To buy or not to buy... Options

[barker]

first off, I would like to say hi and thanks for having me here on 6gc,

Now, I sold my 90 celica two years ago and i have regretted it ever since. I have always liked the looks of the 6th gen celicas and there are not very many of them around where I live. I found one for sale a few hours away and I am hung up on weather or not to buy it. Asking price is 2300 (Canadian) and it looks to be in good shape, was garage stored for the winter for most of its life and has been winter driven for two years but was undercoated and taken care of. has some minor surface rust around the bottom of the doors and rear fenders but that's an easy fix. the thing that has me worried is the fact that there are a little over 300 000kms (187500 miles) on the car. Would it be a good idea to buy this in hopes that it will last me a few years until i have to put a motor in it or is there a way to tell if its already on its way out?

just wanted to get some opinions from the professionals before I waste my time (and money)

[Tech-Nics]

I bought my 94 GT in July of 08 and it had 160k miles on it and there was many things that needed to get changed on my car. Starter, axles, hub & wheel bearing x2, distributor, spark plug wires, not to mention a few other seals from oil leaks. If you want a car that has that many miles and is of that age there are bound to be problems here and there of all shapes and sizes. A lot of us 6th gen owners here are 6th gen enthusiasts so we buy these cars and there age and high miles. Most of us know what we are getting ourselves into. We want to have a 6th gen period. Don't matter the miles cause to be able to find a 6th gen Celica with much lower miles are unheard of. Now I'm not saying they don't exist. Just nearly impossible to find one. For the most part the 6th gen Celica are known to be very reliable and last a long time. As long as they are taken well "CARE" of. The 90s for Toyota were properly the best years for Toyota cars in my opinion. If you really want to have a 6th gen cause you love the car's looks and style and want to have a car that has descent age under it's belt. Please understand you might have to invest more money into the car that what you payed for it, but trust me it's worth it. I have a 97 Accord coupe with only 80k miles on it. Did so much work to it to make it look like a JDM SiR, the car had 0 engine problems and drove super. Until I saw this sexy silver 94 Celica GT and I knew this was what I wanted. I understood that if I get rid of my 97 Accord for this Celica that's older and has 100k more miles I knew I was gonna have to be putting some extra money into the engine. Which I was right. If really want that Celica just remember you might have to put extra cash into it.

[SwissFerdi]

I agree with Tech-Nics. However, it all depends on your mechanical inclination and your willingness to spend money. Search long enough and you'll be able to find one with low miles; I got mine on 4/15/08 with 66,545 on the clock.

Also, you might want to consider which trim you'd like. If you read more than a few posts on this forum, chances are you'll come across some ST205 talk...and the majority of us get wet over them. So consider that as well.

[cheela]

yeah, your'e from canada. you should just get a ST205! make us all jealous

[Ruroniarc]

Definitely wait, and find a GT4. You WILL NOT regret it.

[D-Man]

this was several months ago...





stock 5s still runing strong too!! though the stock tranny just had to be replaced... i needed a manual swap anyway though. lol.

if you have the time, mechanical inclination, and just a little money to put into one you'll be fine.

[barker]

I do love celicas, and since i sold my mk5 I really miss it every day. I think you guys are right though. I can drive to Quebec (about 12 hours give or take) and pick up a JDM ST205 for like 8 grand. I was planning on either swapping a 3sge or 3sgte into the celica anyways, so with the cost of the car and the cost of the swap and all the little things here there and in between it will probably be worth it in the long run to just wait till i can afford the alltrac. Just not too sure if I like the idea of steering on the other side of the car... will make ordering at the drivethru a little more interesting for sure... And I do know what im getting myself into as far as maintenance goes. I did quite a bit of work to my 1990 while i owned it. I am taking a Mechanical Engineering course so in a year hopefully ill be raking in the dough. I think this will be my first purchase out of school, might even spend some student loan on one come spring (assuming i dont drink it all away).
thanks everyone!

[SwissFerdi]

Go for it if you can get an ST205...it's a no brainer if you were planning on swapping anyway. AWD > FWD power.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Feb 5, 2010 - 10:54 PM

[SoDo]

Go for it if you can get an ST205...it's a no brainer if you were planning on swapping anyway. AWD > FWD power.

x2

[azian_advanced]

i think the price is a steal.. if you don't have a car already, it's worth buying. it definitely is a nice upgrade from the 5th gen. and when you have enough money for a 'better' car you can probably sell it for just as much as what you paid for it.

[barker]

azian im thinking that might be a good idea. I can probably talk the guy down to at most $2000 for the car, I don't need it until next summer anyways so i can do any work it needs over the winter and keep it in good shape and then sell it once i graduate for somewhere around what i paid for it. of course if the motor goes that wont be good but I wont be putting too many kms on it in one year, the drive to school is only about 15 to 20 mins depending on traffic and i drive to the city and back (100kms or so each way) once a week. Im going to go look at the car next weekend to make sure I like it and its in as good of shape as he says it is.
Thanks

[dubb_head]

azian im thinking that might be a good idea. I can probably talk the guy down to at most $2000 for the car, I don't need it until next summer anyways so i can do any work it needs over the winter and keep it in good shape and then sell it once i graduate for somewhere around what i paid for it. of course if the motor goes that wont be good but I wont be putting too many kms on it in one year, the drive to school is only about 15 to 20 mins depending on traffic and i drive to the city and back (100kms or so each way) once a week. Im going to go look at the car next weekend to make sure I like it and its in as good of shape as he says it is.
Thanks

Did you see this one ? Its a little more money but car looks to be in great shape:

http://www.autotrader.ca/used_cars_Cars_de...ributes=photos,,

1995 TOYOTA CELICA GTS, Sports/Coupe, 179000 kms, $4750, Used, FWD, Silver on Black int.

179 000 original kms on engine and body. All power options including sunroof, CD player, Interior in great shape, no tears in seats, A/C works as it should.

Well cared for and all orignal, no accidents, paint is in great shape, however has some flaws from its age, couple scratches and dings etc... nothing major.

No rust at all, has been rust proofef extensively.

Car drives excellent and everything works as it should.

3 sets of wheels all optional, 1 set ADR 17 with near new high end Falcon model tire, factory GTS wheels with near new Goodyear directionals, 2000 GT wheels with brand new winter tires.

Car cleans up well for its age, drives very well and is good on fuel and insurance.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

$4750 for everything safetied and is already etested. price is negotiable.

**Reason for sale - expecting 1st child in upcoming months, this is not the most practical baby mover.

[mgnt232]

I dont know how much you know about cars and working on them, or if the car you are hoping to buy is an ST or GT, but I do know that you can pick up an entire engine relatively cheap! I bought a 7A-FE with 60k on it and it was only $600 shipped!
So I wouldnt worry about the engine miles too much as you can always just replace the thing for pretty cheap. Assuming you can do the swap your self... idk how much it costs labor wise, if you dont do it though
I would definitely buy the celi though, pretty reliable, fun to drive, and ALOT of upgrades you can do.
My celica is/has been my first car and Ive learned alot about it, and find it fun to upgrade it!

[EastCoastCelica]

My 94 has 329000 and there is not a spot of rust on er and it has been winter driven every year since its been purchased...oil changes when needed, undercoat, and only fresh paint once have kept it looking like it did in 94. Only major fix that was that it needed a clutch which was just replaced at 320000 clicks. Toyota is nothing but the best when it comes to lasting. Hope this helps your decision!
-East Coast

[zfjohnson07]

i bought mine about 2 years ago didnt even think 2ce bought it within 2 days, i wanted it that bad, it had somwhere around 170,000 now it has 193,000. the only problem i did have was the starter went out which was no big deal, and the valve cover gasket seal, which again is no big deal. my 1991 chevy lumina has 60,000 miles and is a pain in the ass.... get a 6gc they are so much fun!!!