Buying New Celica - What should I look for?, In hopes to convert to GT-Four eventually Options

[Selly_Kuhman]

I have had a Silv 96' Anniversary Ed. 5-Speed ST Celica for years and sadly lost it last year (RIP), before I was able to do the GT-Four conversion I was planning on. I didn't know 100% if I should do it based on how hard/expensive it would be for someone who doesn't mod/fix cars as a hobby. Although I thought I may ask some things before I look into getting another 6g Celica, since that has been my goal for years now which I never got around to doing.

I am good with my hands, and would love to take on this project, but I have nowhere to work on the car where I live. I have read tons of forum threads and posts, and feel a bit overwhelmed by how complicated this looks for an amateur like myself. Hopefully I'm getting myself worried for nothing...hopefully... I'd be happy if anyone can help me out with any one of these questions!


-Jay


What's the mileage I should be looking for on a new Celica?


What's the price range I should expect to look for? (I live in NY)


If I get an automatic, does that make me a pussy? (I know it does, but is there anyone who has a gt4 auto)


What year's / trim does the GT-Four conversion work with? eg. ST, GT, Convertible? (Is there a combo that it is easiest/cheaper for)


What are the parts needed to convert the hood, bumper and spoiler?


How much do the parts cost individually?


Where would I be able to acquire these parts?


Who would be able to do the conversion?


How much would labor cost around to install them?



Here's a few I found that are semi-close to me. Would be grateful if anyone knew of any others in my area for sale.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/ve...57640&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/ve...68893&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/ve...87383&Log=0

[richee3]

What's the mileage I should be looking for on a new Celica?
To me, the condition of the car matters more than mileage. If there's a 150,000 mile Celica with all maintenance records and in excellent condition, I'd buy that well before a 50,000 beat up car. You can search for any mileage you like but try to see if the maintenance matches the mileage.


What's the price range I should expect to look for? (I live in NY)
Totally up to you, depends on your budget.


If I get an automatic, does that make me a pussy? (I know it does, but is there anyone who has a gt4 auto)
Justifiable if you don't intend to do a swap, go to any track days, and see a lot of traffic. Again, just your preference.


What year's / trim does the GT-Four conversion work with? eg. ST, GT, Convertible? (Is there a combo that it is easiest/cheaper for)
Any year/trim. It bolts on just the same.


What are the parts needed to convert the hood, bumper and spoiler?
There's a how-to thread in the stickies in Exterior Styling, be sure to give that a read.


How much do the parts cost individually?
Depends on when you shop, how much patience you have, whether you find them in the US or need to be shipped from overseas, etc.


Where would I be able to acquire these parts?
Ebay is the easiest place.


Who would be able to do the conversion?
You can do it yourself. It's mostly nuts and bolts, but you have the option of drilling and welding one piece if you want a 100% OEM style conversion. The wing may require two holes to be drilled in your hatch and three holes to be filled, if you get a facelift Celica. Otherwise it's direct bolt-on for the pre-face hatch. Again, be sure to give the stickies a read so you know what is involved.


How much would labor cost around to install them?
Any dollar spent paying somebody else to do it is a dollar too much, in my opinion. It's relatively simple to install the front end. But to each his own, if you'd prefer to pay a body shop to do it.

I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but these questions have been answered dozens of times. There's a how-to thread with pictures in the Exterior Styling section. The stickies contain a wealth of information.