My 88 celica gt needs some work...

[CelicaGT5]

I recently bought an 88 celica gt for my get around car. I stumbled across this site and I was wondering if some of you geniuses could help me with a couple things. First, I am in need of a new starter and that shouldnt be too much of a problem but I was wondering what the general consensus was about junkyard starters. I was thinking that route because they would be inexpensive but is there some taboo that I should know about??
Second, my largest concern is with some hesitation that the car has. I will drive it and it will just sputter on me. It doesnt happen very often though. The strange thing is the car starts very well(despite needing a new starter). I have not got it timed yet...does anyone think that that could be the problem. Also, whenever it tries to cut out it poofs something out of the exhaust. Speaking of the exhaust, I put a new one on and the problem seemed to go away for the longest time. Lately it has been getting worse.
My last questions is what the typical gas milage sould be because I only get like 20... I expected a lot better. Then again because of the poofing I wonder if its not running rich or something...
Thanks

[Pineapple]

Get a rebuild starter, cheaper then new and more reliable then junk parts. You're gambling on junk part.
Do a tune up. Check all electrical, ignition, vaccum hose, O2 sensor etc. Pull engine code to see if it show anything.

[CelicaGT5]

Thanks for the advice. I was still wondering about the gas milage though....Does anyone else have an 88 celica gt? What kind of milage do you get? Also when it hesitates, the engine light flickers on and off.

[silverstreakin]

pull the codes on it. i generally get around 27. its hard for me to keep my plugs clean due to it burning so much oil at high revvs. never had mine hesitate. i keep my timing at 13 degrees and run 93 all the time.

check the codes on it and let us know what it is

[fredk]

check out the big rubber tube from the air filter to the motor for holes and cracks and tightness of the clamps mine got a weather crack in it and it ran like crap

[NinjaFresh]

I usually get around 25-27mpg, but then again I rag the shit out of 88' Gt. I'm new to the whole car biz, but I'm trying to learn. Right now I'm saving up for a new motor, tranny, struts, ect...