Newbie questions Options

[phonex98]

Hey all,

Just wanted to get the answer to a few questions that i dont think anyone i know can really answer So let me start off with an intro. The names Justin and im about to buy a 1994, ST celica. Thats about it Ive been reading alot about it, and checking out the how-to pages (which is an awesome resource) and what not but ive got a few more questions:

1) The celica im looking at is approaching 300 000 km .. which is a TON. Does anyone have any idea of the cars approx. value ? Its in good condition besides that.. no rust, but i do need a bit of paint work... any ballpark would be awesome.

2) Im a poor student, but... i have alot of time on my hands and tools (i work in the trades), and am wondering what I should start doing to my car as soon as i get it. I know that sounds sort of ambigius... but i would like input for all aspects of the car. I've never owned a car before, and i know as soon as i get it, it will be my new time sink. If you still am confused as to my question... tell me what YOU would do as soon as you brought the car home...

3) My buddy (who obsesses over his *ahem* german car) asked about the number of valves.. i told him my engine said 16 valve ETI.... and then he started talking about how that was pretty good, and 2 for outtake, 2 for intake.. or something really confusing like that. What the HELL was he talking about!

wow... that was a long post! Sorry if these questions are, well, newbish. I am new! Thanks

Justin

[devilsden97]

Hey all,

Just wanted to get the answer to a few questions that i dont think anyone i know can really answer So let me start off with an intro. The names Justin and im about to buy a 1994, ST celica. Thats about it Ive been reading alot about it, and checking out the how-to pages (which is an awesome resource) and what not but ive got a few more questions:

1) The celica im looking at is approaching 300 000 km .. which is a TON. Does anyone have any idea of the cars approx. value ? Its in good condition besides that.. no rust, but i do need a bit of paint work... any ballpark would be awesome.

2) Im a poor student, but... i have alot of time on my hands and tools (i work in the trades), and am wondering what I should start doing to my car as soon as i get it. I know that sounds sort of ambigius... but i would like input for all aspects of the car. I've never owned a car before, and i know as soon as i get it, it will be my new time sink. If you still am confused as to my question... tell me what YOU would do as soon as you brought the car home...

3) My buddy (who obsesses over his *ahem* german car) asked about the number of valves.. i told him my engine said 16 valve ETI.... and then he started talking about how that was pretty good, and 2 for outtake, 2 for intake.. or something really confusing like that. What the HELL was he talking about!

wow... that was a long post! Sorry if these questions are, well, newbish. I am new! Thanks

Justin

1. No idea on value, Go to www.kbb.com
2. I'd bring it to a mechanic to have it checked to see if nething needs to be changed/fixed.
3. Celica's are 4 piston cars. 4 valves per cylinder, 4 cylinders, so 4 x 4 is 16. They use 2 for exaust, and 2 for air. Thats the basic idea. Many cars, around the same time, only have 1 exaust and 1 air valve.

[phonex98]

Thanks for the quick reply! You answered my questions perfectly.. except #2 .. Its already been checked out, and thats cool. What sort of mods are generally considered most popular ? Is there anything celica specific ? Again, i know its ambigous... i just sort of want to know what your favorite celica modding activites are. And i really like that KBB link, very useful.

*if this has been discussed by other newbies, im sorry... i forgot the about the search button as many newbies do. Im searching right now

EDIT: found what i needed in search You can pretty much ignore this now, unless someone wants to add something

This post has been edited by phonex98: Mar 25, 2006 - 6:07 PM

[madmods]

Thats alot of miles bro. I probably would not pay more then 2300 personally. Change the oil, i swear by engine treatments and synthetic oils. See when the timing belt was changed last. If its been a while, do that and your water pump while your there.

[phonex98]

Thats alot of miles bro. I probably would not pay more then 2300 personally. Change the oil, i swear by engine treatments and synthetic oils. See when the timing belt was changed last. If its been a while, do that and your water pump while your there.

Thanks alot for your reply

Im paying $3000 CDN which is roughly...2500 US. A relative of mine works at a toyota dealorship, and this car was purchaed from them in 1994, and hass been for regular checkups ever since. It was owned by a news reporter who often had to drive long distances to get her story. Anywhoo, its not a SUPER deal, but its not a bad deal either. And thank you for that ballpark

The timing belt was changed Nov 2001, at 204 000 km (i knew i took a picture of the timing belt for a reason ). Now, i know virtually nothing about cars (Molecular biology major ), so im not sure if thats good, fair, or bad.

The oil is being changed by a toyota service as we speak.

What is a water pump ? (sorry!)

Thanks again

Edit1: Holy ****. I assume thats your celica in ur sig ! Vertical door lifts ? How long did that project take?

This post has been edited by phonex98: Mar 25, 2006 - 8:43 PM

[CelicaZR]

Welcome
1) Wow that is alot of ks.
But if it has been service regularly and taken care of.
It shouldnt have a problem.
Has it been rebuilt?

2) I would wash it.
Polish and wax.
Change oil and filter
and other change other fluids and oils.

Enjoy your stay.

[95CelicaST]

What sort of mods are generally considered most popular ? Is there anything celica specific ? Again, i know its ambigous... i just sort of want to know what your favorite celica modding activites are. And i really like that KBB link, very useful.

There is really not much out there for the Celica specifically, but a lot of things from the Corolla ('93-'97 I believe) 1.8L that can fit (I.E Camshaft gears, headers) with a little modification. If you want an exhaust system you are either going to have to search around EVERYWHERE to find a Greddy SP2 exhaust system, but if you aren't in to looking around then just buy a nice muffler (magnaflow for example) and take it to an exhaust shop and have them build you a 2.25" exhaust system.

Welcome to the family.

This post has been edited by 95CelicaST: Mar 26, 2006 - 2:56 AM

[madmods]

Water pump is hidden and hard to get to. When you do the timing belt, you get access to the water pump.
there cheap 30-50 bucks and you should get it done when you do the timing belt.

[phonex98]

Thanks for all your replies

At the momment my projects look like its gonna be... Paint/detail and re-upholstering... then CAI, then exhaust! Thanks all You guys are a great resource.