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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2004
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newbie questions...
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Fri, 30 January 2004 05:18
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Gday, I'm looking to buy a 85-89 series celica sx, and wanted some help from the friendly (?) ppl here regarding different things to look out for/check up on when deciding between examples.
1. do all 85-89 celica sx's have the 3S-GE engine? if not, which year range have it and which dont?
2. how do u tell what the engine of the car is? I assume that there must be engine identifier plates etc...where would they be located?
3. is there any particular areas whether mechanically, or in regards to the body or interior, that I should check carefully before purchasing?
4. in regards to the performance of the car...what are some benchmarks that I can use to tell if a particular example is good? Especially examples that have not been modified.
Help would be much appreciated 
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
December 2003
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Re: newbie questions...
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Fri, 30 January 2004 07:16
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okay, u can tell if its a 3sge by lookin at the plate on the left side of the car, just obove the back of the bonnet, also by lookin at the timing gear cover on the right side of the engine-says 3SGE in big letters. The SX (think only liftback came as SX) were the 3sge, otherwise they had a 3sfe
Things to look for, well the usual sorta things...rust spots, bogged up areas (take a thin fridge magnet with ya), fukt interior, see how the gearbox works, crunchin n grindin etc. look for oil leaks or any fluid leaks, shocks n shit like that, oh and make sure it comes with a roadworthy. If in doubt get an RACV or equivilant to check it
Hope this helps
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2004
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2004
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Re: newbie questions...
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Fri, 30 January 2004 09:45
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I don't know if the seller will be happy if you start hitting the rev limiter or redline in their car. If you've got a compression gauge you can check the condition of the engine to some degree. Otherwise take it to a mechanic you know - get them to do compression check. If that's too much take a friend and get them to stand outside and check for smoke on 1. hard launch into 2nd (tells you if rings are worn) and 2. after idling for a minute or so on take off (checks condition of valve stem seals). After driving a few you should be able to tell if the engine is in good nick. And the usual shit as mentioned by StuC, check for CV joint noise on turns etc. all the best
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Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
April 2003
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Re: newbie questions...
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Fri, 30 January 2004 10:12
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mate I don't know if you are in Sydney or not but I would be happy for you to come and look at mine anytime and I could go over a few of the common faults and point out a few things anytime you wanted.
anyway, your questions
Gday, I'm looking to buy a 85-89 series celica sx
Nice choice bro. These are very tough and fun cars, but I am biased of course 
1. do all 85-89 celica sx's have the 3S-GE engine? if not, which year range have it and which dont?
not at all. the STs not to be confused with the SXs have the 3sfes though there have been conversions etc. Check the engine anyway, but the STs with the Fe engines in them also have 4 stud wheels as opposed to 5 (easy identifier)
. how do u tell what the engine of the car is? I assume that there must be engine identifier plates etc...where would they be located?
yep, just on the timing belt cover the engine code is written. DON'T buy and FE, you will hate it in comparison to the GE especially when the prices are so similar these days. The FE has a narrower "economy" head too
3. is there any particular areas whether mechanically, or in regards to the body or interior, that I should check carefully before purchasing?
Aside from all the obvious stuff like cv boots clicking on full lock, door sill rust oil, water etc etc etc, and what all the other dudes have said here... check the carpet in the corners of the boot, often the rear lights leak and there is rust on the boot floor.
Sunroof of course if applicable. Check for power steering pump leaks - common on these cars (relatively). Also the synchros on the gear box if manual are prone to wear at about the 200k mark if not rebuilt. Try some quick 1st -2nd - 3rd changes and get a feel for how the gearbox moves about.
Also in the interior pull on the (driver's side esp) hand grip on the door trim. Bit of a design flaw by toyota, but it often rips.
The motors are awesomely tough I have discovered  (not always on purpose though) There may be some leakage out of where the distributor mounts onto the head. Usually this is just an o-ring so don't panic about that but check all other areas.
When I bought my car the driver's clutch master cylinder was leaking inside the firewall. No biggy, but thought i better mention it. You may as well grab a torch and check it out.
4. in regards to the performance of the car...what are some benchmarks that I can use to tell if a particular example is good? Especially examples that have not been modified.
Not sure what you mean exactly here? A "benchmark" for a standard car? Well they do approx 70kw at the wheels stock.
thus endeth the essay 
[Updated on: Fri, 30 January 2004 10:14]
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2004
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Re: newbie questions...
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Fri, 30 January 2004 12:45
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Man thanks for all that info Rob  That is really helpful. I'm in Sydney yeah although I live down south which is pretty far from Epping unfortunately. But all the same i think i will do a much better job looking for a decent celica after getting everyone's input which is awesome.
So what do u think of the car so far? How long have u had it for? Seeing that there will be of course problems when it comes to 2nd hand cars, are there many things that u found need to be replaced and are they normally what needs attention? Are repairs and parts expensive so far? I guess what Im asking is whether or not I can buy one in reasonably good condition and expect to drive it around no worries for another year or so before shit starts happening, and money needs to be spent on this and that...
Thanks.
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