Is this car worth it? Pics/Link posted (need advice) Options

[supra2k8]

Long time lurker, I just don't post much (hopefully I'm not posting this in the wrong section, If I am, I apologize in advance).

If you don't have time to read my entire post, in short I would like advice on buying a 94 GTS, any known/common issues that I should be worried about or watch for, any parts that should have been repaired/replaced for a 19 year old car or things that I should expect to replace in the near future, ex: catalytic converter, alternator, timing belt etc.

A short background, I live in Ontario Canada, and owned a 94 Celica GTS 5spd, bought it from the original owner (50+ year old lady) in excellent condition in 2007 with 134,000 Km's/ 83,000miles for $3800. I spent $600 to fix some minor rust and regrettably sold it about a year after for approx $5500.

This was the car I bought back in 2007.

Old Celica

So fast forward to present, I currently don't have a vehicle, previous car was in an accident and in the junk yard (98 Integra GS, dad driving it). I found another Celica similar to the above, I just don't know if I should go for it, since a 1994 car is almost 20 years old now I just want a daily driver, that's good on gas, and I love the 6th gen Celica's too much, so that's the main reason I want one again.

This is the one I'm looking to get:
Price: $4490
Pros: Original owner, LOW mileage, Only 70,000miles (112,000km) no accident.

Cons: auto, almost 20 years old, looks like 100% stock (also a good thing) sold by a dealer = 13% tax here.

Auto trader ad





So in conclusion, should I take a look at this car, is the price fair, what should I be checking when checking it out in person, I do live approx 1 hour away so the more I know now, the better.

Any advice/tips will be greatly appreciated, Thank you in advance

This post has been edited by supra2k8: Aug 31, 2013 - 5:17 PM

[Box]

Since you live in Canada I wouldn't even bother with any except for the SS-III and GT-Four. From my understanding the SS-III gets the same if not better than the GT, but has 200hp instead of 135hp.

This post has been edited by Box: Aug 30, 2013 - 1:25 AM

[supra2k8]

Since you live in Canada I wouldn't even bother with any except for the SS-III and GT-Four. From my understanding the SS-III gets the same if not better than the GT, but has 200hp instead of 135hp.

If you're saying don't bother because of the Canadian snow, I have driven the same year celica with all season tires for 1 winter, and the Integra for 5+ years. I don't know much about the SS-III but the GT-Four is extremely rare here, therefore very expensive, most that go for sale are RHD, which I don't want to buy, they aren't easy to insure.

This post has been edited by supra2k8: Sep 7, 2013 - 1:48 AM

[Box]

I'm just saying don't bother since you can get the good versions. At the least get one with a 5-speed, automatics are ungodly slow. If fuel economy is your main concern the ST I have gets a combined 35mpg. Why are cars so damn expensive in Canada? Same car down here would be in the high 2's or low 3's at best. I'm going to start buying cars here and selling them in Canada.

This post has been edited by Box: Aug 30, 2013 - 2:24 AM

[supra2k8]

I'm just saying don't bother since you can get the good versions. At the least get one with a 5-speed, automatics are ungodly slow. If fuel economy is your main concern the ST I have gets a combined 35mpg. Why are cars so damn expensive in Canada? Same car down here would be in the high 2's or low 3's at best. I'm going to start buying cars here and selling them in Canada.

haha...you would be surprised to the amount of cars that come from the US to Canada. Fuel economy isn't my main concern, but I'm trying to keep my budget under $5k. So you're saying a 94 with around 70k miles is only 2-3k?

[Box]

$2,800-3,400 maybe. There was a dealership near me selling a low miles 96 GT with an automatic for $3,000 and it had leather and the power moon-roof. They're just not really desirable cars for whatever reason. People would rather have a Civic or some other Honda.

This post has been edited by Box: Aug 30, 2013 - 2:49 AM

[richee3]

The issues to check would be the timing belt. Mileage aside, 20 year old rubber has seen some fatigue. Being a Northern car, rust will very likely be an issue on the bottoms of the doors and in the rear quarter panels.

The auto really kills what little performance there is of the 5S. I'm absolutely not advising against buying it, but I have my doubts if it will be as much fun as your Integra.

[Box]

Have you looked into the seventh generation Celica?

[Jeebus]

Before I purchased my car in Calgary, I was exclusively looking to buy a GT-Four in Ontario just so that I could take time off work and take a nice road-trip across the country back to the west coast. I grew up in Waterloo, and had a potential car in Ottawa. My insurance (in Ontario before I moved out west) for 10 years was clean (under my parent's name, as an occasional driver), and my parent's record is quite clean as well. The sole problem I came to was that their insurance (StateFarm) would not give me temporary insurance because of the whole RHD debacle. They wouldn't even insure my dad with his record. I must have tried 8~10 different insurance companies, asked my friend to buy the car, but got the full run-around. The insurance companies would not let me take the damn car (which they hate to have in the province) out of there.

So, long story short, if you're planning on buying a more rare (and RHD) GT-Four or SS-III, it's going to take a lot of phone calls, and it'll probably cost you quite a bit of cash for the insurance.

Needless to say, I didn't get to drive the car across the country, but only through part of the Canadian Rockies, which I loved every moment.

[gts4]

Selling mine in Ontario. $1100 as is. PM'd you.


http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/Toyota/Celica/...showcpo=ShowCPO

[supra2k8]

The issues to check would be the timing belt. Mileage aside, 20 year old rubber has seen some fatigue. Being a Northern car, rust will very likely be an issue on the bottoms of the doors and in the rear quarter panels.

The auto really kills what little performance there is of the 5S. I'm absolutely not advising against buying it, but I have my doubts if it will be as much fun as your Integra.

Thanks for the tips, I'm hoping the timing belt is changed already. The dealer is willing for the car to be taken to buyers mechanic of choice, and they are offering 3 years extended warranty.

Have you looked into the seventh generation Celica?

I actually don't like the 7th gen at all, I would rather buy 2001 integra again, or an RSX.

Before I purchased my car in Calgary, I was exclusively looking to buy a GT-Four in Ontario just so that I could take time off work and take a nice road-trip across the country back to the west coast. I grew up in Waterloo, and had a potential car in Ottawa. My insurance (in Ontario before I moved out west) for 10 years was clean (under my parent's name, as an occasional driver), and my parent's record is quite clean as well. The sole problem I came to was that their insurance (StateFarm) would not give me temporary insurance because of the whole RHD debacle. They wouldn't even insure my dad with his record. I must have tried 8~10 different insurance companies, asked my friend to buy the car, but got the full run-around. The insurance companies would not let me take the damn car (which they hate to have in the province) out of there.

So, long story short, if you're planning on buying a more rare (and RHD) GT-Four or SS-III, it's going to take a lot of phone calls, and it'll probably cost you quite a bit of cash for the insurance.

Needless to say, I didn't get to drive the car across the country, but only through part of the Canadian Rockies, which I loved every moment.

I have the same reasons, it'll be near impossible to insure or even find in the first place.

Selling mine in Ontario. $1100 as is. PM'd you.


http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/Toyota/Celica/...showcpo=ShowCPO

Sent you a pm, I have seen your ad a few days ago already.

This post has been edited by supra2k8: Sep 7, 2013 - 1:44 AM