6G, Whats it really good for?, What is the life expectency of a 96 Celica GT, really? Options

[KaiasPapa]

Hello everyone. I need a commuting car to travel 150 mi round trip everyweekend or so. Its a long highway with curves and dips and only about a few miles ever covered by PD(Just a fact not suggesting anything). The obvious choice? Need I say. The only one for sale in my area though has a good 216k miles on it already. It appears to be well maintained but not really sure if I should take the plunge. They're asking $3k its fully loaded, for a stock GT anyway. ABS, sun-roof, cruise-control, and all that. What do you all think? Is it gunna take alot of time and attention to keep it running between Spokane and Pullman or can I rely on it to take me and my daughter for years of happy driving? Let me know your opinion.

BTW, im going to school for aviation maintenence and have little real mechanical background, but i am mechanicly inclined and have no problem getting my hand dirty.

[SwissFerdi]

I'd say with that mileage, I'd perform every small maintenance detail. Then, I wouldn't worry again until 300k. Just make sure the drivetrain has everything needed to perform as intended.

[KaiasPapa]

I'd say with that mileage, I'd perform every small maintenance detail. Then, I wouldn't worry again until 300k. Just make sure the drivetrain has everything needed to perform as intended.

Oil, Coolent, Brakes. What else do you think? And how can I be sure the drivetrains in good condition?

[NYp8tBaller07]

My father lives in Washington and is going to school for the same thing lol. I would try to bring the price down a bit and if you could look for an st as they get better mpg

[block]

Yeah try to bring down the price a bit. A lot of these 6th gen celicas are still bucking in a good amount of money. Once you get it, just do a good amount of maintinence on it and you'll be fine. These are reliable cars man.

[KaiasPapa]

My father lives in Washington and is going to school for the same thing lol. I would try to bring the price down a bit and if you could look for an st as they get better mpg

Really? Funny. wheres he studying? West Side? Central? Yeah, i agree about lowering the price. what do you think would be fair. 2800? 2500? As far as mpg, anything better than 25 Highway will work for me. Im used to driving around my old 77 chevy, gets about 7mpg. lol.

[mak5603]

Worst case scenario, if the motor blows...I got a 5s and tranny that runs that will be available for dirt cheap real soon in Washington.

[NYp8tBaller07]

My father lives in Washington and is going to school for the same thing lol. I would try to bring the price down a bit and if you could look for an st as they get better mpg

Really? Funny. wheres he studying? West Side? Central? Yeah, i agree about lowering the price. what do you think would be fair. 2800? 2500? As far as mpg, anything better than 25 Highway will work for me. Im used to driving around my old 77 chevy, gets about 7mpg. lol.

Not sure where but he is a master mech. for gm then he got laid off after like 15 years, Ill have to ask. Is there a link to the car at all, I would think in the mid 2,000's

This post has been edited by NYp8tBaller07: Mar 21, 2011 - 12:57 PM

[KaiasPapa]

Right on. Well, knowing that people mods these cars so much, there should be plenty of engines floating around if it does decide to give out. What is dirt cheap, about?

[richee3]

What year is it? I'm guessing $2,500 sounds good, depending on age. Oil, coolant, belts, hoses, check thoroughly under the hood for any oil leaks, check thoroughly in the wheel wells/under the car for rust as these cars are prone to rust, check the oil before you let them start the car so you can see if it's low or not. If they can't fill it up/change the oil to sell the car, then they definitely never did it while they owned it. Ultimately, it all comes down to how much you like the car and what you're comfortable paying for it. Toyotas are known for bulletproof reliability and the Celica is no exception.

[HectortheRican]

Toyotas are known for bulletproof reliability and the Celica is no exception.

Especially when you consider that the USDM ST has a Corolla heart and the USDM GT has a Camry heart. Two of the most reliable cars ever produced.

[Euphoria]

216 000 is alot of miles haha, personally I'd look for one less but saying that, many people on here have gone WELL over that with GT's and ST's. If they've always had oil and its always been clean then it will keep going!

I've had mine since 175k km's and now its at 260k kms and since then it hasn't had one engine problem, had other problems along the way but its always started and driven no matter the problem .

Just make sure the engine isn't blowing any smoke and is healthy, take it for a test run and don't be afraid to rev it! If so just maintain it regularly when you buy it!

Also try and check for wheel bearings and clunks if you drive it not 100% precisely.

[KaiasPapa]

Well,Ill go up on Wed i think to take a look. With any luck it'll be in great shape and ill buy it. But im definately going to put it through its paces first. Im still curious how to ensure the drivetrains in good shape. I think it'll be wet on Wed, maybe i should just burn out hard and see if any bits or pieces fall off?

[zfjohnson07]

id get it offer him 2500 man, check the engine tho to make sure he didnt mess with anything... and the frame and mounts for damages... i'll last forever!!!

[Flyinghumanoid]

My ST has about 248,000 miles. It still gets 30 mpg city and averages 35 mpg highway. I can't even tell you the last time it had a tune up. It's on the list for my first paycheck at the new job though. :-)

[Smaay]

^^^ wow thats good mileage!

[mak5603]

Right on. Well, knowing that people mods these cars so much, there should be plenty of engines floating around if it does decide to give out. What is dirt cheap, about?

Pretty dang cheap. Runs GREAT, just has 205,000 miles on it. But I take very good care of her. Just a last resort option if you ever needed it.

[4-eyed-freek]

mine has 356,000 on it and it runs like a champ. its an awsome car and hasnt let me down for the 25k miles i have put on it so far. i have raced thisa car before and on all other days it my dd. the 6gc is an awsome car.

[yungazzdriver]

I just bought a 99 gt as a dd and already has 216,000 miles on it and no smoke, no oil consumption, good gas mileage etc. These toyotas were as invincible as the hilux.

[NYp8tBaller07]

I just bought a 99 gt as a dd and already has 216,000 miles on it and no smoke, no oil consumption, good gas mileage etc. These toyotas were as invincible as the hilux.

I feel a TopGear test coming on