All:
Some great advice & info- I really appreciate it. Like I said, we plan on test driving this car
http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/car/764377783.html in a couple of weeks- that will give us an idea of what we'd be getting into. The car will be garaged, and if the weather gets really nasty we'd use the FJ anyway. Plus I plan to upgrade to a 993 Carrera 4 eventually, so it could be used in bad weather. It rarely rains here, so crappy brakes/wipers wouldn't be a huge issue. The commute is all <35mph. I am going to call one of the outfits in Canada tomorrow to find out about imports- I like the idea of a newer car with an older vin, but I seem to remember them being pretty different by '83? Anyhow, thanks again- and Jim- you don't owe me anything. Glad to help. I'll email your friend- is he located in Florida also?
Cheers,
Paul.