Advice for a Newbie wishing to enter the world of the tasty

[iladio_morientes]

Hi, I have seen a 1995 Celica 2.0 Ltr I want to buy, not sure if its GT. The ad says that the car has 50,000 miles on the clock and its color is Azure. Is Azure a good color to have? ( will it fade ? hard to maintain?) and is 50000 miles on the clock too high for this car? Also what are the main things to look out for when buying a celica second hand ? hope you can help

[TheNissanMan]

Not sure on the azure, although Toyota paint is pretty good wearing, I have a red MR2, with red being one of the more difficult colours to maintain I am happy to say after 11 years the colour still looks good and have no probs maintaining...

Mind you in the few months I've had it she does get valeted twice a month so therefor washed, polished and waxed as required....

50k on a Toyota is nothing, she's only just been worn in as long as she's been looked after and serviced properly.

With Toyota's as with any car it isn't just the mileage that matters more how hardshe's been driven, how well shes been looked after etc. If she has been looked after you should have no problems with her at all...

Oh and welcome to the Toyota Owners Club :D

[iladio_morientes]

Thanks for the advice and the Welcome.

One thing, Are there any tell tale signs, when I switch on the engine to see if the cars been driven hard?

[TheNissanMan]

Not sure on the Celica's, I'm sure someone will post more advise this evening.

Obvious things to check, Oil, is it clean or does it have a load of cr@p in it, exhaust, does it sound ok or is it blowing, is the smoke an off colour coming out the back etc, standard things for any car.

Best thing to do is go out for a spin in the car see how she drives, how she sounds, find a flat road at 30mph let go of the wheel, does she pull to one side, try a faster empty road and try the breaks hard etc. Make sure you drive the car so she wamrs up first then try drive it a bit harder and see how she feels.

Alternatively get an appraisal done,if it's a serious seller he/she won't mind, think the RAC cost approx £150 in the UK, not cheap but definately worth the piece of mind.