Celica GTR questions

[Fenix]

I'm looking at buying a '90 Celica GTR and wanted some oppinions on it by people who have a bit more knowledge about them than I. The price is a pretty decent $2999, but it doesn't have WOF/REG at the moment (seller says because they aren't using it at the moment, I've asked if he'll WOF it before purchase, and whether he'll get it AA-checked).

For starters, its a '90 with 185,000km, should I be worried about reliability. Judging from the fact that it has an AM/FM/tape radio, I imagine it hasn't been heavily modded... I've sent a few emails, and am waiting for more information on it.

It's a GTR 2l with 4-Wheel Steering and Electronic Computer-Controlled Suspension... Is the computer-controlled suspension a stock option on this model? I haven't been able to find any mention of it on a few Celica and 5th Gen forums. The information on the ad is kind of vague, and I've emailed about a page of questions, so hopefully I'll find out more from them.

All info is welcome!

[KinLoud]

For $3000 I'm sure you could find a better/later car. Don't bother buying the car without WOF or reg unless it costs half that price - there could be a number of things that could cost you.
The km's don't matter as much as the type of driving and how much servicing (oil, filter, cooling system) the car has had. If you bought that car new and drove it until it had 185,000km I am sure that you would feel that it was very reliable. If you bought the same car with 185,000km you probably would be a bit concerned about it's reliability for the first 10,000km... after that you would probably drive it around the world if you wanted
When you get a car - to maximise the chances of being reliable for a long time: change the oil and filter (genuine), air filter, cambelt and tensioners, water pump, and all radiator and heater hoses. Flush the radiator, and change gearbox oil/ tranmission fluid and filter. (from a price point of view it is best if you could do these things yourself).

Good luck with the car search.

Ken
Ham
021 408 863

[Fenix]

Yeah, I've been reading up a lot (still awake) and discovered much to my disappointment I'd been mistaken. GTR isn't the same as AllTrac although I've seen them mentioned as the same in a few places. AllTrac has a GTE (turbo) engine, and is 4wd; while the GTR only has a GE engine and is front... I guess I'll go back to my search.

[AJz]

yea thats tru dude, but in NZ we call em GT4's, the americans got alltracs, they also got pussy ass 5sfe ones. Our NZ new celicas are these 2.2 litre engines but thankfully we have jap ones which are 2lt.

i paid 2900 for mine and it was warrented, regoed, and had a check up.

Since then i have spent quite a bit fixing it up as sum things hav appeared that i didnt notice before. Mine is not 4ws, nor does it hav computer controlled susp.

just check the normal things, check its not rusting in the boot, common place in these model celicas, basically give it a good go over looking, and ask all the questions you can think of.

[BlakJak]

I sold my 3SFE powered 89 Celica for $2800 with 190,000 on it and a few minor niggles but nothing major. It had 4WS and factory stereo too, entirely stock.

For $3k i'd want it fully WOF'd, Reg'd, and have someone that _You_ trust to give you an accurate picture look it over. (AA check or similar, but something that you arrange if you cant fully trust the seller).

Other thing is - I sold mine 3 years ago. At that mileage i'd want to be haggling him down to closer to probably $2200 and thats assuming pretty damn good condition really...