My needs at the time was something reliable and below $2000 it was my first time actually shopping around for a car as the cars I owned up until that point were offered to me cheap (-$1000) by neighbours or family. My Toyota was one of the last cars left on my trade me watchlist that wasn't a lemon. The car had only 115000 kms was a 90s toyota (which are known to go forever) the only flaw was the flaking clearcoat and the only thing that needed to be done was a timing belt. I can tell that the seller had dealt with many time wasters who were probably low balling but I proudly purchased the car for $100 below his asking price which he gladly accepted and said that the car "couldn't have gone to a better person"
My first thought was how tidy it was on the inside and how well it had been looked after (apart from the clearcoat but beggars cant be choosers) I was amazed at its low ks and low price but the real selling point was how I hadn't seen many of these cars around and it wasn't a thrashed 2000s yearly WOF car.
I discovered that there still aren't many around, the clearcoat flaking has turned into a groovy matte finish, Police seem to like pulling it over and finding nothing wrong then feeling silly when they let me go, I can swap a high performance 4AGE engine in it if I felt the need too and its stereo is excellent for factory. I also discovered that I can fit a whole drumkit inside without too much trouble and that the guy who sold the car to me lost his wallet at my work and I held onto it for him until he collected it and that was why "he recognized me from somewhere".
Not very comfortable to sleep in, exhaust shroud rattles, leaks a bit of oil from a different place everytime I get a WOF, there is a break in the window seal that whistles at motorway speed, It has a dodgy choke that sometimes stops the engine from idling and I have to give it some guts if I want it to start.
Its the best car I have owned and I will have it until it no longer wants me.
Star ratings:
- Reliability - 5/5
- Features/technology - 4/5
- Performance/economy - 4/5
- Value for money - 5/5
- Overall rating - 5/5
Lastly, would you buy this vehicle again?
Yes
Why would/wouldn't you buy it again?
I would definitely buy another one, even better if I can get the GT version which are pretty hard to find.