What should i look for?, spending 2.5-3k on first 6gc/ first owned car Options

[SpadeBF]

I am now 18 have been driving since i was 16, parents never had cash so ive been working hard and saving up (actually quit smoking weed )

But i have been shopping around, i live in DET,MI and they seem to be rare so ive decided to look at kentucky tennesee and ohio, all celicas around my price range seem to be around 125k-170k miles

I am looking for advice on what i SHOULD look out for when buying a used 5 speed with this many miles, my stepfather is a cert master mech but is definitely familiar with american muscle not so much the imports. So any advice i can get from you guys to pass on to him would be grand, such as mechanical issues and common problems i may run in to.

This is my first and only car so it will be a daily driver and i plan on when winter hits to buy a truck or something of that matter and garaging my celica and saving up for the 3s-gte swap

Thanks!

This post has been edited by SpadeBF: Apr 27, 2009 - 3:18 PM

[domyz]

door panels (especially left door) who is known to rust easily if not protected

look for a 2.2L GT or GTS who is a better platform than a 1.8L ST to put a 3SGTE in because of engine mounts...
it also have 4disc brakes who is a big difference...


the 2.2liters a very reliable engine, i swapped from 2.2l to a 3sgte at 240000kms on the 2.2liters , drove it hard, never have any problem, but the clutch is not made to handle big power, but dont worry, an heavy duty mr2 lsd tranny fit if you want change the engine in the future...