1986 Celica ST 2.0L SOHC 2S-E Model 21 65K Opinion wanted on purchase/vehicle

[Alexander Hill]

I just purchased a 1986 Toyota Celica model ST coupe model 21 65K with front wheel drive and manual transmission and a fuel injected 2.0 liter single overhead cam engine # 2S-E. It has 114,000 original miles on it. It was purchased from the original owners who were in their late 60's. It came with the original window sticker. Power front disc brakes, power rack and pinion steering, ac, electric rear window defrost, electronic fuel injection engine, 5 speed overdrive transmission, fully independent suspension, reclining cloth bucket seats with memory ( what is that?), center console, intermittent wipers, remote trunk and fuel door release. The car is undented, and has been repainted since the original red paint was faded. The car has been undercoated since new and is not rusted. The car runs like new. I had to pay $2800. (book value) for it. I purchased it since I needed a reliable car for my son to take to college for his freshman year. I was hoping to find a car that will last a long time and not need lots of work. Is this engine a reliable engine that will be able to go 200,000 - 300,000 miles? The car has had the timing belt, water pump, tensioner and 2 other belts replaced at 102k and two new front axles at 106K miles. It has had a new brake light switch replaced at 109k at a cost of $200.( I don't know why they were charged $180. labor?) I received 2 new struts and 1 new shock (all monroe manufacture) 1 shock was already installed. The other 3 parts were not. Did I pay too much for this car? Is this a great reliable Toyota? I was told that this engine was one of the best that Toyota ever made. Please give your opinion on this purchase. I think the car will need a few repairs this summer before it is driven on trips. It has a small oil leak and by the time my son learns how to drive a 5 speed manual shift I hope it doesn't need a clutch. It has a lously am-fm original analog radio. I will have to replace that. Interior is nice with a small stain on the drivers seat. No rips or wear on the interior other than a small crack on the dash board near the openings for the defrost air. Please let me know your opinions. I can post pictures if I can figure out how to do that. Thanks for your replies.

[MR2Jedi]

Sounds like decent deal to me. Are you sure about the engine? I'm not familiar with a 2.0 litr engine with that engine code.
All in all, these are great cars. A compression check will reveal much about the engines' health.
114K miles is relatively low. You shouls get ate least another 100k miles out of it-if not more.

[Alexander Hill]

Thanks for your prompt reply. The engine is a 2.0 liter engine that they only used for one year on the 1986 Celica ST coupe. It is a model 2S-E and they used it on camrys also. I haven't done a compression check. I should have done one before I purchased it. I hope it has got good compression on all four cylinders. I figured if the car lasted my son for at least 4 years of college that it was worth $2800. The car has held its value well. I am going to put in new plugs and cap, rotor and wires. Should I use the plugs the owners manual says to use or should I use platinum plugs to last longer. They list Nippondenso # W16EXR-U11 or NGK # BPR5EY11. Which plug do you reccommend? The other engine for this year is the 3S-GE which was used on the better models of celicas. They don't show that the valves are adjustable on the 2S-E engine and that the 3S-GE did have adjustable valves and used platinum plugs. Can the valves be adjusted on the 2S-E and can I use the platinum plugs? Thanks for your reply.Russell

[MR2Jedi]

Platinum plugs of either of those brands are fine. Just stay away from Bosche.
Like I said above, I'm not familiar with that engine, so i don't know about how valve adjustment is accomplished.
I beliieve most on the over head cam engines in the 4 cylinder class use shimmed lifters. After measuring valve clearance, you change out the old shims with new thickness shims to achieve the proper clearance.
There are others here who are more familiar with this engine and can answer your questions. Hopefully, they will chime in.