CloudStrife's AE88
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 2:00 pm
Hey guys,
I am new to the 4AG community. I'm actually pretty new to Toyotas as well. I had a Previa which I lived out of for 3-4 months and a 5th gen Celica which I loved but the motor was too unreliable; I love the Castrol celicas. I'm coming from 90's Mazdas, as I was getting upset at the failure rate and the lack of quality parts inventory for anything non-OEM. Basically if you don't have an Rx-7/miata you won't get very far..
Anyway, one day I guy had a GTS hatch for sale in the middle of nowhere Florida outside his trailer for a decent asking price. I test drove it and around the backroads and was just laughing at how enjoyable the car was to drive--and the 4AG was like angel trumpets .
I couldn't stop thinking about the car and ended up buying it for $4500. It is a good deal for a stock GTS hatch, especially around here in FL where cars are horribly abused and uncared for.
Some pics:
The issues right now are mostly leaks (Engine oil, Trans, Center shaft??), and old a** parts.
-Stock suspension up front with Tokicko blues that are blown. Needs full refresh.
-All bushings worn
-High pitched whine coming from engine bay at cruising speeds/ high RPM.
-IAC/TPS issue (IAC is more than likely bad/needs to be cleaned, car will only run with TPS unplugged or else it will die after turning over)
-Torn boots with possible leaking rack (would like to upgrade to manual rack as P/S is wayyy too loose at highway speeds, very scary).
-Exhaust leak at first pipe after header (unknown header, broken connecting pipe that houses the bottom O2 sensor. Initially ghetto fixed with soda can, exhaust tape and worm clamps. had ordered a Pacesetter exhaust but they are garbage and returning them. Hoping to weld the pipe that is broken with a straight piece as I have a catless exhaust anyway).
-Fourth gear synchro is toast. Have a full synchro set and hopefully going to have a shop swap them out and reseal all tranny gaskets with compound (heard the OEM gaskets are cardboard thin and useless).
-Needs a good deal of body work. The most important is the front radiator support is crushed in. I can buy a new top replacement (the thin part you see when looking down at the engine bay), but will need the right/left and bottom rad supports. No parts cars or junkyards here so hopefully Clubg4AG will come through )
Interior is pretty decent except the front seat wobbles (Americans are so rough with interiors..) and the bladder for the lumbar support I believe is broken since it is very uncomfortable there. Took me ages to realize what the pump control was for lol.
Everything else is pretty much B/S. Just refreshing stuff. I have a whole garage full of parts and will be figuring everything out soon.
I love this car, and I can't remember the last time owning a car was so enjoyable. Updates to follow
I am new to the 4AG community. I'm actually pretty new to Toyotas as well. I had a Previa which I lived out of for 3-4 months and a 5th gen Celica which I loved but the motor was too unreliable; I love the Castrol celicas. I'm coming from 90's Mazdas, as I was getting upset at the failure rate and the lack of quality parts inventory for anything non-OEM. Basically if you don't have an Rx-7/miata you won't get very far..
Anyway, one day I guy had a GTS hatch for sale in the middle of nowhere Florida outside his trailer for a decent asking price. I test drove it and around the backroads and was just laughing at how enjoyable the car was to drive--and the 4AG was like angel trumpets .
I couldn't stop thinking about the car and ended up buying it for $4500. It is a good deal for a stock GTS hatch, especially around here in FL where cars are horribly abused and uncared for.
Some pics:
The issues right now are mostly leaks (Engine oil, Trans, Center shaft??), and old a** parts.
-Stock suspension up front with Tokicko blues that are blown. Needs full refresh.
-All bushings worn
-High pitched whine coming from engine bay at cruising speeds/ high RPM.
-IAC/TPS issue (IAC is more than likely bad/needs to be cleaned, car will only run with TPS unplugged or else it will die after turning over)
-Torn boots with possible leaking rack (would like to upgrade to manual rack as P/S is wayyy too loose at highway speeds, very scary).
-Exhaust leak at first pipe after header (unknown header, broken connecting pipe that houses the bottom O2 sensor. Initially ghetto fixed with soda can, exhaust tape and worm clamps. had ordered a Pacesetter exhaust but they are garbage and returning them. Hoping to weld the pipe that is broken with a straight piece as I have a catless exhaust anyway).
-Fourth gear synchro is toast. Have a full synchro set and hopefully going to have a shop swap them out and reseal all tranny gaskets with compound (heard the OEM gaskets are cardboard thin and useless).
-Needs a good deal of body work. The most important is the front radiator support is crushed in. I can buy a new top replacement (the thin part you see when looking down at the engine bay), but will need the right/left and bottom rad supports. No parts cars or junkyards here so hopefully Clubg4AG will come through )
Interior is pretty decent except the front seat wobbles (Americans are so rough with interiors..) and the bladder for the lumbar support I believe is broken since it is very uncomfortable there. Took me ages to realize what the pump control was for lol.
Everything else is pretty much B/S. Just refreshing stuff. I have a whole garage full of parts and will be figuring everything out soon.
I love this car, and I can't remember the last time owning a car was so enjoyable. Updates to follow