is a small tear in the leather on the driver's seat where the driver's left elbow would be. Otherwise, she's in good shape.

Please let me know if you'd like to see more pictures and I can take more. And let me know if you have any other questions.

Best,
femaleseller?

So what do we think boys? Good fixer upper project? What would YOU pay? Thanks!

[iovaykind]

Sounds like everything you want! Would I pay $875 for it? Probably not, could probably be talked down.. exhaust work is costly if you don't know how to do most of it yourself, and if it is a female seller you can talk it down even more. Is it finally time you're joining the camry community again?

A part of me wants to say yes just because you'd finally have a camry and stop whining

[LynchburgCSI]

I DON'T want to jump the gun and buy this just to get back into the community. Does it need work? Oh hell yes it does. But it needs things that i'd want to upgrade anyways. It is the right interior though. And BLACK is cool. I'm thinking of maybeeeeeee offering $500 cash for it.

[lemegacool]

well here i would not be surprised to pay that for the engine and trans alone... lol

he says that there is undercarriage rust... i would deff ask for many pics of it...

looks like a real good fixer upper

[LynchburgCSI]

THE RUST. I need to ask about that. Thanks for reminding me.

[iovaykind]

Do you have the time for it? $500 is a great buy if you can talk her down to it. But it's going to be extremely time consuming (I think you could make time without a job). You won't find a V6 5-speed SE very often so maybe you'll just have to decide it's time to join back the community and work on a camry rather than an expedition

[projektvertx]

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

But it needs things that i'd want to upgrade anyways. It is the right interior though. And BLACK is cool. I'm thinking of maybeeeeeee offering $500 cash for it.

In all honesty, I wouldn't pay more than that for it. I don't think cash will make a difference. More than likely, he/she will want cash anyways, or a certified check anyways which is essentially cash... And yes, I'm looking at many of the things that need to be replaced, you'll more than likely end up upgrading those in the quest for power anyway How the hell does it have a moon roof AND a sun roof??? Those are similar, but not the same. There is a difference.

My biggest concern is the undercarriage rust, that will make or break the deal IMO. Ask for pics, or better yet, put it up on a lift and have a look with a trained eye Another concern of mine is the A/C, that can be tricky if you intend to fix it (depending on what the problem is). Make sure you find out what the issue is with that before you jump into it. Last but not least, and I think this goes without saying, get a full, PROFESSIONAL inspection preferably by a mechanic you know and trust.

What is meant by the dent? Has the paint been compromised? That's something to consider as well...

[LynchburgCSI]

Yep, I've got the time to work on it. Although it will sit unregistered until I can afford to insure it.

Ameer... OF COURSE i'll get it inspected. The A/C and rust kinda scare me.

[projektvertx]

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

Ameer... OF COURSE i'll get it inspected. The A/C and rust kinda scare me.

I figured it was worth reminding I think we can both assume those 2 things will make or break the deal, with more emphasis on the undercarriage rust

[iovaykind]

I think she means normal undercarriage rust.. isn't all our undercarriages rusted to hell? I know mine is...

[LynchburgCSI]

That's why i'm asking. See?

Any idea if you could get some pictures of the frame rust? I'm curious as to whether or not it's just normal Maryland salt-caused surface rust or if the frame is rusted through.
Has the car been in any wrecks? Minor or otherwise?
Any squeaks from the engine belts? When the A/C is turned on or otherwise?
Any guess what's wrong with the A/C? Does the A/C light flash when the button is pressed?
What's the maintenance history look like?
What's the owner history? Bought in MA?
Any additional info on the door ding? Has the paint there been compromised?
Does the car have ABS?
Any check engine lights?
Any sunroof leaks?
How bad is the exhaust? Rusted through? I assume the car doesn't pass emissions.
Do the brakes need new rotors AND pads front and rear, or just the rear?
How are the tires?
How is the transmission shifting?
If I do come up to look at the car, would you be willing to let me take it in to a mechanic to inspect it?

[lemegacool]

Originally Posted by iovaykind

I think she means normal undercarriage rust.. isn't all our undercarriages rusted to hell? I know mine is...

not mine... thanks to a lot of anti-rust treatments of course its greasy but i prefer greasy over rusty LOL

[projektvertx]

Originally Posted by iovaykind

I think she means normal undercarriage rust.. isn't all our undercarriages rusted to hell? I know mine is...

Speak for yourself There is this beautiful thing called annual rustproofing and undercoating

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

That's why i'm asking. See?

You got the right idea Ken You seem to be heading in the right direction on your own Let us know what happens

[jtex2717]

Be careful though....too many hard questions can turn them away and sell it to someone who doesnt ask as much...and that could be a good thing....but could also be a bad thing...it could literally be in great shape but bcuz they dont know how or want to answer those questions they could sell it to someone else....i would go see it and then ask questions when u get there...just my .02

[LynchburgCSI]

Originally Posted by jtex2717

Be careful though....too many hard questions can turn them away and sell it to someone who doesnt ask as much...and that could be a good thing....but could also be a bad thing...it could literally be in great shape but bcuz they dont know how or want to answer those questions they could sell it to someone else....i would go see it and then ask questions when u get there...just my .02

I would if the car wasn't a few hours away. No sweat though. I'm a decent person and i'm okay if she doesn't understand what i'm asking.