Within the next 3 years, I'd like to get a 6th gen celica. Options

[Milk]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forums, so if this isn't the right place, move the thread and bear with me.

Anyways, I've always been into Celicas. I grew up around them really. But my favorite has always been the 6th gen ones. I've noticed that as time goes by, they're getting increasingly rarer, at least in these parts. The fact that Celicas were discontinued doesn't help much either. I'm in northern California by the way. And even if I do find some good listings for them, they're usually in horrible condition, or have so many miles on them it's scary. Of course, this problem will only get worse and worse as time goes by. It happens to all cars.

Yesterday, I turned 15 and a half, (haha yeah, I actually kept track of that) which is the legal age for teenagers to start driving in California. I'll be getting a job soon, and sometime within the next 3 years I would like to own a 6th gen.

What are the chances that I'll find a decent one?
How much does a used stock generally go for?
Once I finally did get one, about how much would it cost me to turn my car into a weekend warrior?

Thanks for the help guys.

This post has been edited by Milk: Nov 11, 2008 - 3:45 PM

[DEATH]

What are the chances that I'll find a decent one? Good - better if you look on here you're more assured of getting a good one for a decent price
How much does a used stock generally go for? Depends on year, model and condition/mileage but you can get a good GT with average mileage of ~150K for dirt cheap if you look hard enough. Go to KBB.com and put in the options you want and you can get a rough idea.
Once I finally did get one, about how much would it cost me to turn my car into a weekend warrior? Firstly - if you intend to make it quick you're gonna wanna swap so therefore I advise you to get a GT hardtop [Coupe or Hatch is personal preference and sunroofs are OK - just stay away from the vert due to weight] and then you are looking at a minimum of $5K for the swap parts/supplies and that's if you do the work - more if you want to pay a reputable shop to do it.

[RickJamesBish]

Okay...there's a lot of ways to interpret this.

The range and spectrum of used cars, 6GC's specifically, is huge. Look long enough, might as well start now, and you'll find a good deal. Usually, better condition means it's more expensive but you'll get lucky sometimes. Mileage isn't a huge factor as Toyo engines last forever. It also depends on what you'd call "decent." If you're going to be putting on a kit, then the condition of the body will matter a little less, if there's dents/scratches in those areas. Mine was more or less perfect when I got it, but it also cost $7100. If you're going to mod it, you'll probably want a GT over an ST. There's not many upgrades for either one, but for some power get an intake, exhaust, tune and all of that. What most people do here is swap in a 3S-GE, which is a more powerful engine.

[D-Man]

...just stay away from the vert due to weight...

Not to mention the fact that our frames will and do flex ALOT more easily, and over time you can wind up warping it. also it's true, we do weigh closer to 3K than the other models. I think the vert is like 2700-2800 hundred lbs stock? I may be wrong; don't quote me on that..

[RickJamesBish]

It must be more, hatches are 26 and change I believe...

[D-Man]

The fact that you're 15 and already know what you want is impressive to me. Do you homework, research, and know everything you can about this car and all of your options, as well as basic car knowledge all together and you will go far my new-found friend

...just stay away from the vert due to weight...

Not to mention the fact that our frames will and do flex ALOT more easily, and over time you can wind up warping it. also it's true, we do weigh closer to 3K than the other models. I think the vert is like 2700-2800 hundred lbs stock? I may be wrong; don't quote me on that..

Mine was more or less perfect when I got it, but it also cost $7100.

What most people do here is swap in a 3S-GE, which is a more powerful engine.

Mine was totaled for $700. i've been rebuilding

Most people swap a 3s-gte due to the fact that it's a factory turbocharged engine. the 3s-ge is a lil faster than the 5sfe (USDM GT) but isn't going to make a "weekend warrior"

RickJames, i'm impressed. That was the most informative post i've ever seen out of you.

[Milk]

Bluebook is giving me about 8.7k for a liftback with 100k miles.

I don't know about that. Seems a bit high in my opinion. I'd pay 5k for it.

http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/PricingRep...C230957%7Cfalse

[RickJamesBish]

8700 is way, way, waaay too high. I paid 7100 for mine with 66,454 miles.

RickJames, i'm impressed. That was the most informative post i've ever seen out of you.

What are you trying to say? All of my posts are relevant.

[D-Man]

What are you trying to say? All of my posts are relevant.

I'll PM you on this one, Lets not spam up a mans attempt of joining our elite group of Uber-Cool Car-Drivers

[garin]

yeah. i would get a gt... and it is true celica's are getting harder to find, or they have a ton of miles on them. i went to 3 junk yards today and saw a total of 3 6gc's. i saw like half a million civics and acura's. so the 6gc is a car to be proud of once you have one. be ready to pay around $5,000 for a 94-95 gt with over 100,000 on it. some 99's are still selling for around $10,000. good luck!

[DEATH]

Bluebook is giving me about 8.7k for a liftback with 100k miles.

I don't know about that. Seems a bit high in my opinion. I'd pay 5k for it.

http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/PricingRep...C230957%7Cfalse

That's probably a fully loaded '99 GT LB on dealer pricing right? If you're looking for a deal the dealer is not the way. You can find a good say '96 GT with 100K for 5K - definetly. But it's gonna take some looking.

8700 is way, way, waaay too high. I paid 7100 for mine with 66,454 miles.

Yours is also a low model ST without perks too tho right?

[RickJamesBish]

Yours is also a low model ST without perks too tho right?

True that, I forgot. ABS if it wasn't standard...tinted windows? Other than that, no idea.

[DEATH]

Yours is also a low model ST without perks too tho right?

True that, I forgot. ABS if it wasn't standard...tinted windows? Other than that, no idea.

KBB takes ALOT off for things like moonroof, alloy wheels, ABS, electric functions etc. The engine difference also equals alot to KBB. That's the difference you are seeing.
$8700 does seem like alot but that's about right for what I described above [Fully loaded GT LB '98-99ish 100K]. That being said OP - you can find that same car on a deal for much less but you gotta do your shopping around - for a while. You got time so that works.

[RickJamesBish]

Moon roof- that too. And full wheel covers.

[D-Man]

you can find that same car on a deal for much less but you gotta do your shopping around - for a while. You got time so that works.

Checking your local craigslist.com can help as well. However you will want to have cash saved up for the deal, otherwise buying from a direct person will not work. But it's nice to have a car payed off and not worry about payments and it's also nice to grab up a $8000 for 3500-4000 for the exact same thing by having that cash on hand when someone else (with an unneeded celica) needs it

[DEATH]

it's also nice to grab up a $8000 for 3500-4000 for the exact same thing by having that cash on hand when someone else (with an unneeded celica) needs it

exactly. The best place to look is on here - we have members who move on to "faster out the box cars" or "more adult cars" all the time. What you do is start saving, find the one you want on here and wait for the seller to become frustrated and drop his price significantly Happens all the time.

[Milk]

Haha, you would be surprised at the amount of 15+ kids talking about how their dream car could kick blah blah blah's car's ass.
I have been checking craigslist just to stay semi-savy.
And yeah, i thought 8k was too much.

Regarding the 3sgte, is it twin turbo charged?
Because theres no way that I would get a single turbo engine.
Turbos lag too much. But from waht I've seen, twin turbos greatly reduce that lag.

This post has been edited by Milk: Nov 11, 2008 - 5:26 PM

[RickJamesBish]

No turbo.

This post has been edited by RickJamesBish: Nov 11, 2008 - 5:24 PM

[Milk]

No turbo.

Then I highly doubt I'll be getting the 3sgte.

[LewFX]

buy my car!