Thinking about buying 86 Celica

[Bubba]

I was looking through the paper today and found an 86 Celica. Didnt say how much it was or anything, it was at a toyota dealership. It was a trade in, with only 95k on the clock. This thing is CLEAN! I mean this thing is perfect all the way around. Its an automatic and its a quite strong car. But here are the doozies. When the salesman fired it up, it smoked a little bit. Oil smoke. I figured since it had such low miles and had been sittin for a long time...it was just the seals...no problem at all really. Here is yet another doozie. The place wanted 3900 for it. I found that a bit pricey for a 20 y/o car. I forgot to say it was a GT hatchback. I also got on NADA and the car is only worth 2175 high retail. But it looks so clean and so nice. I cant say that enough. I didnt see any oil or anything on it. Most of the engine compartment looked brand new. What kind of motor is in this car? What are the specs on it like 0-60 and hp? I am really considering this car. It will also be my first car. Should I just slam the value of the car on the table and say Ill take this much for it? Any valueable information is very appreciated. I would also like to know common problems with this car and how reliable it is.

[Tommy]

laugh in there faces...$3900 is WAY too high for that car. its a GT, so its got the small motor, 3SFE, figure 0-60 in the 13-14's, hp is 115.

3sfe's are pretty common with bad valve seals, they like to smoke a good bit on startup, expecially if they have been sitting awhile, so i wouldnt worry about that too much. but you do have to worry about the tranny, the auto tranny connected to the 3SFE in both the camry and the celica isnt exactly strong, and i have seen MANY of them die, including my own, and it was at only about 120K.

I wouldnt offer more than $2000 on it, print the blue book page and bring that and laugh at them for wanting $4000 for a 20year old celica.

btw, where abouts in SC are you? Im in the Rock Hill/Fort Mill area, about 10min south of charlotte.

[Bubba]

I did laugh in the guys face. The car is in the trade in lot at the Toyota Center. Most everything there is WAY over priced. Could I possibly do a auto to manual conversion? How hard will that be? I dont mind doing the conversion if it isnt all that bad difficult. How much would it cost to get the auto tranny rebuilt? Thanks alot for the info.


Oh and Im in Jenkinsville...about 20 miles north of columbia.