Found a $1800 89 Camry All-Trac, should I buy?

[West]

Overall its in pretty good shape for 158k miles. Just needs to be cleaned, I am having someone at the shop inspect it in the next few days. Problems I noticed that concern me is a little tap/ticking noise above 3500rpm, its not bad, although its enough for me to question if its worth buying. For $1800 or maybe less, what would you do? Take your risk and possibly fix it or not waste your time? This is a much cheaper alternative to the car I want, an 89-91 BMW 325iX. Which would cost more, more gas, and id put money into it since I love e30's.

[Ritz S14]

hell yeah pick it up.. if it has the 3sfe it should last 220k+ miles. If anything.. spend 1800 or so and swap in a 3sgte.. heh

[drftwerks]

probably not, plenty of other grocery getter w/ more romm, and cheaper price, that will last a long time.

[Yoshi]

Mark grab that thing, even if it turns out u don't like it, you could most likely sell it for a profit, RARE cars.

I feel ya on the BMW, my wife claimed my Passport as hers, it was supposed to be my winter car :mad: Guess I'll have to keep my eye open for a 330xi ;)

[West]

Its the 2.0l/3sfe. Thats just it though, I know it should last at least 250k. Although I suspect the noise I hear is the valves clapping.

Nice thing is that my work SHOULD work it out so I can pay them back so much out of my pay checks every month instead of getting a loan which I doubt I could get.

Yoshi: Right on, Id love to have a few 3 (e30 & e36) series in my collection someday. 325iX probly isnt the best car anyways seeing as there isnt much aftermarket suspension support for it. :)

[drftwerks]

is there more aftermarket suppourt for the camrY?

who would buy a RARE camry alltrac, maybe a celica alltrac, but i dont think, you could sell a 89 camry for more than 1800

[Yoshi]

is there more aftermarket suppourt for the camrY?

who would buy a RARE camry alltrac, maybe a celica alltrac, but i dont think, you could sell a 89 camry for more than 1800

it depends on where you live. Old camry and celica alltracs, as well old subie loyales and legacys go for much more than they should where I live due to all the run down/unpaved roads + snow/ice where I'm at. I've seen the camry alltracs go for 2500 with 150k+

kinda like how the cost of 240s up here is upwards of 4k for 89-90 base s13 with at least 150k (running), where in socal no one would pay more than 800-1500 for it.

It's all relative. :hs:

[drftwerks]

thats a good piont, since he does live in CO.

[justinhustle]

my buddy got one in ohio for 800 dollars at a local dealer

dummies didnt realize what they had...he sold it on ebay for 3k :O

[matlock]

I think as long as the drivetrain is in good condition you should go for it, I am sure those are the hard parts to find. Also just be careful and it sounds like you are really looking into it getting it checked out and stuff. I recently owned an Audi Coupe Quattro (1700 in the US) and it was a rad car but parts were soooooo expensive.

[drftwerks]

keep in mihnd eventhough its a TOYOTA, all tracs are the worst to work on EVER.

[nocomedown]

definitely buy it. like you said, it's a cheaper alternative to the car you want (which is good), and you wouldn't be tempted to spend money on it to make it a go-fast car (like you would with the bimmer). also as far as repairs go, the parts will be much cheaper on the toyota. overall, i think it's an easy choice so long as this is intended solely to be your grocery getter.