Looked at a pickup today. Did not purchase.

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
07/11/2016 at 21:30 • Filed to: must you post everything? why can't you just miserable and silent???

While I feel like I really know jack shit about cars, I’ve experienced enough to know how to shop for one. And today was yet another confirmation of that belief.

1984 Toyota (GASP) pickup, longbed, 2wd, Xtra cab. For the record, I was simply looking for a servicable vehicle because reasons (not interesting enough to post yet WITHOUT A DAMN VEHICLE IN HAND). So cosmetics aren’t the end-all be-all, but they do mean something. The rear of that bed had that typical 2nd gen rust. Upon further inspection, it was worse than that though. There were a few holes along the side at the typical seam of doom. At the bottom of the tailgate, there was that kind of old Japanese rust that I can only describe as: “crispy.” Underside was great. No rust. The interior: Display on the climate controls was half-missing, some, cracks here and there, but altogether in tact. Carpet was nice and the bench seat had lots of life left.

Then there was the test drive. I could write an entire novel about my 15 minute test drive, but let’s just do a list because you all have lives to get back to, and my writing is rusty because all I ever do on here is post pictures of tubs, cars, celica, and dog:

- brakes were nearly non-existent. vehicle shook like crazy when brakes harshly applied
- brake pedal spongy and felt like there was a lot of air in the system
- loud whirring kind of turbine noise (rear diff?) at speeds over 45 miles per hour
- vehicle would nearly stall when braking sometimes
- exhaust gaskets missing (BRBRBRBRRRRRRRRRR!)
- shifter had a lot of slop (but did shift nicely!)
- up-idle adjustment for A/C was not done
- A/C was vey buzzy
- doesn’t like cold starts
- front suspension was so worn it sounded like opening the front door of a haunted house in some bad horror film
- most of all: that unshakable vehicle when you’re riding around in a vehicle and you say, “this does not feel safe.”

I politely said, “I don’t think this is the one for me.” We chatted for a while, and here’s the real kicker: he wanted $2,800 for it. Think about that when you look back at everything I just said about it. $2,800. You know what actually cost me $2,800?

The SUM of this:

and this:

Moreover, though it is early in the game for the Celica specifically, I have spent close to nothing maintaining or repairing either of them, and I would trust either of them as my indefinite vehicle in a post-apocalyptic hellscape. It was a shit-ton of work and time to find either of them, but hard work paid off.

Going back to the seller’s truck: Yes, the body was straight. Yes, they are incredibly uncommon. Yes, everything was there. Conversely: NO. NO. NO. NO.

Thank you for reading thus far.

DISCUSSION (21)

Berang > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/11/2016 at 21:39

no low ballers

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Berang
07/11/2016 at 21:40

Good Lord. Good. Lord.

My citroen won't start > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/11/2016 at 21:41

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/565617…

You need this.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/11/2016 at 21:42

You managed to slip the Celica in there!

But man sometimes looking for cars can suck so much. Especially when it’s something you really want

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > My citroen won't start
07/11/2016 at 21:42

Now that is a good honest little pickup.

Berang > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/11/2016 at 21:44

I found you a better deal though:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/565238…

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/11/2016 at 21:45

Yeah, I learned to improve my very poor shopping abilities by falling in love with *multiple* cars, allowing me to walk away from a situation where I might otherwise tempted to make a bad decision (example: simultaneously shopping for Celica, SC400, 6-series, etc.). I also decided to love the price first, love the car second, when negotiating.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Berang
07/11/2016 at 21:46

I don’t think I can accept a Justy in that form. 3-doors is the only one I will acknowledge.

Berang > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/11/2016 at 21:47

You could at least call and ask if the tree is included.

lone_liberal > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/11/2016 at 22:08

You should know that if it’s a pickup you’re after you have to come to the dry side of the mountains! Look at this cream puff right here: http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/5671548018…

What a beauty!

Kinja'd!!!

Of course if you don’t appreciate a fine automobile like that you could always check here: http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/5670774933… Looks kind of boring to me.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/11/2016 at 22:09

After the V70R I kinda did too

Although I’m looking at something very dumb tomorrow. Maybe.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > lone_liberal
07/11/2016 at 22:11

That ad is so craigslist, I’d swear that The Onion wrote it.

lone_liberal > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/11/2016 at 22:13

There seems to be a fair number of ‘90s around here but there are also some older ones http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/5670774933… Sure, it’s not a black beauty...

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > lone_liberal
07/11/2016 at 22:14

See, that looks decent, and at a decent price.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Berang
07/11/2016 at 22:19

“Honey I got a great deal on a tree. And it came with a free car!"

Berang > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/11/2016 at 22:25

Put the christmas justy up, and take the tree for a spin.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/11/2016 at 22:26

http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/5674712909…

This seems right up your alley . Np?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/11/2016 at 23:55

I remember driving my dads 78 long bed, the sifter had about 6" of play side to side, but it was actually pretty easy to shift.

RPM esq. > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/12/2016 at 00:53

Hey, I too am looking at something very dumb, maybe this weekend!

Dru > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/12/2016 at 09:03

You are proof that not all car collectors are wealthy. I mean that in the most genial way possible. Keep doing you.

Whatevs > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/13/2016 at 14:22

I too am looking for a pickup truck...mainly as a weekend hauler. Almost impossible to find anything for less than 2K. But if any Raleigh Oppos have a line on one...let me know! Oh, and if anyone wants to ungrey me that would be swell.