1982 Toyota Corolla SR5 Liftback

[billeebee]

Hi guys! Long time, no post. Sorry!! Well I continue to be a big fan of the Toyota line and my wife and I will be picking up a new 2018 4 Runner Limited in Nautical Blue Metallic this coming Tuesday. This will increase my vehicle count to 5, a bit more than my wife and I need. I drive my 2007 FJ Cruiser and she will be driving the new 4 Runner. My 1978 Land Cruiser FJ40 that I bought new gets to sit in the garage and I get it out periodically for some fun driving time. The 2000 4 Runner that she was driving will become our #3 vehicle for backup in case something is in the shop and we need transportation. The Land Cruiser does not count in the rotation as it has become a fair weather vehicle after a cosmetic upgrade.
Here is the issue. My 1982 Toyota Corolla SR5 Liftback needs to find a new home. I bought it new and for the first 6 years I put about 30,000 miles on it but never drove it in the winter as I had the Land Cruiser and then some 4 Runners. The next 30 years it saw minimal use and only an additional 16,000 miles. It just turned over 46,000 miles. The paint had started to pit and fade from sitting out in the air so the body shop manager at the local Toyota dealer did a beautiful repaint on it in 2010. New Coker Redline tires were added to the grey 4 spoke stock rimes. Only 400 miles currently on the tires. Recently a new Bosal cat back exhaust was added, a factory reman alternator, a new water pump, and new belts. Starts, runs and drives as a new one would. Full service records from day one, all factory manuals, owners and Toyota Service Manual, pretty much everything as it came from the factory. This is not perfect. Interior has taken a bit of a beating from the sun however I did keep a set of seat covers on for most of it's life. Anyway, you get the general picture. One owner, 46,000. never winter driven.
So my question to all you experts is how do I go about finding a new and proper owner for this survivor? This is not a good car for a new teen driver. Also not a candidate to drive all year round unless you are not in snow country.
I really would like to find someone that would love and take care of the car as I have for all these years but not sure of the best avenue to pursue this.
If you guys have any questions or suggestions for me with regards to passing this survivor on feel free to let me know. I have done a lot of research on this era of Corolla and would like to get somewhere in the vicinity of $8500. Thanks in advance for any and all information or suggestions. Bill

[chrlsful]

U give no pic , haven't used an overall numeric grading system so I can't really tell what U have there so Barn Finds may B more accurate than Bring a Trailer.
If that's not helpful you can go for even more volume on CL & Flee-bay. U screen potentials so select the ultimate buyer ∴ what's the difference? As a
seller U can't control end user anyway. May B hang ontaid if concerned bout use/treatment? Good Luck frm here... 8^ )

[billeebee]

Thanks for the insight and sorry about no picture at this time. I did feel my description, even without a picture, painted a pretty good description of the vehicle. I would say the mechanicals are as good as new, the body is 98 to 99 percent, and the interior, although a bit faded from sun and some degrading of plastic, is complete and perfectly usable, although a new owner may want to have some re upholstery done just because. I will try to get a picture posted soon. Bill

Says my pictures are too big to upload. Must need a full access account. Sorry.

[chrlsful]

ultamaty you W I L L need a min 7 - 8 pic. (the more the merrier esp if wanting a good price).
(4 sides, a 3/4 frnt, dash frm driver's, frnt seats frm open door both sides, same 4 rear of interior, head liner, door 'cards', under hood & trunk 2 sides of engine, 2 - 4 frm underneath to show condition there, tires straight-on side for 20 some shots)
Read many written sales pitches. Use the better as model 4 script you'll write,
Do on-line search 4 ur vehicle in several geo areas (city, rural, w/in 20 - 50 mi, an 8 hr drive away). Compaire w/NADA, kelly blue book, Corolla 0n-line Clubs' input, average it all...that kinda thing. U may have a 2 or 3 Grade vehicle (on their 5 +1 grading conditions). Auctions, pro sales ctrs (classic cars only), local used car dealers, my above referrals (try B-a-T &/or BF if on higher grade, not the right price? u can always pull it off)).
Expect several months of pre sales and sales work.
In the end, a deal is what each party agrees to. But - U can't dictate use'n care after sale. Higher prices may screen toward more 'reverence' in ownership. These referrals given will increase better after-sales maintenence too.
Good Luck, keep in touch.

[billeebee]

Thanks for the input. I have written a sales pitch and am working on a couple of minor issues before taking a full set of pictures and posting the vehicle. I will try Craigslist first although the audience will be limited and therefore probably the pricing as most Craigslist folks are shooting for a low ball price. If that doesn't pan out I will list it on eBay Motors and pay the fees if needed to get the best price. My local Toyota dealer has already said they will buy if off me at any time to resell it but the price is too low at this time. I have found similar Corolla's with much higher mileage and more than one owner going for $7000.00 to $8500.00 on eBay. I'll keep you posted. Bill

[billeebee]

Okay folks, here is my first listing. Starting on Craigslist and if no luck will try eBay or a couple of collector car sites. Opinions welcome. Bill

quadcities.craigslist.org/cto/d/1982-toyota-corolla-sr5/6600727530.html

[billeebee]

Okay, here is my eBay listing. Lots of views and 20 watchers.

www.ebay.com/itm/123239905248?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

[billeebee]

Well to update, the Corolla has been sold and will be on it's way to a new owner on the east coast. Thanks for all the input and help. Bill

[billeebee]

Well yesterday was the big day. Drove the Corolla 10 minutes north to a big parking lot by Interstate 80 to meet the transport driver who will be taking the car to it's new owner in Maryland. Kind of sad and kind of happy all at the same time. Kind of tough letting go when you have owned it for all of it's 36 year life. Bill

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