Toyota Celica - what are they like?
Discussion
I'm thinking about a Celica from c.2001 and was wondering what they're like.
I want a car to do trackdays and also do some European driving and trips up to Scotland etc.
How practical are they on the one hand and how exciting are they on the other?
Also, what's reliability like?
I know these may seem like very general questions but I like to keep my options open and I do like the idea of a Celica.
Cheers.
F
I want a car to do trackdays and also do some European driving and trips up to Scotland etc.
How practical are they on the one hand and how exciting are they on the other?
Also, what's reliability like?
I know these may seem like very general questions but I like to keep my options open and I do like the idea of a Celica.
Cheers.
F
I have a 2001 140bhp model. Check my profile for costs etc.
It has been faultlessly reliable in the 8 months I've owned it. Seriously, not a thing has gone wrong with it (touch wood). No squeaks, no rattles, no nothing. Interior quality is pretty good. Seats are slightly uncomfortable for me (5,8", average build). Boot space is great with split-fold rear seats. I have carried 2 large guitar amps, guitars and had space to spare. It is a very practical car to live with.
The only issues I've had are that it has used about 2.5 litres of oil in 4000 miles (no biggy) and the lacquer/paint on the alloys is peeling off - they look a right state. Despite the car having an "approved-used" Toyota warranty, neither the dealer nor Toyota are interested in repair/replacement of the alloys.
The car drives pretty well. For me, it's like a grown-up Mk1 MX5 - very similar, darty nature with plenty of grip and a need for more torque! Once the engine is on the boil (4k revs+) it is fairly quick, but it can be a bit frustrating from time to time when you just want a bit more shove. The steering is very precise and it's not noticeably fwd. The gearbox is pretty good, although somewhat oversprung from 1st to 2nd, which can lead to the odd fluffed change. Driving position is spot on. However, despite the earlier comparison, the Celica lacks the character of the MX5. It's a slightly anodyne car, lacking excitement. It is very far from being a bad car, but it is a trifle dull because it is so competent (which sounds like a churlish dismissal).
So in summary - reliable, practical, well-built, moderately quick car. It's easy to live with and can be fun on occasion, but is not the last word in excitement. I like mine and I will be keeping it for a little while, because it fulfils a lot of criteria that are important to me at the moment - quick enough (just), practical, cheap to run, but I will be looking for something quicker when the opportunity presents itself.
It has been faultlessly reliable in the 8 months I've owned it. Seriously, not a thing has gone wrong with it (touch wood). No squeaks, no rattles, no nothing. Interior quality is pretty good. Seats are slightly uncomfortable for me (5,8", average build). Boot space is great with split-fold rear seats. I have carried 2 large guitar amps, guitars and had space to spare. It is a very practical car to live with.
The only issues I've had are that it has used about 2.5 litres of oil in 4000 miles (no biggy) and the lacquer/paint on the alloys is peeling off - they look a right state. Despite the car having an "approved-used" Toyota warranty, neither the dealer nor Toyota are interested in repair/replacement of the alloys.
The car drives pretty well. For me, it's like a grown-up Mk1 MX5 - very similar, darty nature with plenty of grip and a need for more torque! Once the engine is on the boil (4k revs+) it is fairly quick, but it can be a bit frustrating from time to time when you just want a bit more shove. The steering is very precise and it's not noticeably fwd. The gearbox is pretty good, although somewhat oversprung from 1st to 2nd, which can lead to the odd fluffed change. Driving position is spot on. However, despite the earlier comparison, the Celica lacks the character of the MX5. It's a slightly anodyne car, lacking excitement. It is very far from being a bad car, but it is a trifle dull because it is so competent (which sounds like a churlish dismissal).
So in summary - reliable, practical, well-built, moderately quick car. It's easy to live with and can be fun on occasion, but is not the last word in excitement. I like mine and I will be keeping it for a little while, because it fulfils a lot of criteria that are important to me at the moment - quick enough (just), practical, cheap to run, but I will be looking for something quicker when the opportunity presents itself.
I used to have a 2001 140 also, it's a great wannabe sports car - I even took it on the track at Cadwell once.
But that's the crux, if you're a serious sports car driver you don't own a gen7 140 - or even the 190 version. They just aren't quick enough and don't handle well. Oh yes they handle better once the suspension and braking are uprated, but IMHO the gen6 GT4 is better for track use. I found the 7 a bit light and flighty. But then I didn't do all the work to it it probably needed.
The gen7 Celica is a superb sporty car that's very comfortable on long journeys, nipping in and around town, reasonably economical and has a bit of oomph when you need it.
Economical to run, own and parts are reasonable to. Test drive one and see what you think.
www.celica-club.co.uk will give you honest answers and answer any questions about ownership. Also what to look for when buying etc.
But that's the crux, if you're a serious sports car driver you don't own a gen7 140 - or even the 190 version. They just aren't quick enough and don't handle well. Oh yes they handle better once the suspension and braking are uprated, but IMHO the gen6 GT4 is better for track use. I found the 7 a bit light and flighty. But then I didn't do all the work to it it probably needed.
The gen7 Celica is a superb sporty car that's very comfortable on long journeys, nipping in and around town, reasonably economical and has a bit of oomph when you need it.
Economical to run, own and parts are reasonable to. Test drive one and see what you think.
www.celica-club.co.uk will give you honest answers and answer any questions about ownership. Also what to look for when buying etc.
Actually, probably perfect for Le Mans, it's fast enough to keep up with most things, handles well but is comfortable enough for long journeys.
Only you can decide if you like ti by test driving it really.
I would recommend the 190 over the 140 if you can though. General pootling the 190 is the same as a 140 and the economy and drive are the same, using the Lift (what the L is in VVT-LI) means that the extra power kicks in about 6300 rpm (if I remember correctly!).
Spares are pretty much the same as is servicing, insurance isn't much difference either.
Only you can decide if you like ti by test driving it really.
I would recommend the 190 over the 140 if you can though. General pootling the 190 is the same as a 140 and the economy and drive are the same, using the Lift (what the L is in VVT-LI) means that the extra power kicks in about 6300 rpm (if I remember correctly!).
Spares are pretty much the same as is servicing, insurance isn't much difference either.
bint said:
Actually, probably perfect for Le Mans, it's fast enough to keep up with most things, handles well but is comfortable enough for long journeys.
Only you can decide if you like ti by test driving it really.
I would recommend the 190 over the 140 if you can though. General pootling the 190 is the same as a 140 and the economy and drive are the same, using the Lift (what the L is in VVT-LI) means that the extra power kicks in about 6300 rpm (if I remember correctly!).
Spares are pretty much the same as is servicing, insurance isn't much difference either.
Insurance not too different? Hmm Only you can decide if you like ti by test driving it really.
I would recommend the 190 over the 140 if you can though. General pootling the 190 is the same as a 140 and the economy and drive are the same, using the Lift (what the L is in VVT-LI) means that the extra power kicks in about 6300 rpm (if I remember correctly!).
Spares are pretty much the same as is servicing, insurance isn't much difference either.
Thanks for that! 
Drove a friends 190 for about 100 motorway miles. I have a biased view as I like turbo cars, so I found it very gutless out of its power band. Its 6 speed box is nice but felt so close, even at motorway speeds going to 6th from 5th rpm dropped by only 500 or so. It really felt like it needed a 7th, but then when I went to put my foot down not allot happened, so dropped to 5th, not enough rpm to engage cams so dropped to 4th by which point said opportunity had passed just leaving me rather frustrated!
Lower down the gears, if give it beans in 1st and wait for the cams you change to 2nd and the drop in rpm is large enough that the cams don't yet some on so you can never keep 'on song'. Other than that nice engines with Toyotas decent engineering, seats as mentioned are a little bit uncomfortable but not too bad, and no more plastic than other jap cars.. Seem to remember something odd with the air con, but cannot remember now, I just badly missed the torque!
Lower down the gears, if give it beans in 1st and wait for the cams you change to 2nd and the drop in rpm is large enough that the cams don't yet some on so you can never keep 'on song'. Other than that nice engines with Toyotas decent engineering, seats as mentioned are a little bit uncomfortable but not too bad, and no more plastic than other jap cars.. Seem to remember something odd with the air con, but cannot remember now, I just badly missed the torque!
I've driven the 140 version.
They feel very planted on the road, grip levels and handling are good, a nice balanced chassis. However, my old AX GT could see one off.. they are not fast cars. 140bhp is BMW 318i kind of power! Frustrating and slightly embarrassing in a car dressed up as a serious sports car, one might feel.
I also couldn't get on with the box. I gave up trying to change gear and ended up taking on roundabouts in fourth! Not much fun in a car with as little torque as this.
They feel very planted on the road, grip levels and handling are good, a nice balanced chassis. However, my old AX GT could see one off.. they are not fast cars. 140bhp is BMW 318i kind of power! Frustrating and slightly embarrassing in a car dressed up as a serious sports car, one might feel.
I also couldn't get on with the box. I gave up trying to change gear and ended up taking on roundabouts in fourth! Not much fun in a car with as little torque as this.
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