prepurchase advise, newb looking for tips on looking for a 6th gen Options

[sympleman]

I'm a newb at Celicas. I could tell you whatever you wanted to know about Jeeps, Landcruisers (80 & 100 series), and Tacoma 4x4 TRDs, but I am looking for a 6th gen Celica to comute in. I'm pretty sure I want a gt, prefer 5sp. Is there anything in peticular I need to look for when looking at one? I prefer finding one from a private seller, to try to get the maintenance history (timing belt, etc). As far as reliability, are the 1.8 and 2.2 about the same? Auto and stick both reliable , assuming proper maintenance has been done? Do the sunroofs have a tendancy to leak, or are they pretty good?

Any advise any one has would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

[crankyelbow]

seek on craigslist, using craigspal.

Avoid dealing with ebay if ever possible - you NEVER want to be "locked" into buying something like a car... even if you check the car out and it goes just fine one day - bid on it and win - and come back to now realize it just so happened to run good that day you test drove it and its really in need of many repairs - you are legally stuck with it... if it were to come to that... and it can - because the seller will have to pay ebay when the auction is over.

A buddy of mind just got shafted pretty bad because he got locked into buying a car he bidded on.. when the guy wouldn't let him test drive beforehand... now the motor crapped out just a few weeks later.

A 6gc is one of the best overall deals available IMO... good runners can be had under 2k, really good examples for just a little more.