Looking for Expert Opinions, What would you pay for this car, assuming you WANTED to buy it. Options

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1997 ST Limited Edition Celica Liftback 5-speed 1.8L L4 engine. . . ABS, Alloy Wheels, Leather Seats. . . Very Clean. . . approx. 100k miles.

Photos show both the outside and inside were well kept and in very good condition. They are asking $5.5K!

What's the maximum you would offer for this vehicle?

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The Limited Edition was to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Celica in North America. Has some fancy badges, a plaque, and unique patterned seats with "Celica" embroidered on them. Really about it. Which the one you're looking at obviously no longer has the special seats.

Really I don't see any plain Jane 6th gen being worth more than a couple of grand. The ones I have seen sell for around 5K have been super low mileage GT's with the AUTOMATIC from a dealership, or they've already been swapped. Only get the ST if you're wanting the highest fuel economy possible, otherwise get a GT and swap it. The 5-speed really kills the value on these cars, most people buying them are looking for a fuel saving beater and can't drive stick.

[Langing]

The Limited Edition was to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Celica in North America. Has some fancy badges, a plaque, and unique patterned seats with "Celica" embroidered on them. Really about it. Which the one you're looking at obviously no longer has the special seats.

Really I don't see any plain Jane 6th gen being worth more than a couple of grand. The ones I have seen sell for around 5K have been super low mileage GT's with the AUTOMATIC from a dealership, or they've already been swapped. Only get the ST if you're wanting the highest fuel economy possible, otherwise get a GT and swap it. The 5-speed really kills the value on these cars, most people buying them are looking for a fuel saving beater and can't drive stick.

Interesting info. Thanks. So, the "Leather Seats" are likely junk covering up wasted 'special' seats. One photo kinda gave me that impression, but wasn't sure.

Sad (broken hearted) to hear how badly the 5-speed effects value!

If 5-speeds sell for less, maybe that's a good thing, for me?

All my life, I've only owned manual transmissions, and I've never wanted an automatic, ever. Even when they became "perfected" to the point where you can hardly feel the gear changes I unthinkingly consider them 'beneath' me, maybe unmanly, but surely something so despicable that only a XXX would ever drive 'an automatic'. Fuel economy matters, but is definitely not the primary reason.

If the 5-speed transmission is so detrimental to a car's value, does that mean that most people on this website drive automatics? Hate to ask, because I had assumed everyone thought like me, inferring that most everyone here drove sticks, but in light of what you said, I feel I need to ask .