Buying a Celica tips? Options

[KeithL]

Hi all, I'm going to view a 94 st202 2.0 this weekend. I'm new to celicas is there any common issues to look out for?

It's been sitting up for 8 years. So a full service and new fuel would be a good starting point. Anything else before I started it up?

Also inside is a bit damp, do they have any common issues as far as leaking into the cabin?

[cheela]

8 years is a long time. was it sitting outside or garaged? that will make the biggest difference.
but some things to look at would be all the rubber, hoses, seals etc. check for cracks and brittleness. check the radiator, if it looks brown or discolored, it's on it's way out.
take a look at the bottoms of the doors and the hatch for rust. the rear quarter panel behind the tire. if it has a sunroof, check and make sure it's not leaking and the drain plugs aren't clogged.

other than that, yes a full service. drain and replace all fluids and see how well it runs after that.

[njccmd2002]

Buy another one. Unless you plan on sinking money and long wrenching hours, buy one that runs now. All cars ran before they were parked....

[Box]

If it was garaged and moved around occasionally it'll be fine, so finding out how and where it was sitting would determine rather or not it should be gotten. Also why, sometimes cars get parked and the car is perfectly fine when it happens due to various life stuff. Either way new tires and fluids is a given, also struts. Possibly brakes. If it runs out ok just be ready to replace all wear and tear items right off the bat. Even then unless it's a model and colour combo you're just dying to get it there might be better options out there.

Oh 3rd gear synchro likes to grind on downshifts is a common problem, so that. Outside of that it's usual old used car stuff.

[njccmd2002]

And all box put threre sounded like bunch of money and wrenching hours

[Box]

It is, but it's worth it if it's exactly what you're wanting in one. Being they've just come across the Celica in general I doubt it though. Unless it can be gotten for 25%+ less, all parts needed to get it 100% sound again included, than a comparable car needing nothing I'd say pass.

[njccmd2002]

I rather buy one that i can ejoy now

[Box]

I rather buy one that i can ejoy now

Yeah but my Firebird is a prime example of why sometimes it's worth it, as it sat for 6 years while the owner was in Japan. It was the first like it that I've ever seen come up for sale locally, and I think I've seen one other like it up for sale nationally in the three years or so I was on and off looking at them. Though at least his father drove it from time to time so it kept things from seizing, but it still needed tires, fluids, and shocks. Which honestly are things I'd replace on any used car anyway unless they were recently replaced with what I'd use, which I doubt since most people throw on the cheapest stuff before selling a car.

[ST204GT83]

Make sure all the fluids are full.

[njccmd2002]

I rather buy one that i can ejoy now

Yeah but my Firebird is a prime example of why sometimes it's worth it, as it sat for 6 years while the owner was in Japan. It was the first like it that I've ever seen come up for sale locally, and I think I've seen one other like it up for sale nationally in the three years or so I was on and off looking at them. Though at least his father drove it from time to time so it kept things from seizing, but it still needed tires, fluids, and shocks. Which honestly are things I'd replace on any used car anyway unless they were recently replaced with what I'd use, which I doubt since most people throw on the cheapest stuff before selling a car.

Box will be available for wrenching time.

In all seriousness,since you never posted again. What did you end up deciding?