Hi Scotty,
I found a 2000 standard Celica for sale that has been in storage and it's uninspected.
The owner says starts and runs well at 91k miles.
For $1600, should I risk not taking it to a mechanic first before someone else snatches it?
Should I look for anything commonly wrong in particular when I go look at it?
Thanks for your help! Love the new youtube shorts!
Todd
Which engine does it have?
Edit:
has been in storage for quite a while
starts easily..once the battery is charged...
exhaust is a little smokey but clears up.
a tapping noise is noticable
missing gas cover..front paint not so good
Engine in concern: 1ZZ-FE
For what it's worth, it's on Scotty's top 5 list of worst Toyota's. Scotty hits on the 2000 Celica at the 4:05 mark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCQxNzP8e3M
He mentions the 2ZZGE engine is made by yamaha, but was the 1ZZFE also bad? Going to go take a look at it in an hour
It's the GT, so I assume the 1ZZ-FE, but I've asked for this from the seller.
The seller also said this ...
It's been in storage for quite a while, starts easily..once the battery is charged... exhaust is a little smokey but clears up..a tapping noise is noticable...could be valves.?? Everything works ..missing gas cover..front paint not so good..see pics..not seeing rust..
I see "the seller said" a lot of times on this forum, describing what turned out to be a nightmare purchase. Test, inspect, verify - from the hood ornament to the title.
Those cars are notorious for blown head gaskets and downright engine failures. The most common issue is a knocking or tapping noise coming from the engine, and then owners note that the oil in the car just dissapears and the engine blows up. Sometimes piston rings etc. shortly the engine has a ton of problems
"a tapping noise is noticable...could be valves." This is a bad sign, problems are already occuring. I would avoid this car.
Should I look for anything commonly wrong in particular when I go look at it?
The things I put above
For $1600, should I risk not taking it to a mechanic first before someone else snatches it?
Its your money, put that would be the worst thing you can do at this point. Mechanical inspection or risk spending lots of money in repairs. THere is a reason this generation's cars are so cheap, because they all have problems.
The owner says starts and runs well at 91k miles.
The seller is deceptive, there is a list of problems that are common with these cars, and he claims its in good shape. You shouldn't trust his word, have a mechanic check it out.