6G Celicas Forums

I did a lot of research, and I really like the 6gen. Reliable, sporty, fairly easy to play with.... I want a car that isn't going to need lots of engine work (which I can't do), and is a 5spd. I don't mind if it needs work, it just can't be too intense. Of course I'd love a GT, but I probably won't race it or anything, so its not a major concern.

I've got $5,000 to do everything that needs to be done (car, repairs, tax, title, license).

If you were me, what would you be looking for? How much 'car' can I get for the money I've got? Does anyone know of anything that might be good?

Thanks in advance...

If you can, go with a 96+ because the bumpers IMO look better. And try and get a GT, because they are faster but aren't really anything to race stock lol. Good luck with the search. 6GCs are wonderful cars.

I kinda doubt there is a noticeable difference between the two - GT and ST.

Howeever, IMO, a 25th or LE ST would be more practical as a daily driver - nicer options, more efficient.

Having driven a manual ST, auto ST, manual GT, and auto GT, I can say that there's definitely a noticable difference between the ST and GT.

I have a Auto ST 25th, and I have a friend down the street with a Manual GT. Not much more between the two. Besides the lux of the 25th. I can beat his stock with my light mods over about 2- 2 1/2 car lengths. I would suggest getting the ST Auto for more daily driving and high turning and suspenstion. Get the GT for plain modding and racing. I would sell u mine but I have a feeling I would regret it in the past.

For 5k, you can get a mid mile GT and maybe set up a few light mods. Or you can go with the ST and hit up the lux of the car and save up for things.

This post has been edited by o0black0o: Jul 20, 2005 - 2:04 AM

That's funny...auto for high speed turning and suspension. That doesn't make sense. If you're driving canyon roads or whatever, you definitely want control over what gear you're in for acceleration and braking reasons. Plus the auto ST is heavier than the manual ST. And the GT is barely heavier than a ST...it's got better brakes front and rear too which more than make up for the extra weight when driving a car fast...plus it's got more power and torque.

And I think your friend just can't drive. An auto ST is very slow(at least compared to a GT)...I have one. I've driven a manual GT a lot and it'd beat a manual or auto ST easily.

And does lux mean luxury? Because the GTs are often more luxurious. STs never came factory with leather, for instance.

I can see you know alot more than about celicas and cars than me. Im still learning. Go easy on me gosh.. So this is the 2nd count on the posts you have made a fool outta me. Anyway thanks for the repost for correction.

Haha, no worries man...you'll learn as you're on the boards reading and searching. I used to know nothing about my car, but as time has gone on and I've spent time online reading I've learned a lot, and I'm sure you will too.

Yeah I try and read more than I post

Buy my celica

So Mr. Coomer, given your clear knowledge of all-things celica... do you have any recomendations for me? If you were just starting out in celica-land, and had around 5k to spend... what would you do?

I know less than anyone right now, but I am reading my brains out, and trying to learn!

i suggest a manual GT. preface lift or face lift is not that important IMO, since i changed it anyway. i used to have a manual ST and now a manual GT and i can say it's definitely more fun driving the GT than the ST. there's a difference in power too.

Boy.. you gettin your butt whooped by the king of 6gc you know

And yeah Im gonna have to concur with the admin because I owned an ST and a GT and there is a difference. The ST does get a consistent 4-6 mpg better I might add. It adds up if your commuting. The GT is nice though for the low end torque it gives you in city driving.

Dont let the 94-95 vs 96-99 bumper styling bother you. I got a 96+ bumper for 100 bucks shipped same color as my car and everything. It is a direct swap, no additional assembly required.

I would say you will be very happy with either a ST (for gas) or a GT (for power), just buy from a private party and pay no more than blue book for it. You will get a great deal then.

With $5,000, I'd buy a Celica ST with a dead engine, swap in a AE101 4A-GE with 4A-GZE pistons, use Megasquirt to control the engine, and turbocharge the motor with some sort of a T28 or T3. Or if the car was a GT, I'd swap in a ST185 3S-GTE and run Megasquirt on that if possible.

With the remaining money(if any), I'd invest that into some suspension/brake upgrades.

That said, that's not what a beginner would want to do most likely. For you, I'd look for a cheap sixth generation Celica GT or ST with less than 120,000 miles probably in good condition. I'd check the oil and compression and look for any signs of problems. And definitely get a 5-speed...even if you don't know how to drive a stick get a 5-speed.

Wow... that is awkward... hopefully that post won't be around for long.

To address the actual comment.... yeah... that engine stuff went 'woosh' right over my head. I've read enough to know, vaguely, what you were talking about... but uh... yeah.

Definately stick... I won't buy a car that isn't manual. I hate driving an auto. I feel like I'm not 'connected' to the car. Might as well be a passanger (nothing personal against you autos out there... just a preference)

PS - One thing that I was completely out of touch with was 'megasquirt'. Can someone fill me in?

PPS - Also, if one were so inclined, where would one even look to find a car with a dead engine?

PPPS - Don't feed the Troll! My useful thread will be ruined!

This post has been edited by Althius: Jul 20, 2005 - 3:20 PM

dont worry about everything else coomer said its way over your head, and from my rough figures way out of your price range too... 5,000 for all that coomer?... thats a long time of junkyard shopping if its going to be reliable, you of all people should know that lol

ya, just get whatever you find in your price range that is available and in good shape (dont bother SOO much with looks, just make sure it runs strong) also try to stay away from cars even with light mods if at all possible, usually something even lightly modded means it was more than lightly thrashed on... back in 2001 i bought my Celica ST with 54,000 miles on it and all it had was a greddy exhaust... within 15,000 miles i had to have the trans rebuilt and a new clutch as well as had the bottom end of the motor rebuilt... its all about who has the car before you.

I guess Coomer you were talking about somethign like this?:

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=27117

And yeah, I definatley agree about the mods. Plus part of the reason I want to get the car is so *I* can learn how to do some of the easier stuff.