Crazy Cat Lady Posted 15 February Report Posted 15 February (edited) Would be interesting to get peoples advice upon how to go about selling on my 2004 Celica 140 Red Edition (Red leather interior) There is no urgency in the decision but due to reasons of no longer wanting to commit to the upkeep of a 20+ year old car, it would be nice to pass it on to someone keen. Also, for what i use it for; going to Tesco once a week, and one other 25 mile round trip a week, a Yaris would work fine and be more economical in all running costs. It passed the MOT last November, but with advisories about rust that will need attention most probably before the next MOT. My MOT guy is a straight shooter, he's been MOT checking out my Celica over the past decade and he really likes it and considered a bit of welding underside is well worth doing. (i got no idea how much this work would cost tho'). It drives really well with no issues, excellent F1 Eagle tyres, custom SS exhaust, a few years ago suspension & brake overhaul, plus new rad, A/C condenser, alpine speaker upgrade, low milage at genuine 76k miles with engine that doesn't burn any oil. Plus i'm only the second owner, first one 10 years me 11. Everything works, upper bodywork is far from perfection but looks respectable for year, the only one big issue is rust as mentioned on the MOT advisory. Is it really better to get the welding done before putting on the market? Or sell for less and let the keen new owner take up the challenge? Or perhaps simply trade the car in when buying a Yaris? (i know the answer to this - probably not...) Anyway, thoughts would be nice to hear thanks in advance. Plus an honest evaluation figure would be helpful cos i have absolutely no clue as to what i should be asking for (?) ...not street wise me 🤔 Edited 15 February by Crazy Cat Lady speeling mistook
Old Red Celica Posted 15 February Report Posted 15 February Is £3k about right? There has to be an amount that makes you nod your head and say, yeah that's enough. We've been in a similar situation selling our MR2, we got a lot less than wanted for it, but it got to the point we were having to take it out, just to use it. As for the welding, it will put some off. But others who do their own welding will see it as an opertunity to add their own value to the car. 1
Crazy Cat Lady Posted 15 February Author Report Posted 15 February I fear 3k maybe too optimistic 😐 The MOT rust advisories are emblazoned upon the history for all to see, and maybe regardless to if i get it repaired or not it will indeed put folk off, or want to hard bargain for it. It's difficult to value these cars with so many on the market in all kinds of condition at all kinds of asking price. I suspect nearly all of these remaining Gen 7s have rust bucket undersides. This Celica is a wonderful car to drive, if i needed to go to John O Groats, and then to Lands End, and then back home again, it would do so without missing a beat. However the rust is going to kill it in a year or two without appropriate rescue...
slybunda Posted 16 February Report Posted 16 February if its rusted up and will be an mot issue next time round then be lucky to get a grand for it. these days people dont want to put up with the high road tax and repair bills.
Crazy Cat Lady Posted 16 February Author Report Posted 16 February 2 hours ago, slybunda said: people dont want to put up with the high road tax and repair bills. Yeah, that includes me! 🫣
bazz54 Posted 18 February Report Posted 18 February I sold a much-cherished car about 10 years ago, and lived to deeply regret it. It was a 1970 Vauxhall Viva, my very first car. This idea of selling cars on to people who will "look after them" doesn't always work 🙁.
Crazy Cat Lady Posted 18 February Author Report Posted 18 February 1 hour ago, bazz54 said: a 1970 Vauxhall Viva Was it an HB or HC? I've owned 3 HBs, two in the late 70s, and one in 1989 I first one written off after collision with another HB Viva, my fault too, both totalled 🫤 However for the double accomplishment i received an award of merit for highway clunker removal 🏆 1
slybunda Posted 19 February Report Posted 19 February I still have my 31 year old fiesta sitting on my driveway. Won't part with it since no one will look after it as well as I will. Needs bit of welding done so iv bought myself a welder and learning to do the job myself. 2
bazz54 Posted 21 February Report Posted 21 February On 18/02/2026 at 20:12, Crazy Cat Lady said: Was it an HB or HC? It was an HB and I owned it from 1976 to 2018 (42 years). It shows up as SORN and I've tried to find out who has it; I have loads of spares for it. I now have my Gen7 and my Rover 620, both get through MoTs without advisories and I plan to keep both of them.
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