New owner: 96 convertible questions Options

[moki2001]

Just purchased a 1996 Convertible in red for a present for my wife. Car has 139K miles. Runs perfectly, five speed, with a replaced timing belt, new battery and is in "decent" shape cosmetically. Does have some paint fade and the clear coat is peeling from the rear "spoiler".

1. The rear window needs replacing. Any recommendations on where to buy for best price and quality?
And I need some directions! Any links out there as I have zero experience with convertibles.

2. The suspension seems very rough and the car tends to "jiggle" a lot, although it is smooth at highways speeds and handles well. Do I need new struts? Or is there a kit to replace the 14 year old (perhaps) bushing parts in the suspension?

3. Paint fade: Any solutions you can recommend? I really don't want to put a lot of money into this car but I would like to keep it, and get it back to close to it's original shape.

4. Any issues with the generation I should be aware of? Thanks!
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[garin]

1. you can get glass out of a junk yard, or guys on here sell stuff like that sometimes.
2. you could have some suspension problems. any noises or anything else you can explain? is it stock?
3. clay bar, wax and buff! it does wonders!
4. over good car! late model toyotas are good cars! nothing serious to complain about...

[96bluevert]

Which rear window are you talking about, the back window or one of the quarter windows (sides)?

If it's the back window (depending how bad it is) you may be able to fix it, otherwise you can go to most upholstery shops and they can get you a new window and install. Or try a junkyrd, although parts for our cars can be touph to find.

[moki2001]

Which rear window are you talking about, the back window or one of the quarter windows (sides)?

If it's the back window (depending how bad it is) you may be able to fix it, otherwise you can go to most upholstery shops and they can get you a new window and install. Or try a junkyrd, although parts for our cars can be touph to find.

It's the back window. I called a few installers and they want about $500-700 to install it. I am a decent mechanic, but are there some directions out there?

[96bluevert]

^^That's about right for a new glass window and install. Mine was $800 when it needed replacing.

I don't know how easy it would be to install the window yourself though.

[dabazied]

Just purchased a 1996 Convertible in red for a present for my wife. Car has 139K miles. Runs perfectly, five speed, with a replaced timing belt, new battery and is in "decent" shape cosmetically. Does have some paint fade and the clear coat is peeling from the rear "spoiler".

1. The rear window needs replacing. Any recommendations on where to buy for best price and quality?
And I need some directions! Any links out there as I have zero experience with convertibles.

2. The suspension seems very rough and the car tends to "jiggle" a lot, although it is smooth at highways speeds and handles well. Do I need new struts? Or is there a kit to replace the 14 year old (perhaps) bushing parts in the suspension?

3. Paint fade: Any solutions you can recommend? I really don't want to put a lot of money into this car but I would like to keep it, and get it back to close to it's original shape.

4. Any issues with the generation I should be aware of? Thanks!
__________________

2. Elaborate a little more on this issue. Is it original parts still? And there is a guy who made a bushings set for our cars, his name is RedRkt01 on CelicaTech.com and I think he has the same name here. I believe they are polyurethane, but don't quote me on that. The quote I got from him back in December was "The front is $85.55 USD. The rear is $222.46 USD." Prices may have changed, but maybe not. Check it out.

3. garin gave the best advice about this, it'll take time, but it'll look better, check out 2celicas2love's thread on this(using the search function), she had pretty bad paint fade and got it looking 400% better.

4. It's an old Toyota, just keep up routine maintenance on it and she will run great for you. Of course you will have the major thing come up from time to time, but meh, nothing that is a really common problem.

Advice, get rid of the 89 foot antenna and figure something else out as an alternative. Now post up some pics and browse the forums, there's lots of great stuff on here and great people. Welcome, and 6gc fo life! Lol