Nice Price, or Crack Pipe 75 Celica $11,000

kanaric wrote: I like this car, a lot, but $11k? I'll pick up a S2000 or something, less headache, nearly as cool, just as fun if not more. I'm not much into buying cars because they are old. It needs some merit aside from that for me at that price. If you think about it this is a Celica with not even 100hp and a primitive suspension, compares a lot to a Ford Mustang II to me just asian. To me a 2T-G jdm car would be the only one I would consider at this price. At $6k i would change my tune. Think about it. For Like $14k there is a guy, or was idk if he sold it yet, selling a R30 Skyline RS. I would MUCH rather have that. You can buy a J market Delta Integrale 8v and import it for that price, i almost did. This just doesn't compare to what you can get in the low $10ks even classic JDM stuff. Speaking of 2T i would LOVE E70 with a 2T-GEU

This has a decent amount over 100hp. It's an 18RG.

sanman wrote: As much of a toyota and jdm fan as I am, $11k buys a hell of a lot with regard to these cars. Clean 240z, rx7, or mr2 would be more interesting to me for that money.

Cars like this are passed the point of rational justification. It's basically what makes a car a "collector car" vs. simply a "used car". I don't want a 240z, rx7 or mr2... I've wanted a Celica Liftback since I was shopping for my first car back in the late 80's. There is no logical reason, just pure "want" vs. the number of available examples and that is what drives up prices. Add in the "uniqueness" of RHD (I like RHD cars...) and I would probably drop $11K on that car in a heartbeat if I could. In a way, I want cars like this to be all original, so the engine upgrades would be a value-deduct, although I'd probably overlook it.

$6k? I think $3k'ish.

Gasoline wrote: $6k? I think $3k'ish.

Find me a relatively rust-free '75-77 Celica Liftback for $3000...

...oh yeah... and make it RHD...

Here's a fixer-upper:

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/cto/4215031073.html

Ian F wrote:

Gasoline wrote: $6k? I think $3k'ish.

Find me a relatively rust-free '75-77 Celica Liftback for $3000... ...oh yeah... and make it RHD...

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Im not a RHD fan...at all. Muscle memory and what not, I dont want to have to think about using my left hand to shift, and that first is actually on the outside, not inside.

That said, this is a great, clean, nearly original, very complete and ready to enjoy classic. Finding a 1977 anything in that kind of shape sets it apart from more worn examples. $11k may leave a bit of negotiating room, but a crack-pipe price, it is not.

This is mine, it was actually a really nice car to drive, a good gt car, comfortable over long distances but geared very shortly. Everywhere it went, that car was a rock star, like nowhere did you stop that it didnt start a conversation, everyone had a story or a question or a compliment, dont buy one unless you like talking to strangers. Power wise with the 20r, it was a hair quicker than my friends mx5 that had bolt ons (exhaust/ intake), and on sport springs it handled and rode nicely, on 195/60?/14 star specs it was very sticky (almost too sticky for the power it made). The hardest thing about 1st gen celicas is parts availability (almost non-existant, no dealer support at all, the only saving grace is platform sharing, driveline parts from hilux trucks and chassis parts from ae86s fit mostly, cosmetics are the really tough part, the headlights I used were e30 3 series e-codes from hella, wheels were from a 1st gen supra 1 inch wider and alloy vs steel). I really liked that car, it's sitting at my friend's house, I think often that I should buy it back, then go nuts on it, swap in a 1uz 4.0l v8 from an ls400, but at the moment I've got too many projects going on, we'll see.

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captdownshift wrote:

kanaric wrote: I like this car, a lot, but $11k? I'll pick up a S2000 or something, less headache, nearly as cool, just as fun if not more.

this car has as much cool in it's louvers as every S2K ever made put together have as a whole. They're not even close in regards to coolness factor. That being said $8500 is the fair price.

I don't particularly care for old Celicas, and I do like S2000s quite a bit. But I'd agree 100% with this statement ^^

You don't buy an old car because it's fast, or because it's easy to maintain or gets good fuel mileage, because it has good suspension or good ergonomics....you buy them because they are pure driving experience without all the bullE36 M3 that modern cars have (albeit bullE36 M3 that makes them fast, handle well, reliable, and safe).

Only way I'd pay $11,000 is if that car had a nice paint job, and a cool well executed engine/drivetrain swap like a 3SGTE or F20C, or SR20DET, LS1 etc.......... Its still awesome though.

mainlandboy wrote: Here's a fixer-upper: http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/cto/4215031073.html

$4000 and no engine? And we're calling the OP car a crack pipe asking price?

Like I said, it's a collector car - it's now worth what somebody is willing to pay for it... the OP car is worth $11K to me... to others, maybe $1,100... depends on how much you like the car. To LBC guys, the $5K I paid for my GT6 was a steal. To non-LBC lovers, I got ripped off. It's a matter of what you like. Most of my LBC and MINI friends (and especially my ex-g/f who hates Japanese cars) would consider the OP car to worth no more than scrap value.

Ian F wrote:

sanman wrote: As much of a toyota and jdm fan as I am, $11k buys a hell of a lot with regard to these cars. Clean 240z, rx7, or mr2 would be more interesting to me for that money.

Cars like this are passed the point of rational justification. It's basically what makes a car a "collector car" vs. simply a "used car". I don't want a 240z, rx7 or mr2... I've wanted a Celica Liftback since I was shopping for my first car back in the late 80's. There is no logical reason, just pure "want" vs. the number of available examples and that is what drives up prices. Add in the "uniqueness" of RHD (I like RHD cars...) and I would probably drop $11K on that car in a heartbeat if I could. In a way, I want cars like this to be all original, so the engine upgrades would be a value-deduct, although I'd probably overlook it.

It isn't about used car vs collector cars. It is about what the market is for that car. Right now the 240z is the highest value classic japanese car that was produced for the U.s' market (I am excluding 2000gt and hakosukas). High end for those is 15-20k and you could get a 240z is similar condition for a similar price. Now if it were a completely clean jdm car with the 2t-g twin cam motor, it might be worth that money.

It's worth easily double what he's asking*.

*I may be slightly (excessively) exaggerating since I have 2 of these and would love to see the values climb like the e30 m3 thread a few down the page. I could actually make money on cars for once!!!!!! I never get to be that guy!

sanman wrote: It isn't about used car vs collector cars. It is about what the market is for that car. Right now the 240z is the highest value classic japanese car that was produced for the U.s' market (I am excluding 2000gt and hakosukas). High end for those is 15-20k and you could get a 240z is similar condition for a similar price. Now if it were a completely clean jdm car with the 2t-g twin cam motor, it might be worth that money.

I disagree. Partly because, again, you are trying to apply logic to an illogical purchase. Back in the early 90's, at some unknown auction, a couple of guys with money wanting to relive their youth both decided they just HAD to have the same Hemi Cuda... Add macho testosterone (and probably a few drinks...) and the next thing you know we have the muscle car market we know today. Was it logical? Hell no. But it happened.

The 'market' is driven by simple supply and demand and I'd bet 10:1 there are a lot more clean 240z's out there for sale than clean mid-70's Celica liftbacks. The other part is that the idea of a Japanese "collector car" is still gaining traction. It's too early to tell how much these cars are really worth - mostly because we haven't quite figured out how many nuts like me are out there who would be willing to pay for them and how much (and unlike me, can pay for them). All it takes is a couple of guys (or maybe gals, but women seem less prone to such silliness) who happen to see them and say, " Damn... I remember those... I always wanted one... $11K? Hell...that's pocket change..." and we're off to the races.

In that color, reminds me of the original Eleanor. In a JDM kinda way. J

Jesse685 wrote: In that color, reminds me of the original Eleanor. In a JDM kinda way. J

Really?

You must be thinking...

Bullitt Mustang.

Found you a cheaper alternative http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/4234135926.html

You could post a picture of any car in the world with a price of $1, and someone is going to say it's priced too high. All that matters is if someone is willing to pay the price. A good example of a rare car is always going to bring top dollar.

IIRC Toyota never sold that motor here in the Great Satan so exclusivity of that type helps drive the price. I like that body Celica too but even with that $11k is stronger than death.

DirtyBird222 wrote: Found you a cheaper alternative http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/4234135926.html

$7500? Not cheap enough. I'd rather have the OP car for $3500 more. Or the similar car blaze86vic is selling (although his isn't a street car).

Ian F wrote:

DirtyBird222 wrote: Found you a cheaper alternative http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/4234135926.html

$7500? Not cheap enough. I'd rather have the OP car for $3500 more. Or the similar car blaze86vic is selling (although his isn't a street car).

Stuart in mn just explained someone like you. Read a few post up.

In reply to DirtyBird222:

If you say so... I don't consider those comparable to fastback cars. How they look is the only reason I'd be interested in one of these. It's like my GT6 or Mini. They're fun to drive around once in awhile, but the reality is they're both pretty terrible cars.

Ian F wrote:

sanman wrote: As much of a toyota and jdm fan as I am, $11k buys a hell of a lot with regard to these cars. Clean 240z, rx7, or mr2 would be more interesting to me for that money.

Cars like this are passed the point of rational justification. It's basically what makes a car a "collector car" vs. simply a "used car". I don't want a 240z, rx7 or mr2... I've wanted a Celica Liftback since I was shopping for my first car back in the late 80's. There is no logical reason, just pure "want" vs. the number of available examples and that is what drives up prices. Add in the "uniqueness" of RHD (I like RHD cars...) and I would probably drop $11K on that car in a heartbeat if I could. In a way, I want cars like this to be all original, so the engine upgrades would be a value-deduct, although I'd probably overlook it.

Yep, if I could find a rust free 1989-1991 turbo firefly (I'd probably accept a Sprint, but that's just because they are all so rare) that was in mint shape and nothing was butchered on it, I'd easily pay $10k for it. I love them, for no particular reason besides want.

Weird, cause I look at the Orlando one and say, hmm...not bad.

Would anyone care to do better/cheaper by scouring the nation's CLs for me?

This is weird considering that I am getting a Skyline GTS-T including all paperwork done and shipping in the US for less than this.

I don't think I could pay this much unless it's some kind of a non-emissions JDM car. Specifically a 2T-G car

I've seen two DR30 skylines in the US (RS and RS-X) for around this price.

edit: thought this was deja vu, posted all this last page.