Classifind Cut – 1993 Toyota Celica Convertible – Sold?

January 7^th, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the Craigslist ad for this ride expired.  With no replacement listing found, we’re assuming this car sold.  This one may have got away, but if you have your heart set on something similar, email us the details of what you’re looking for or call Rudy directly at (908)295-7330.

November 23rd, 2020 Update – Apparently, reality quickly set in with this private seller that $12,000 is way too much to ask for their Celica convertible.  We predict the price will need to come down another $3,000 before buyers become interested.

By the early 1990s, convertibles had made such a resurgence that even Japanese manufacturers wanted to cash in on the trend.  A prime example is this 61K original mile 1993 Toyota Celica GT convertible originally listed in November 2020 on Craigslist in Plainsboro, New Jersey equipped with a rare manual transmission and a very optimistic asking price of $12,000.  Comparing this price against the NADA Guides Classic Car Online Valuation Tool confirms this private seller has his Celica priced nearly three times above this guide’s current “High” retail estimate of only$4,675.  Consequently, with no other syndicated pricing guide available to justify such a high ask, we’re awarding the seller our latest “NEW!” (short for “No Effin Way!) Award for asking a classic car price on what is still considered a used car. Given the short-term ownership, we smell an egregious flip here, so we would start by confirming what the seller paid for the car and what they have into it.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“The listing is for a 1993 Toyota Celica Convertible with only 61,000 original miles.
I bought this car for my son about a year ago and spent a lot of time and money getting it fixed. It belonged to a person who had parked it and did not used it for a long time. The prior owner bought it and painted it.
I made the following repairs:
a) Changed both axles.
b) Changes all shocks and struts
c) Changed the timing belt/Water pump
d) Changed one of the headlamps
e) Changed the rotors and brake pads
f) Changed the spark plugs, wires and distributor cap
The car needs a new roof motor.

The car runs and drives as it should.. the gears shift smoothly, and the engine has a lot of power.
The body has no sign of rust.. pretty amazing for its age.
I used it for a two months to drive to work which put ~4000 miles on it, and then covid hit..
The car has been sitting since…
My son is more interested in newer cars and I do not have room for this beauty.”

Do you have a Celica story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!