Having a 97 Toyota Celica ST, I can say that the engines are very reliable. The main thing in my opinion is whether the car has been sitting for a while or has been driven constantly. The main reason for that concern is the valve stem seals. If the car sits for an extended period they will dry out thus causing oil consumption problems. Normally easily noticeable when the car is first started cold or during sudden acceleration. You will see blue smoke from the exhaust. My advice besides test driving the vehicle is to see if the current owner has the service history for the car. Proper maintenance is key for any vehicle. Check all fluids and make sure the oil looks good and their is no milkiness to it which could show sign of a blown head gasket. Allow the car to get to proper running temp and make sure the fans kick on and it idles okay. Look at the front rotors if the rims on it can be easily seen through and see if the surface of them looks really wavy or torn up. In an effort to keep this from being long and drawn out, just check everything on it and I would recommend checking around the wheel wells for rust. 6th gens are great cars and getting hard to find, if you do get one. Enjoy it!!

 

Thx for the response ShadowGriever. I'll of course check "everything" but the main purpose was to identify some problems that happen on a "regular" basis with 6th gens.

about the wavy / torn up front rotors, if it has them, what does it tell me? Disalignment, or just need a replacement? I have some knowledge with cars, but further than doing check-up's & standard repairs on my mom's car (Ford Focus) I don't know a thing.

Also, and this might seem dumb, but maybe a translation problem, you said "make sure the fans kick on", you mean the radiator, when car is getting on running temp, right?

 

The main "regular" basis issue that I know of with the celica's is the valve stem seals that I mentioned before. As far as the rotors, it ties in with the maintenance deal and a lot of times the brakes are overlooked by people checking out cars. If they were damaged you would just have to replace them.
Sorry for not being clear about the fans. Yeah, I was talking about the radiator cooling fans. Either way, sorry about misunderstanding your original question. Good luck with the car!

 

Alright, thx for all the info & clarifications. :-D
This & next week I'm gonna check out multiple Celicas in the neighbourhood (20 mile radius has around 4-5 for sale) so I should find something that's good enough. :-D

I'll add the tips that you said to my checklist.

And I'll ofcourse keep you guys up to date with how the sales are going.


PS: you don't know how good I am in English, so no problem with "not being clear", lol, you helped, that's the point ;-)

 

Today or tomorrow I'm going to check out this car: Toyota celica - Te koop | 2dehands.be

I know the website is in Dutch (obviously) but my question is if anyone can see something on the pictures that I have to watch out for. I don't notice anything right away.
Maybe I'm too precautious but it's my first car & celica IS my dreamcar so I want it to be perfect (or at least, in a reasonably good condition).

It has 200000km (+- 120K miles), 7A-FE engine, July 1994.