Friendly Help/Advise.

[NascarXprt]

i have a friend who is looking at getting a 93 Celica.this is what she asked me:Hey Cole, I have a quick question. There's a toyota convertable '93 celica for less than 4 thousand with less than 120 thousand miles on it. It's in great shape. Now I asked Matt (her brother) about it and he says not to get bc it's not a dependable car. He said that I should get something like a vw beetle...I said yuck. I really want a convertable and I don't want a two seater. I figured I could offer the dealership a little more than $3 thousand. Do you think that is a good buy? Or do you think I should continue to shop around? I have the money to get a new car but I don't want to bother. I want a cheap car that way I don't have to worry about car payments and such until I get a better paying job. Lots ppl suggest I get an suv but I don't want to pay for gas to cruise bc I promise I drive a lot and I like to speed too. So hit me back and let me know whatcha think. Appreciate it. Hope all is well with you! ~*** what should she look for?

[Mrizzle05]

first see what other celicas around the area go for.maybe spend the extra few bucks to get another shop to take a look at it... sometimes its worth it.if the motors good and trannys good then should be reliable for a DD.

[kevera]

I don't know.3 grand for a 93 and she needs it for a daily driver.I would keep looking.

[KNINE]

Sounds too good to be true, but I'm a skeptic. It might be worth letting a mechanic take a look at it. What can it hurt?

[northvibe]

have him check out, newcelica.org those guys will have more of a idea about how the engine and tranny run at higher miles. But that sounds about right price wise...depending on the condition of the body, convt. roof etc. my sable had 115k miles and it was 3 grand..thing never failed until my sister totalled it at 140k miles

[Petrucci914]

Doesn't think a Celica is dependable but then goes and recommends a VW Beetle? I'd first recommend that her brother stop smoking crack, then have him make an educated response. But 3 grand for that year......I dunno. I'd check the pricing. And also, getting an old convertible generally spells trouble........leaks, bad motors if it's electric, poor for winter (if used all year), etc.

[northvibe]

+1 to a vw bug...thats like saying go buy a used car from a destruction derby

[lovemyraffe]

3 grand seems kinda high for that car, but it also depends on what other similar cars are going for in the area.

[engineertwin2]

For the San Antonio area, a '93 Celica convertible with 120,000 miles and in 'good' condition should be worth approximately $3,960 through a private party sale.I would not say it's a deal, more like appropriately priced. This doesn't include any add ons other than the standard amenities that were included with the base model car.I can't speak to reliability but, again, it's appropriately priced.

[djb383]

Tell your friend 'not having car payments is the way to go' even after getting a better paying job.

[NascarXprt]

thanks for all the help guys! ill let her know bout what you all have said and suggested.