Celica, still the best cheap coupe?

[Turn7]

Had my 04 140 for 5 years now. As others have said, it ticks a lot of boxes, but isnt exceptional in any way really.

That said, it looks ok and is an ok drive.

Mine has full main dealer history until I bought it and has been to a good indy every year since. Its not cost me anything other than consumables, altho it is having a new rad fitted on Thursday as its leaking badly.

Ive never known a car to keep its oil so clean. Annual service time and the oil is still a goldy colour.

Bootlid struts are a pita and need swapping out if yuo dont want to wear the large bootlid every time you get the shopping out.

The alloys regularly look theyve just come up out of a 25 year stint under the sea.

Good all rounder and vfm if you find a nice one.

[EazyDuz]

Ill keep an eye out for either versions, as either would feel like a rocket coming from a 1.4 astra anyway.

[Track Rod]

I really like the 'box in mine, it's got a lovely, short, clicky action, I've never found it clunky or cumbersome.

Here's mine in Monaco

[Turn7]

Box is Ok but can waer the third gear synchro. Mines ok, but Im going to get the box oil changed as a precaution as I crash it on occasion.

[s m]

Quite a range of prices on these - had to look on to see how much the TRD Sport Ms were fetching
Always seemed the closest competitor to a DC2 on paper

[Turn7]

A DC2 at Celica money is likely to need a fair bit of work/dollar to get it to where it should be. They are cheap now and in the hands of the wrong people sadly.

[forzaminardi]

I found the gearbox on both mine to be very good. Short throw, positive action, mechanical-feeling. A bit notchy, perhaps, but not in an unpleasant way. Best-feeling gearbox I've regularly used outside of the S2000.

[s m]

Turn7 said:

A DC2 at Celica money is likely to need a fair bit of work/dollar to get it to where it should be. They are cheap now and in the hands of the wrong people sadly.

I was thinking more of the TRD Sport M version with 199bhp rather than the normal 190bhp version when I compared it to the Celica.

They do seem to be quite a bit more - I could see one up for just over 4k and another at over 7k.

[wemorgan]

Honda Prelude are also good value these days, though quite hard to find, especially a non-modified one.

Also, as are Saab 93 coupe.

Edited by wemorgan on Wednesday 20th January 10:22

[Petrol Only]

I enjoyed my couple years in a 190. Some of the best seats and driving position of any car. Decent boot for a coupe. Back seats are useable over shorter distances. Very reliable. My negatives were poor brakes and not the best gear box. Quite difficult to keep on cam.

I only sold it as had a company car on the way and fancied a 2 seater soft top.

In short go for it but don't bother with the 140 engine.

[C.A.R.]

I had a 190, but tested a 140 before deciding on the latter.

The 140 feels spritely and has the same good handling and seating position. My grandad has the same engine in his Avensis and it's knocking on 150k now - the longest he's ever kept a car. It was his company car and he's long since retired!

Mechanically you're safe post-facelift with the 140 engine. I've transported lots of things in the boot of mine, right up to a gigantic glazed screen for a hospital on the south coast - a pre-christmas delivery for work which we couldn't organise any other transport for! The Celica swallowed it up and I didn't even have to move my seat position.

I think day-to-day the 140s enjoy better mpg at cruising speeds too, due to the different ratios. The 190 is a peach, but it's not going to set the world on fire. There's a deliberate dip in torque which Toyota mapped in to emphasise the valve lift! Cheeky.

[s m]

Track Rod said:

I really like the 'box in mine, it's got a lovely, short, clicky action, I've never found it clunky or cumbersome.

Here's mine in Monaco

Lovely pic Track Rod


I see quite a few of these round here - both 140 and 190 versions

Here's an old article on the 140 version



















Quite impressive fuel economy even if it's not the quickest thing

[Mound Dawg]

s m said:

Quite impressive fuel economy even if it's not the quickest thing

I'm sold.

[s m]

Mound Dawg said:

s m said:

Quite impressive fuel economy even if it's not the quickest thing

I'm sold.

For some buyers it seems to be a concern especially at cheaper buy-in levels if you read the "What Car do I ......" threads

You don't often see a genuine recorded 40mpg for anything sporty

[carinaman]

s m thanks for all of your magazine image posts. Very informative.

I've never really considered these before as I've always found the styling 'challenging'.

What is the real world headlamp performance like on these?

[carinaman]

Track Rod said:

I really like the 'box in mine, it's got a lovely, short, clicky action, I've never found it clunky or cumbersome.

Here's mine in Monaco

Is there a little lever on each headlamp assembly so the headlamp suits LHD?

[CX53]

What are these like for a fun commuter? Wouldn't mind swapping the Swift Sport for something else as its SO loud from road/wind noise and sits at 4000 odd rpm at 70 so ever so slightly unbearable. Perhaps these are a bit easier to live with in that respect?

[forzaminardi]

CX53 said:

What are these like for a fun commuter? Wouldn't mind swapping the Swift Sport for something else as its SO loud from road/wind noise and sits at 4000 odd rpm at 70 so ever so slightly unbearable. Perhaps these are a bit easier to live with in that respect?

Pretty good, I'd say, great seats, good stereo, fairly quiet engine, road and wind noise when you're not pressing on. Try before you buy though as the interior can be a bit rattly now.

[Track Rod]

carinaman said:

Is there a little lever on each headlamp assembly so the headlamp suits LHD?

No, I used good old beam deflectors!

[s m]

Here's some stats for the 190 with an extra 50bhp