Need Advice/Help, Please Options

[SpadeBF]

Thank you guys, I went to look at a celica gt today with 200k on the body w/ a 5s-fe @ 100k
I cant really tell if the guy is sincere or not but it has a "studder in first gear he said it was either the timing belt or catalic conv.

It is also missing the left fender next to front bumper
Car is already tricked out with paint job and decent to poor job of molding front bumper

As for white smoke i did notice atleast i think i did when my friend rode in it after me coming from exhaust a slight puff
It needs a lil work but it is a nice car and i really like it but also am in need of a good reliable car off the bat dont really have time to be replacing parts, as for replacing timing belt or catal i can do it /w help of step dad so that wouldnt be that big of a deal

Umm he did say he replaced the clutch with JDM clutch not too long ago i will find out how many miles and post, I am interested in your cars help in purchasing a good running car so it is appreciated

[jimmykay]

I would approach with caution. It sounds like this guy probably blew up his original engine in only 100k miles. Now the "new" one has 100k on it.

It is also missing the left fender next to front bumper
Car is already tricked out with paint job and decent to poor job of molding front bumper

this can't be what you mean. if the left fender is missing, then you'll need to find a new one and repaint it to match.

I have no idea on the stutter, but the timing belt and catalytic converter are two completely separate things.

Personally, there's a lot of red flags that should be addressed before I would go forward.

[SpadeBF]

Yea thats what my friends were telling me, like too much work in all
Going back to look at it saturday with my stepdad, hes been working on cars since he was 8 years old and cert mast mech so well find out

BTW is there anywhere i cna check the VIN on this car for free or if i gather the vin and someone can check it for me that would be grand

[SpadeBF]

I would approach with caution. It sounds like this guy probably blew up his original engine in only 100k miles. Now the "new" one has 100k on it.

I have no idea on the stutter, but the timing belt and catalytic converter are two completely separate things.

Personally, there's a lot of red flags that should be addressed before I would go forward.

So you may be saying he could have paper work that he rebuilt the same engine at 100k and have that paperwork?

as for timing belt or catalyic conv are you saying they would cause completely different problems

[dgbldr]

am in need of a good reliable car off the bat dont really have time to be replacing parts, as for replacing timing belt or catal i can do it /w help of step dad so that wouldnt be that big of a deal

I'd forget about that car. Really. You need something in basically sound condition so you can learn to do stuff a little at a time. Find out realistically what your stepdad is willing to do and not do. Is he willing to wrench on your car for 15-20 hrs at a time? That's what it'll take to change the timing belt if he hasn't done it on a Celica before.

Here's a more reasonable car I would look at:
http://detroit.craigslist.org/ctd/1144441451.html

Or, if you can afford a little more, here is a convertible:
http://detroit.craigslist.org/cto/1139885955.html

Take your time and look around. There are actually a fair number of 6g Celicas going up for sale around Detroit all the time.

[99Celica]

I couldn't agree more. This sounds like a lemon. Spend the money on a good running car and do paint later, not vice versa. GL

[SpadeBF]

Thanks for info guys i really do wnat a stock celica but my step dad is 6' 9" and is a straight g basically and knows a **** load bout automotive ill go look at it with on on saturday and let him drive it, if the guy says no then def red flag tnx for input

Iwill update more on this car

am in need of a good reliable car off the bat dont really have time to be replacing parts, as for replacing timing belt or catal i can do it /w help of step dad so that wouldnt be that big of a deal

I'd forget about that car. Really. You need something in basically sound condition so you can learn to do stuff a little at a time. Find out realistically what your stepdad is willing to do and not do. Is he willing to wrench on your car for 15-20 hrs at a time? That's what it'll take to change the timing belt if he hasn't done it on a Celica before.

Here's a more reasonable car I would look at:
http://detroit.craigslist.org/ctd/1144441451.html

Or, if you can afford a little more, here is a convertible:
http://detroit.craigslist.org/cto/1139885955.html

Take your time and look around. There are actually a fair number of 6g Celicas going up for sale around Detroit all the time.

Yea thats what im looking for but it seems its hard for me to find one that i want but i will update you guys when we go look at in on saturday

[GriffGirl]

Yeah I'd stay away from it too. JDM Clutch? I'm calling BS on that one. The stutter in 1st gear is probably that fabulous JDM clutch he put in, without bothering to resurface the flywheel or replace the throwout bearing. I'm gonna go ahead and lay money on a bottom of the line Cheap Crap from China clutch there. You might want to ask for a receipt for the parts and/or work.

White smoke... hmm. Head gasket.

Missing fender... hmm. Accident.

Figure just about any car you buy, tack on another $500 to a grand in repairs as you discover what's wrong with the car, perform maintenance, etc. I'm talking parts, not necessarily labor.

Skip it. Be patient and wait for the right one. If this one is priced super cheap, there's probably a reason. Spend the sixteen bucks or whatever and get yourself unlimited Carfax access for a month, it'll be well worth it if you're shopping around.

[presure2]

jdm clutch...lmao
walk away.

[SpadeBF]

jdm clutch...lmao
walk away.

Umm what is wrong with JDM clutch, does not exist? or really cheap pos?

as for being cheap his asking price was 5500 but he had a dui and owes 2500 in fee's
So i can bargain the price down alot, but idk i really like the car but i dont want to drive it for 1k miles and find out there is a major problem, but i will update later on

Ive also found a nice car in ohio

[jimmykay]

This 98 gt might be worth checking out.

At least it looks like it's in decent shape.