WTB: '95-'04 Toyota Avalon. $150 finder's fee.

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janas19

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Update: The search is progressing but haven't finalized a sale yet. I am locking the thread for now for a "cool down" period. I'm still actively looking! If you find any leads MATCHING my specifications, then please PM me.

Hey folks. I'm looking to buy an older model Toyota Avalon for a family member with a minor physical disability. I'm a highly motivated buyer looking for a a highly motivated seller. I live in NE Florida, but can drive almost anywhere in CONUS to pickup. Offering a $150 finder's fee to the person who locates a car I end up buying.

Specifications

1. Model years 1995-2004

2. Private owner with a clean title. No dealers and no salvage vehicles.

3. Has the optional front bench seat, AKA no shifter on center console. This is the big reason I'm looking for this model.

4. Budget $3,000-$4,000

I would prefer a garage kept vehicle with records of oil and AT fluid changes, but keeping my options open. High mileage isn't an issue.

Asking anyone with friends & family who might have this model for sale to please contact me. Thank you.
 
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Not posting because of the incentive - anyway these two are from dealers:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...Helper.selectedEntity=c3608#listing=265654056
Accident but looks good
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...Helper.selectedEntity=c3608#listing=265248195
Private owner but seats look rough:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...Helper.selectedEntity=c3608#listing=255332129
I suppose nothing fibrenew can't fix for $200.

There's 24 pages of it, the links I gave were only from the first page:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...72&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=c3608
Out of 303 listings nationwide 3 are private sellers and only 1 semi fits your criteria. If you really want private sellers you'll have to use a criagslist search engine and filter all results manually using keywords. (I recommend doing it on company time :p)
 
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-1995-Toyota-Avalon-c3608#listing=261432546 - 1 owner, 223k, Portland OR

1581821771261.png
 
DMFD-Minister said:
This might be close(ish)- Longwood FL
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Oh man, that might be something I can actually buy if it's still available! How do I contact this seller? Sending a PM!

Agenesis said:
Private owner but seats look rough:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...Helper.selectedEntity=c3608#listing=255332129

Out of 303 listings nationwide 3 are private sellers and only 1 semi fits your criteria. If you really want private sellers you'll have to use a criagslist search engine and filter all results manually using keywords. (I recommend doing it on company time :p)
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Thanks for the tips! This car matches my criteria but the seats and rust in the engine bay tell me it's been sitting outside and unused for a long time. Might be something interesting to restore but I don't have the time! :p

DoubleTap said:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-1995-Toyota-Avalon-c3608#listing=261432546 - 1 owner, 223k, Portland OR

View attachment 223639
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This one has the front bench seat! :) But it says sold by a dealer called Tony's World? Also Portland is the other corner of the country. I would drive there for an amazing deal but this is a '95 with 225k... Meh. I wonder if they could put it on a flatbed and transport.

Thanks for sending this one my way! I'll keep searching for a better option.
 
SamirD said:
Here's one for $2k in Montana that doesn't have many pictures, but looks decent from the outside:
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Samir, the link you sent only has one photo. I can't tell if it has the front bench seat. Also, try shortening your URLs with the hyperlink function like this. Sheesh man :ROFLMAO:
 
janas19 said:
This one has the front bench seat! :) But it says sold by a dealer called Tony's World? Also Portland is the other corner of the country. I would drive there for an amazing deal but this is a '95 with 225k... Meh. I wonder if they could put it on a flatbed and transport.

Thanks for sending this one my way! I'll keep searching for a better option.
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Is there something special about the 94-95 model? I saw some other years (96) that had the front bench seat...
 
Agenesis said:
Not posting because of the incentive - anyway these two are from dealers:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...Helper.selectedEntity=c3608#listing=265654056
Accident but looks good
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...Helper.selectedEntity=c3608#listing=265248195
Private owner but seats look rough:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...Helper.selectedEntity=c3608#listing=255332129
I suppose nothing fibrenew can't fix for $200.

There's 24 pages of it, the links I gave were only from the first page:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...72&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=c3608
Out of 303 listings nationwide 3 are private sellers and only 1 semi fits your criteria. If you really want private sellers you'll have to use a criagslist search engine and filter all results manually using keywords. (I recommend doing it on company time :p)
Click to expand...
Carguru is great for most large and small lots in my area. Private sellers, not so much. You can use the search tools to find what you need. (God damn it I sound like an ad, sorry).
 
janas19 said:
Samir, the link you sent only has one photo. I can't tell if it has the front bench seat. Also, try shortening your URLs with the hyperlink function like this. Sheesh man :ROFLMAO:
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Yeah, I know. It says in the description it has the front bench seat, so that's a 'call and see' thing I would normally do.

Yeah, I cut and paste--big links are easier to click for us old people! :ROFLMAO:
 
That's what I would say. Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Cars all come with front bench seats with the exception of the Crown Victoria LX Sport and Grand Marquis LSE, both rare models. They're also everywhere, cheap to purchase and cheap to maintain.

1999+ Lincoln Town Cars had side airbags standard, 2009+ became standard for the Grand Marquis and Crown Victoria, optional in previous years. I have spent way too much time researching these cars...
 
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"I'm a highly motivated buyer looking for a highly motivated seller. "

So in other words you want it for free, or next to nothing ?
 
HAL_404 said:
"I'm a highly motivated buyer looking for a highly motivated seller. "

So in other words you want it for free, or next to nothing ?
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No that means I'm willing to pay right now if you're willing to sell at a bottom price. :) And this technique works because putting money where your mouth is generally works. :D
 
SamirD said:
They do but that's a Ford. Chevy has the Impala. I wonder if there is a lexus that would have the front bench?
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They would be exceptionally rare. I doubt they exist to be honest. That being said, I know of one (likely the only one) Lexus sc300 that was had without leather seats, shift boot, handbrake boot, or steering wheel. Leather was standard so it had to be custom ordered. I really doubt buckets didn't come in every Lexus.
 
Potentially consider Buick Century or LeSabre from the same vintage?

I believe the bench seat was the standard/base option.

Edit: Bump for good luck in finding an Avalon, as your first preference.
 
Needing the bench seat is what makes finding one of these exceedingly difficult janas19

I'm sure they're out there, but limiting it to a specific generation of a specific model makes it exceedingly difficult.

As others have mentioned, I think that it would behoove you to broaden your search criteria to additional makes and or models with a bench seat. I would also recommend ensuring that this person legitimately needs a bench seat and isn't just 'stuck in their ways'.

A car that's great from that era with a bench seat is a Lincoln Town Car. They're fairly reliable and cheap. They're not as reliable as a Toyota, but they all had bench seats AFAIK.

If they'd change their criteria to not needing a bench seat or not exclusively being 'this vintage, of this car, with this kind of seat' this would be a breeze. This sounds like a wild goose chase and honestly one of those things you may have to say 'too bad grandma, that's just the way the cookie crumbles' or more likely in their case 'too bad grandma, that's just how ensure feels oozing down your throat'.

Good luck :woot:
 
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Looked all over NorCal for you on a flight today cause I was bored. No decent dice for you.
 
Kwaz said:
Needing the bench seat is what makes finding one of these exceedingly difficult janas19

I'm sure they're out there, but limiting it to a specific generation of a specific model makes it exceedingly difficult.

As others have mentioned, I think that it would behoove you to broaden your search criteria to additional makes and or models with a bench seat. I would also recommend ensuring that this person legitimately needs a bench seat and isn't just 'stuck in their ways'.

A car that's great from that era with a bench seat is a Lincoln Town Car. They're fairly reliable and cheap. They're not as reliable as a Toyota, but they all had bench seats AFAIK.

If they'd change their criteria to not needing a bench seat or not exclusively being 'this vintage, of this car, with this kind of seat' this would be a breeze. This sounds like a wild goose chase and honestly one of those things you may have to say 'too bad grandma, that's just the way the cookie crumbles' or more likely in their case 'too bad grandma, that's just how ensure feels oozing down your throat'.

Good luck :woot:
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Kwaz, that's why there is a finder's fee. I can find the car with bench seats from a dealer fairly easy with a site like Autotrader. But I would like to purchase one from a private seller. It's not a needle in the haystack, but it takes time to locate one.
 
janas19 said:
Kwaz, that's why there is a finder's fee. I can find the car with bench seats from a dealer fairly easy with a site like Autotrader. But I would like to purchase one from a private seller. It's not a needle in the haystack, but it takes time to locate one.
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If only your budget was tad higher and you didn't require a bench seat! Could have hooked you up
 
janas19 said:
So so close. I would have actually attempted to purchase this if it was a hard top. Absolutely no soft shell convertibles.

Low mileage, clean, and under budget. Damn, seeing this one is painful. But thank you, really appreciate you trying.
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Bro Give me my money :)

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/707677103076291/
Here's another

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/188738005693833/

This one is local to you

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3365860050094801/
Cheaper double the miles though
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2365836070188577/
another Private Seller
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/420152365279421/
Another in GA

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/151005576323304/
If all else check facebook marketplace and put in the different zipcodes near you (100 miles apart) and see what you come up with.
Tried to find some near you with lower mileage.

GL on your search
 
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I have a list of all avalons on craigslist in CONUS if you would like. I've narrowed it to the 'clean' looking ones without mechanical issues or torn seats. Let me know if you'd like the full list. Here are the 'clean' ones.

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/d/huntingdon-valley-1997-toyota-avalon-xl/7070373814.htmlhttps://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/d/new-palestine-98-toyota-avalon/7075823499.htmlhttps://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/d/seminole-toyota-avalon-low-miles-one/7069477793.html#https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/vallejo-2001-toyota-avalon-smog-ready/7076113631.htmlhttps://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/d/san-jose-2000-toyota-avalon-xl-4drs-1/7077928011.htmlhttps://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/d/milwaukee-2001-toyota-avalon/7064316292.htmlhttps://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/d/milwaukee-2001-toyota-avalon/7078232560.htmlhttps://greatfalls.craigslist.org/cto/d/fort-benton-2002-toyota-avalon/7061821251.htmlnew today: https://stockton.craigslist.org/cto/d/lodi-2000-toyota-avalon/7078145817.html
https://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/d/brooklyn-legendary-low-miles-03-toyota/7076758795.htmllooks like dealer but listed as by owner: https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/d/cedar-hill-2004-toyota-avalon-xl-xls/7066106594.html
the one I PMed you a couple days ago: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/...oTempest&utm_medium=TRP&utm_campaign=atempest


that is everything worth looking at on CL in my opinion.
 
mnewxcv said:
I have a list of all avalons on craigslist in CONUS if you would like. I've narrowed it to the 'clean' looking ones without mechanical issues or torn seats. Let me know if you'd like the full list. Here are the 'clean' ones.

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/d/huntingdon-valley-1997-toyota-avalon-xl/7070373814.htmlhttps://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/d/new-palestine-98-toyota-avalon/7075823499.htmlhttps://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/d/seminole-toyota-avalon-low-miles-one/7069477793.html#https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/vallejo-2001-toyota-avalon-smog-ready/7076113631.htmlhttps://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/d/san-jose-2000-toyota-avalon-xl-4drs-1/7077928011.htmlhttps://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/d/milwaukee-2001-toyota-avalon/7064316292.htmlhttps://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/d/milwaukee-2001-toyota-avalon/7078232560.htmlhttps://greatfalls.craigslist.org/cto/d/fort-benton-2002-toyota-avalon/7061821251.htmlnew today: https://stockton.craigslist.org/cto/d/lodi-2000-toyota-avalon/7078145817.html
https://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/d/brooklyn-legendary-low-miles-03-toyota/7076758795.htmllooks like dealer but listed as by owner: https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/d/cedar-hill-2004-toyota-avalon-xl-xls/7066106594.html
the one I PMed you a couple days ago: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/...oTempest&utm_medium=TRP&utm_campaign=atempest


that is everything worth looking at on CL in my opinion.
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Damn, you really did an impressive job. I just texted the 3rd person now and seeing if they will lower the price to fit my budget. This list took some time to create and all the listings have the bench seat. Let me buy you lunch for that! Sending a PM.
 
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