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]

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.

[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