85' Toyota Celica GTS Coupe - $2000 - Yes or No?

[korge]

So there is a guy who selling this thing and here is what I know about it..

manual, new clutch pressure plate etc, no rust, 14k miles on new 2.2l engine, old engine is in pieces in the trunk, interior is CLEEN, runs good, 35 city mpg, mismatched paint, but body is in good condition.

Im currently in college and will start work soon, but I need a car, and I dont know if I should pass on this one. I need a car and my friend had the exact same one, but a hatch and he said its so fun to drive. So, yes or no?

Here is the best pic i could find on the web. It looks identical, BUT the one he has has wider radials with good rims, and the body package with the fender flares. It has a pretty wicked stance for a car this small.

[Koenigsegg_Rox]

I reckon that'd be a good buy, but the paint is kinda tasteless

[t3ice]

wow manual, and no rust?...thats sweet. These days the hardest thing is to find a manual car in good condition..for $2000.

Why exactly did he replace the engine?... hope its not because of an accident.

[boganbusman]

I'm ready to say 'buy' but you haven't said how much it is

[Koenigsegg_Rox]

Perhaps look in the title and you'll find the answer...

[boganbusman]

Oh yeah Well done me.

Buy it.

[jacoja06]

Hell yes... go for it. Sounds like its in much better condition then my Celica (for a similar price). Plus this one is RWD, not FWD.

[xHaZxMaTx]

Oh yeah Well done me.

I thought you were being sarcastic. Well done you.

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. Though, just because the engine and body are in good shape doesn't mean the rest of the car is.

[boganbusman]

Oh yeah Well done me.

I thought you were being sarcastic. Well done you.

I don't get it

just because the engine and body are in good shape doesn't mean the rest of the car is.

Doesn't matter, it's a Toyota. If the engine works, the rest of the car will follow suit

[steelsnake00]

Doesn't matter, it's a Toyota. If the engine works, the rest of the car will follow suit

Far from the truth. Old Celicas are killer for under-body rust and suspention damage. I should know, I broke my mates

[boganbusman]

I was being slightly sarcastic, although korge did state that it was rust-free. Even if it's rusty it doesn't matter, rust doesn't stop a car from getting you around.

As for suspension damage, I'm not quite sure what you mean.

[steelsnake00]

As for suspension damage, I'm not quite sure what you mean.

Gen 4 Celicas in particular tend to suffer with tie rod end failures at their age, as well as the usual host of failed bushes and seized suspension bolts. Nothing too major for a 20 year old car but still.

[korge]

Just snapped some pics of the real thing. And no that isnt rust on the trunk, that is the paint wear. Hood and roof were primered and those wheels are stock. sorry, no pics of the interior. So with these pics in your head, still a yes? lol

[steelsnake00]

It looks like it's been sitting unused for a long time

[boganbusman]

As for suspension damage, I'm not quite sure what you mean.

Gen 4 Celicas in particular tend to suffer with tie rod end failures at their age, as well as the usual host of failed bushes and seized suspension bolts. Nothing too major for a 20 year old car but still.

That stuff happens to every car.
Tie-rod ends don't really fail, they just wear out. If you leave a worn rod end for too long and it fails, then you're not getting your car serviced properly. Same with bushes.
Seized bolts comes down to climate more than anything. My car is also 20 years old but I am yet to encounter any bolts that were stuck. I know in the UK you guys get a lot of rust, so you may encounter that problem more than others.


Anyway, I think the car looks ok. Just make sure that it runs well (hot + cold) and that the tranny is reasonably smooth with no strange noises. Take it over some bumps too and check for any clunking etc.
I wouldn't be too fussy with it, but try to knock him down because it needs paint.

[Koenigsegg_Rox]

If you leave a worn rod end for too long and it fails, then you're not getting your car serviced properly. Same with bushes.

If it wasn't for "then you're not gettting you car serviced properly", that sentence would be kind wrong, if you know what I mean....(Just me? ok....)

[Stereo]

Don't expect to pick up chicks in that car.

[FOREVER_LIVERPOOL]

Well I would never ever buy that thing at all cos look at it- its all boring.

[steelsnake00]

Well I would never ever buy that thing at all cos look at it- its all boring.

And what do you drive, or realistically aspire to drive?

[Koenigsegg_Rox]

Well I would never ever buy that thing at all cos look at it- its all boring.

Well technically you could say that about my Skyline. I mean it's not exactly a looker. Do I care though? No. I love my Skyline cause it gets me from A to B and it drives beautifully while doing it.

[bluestreak908]

$2000 is a good deal- test drive it, if it works, buy it.

[nitroxx]

why not to buy (if it works )

[steelsnake00]

Bit late now