Granddaughter's '85 Celica - What To Do?

[AngliaGT]

We found this '85 Celica for our Granddaughter as her first car.
We bought it for her,& she's paid us back.The car had a lot of work done
on it,so it sounded like a good/safe/reliable car for her.
She still hasn't gotten her driver's license,& is scared to drive.We have
the car at our house,as it's still in our name,& on our insurance.
We've been using it as an occasional extra vehicle,but it's needed quite
a few things done to it.The latest is the head gasket needs to be replaced.I don't
want to do the job,& a local shop quoted us a price of at least $2500,about what
the car's worth.
What should we do with it?

 

[JPSmit]

Looks in good shape - I would hope that you could sell it for what you paid for it.

 

[mikephillips]

My thought, besides the head gasket what other maintenance/repairs are coming down the road and what costs might be expected. Compare that with starting over with another, which is the better value to do??

 

[NutmegCT]

Clean it up - interior, exterior, engine bay! Then advertise for what you've paid for it, and be open about what it needs (head gasket).

If the car was always for your grand-daughter, and she has paid you back for the car, then why not let her to sell it? Seems strange that she's afraid to drive it, even tho' I assume she was consulted in buying it.
TM

 

[waltesefalcon]

I like Tom's idea, but I'd get a quote from a second mechanic for the head gasket first. Unless there's something special about changing a head gasket in an 85 Celica that I'm unaware of that guy is either way too expensive, or I need to quit teaching and go back to mechanicing.

 

[Silverghost]

Quick Google search says $1200 to $1700 +/-. Try somewhere else.....?

 

[Silverghost]

More important question - how does a 1985 car qualify for antique plates!!??

Dang, I'm old!!! LOL

 

[mikephillips]

Don't know about there, but in OH the car has to be 25yo or older.

 

[malbaby]

I would take the car to an old skool mechanic to replace the head gasket...a relatively simple job.
A black car is not likely to enthuse a young lady....Fit some stripes to make it more appealing.

 

[Basil]

First, if you would keep it if you could get the head gasket done, then I would shop around to see if someone else could do the head gasket for a better price, as @malbaby suggested. Otherwise, I like Tom's idea - clean it up as much as possible and advertise it for what you paid, but be open about the need for the gasket. (Might have a "bottom line" in mind since most people will want to dicker. )

 

[Popeye]

I'm not up on the Toyota scene - but the car might be an attractive "young-timer". It has minimal rust, is clean, and appears to be pretty original/OEM (no modifications, K&N filter, etc.). (Personally I like the looks!) Is there a Toyota forum where you could advertise it? BaT might be an option as a no-reserve item, but you potentially have to deal with a long-distance buyer.

 

[AngliaGT]

I've still got to talk this over with our Granddaughter.
She really likes the car,but has no money (& no job) to
pay for the repairs right now.
You can get antique plates for it,but needs to be
insured.The inspection comes due in Feb.
I checked with a couple of shops,& they were both
in the $2500 + range.I do no of one guy who might fix it
for a lot less,but waiting to hear back from him.
This would be a perfect candidate for a newer engine
swap.

 

[Hamish Racing]

More hassle than it’s worth I’m afraid.
I’d cut her losses Or yours as she has aspirations above her pay grade and find something that works.