How much is a 1984 celica gt worth?

Terry · 16 Jul 2010, 10:52 am

I have a 1984 Toyota Celica GT and the engine was rebuilt. But, the fuel pump needs to be replaced and it needs new tires and a battery, and that is it. Otherwise, there are a few other problem due to normal use over time. I know this car is a collector?s item and people like to fix them up. I saw the same car at a used car dealer and it was priced at $4500, but it was drivable. Does any one know what it is worth, as it is?

Vipassana · 16 Jul 2010, 11:02 am

"I saw the same car at a used car dealer and it was priced at $4500"

Which has 100% NOTHING to do with the value of your vehicle.

I've seen an example of one of my cars go on Barrett Jackson for $50,000. Does that mean anything about the value of mine? No.

Your car is whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

An easy way to figure it out, is to look at what similar cars are selling for, by private owners.

THEN.

Subtract the cost to repair all the things wrong with it, from your price.

For example, if you had a $2000 car, but it needed a $500 transmission, no one will want to spend more than $1500 on it. If they spent $2k, then it'd be a $2500 investment, in a car worth less than that.

Simple financial logic says that makes no sense at all.

At the end of the day, however, it doesn't matter what you list it as, if you can't get a buyer for it. So list it as "best offer" and see what you get offered. That will tell you what it's actually worth to your buyers.

And no, the car is NOT a collector's item. It's just a 1984 Celica. I bought one a few months ago, runs, drives, in great shape. Cost $600. Picked up a parts car, just to mess around with, for $200.