Should I buy this Celica? Options

[SneakyChopsticks]

Hi there! I'm brand new to this forum and I'm looking for a car as my first. Last night, I spotted a 1995 Celica GT for $700 on craigslist. I contacted the guy today and he said the car is still available. The car is in Laughlin and the motor is not running because the rod bearing went out. Here is the link to the car: http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/3013812189.html A few questions:

1. Is it a good deal?

2. If I do get this car, would swapping out the motor be easier/cheaper than rebuilding it?

3. Any things I should make sure to check when I go look at the car tomorrow?

Thanks!

[Box]

Provided body and interior are in good shape it'd make for a good drivetrain swap candidate.

[SneakyChopsticks]

Provided body and interior are in good shape it'd make for a good drivetrain swap candidate.

Keep in mind, this is going to be my first car. I don't want to do anything crazy like that... yet.

[Box]

Ooh, first car. In that case make sure suspension, brakes, and the transmission are good. Would probably be easier/better to just replace with a running engine. To let a rod bearing go out sounds like the engine was probably abused anyway. Which means the transmission was also subject to abuse. Yeah, $700 is a good price though.

[Special_Edy]

What are you looking to get into?

I'm not going to lie to you, a rod bearing is alot of work. Do you have any mechanical experience and are you willing to invest $500 to $1000 into this car to get it drivable( with you doing ALL the labor of course)? You will absolutely fall in love with this car if you start wrenching on it and wont have any regrets. I just want to give you level advice.

[SneakyChopsticks]

What are you looking to get into?

I'm not going to lie to you, a rod bearing is alot of work. Do you have any mechanical experience and are you willing to invest $500 to $1000 into this car to get it drivable( with you doing ALL the labor of course)? You will absolutely fall in love with this car if you start wrenching on it and wont have any regrets. I just want to give you level advice.

The amount I'm willing to spend on this car is $2000 max, so I'm in good shape there. As for mechanical experience, I have none, but my dad is friends with a mechanic who specializes in Toyotas so that shouldn't be an issue either.

This post has been edited by SneakyChopsticks: May 14, 2012 - 8:51 PM

[mkernz22]

Talk him down to $500 cash on the spot and you've got yourself a great deal!

[ricochet1490]

I bought a rust bucket that ran at 400.... Tell him you have to put in 2500 for the motor and 500 is your max limit. He isn't selling it anytime soon with a bad motor. Swapping in a new motor that is plug and play would be easier in my opinion. Just have to find one used. Camry's etc. have the same motor.

But I see a mismatched bumper cover on the rear?
and there is BAD front quarterpanel damage. Lucky for you, you can find parts here really easily.
I would pay NO MORE than 500.

[SneakyChopsticks]

Thanks, everyone! I will try to get the price down to $500. He sent more pics of the interior and exterior. The front and rear fender has some minor damage, nothing too serious. I will be going down to Laughlin on Wednesday to check the car out and hopefully buy it at a cheaper price. Any ideas on what engine to swap out for? I want to swap for a 3S-GTE but considering my lack of driving experience, would this be wise? Also, this car's an automatic.

[Box]

3S-GE BEAMS or 3S-GTE are popular swaps. BEAMS may be easier. Would have to ask the more experienced users. Cheapest and easiest thing would be to find another 5S-FE for the time being. I don't suggest projects as a first car, I've been there and done it. Regretted it and still do. Missed out on a lot because it ended up being more than what was expected. Not saying you shouldn't, but unless you're sure you're up to it I'd just stick with stock for the time. Not to mention everything for a BEAMS or 3S-GTE swap would be out of your current price range.

[ricochet1490]

For you, the ONLY swap to even try and consider would be the BEAMS.... but again... thats 2k if you're lucky just for the motor....

Find a 5s that is OBD1.... buy that used.... don't change anything on that motor because it's indestructible, and put that motor in. You don't want to tear the motor down if this is your first car. I can find running 5s blocks for under 1000.... freshly rebuilt for 2-3k.... but you don't even need that (rebuilt i mean) The 5s is a workhorse and will take most anything you can throw at it. if you find a cheap 5sfe , used, with up to and including 150k miles.... buy it and put it in. My .02. Make sure it was running when pulled though.... gotta be careful... but that is the cheapest way out.

This post has been edited by ricochet1490: May 15, 2012 - 9:43 AM

[mkernz22]

Yeah, the 5s is an absolute beast. I replaced the oil pump gasket and a few other things one day, then headed out on a 3 hour trip the next day. Something let loose and I kept leaking oil out the a$$. Went through 4 quarts of oil 3/4's of the way into the trip, was in the mountains and need to add more since my valves started ticking. Got pissed off at that point and did not pay attention to the levels and filled it till oil was coming out of the dipstick. Started her up and she was bogging like crazy. After A LOT of white smoke and another hour of driving, finally got to where I was going, and drained most of the oil the next day. Long story short, it's a great engine that can literally handle anything (same engine in my car 6 months later at 235k now), and it the best one for a beginner driver. Not a lot of horsepower, but definitely very fun.

[dliverance]

I say go for it. I just got a similar deal for 1k but the car I got was running.

Same wheels too.

[richee3]

I say pick it up, on a few certain conditions. Make very sure that you have sourced an engine to swap in before you buy the car, so you don't end up with a car that doesn't run and no way to fix it. Make sure you have the capability of replacing the engine yourself, or have the cash to pay a mechanic to do it in the event that you wind up lost with no way to fix it. If you've got that covered, there's no reason in the world why you shouldn't go home with it

[Smaay]

you can pick it up and bring it to me, i have a good 5S-FE that i just rebuilt for my car but im putting a V6 in it now. ill swap out the engines for you for 1500 including the engine. im a 3 hour drive from Laughlin

[Special_Edy]

you can pick it up and bring it to me, i have a good 5S-FE that i just rebuilt for my car but im putting a V6 in it now. ill swap out the engines for you for 1500 including the engine. im a 3 hour drive from Laughlin

Thats a great deal especially coming from someone that knows as much as this guy.

Is that your 1mz on the solara forum smaay?

[SneakyChopsticks]

So I worked things out with the owner and he's willing to bring the price down to $600 since I'll have to drive over and tow it home. Hopefully, I can drive out tomorrow. I guess while I'm at it, I'll take a look at a '91 MR2 for $2200. http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/3015384509.html When I go to check these cars out, are there any specific spots I should check for wear and tear?

This post has been edited by SneakyChopsticks: May 15, 2012 - 9:53 PM

[ricochet1490]

Rust at the bottom of the doors,
Rust under the antenna,
tear in the drivers seat shoulder.
broken/loose armrest,
busted cupholders
Hatch cover that acts as a rear dash is in place with both plastic clips on both sides in tact and not broken,
condition of steering wheel
broken driver side taillight ( seems its always the drivers side that breaks)
check the headlights for broken mounting tabs and other hints to check for collisions
check for water in the highbeams
There is a bar that runs infront of the airconditioner condensor(front radiator thing) that is often bent in during an accident
check for plastic undercovers in the front



Thats all I got.

If you find 3+ of these things missing/broken/ out of place... talk him to 500. Be like hey, gotta fix dents, gotta get it towed, gotta re-upholster, gotta get new hatch deck, gotta replace taillight etc etc. as an example if you find things on this list out of place.


Can't speak for the mr2

This post has been edited by ricochet1490: May 15, 2012 - 10:58 PM

[SneakyChopsticks]

Rust at the bottom of the doors,
Rust under the antenna,
tear in the drivers seat shoulder.
broken/loose armrest,
busted cupholders
Hatch cover that acts as a rear dash is in place with both plastic clips on both sides in tact and not broken,
condition of steering wheel
broken driver side taillight ( seems its always the drivers side that breaks)
check the headlights for broken mounting tabs and other hints to check for collisions
check for water in the highbeams
There is a bar that runs infront of the airconditioner condensor(front radiator thing) that is often bent in during an accident
check for plastic undercovers in the front



Thats all I got.

If you find 3+ of these things missing/broken/ out of place... talk him to 500. Be like hey, gotta fix dents, gotta get it towed, gotta re-upholster, gotta get new hatch deck, gotta replace taillight etc etc. as an example if you find things on this list out of place.


Can't speak for the mr2

Alright, thanks! The interior looks like it's in good condition from the pictures he sent me. Towing isn't going to be a problem since my dad has AAA. I plan on replacing the tails with a pair of JDM tails if I do get the car and replacing the dented fenders. I'll report back tomorrow if I'm able to go check the cars out.

[SneakyChopsticks]

So I wasn't able to go to Laughlin today. Earliest day that I'll be able to go is Sunday because I'll be busy every other day.