Interested in 6G Celica, what to look out for? Options

[Daenarys]

Hey guys,

I found this site while looking for information about 6th Gen Celicas. I'm helping my son look for a Celica, and i'm hoping I can get some pointers here. He's particularly interested in the 6th generation ones.
What will be a reasonable price now for 1997-1999 6GC? of course mileage is pretty high now on most of the cars listed for sale given the age of cars.
Any gotchas that I need to look out for? I prefer the GT version if I can find one.


TIA

[Box]

One thing to look out for on either model is third gear synchro grinding when downshifting. The ST with the 7A-FE the oil control rings like to stick and cause oil burn, though one where oil was changed religiously should be fine and if you do get one with stuck rings sometimes you get lucky by doing a piston soak and can free them. Personally I would look for a GT anyway since you get four wheel disc and it's a little easier to swap one should that be wanted down the road. You should be able to find a pretty nice example for $3,000 or less but that varies some from location to location.

[HaysoosKreesto]

The thing about the Bay Area is that you'll mostly find them in east bay or sometimes south bay, mostly because people use them as an a to b and don't really upkeep 'em. Rarely you'll see one pop up in reasonable condition, but what I would say is check all the hosing and all the connections. Look to see whats been changed or upgraded.

I've had mine the bay for almost 5.5 years and just over 70k miles with relatively no problems, but the things that did occur are from cheapass previous owners who just wanted to sell it off. Overall though, it turns over every time I turn the key and drives me to where I need to go.

I'd say avoid anything that costs less than $1,500 and over $4,000 (they shouldn't be anywhere near that high) and avoid convertibles. You'll find that convertibles have WAY less miles on them but are heavier and require additional maintenance that your son may not want.

[Box]

That and if you're getting a convertible might as well make it a Miata anyway.

The liftback is a good daily though, lots of cargo room with the fold down rear seats.

[HaysoosKreesto]

That and if you're getting a convertible might as well make it a Miata anyway.

The liftback is a good daily though, lots of cargo room with the fold down rear seats.

Couldn't agree more!

[Daenarys]

Thanks for the info. We'll continue looking for a GT and will update if end up finding and buying one.

[njccmd2002]

dont buy a convertible, and dont buy anything that looks tricked out, or lowered. it might be a raped car. look for grandma, getting rid of the car, that means it was not driven past 40 mph

[Box]

So it's full of carbon deposits? He does make a valid point though, in an ironic sense luckily the Celica really isn't big with kids so it's easier to find a nice all original one.

[njccmd2002]

its going to have lots of cat hairs, and bingo cards

[HaysoosKreesto]

My guess is that this guy will never log in again

[Daenarys]

Hey i'm still here Lol! I couldn't find a decent 6CG here in the SF bay area, I ended up snatching a 5th gen Honda Prelude.

[HaysoosKreesto]

Hey i'm still here Lol! I couldn't find a decent 6CG here in the SF bay area, I ended up snatching a 5th gen Honda Prelude.

Good choice