1994 Toyota Celica GT, for sale by owner. Manual transmission! This has got to be one of the better-preserved 6th generation Celicas in the western U.S. It hugs the road and is so fun to drive! It was assembled in Japan and has been very reliable for me over many years. Now it's time for someone else to enjoy it!
Features of THIS 1994 Toyota Celica GT Liftback:
- The GT has the bigger 2.2 liter 5S-FE engine. It has 4 cylinders and 16 valves.
- 5-speed manual transmission. When checking other listings online, you will notice that the vast majority of 6th generation Celicas for sale are automatic transmission. With a sports car like this, I definitely prefer having the control that a manual transmission offers.
- Has just a bit over 177,000 miles. Importantly, these were not rough miles. I drove it sensibly.
- Gets around 27 mpg highway, and just a few miles less per gallon around town.
- The air conditioning has always worked well. It has never needed any maintenance.
- The cruise control has always worked fine.
- Has "lived" in a dry, high-desert climate, so there are no rust/rot issues (underneath, etc.) from excessive moisture, winter road salt corrosion, etc.
- Never been in a wreck (not even a fender bender) nor had airbags deployed. Always (and currently) insured, but never had to file a claim on anything. No engine or muffler modifications. Always idled and ran smoothly over the years. Uses very little engine oil (just add a little, approx. halfway between oil changes).
- For Liftback Celicas, there was an optional "Sport Package" including sport suspension, sport seats, etc., and this car came with it. It also has the optional rear spoiler.
- Has disc brakes on all 4 wheels, and includes the optional ABS.
- Upgraded to 16” alloy wheels and Falken Pro G4 A/S tires, installed approx. 28,000 miles ago. Good amount of tread remains (partly because of my calm driving). These tires are highly-rated, and include free flat-repair and balancing, and a 65,000 mile warranty (receipts in glovebox). The original 15” steel wheels have been stored here (and the original gray covers and lug nuts) which you may of course take with you. IMO, the look of the new wheels is a big improvement (the design and the larger diameter) and because the Falkens are a bit lower profile, the combined diameter of the wheel/tire is the same as OEM, so the speedometer is still accurate, etc.
- Body panels are all original, and in very good shape, with only a small normal amount of pebble nicks on the front paint (barely noticeable) with a very minor door ding or two, and no dents. Original white paint is in great shape.
- Glass is all original (stamp showing in the corner on each piece). Windows are not tinted, so you could choose the darkness level of tint, or leave it original. As expected, there are a few little rock chips in the windshield, but no cracking.
- Original interior, mostly black/charcoal colors, in good shape, with some wear on driver’s armrest and the shifter knob. Came with attractive “sport seats". In addition to forward/back, you can adjust the lumbar area and height of the front seat. The fabric of the front and back seats is weaved and durable, but gradually over the years has developed a little color fading on tops from sunshine.
- OEM stereo system has 6 speakers and sounds really good (you can adjust the built-in EQ). OEM CD player works fine. Even has the OEM cassette player :). The radio works, but the power antenna will no longer raise, so the reception is not so good unless you manually raise the antenna at least partially up (I've been meaning to look into a replacement or a modern low-profile antenna).
- The power windows, power mirrors, power door locks, and power sunroof all work (have always worked).
- One thing I like about the hardtop that this car has, is the power sunroof that can tilt or retract into the roof. The convertible Celicas obviously do not have this.
- No electrical issues, past or present.
- Original metal key for ignition, doors, and liftback (with Toyota symbol stamped into it) and two generic copies. Original owner’s manual is in excellent condition (in the glove box).
- This car was assembled in Japan (VIN number begins with J).
Maintenance / repair history:
If you have not already, please see the Gallery page for photos.
- Oil and filter changed regularly, always with the recommended 10W-30 (switched to “Castrol High Mileage” starting around 80,000 miles). Included Z-MAX micro-lubricant several times over the years. No other oil additives were ever added.
- CV axles/joints/boots replaced (approx 80,000 miles ago).
- Oxygen sensor replaced with OEM one (approx 40,000 miles ago).
- Coolant temp sensor replaced with OEM one (approx 40,000 miles ago).
- Transmission fluid changed (approx 40,000 miles ago).
- Spark plugs replaced with OEM ones (approx 40,000 miles ago).
- Serpentine belts replaced (approx 35,000 miles ago).
- Fuel injectors were cleaned (approx 20,000 miles ago).
- Front disc brake pads were replaced (approx 15,000 miles ago). The rear disc pads were replaced longer ago. All still have lots of life in them.
- Ignition coil replaced (it's attached to the distributor) approx 2,000 miles ago.
- Spark plug wires (the blue ones, NGK, OEM fit, made in Japan) were replaced very recently.
- New radiator and hoses, a few hundred miles ago. (The previous radiator had been flushed years earlier, but finally gave out.)
- Fuel pump was replaced very recently (but now the fuel gauge is not working).
- Battery replaced recently.
- Valve cover gasket replaced (very recently) simply because of gradual, minor oil leaking from that area in recent years.
- Brake fluid flushed and replaced (very recently).
- Clutch master cylinder and entire system flushed and replaced several times until completely clean (very recently).
If you have not already, please see the Gallery page for photos.
Terms of Sale
Price: $8,900
Having run a small business, I am familiar with fraudulent payment scams. To protect both seller and buyer, here is how my bank has advised me to sell this car.
Note: I am a resident of Utah, and if the buyer is too, the process of transferring title is easy. Here is a link to the Utah DMV with the info:
https://dmv.utah.gov/titles/transfer-utah-title
If you are a resident of another state, I recommend going to your state's DMV website and reading about the steps of transferring an out-of-state title, just to make sure we would take care of any necessary details while you are here.
Having run a small business, I am familiar with fraudulent payment scams. To protect both seller and buyer, here is how my bank has advised me to sell this car.
- First you would come to my city (in Utah) to inspect and test-drive this Celica, and it would be sensible to take it to a mechanic of your choice here to verify the condition of the engine, power train, etc.
- If you decide to buy it, we will both go to my bank (Wells Fargo). If you use a different bank, we can go there if you prefer (assuming they have a branch in my city). You, I, and a banker will be together. You will pay cash for a Cashier's Check payable to me, hand it to me, and I will hand you the car title, a bill of sale (like a receipt), and the keys. Done.
Note: I am a resident of Utah, and if the buyer is too, the process of transferring title is easy. Here is a link to the Utah DMV with the info:
https://dmv.utah.gov/titles/transfer-utah-title
If you are a resident of another state, I recommend going to your state's DMV website and reading about the steps of transferring an out-of-state title, just to make sure we would take care of any necessary details while you are here.