Lurking Options

[Skinerp89]

Hey community of the 6GC, I'm Jc, a new member to the forums but I've been browsing this forum ever since I first saw one of these beasts, even if it was just a ST. I work at a pizza joint and one of the delivery drivers had it, and it steadily grew on me. So now I've just been searching craigslist and autotrader and every car website possible trying to find a celica to call my own. Unfortunately this car is super impossible to find lol until today.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/792618583.html hopefully gonna take a look at it maybe tomorrow to see how it runs and everything. Anything in specific you guys think i should check for?

[GotToyota]

Just look for the basic stuff: body damage, engine, trunk (look under the paneling and carpet for rust), interior, under carriage, door jams. Look for leaks, ask about maintenance, mainly if the timing belt and water pump have been changed, if they haven't you could be asking for trouble. Also try to get the vin and get it Carfax'd.

EDIT: I found this quote funny - "It just passed emissions today, which means the engine is in perfect condition." It doesn't take much to get a 4 cylinder to pass emissions.

This post has been edited by GotToyota: Aug 12, 2008 - 2:19 PM

[Taskbot]

hmmmm bring a tape measure and remember to pop the question to them (Has this car been in any accidents?) and make sure you make it awkward and put them on the spot. Then gauge the response.

Have a fun test drive. Remember: hard acceleration is fun but don't blow up a car you don't own yet . Make sure it drives exactly how you want it to drive, do think you would normally do while driving. If you drive really fast make sure the car can take it.

I don't know what else to add, most of it has already been covered.

[GriffGirl]

Drive it w/the windows down on a quiet street so you can listen to how it sounds when you accelerate, cruise, and stop. Make sure you drive it until the engine is to temp, and when your done, pop the hood and listen for any weird sounds, smell for any weird smells too. Look at the hoses and belts, make sure they look good and not cracking or splitting or shiny belts. Make sure you start the engine itself too... LOL when I bought my car, I looked at it like 2 or 3 times and never realized each time I met up w/the kid, the engine was already running. That's because the starter was dying and the little bastard knew it but didn't tell me. Starter on it died like 3 days later!

Welcome to the site Maryland boy. I grew up around Rockville but (thank god) escaped in 11th grade to NYC.

[D-Man]

Well, In my experience, don't give 'em more than $500 cash if it's totaled and wont start / doesn't run

I don't know what the going rate is on a working Celica However i say that you listen to that engine really well. Make sure the engine doesn't squeak or squeal, make sure the alignment is good. Those parts can cost you really quick. Drive the car and let go of the wheel, if it veers or vibrates, start asking questions!

Also, as soon as you get it, change the oil, belts, spark-plugs, and fuel filters. These are cheap things that (because you just got the car, and don't know what has happened to it in the past) can dramatically extend the life of the engine, and freshen it up for you as well Also, a Car-Wash, Freshner, re-inflate the tires to proper levels, and run that take of gas untill it's burnin on fumes. You NEVER know what kind of things people have done. It's best to rid it of anything that can cause future harm.

G/L and Congrats. Start saving money for a Turbo-project

[Taskbot]

Oh, I just remembered something. Highway drive that mofo. Get it to about 110 km/h (~70mph?).

My celica vibrates at about 95 km/h (~60mph). Its really quite soothing in a SCARY and UNSTABLE kind of way

[D-Man]

Oh, I just remembered something. Highway drive that mofo. Get it to about 110 km/h (~70mph?).

My celica vibrates at about 95 km/h (~60mph). Its really quite soothing in a SCARY and UNSTABLE kind of way

Get new tires & have them balanced.

This post has been edited by D-Man: Aug 12, 2008 - 2:57 PM

[Taskbot]

Oh, I just remembered something. Highway drive that mofo. Get it to about 110 km/h (~70mph?).

My celica vibrates at about 95 km/h (~60mph). Its really quite soothing in a SCARY and UNSTABLE kind of way

Get new tires & have them balanced.

Already ahead of you. I'm probably going to give in and buy a couple all seasons from Crappy(Canadian) Tire before winter for the front and get rid of the bad ones.

[D-Man]

brand new cheap-o tires are better than top-of-the-line with steal-wire hanging out I'm a firm believer of that!! performance tires are nice, just not always cost efficient for a DD. Trust me, i've been thru enough of em'

Skinerp89, Check the tire tread while your at it. I once bought a running car (b/c it was pretty ) that had to have 4 new tires with-in 2 weeks of pulling off the lot. 150+tax x 4 tires x labor x balancing = about 1.5K. FTMFL after dropping a 3K down payment and holding a 300/mo note.

This post has been edited by D-Man: Aug 12, 2008 - 3:13 PM

[Taskbot]

brand new cheap-o tires are better than top-of-the-line with steal-wire hanging out I'm a firm believer of that!! performance tires are nice, just not always cost efficient for a DD. Trust me, i've been thru enough of em'

Hahaha, well I'm thinking of contacting the Auto Department at my old highschool and have them put on the tires for me. )) so basically all it will cost me is the cost of the tires.... and my sanity while I let 16 year old's touch my celica

[D-Man]

PM sent to avoid spamming the thread.

[Crem]

My 2 cents is look close at the engine oil cap for any milky residue cos you don't need water in your oil and when the car is up to running temp make sure it not blowing bubbles in the radiator that can mean head issues big or small you don't need em.
have fun celica shopping

[99Celica]

if ur unsure about whether or not its been in a wreck, check all the panels and windows for the toyota stamp. Everything from the factory should have it. Good looking car and its got the side skirts and fogs, I hope it runs as good as it looks.

[Taskbot]

We should probably write a faq on how to buy a used celica. Probably because this is going to get semi-out of hand if he follows all of our advice

[TerryE]

Watch the Carfax reports, not all accidents get reported. Don't ask how I found out.