The 4,800-word listing, which includes a detailed account of every oil change since 2009, a philosophical treatise on the meaning of "garage kept," and three separate paragraphs about the floor mats, has been described by commenters as "thorough," "a cry for help," and "the most comprehensive documentation of a 2002 Corolla in automotive history."
PORTLAND, OR — Local car enthusiast Derek Malone, 34, spent the better part of last Tuesday composing what he describes as "a proper listing" for his 2002 Toyota Corolla CE, a vehicle he purchased for $4,200 in 2019 and is now asking $18,750 for.
"People need to understand what they're bidding on," Malone told reporters, gesturing to a 47-page binder of service records. "This isn't just a car. This is a documented piece of automotive history."
The listing, which clocks in at 4,847 words — longer than most short stories and several published academic papers — opens with a 600-word introduction describing Malone's "relationship" with the vehicle, including the moment he "knew it was special" when it started on the first try in January 2022.
"I've been a steward of this car," Malone explained. "Not an owner. A steward."
The listing has attracted 94 comments, the majority of which ask whether it has the Carfax. Malone has responded to each one individually. He does not have the Carfax.
Bidding opened at $4,200 — the original purchase price — and has since climbed to $11,500, a figure Malone describes as "insulting" and "proof that the market doesn't understand what it has."
When asked what he plans to do with the proceeds, Malone said he intends to purchase another car and "document it properly from day one."