The Dark Side

[El Matador]

Don't let that subject line scare you, I didn't buy a Toyota. 

After five years of faithful service, my beloved '86 wagon is about to move on to a new home.  But don't worry, El Matador hasn't gone loco.  There was a method to the the madness, and this departure paves the way for a new acquisition.

So what's this "dark side" nonsense about?

I'm not usually one to name my cars, but... meet "Vader".

[shaggimo]

Classy  but yet carries a sinister look, I like it.

[GRONK]

Very nice.

[Prafeston]

Wow....that looks amazing!!!

It looks brand stinking new. Where did you find that thing!

[Whuntmore]

I'm kinda jealous of Dean finding this, but considering how much he 'scours' the internet/used car sales/auto wreckers/kijiji/Pick n Pull lots/ and networking, I'm not totally surprised he'd find this.

Basically, if it's for sale, Dean has seen it.

And now that he has a brand new quart of POR-15, he can stay ahead of the rust, and keep this one fresh.

I can't wait to see this one in person.  I think we're doing a road trip to pick it up.

BTW, you forgot to tell us what year it is, options, mileage, etc. 

[El Matador]

It's a 1981 Sport with full time 4WD.  It only has 115,000 km (71,000 miles) on it, which is less than a third of what my other one had.  I'll be the third owner, and the current owner has had it for 12 years.  Coincidentally, his uncle was the manager of the AMC dealership in Prince George that sold this car new.

For options, it has all of the Sport items (alloy wheels, sport mirrors, three spoke steering wheel, gauges with tach, floor gauge console), tilt steering, cruise control, power windows, power door locks.  The only major item it lacks is air conditioning.  Since I live in Alberta and not Arizona, a black car without AC is just fine.  I actually prefer it that way - a little more room under the hood and less parasitic drag on the engine.

It had some sort of paint protection (Diamond Kote or something like that) applied when it was new, and it went all funky over the years and ruined the paint.  It was professionally repainted four years ago.

There is an aftermarket sound system in it, and is described as a clean installation and pretty high end.  Time will tell whether I keep that in there.

The seller is including a box of spare parts with it, and in that box is a load leveling compressor.  So, someday I'll be able to add that option too.

[Whuntmore]

You might wanna order some headlight adjusters now, and if-and-when you get Vader, we can put them in asap.  From the pictures, looks like it'll need them.

[Prafeston]

May I ask what you paid? The repaint looks very good!

[El Matador]

May I ask what you paid? The repaint looks very good!

Picked it up for $2600, plus my costs of going there and back (8 hours each way).

[Whuntmore]

if the underside is in good shape, then it's a good deal.  I got my fingers crossed for ya.  When are we leaving?   

[Prafeston]

That's a pretty great deal...as long as the underside is good like Whuntmore says. Great score man. I look forward to more pics once you pick it up!

[El Matador]

I specifically asked about rust, and I was told there was none except a small surface spot near the bottom of one rear door.  This car has lived its whole life in the BC interior, and has seen snow but not road salt.

I don't think I'll be driving this one through winter like I did the previous one.  I'll use my wife's Cube as my winter beater.

[hypereagle]

Congrats. Sweet looking unit.

[Whuntmore]

Well, it's not like you don't have several eagles to choose from, you got two in the garage (ok, one in the garage, one parked in front of the garage) and then you have like two more on Justin's lot, AND THEN you have another one, just south of Edmonton. (did I miss any?)

So it's not like you would have to drive it during the winter. 

[MudPuppy]

Man, that Wagon is HOT!!! Nice find Dean.