Celica TSport - Tell me I'm wrong
Discussion
I've recently bought an '03 Toyota Celica T-Sport 190 for a tidy £2500, & after being initially underwhelmed, particularly with the jap-spec interior (I've been driving recent European hatchbacks for the last few years) the car has finally shown a more characterful side- & it's left me wondering why these cars aren't more highly rated?
As far as I can tell, it's almost like a poor-mans Honda Integra Type R, minus the LSD. It's got similar power & weight, is more modern looking in it's styling, & with a few well chosen upgrades could be a good little budget PH hero!
The car certainly gets away from traffic lights well, has good agility through the twisty bits (my car thankfully is still on standard suspension with Conti tyres all around, which I'm sure helps the handling no end) & the engine just revs & revs, with the VVTi mechanism coming in cleanly over 6000rpm, much like it's Honda Counterpart. With an induction kit fitted, it has a nice low-down growl but really sings in the upper reaches of the rev range. Apart from the crap stereo, I've really not got anything to moan about- even real world fuel economy is proving to be reasonable! I just wish it wasn't black
Does anybody else have any experience with these cars? Does anybody own one? Would love to here your opinions!
As far as I can tell, it's almost like a poor-mans Honda Integra Type R, minus the LSD. It's got similar power & weight, is more modern looking in it's styling, & with a few well chosen upgrades could be a good little budget PH hero!
The car certainly gets away from traffic lights well, has good agility through the twisty bits (my car thankfully is still on standard suspension with Conti tyres all around, which I'm sure helps the handling no end) & the engine just revs & revs, with the VVTi mechanism coming in cleanly over 6000rpm, much like it's Honda Counterpart. With an induction kit fitted, it has a nice low-down growl but really sings in the upper reaches of the rev range. Apart from the crap stereo, I've really not got anything to moan about- even real world fuel economy is proving to be reasonable! I just wish it wasn't black
Does anybody else have any experience with these cars? Does anybody own one? Would love to here your opinions!
I've got an 04 140 which I've owned for the last four years .
Went for the 140 as I didn't fancy the revvy 190. Have had an integra in the past and wanted something a bit easier.
I think it's a good car for the money .
Mines (touchwood) never let me down, and only needed usual service items.
Boot lid struts could do with replacing but that's about it.
I've got a full set if Falkens on mine and handling is sharp and fairly neutral.
It's not the fastest a thing out there,but fun can be had.
Really don't know what I would replace it with.
Maybe a Scooby of some type ,and I'd love a DC5 if I could find one in the right condition/price bracket.
Went for the 140 as I didn't fancy the revvy 190. Have had an integra in the past and wanted something a bit easier.
I think it's a good car for the money .
Mines (touchwood) never let me down, and only needed usual service items.
Boot lid struts could do with replacing but that's about it.
I've got a full set if Falkens on mine and handling is sharp and fairly neutral.
It's not the fastest a thing out there,but fun can be had.
Really don't know what I would replace it with.
Maybe a Scooby of some type ,and I'd love a DC5 if I could find one in the right condition/price bracket.
Edited by Turn7 on Sunday 9th November 20:39
Used to have a t sport corolla with the same engine. They can be a pain to drive but rev forever!
Vvt comes in around 4.5k if I remember, its when the lift kicks in (vvtLi engine really) at 6.3k ish they go well. Sold it for peanuts to get an estate and wish I'd kept it for our second car as the ignis sport I've got now seems slow in comparison although handles better.
They might not be the most focused but they are pretty easy to live with.
Vvt comes in around 4.5k if I remember, its when the lift kicks in (vvtLi engine really) at 6.3k ish they go well. Sold it for peanuts to get an estate and wish I'd kept it for our second car as the ignis sport I've got now seems slow in comparison although handles better.
They might not be the most focused but they are pretty easy to live with.
I own a Thunder grey Celica T sport
I do feel they are a underrated car, they are not perfect in standard form, but their are upgrade/mods that can make them pretty capable.
A lot of owners on Celica Club tend to do the following:
Lowering springs (Apex or Eibach) or Coilovers( Meister-R, BC Racing, Tein)- Takes away the 4x4 ride height + makes the car handle better and feel more planted.
Tyres are important on these, Plenty of different 1's but avoid budget if you want the best handling for your celica.
Shortshifter and Brass gear link bushes. - I have the bushes in my Celica, makes the gearchange a lot more smoother precise, especially when warmed up a must do mod IMO.
Supercharger conversions £4k+ (se7en motorsport kit and the Blitz kit)
Plenty of other upgrades, skys your limit.
Edit:
Forgot Brakes, Some owners change to Avensis Diesel Front calipers and larger front discs or some go for wilwood 4 pots .
I do feel they are a underrated car, they are not perfect in standard form, but their are upgrade/mods that can make them pretty capable.
A lot of owners on Celica Club tend to do the following:
Lowering springs (Apex or Eibach) or Coilovers( Meister-R, BC Racing, Tein)- Takes away the 4x4 ride height + makes the car handle better and feel more planted.
Tyres are important on these, Plenty of different 1's but avoid budget if you want the best handling for your celica.
Shortshifter and Brass gear link bushes. - I have the bushes in my Celica, makes the gearchange a lot more smoother precise, especially when warmed up a must do mod IMO.
Supercharger conversions £4k+ (se7en motorsport kit and the Blitz kit)
Plenty of other upgrades, skys your limit.
Edit:
Forgot Brakes, Some owners change to Avensis Diesel Front calipers and larger front discs or some go for wilwood 4 pots .
Edited by 190bhp on Saturday 8th November 14:58
Edited by 190bhp on Saturday 8th November 18:12
dirty_dog said:
Sold it for peanuts to get an estate and wish I'd kept it for our second car as the ignis sport I've got now seems slow in comparison although handles better.
How dare you dis the amazing Ignis Sport!I went from an manual FTO GPX to the Ignis, so similar to 190 to ignis, and I do miss the overtaking grunt a little bit. Mostly just miss the awesome V6 roar from the FTO though. The Ignis is so much cheaper to run and arguably more fun on windy country roads. After 1500 miles of UK driving holiday (including various mountain routes and passes (snake pass in Peak District and Hardknott Pass in the Lakes) I was quite glad to have the Ignis and not the FTO.
Still like the look of this gen celica and would definitely consider a 190 if I needed a sensible(ish) car that could still be fun
Japveesix said:
How dare you dis the amazing Ignis Sport!
I went from an manual FTO GPX to the Ignis, so similar to 190 to ignis, and I do miss the overtaking grunt a little bit. Mostly just miss the awesome V6 roar from the FTO though. The Ignis is so much cheaper to run and arguably more fun on windy country roads. After 1500 miles of UK driving holiday (including various mountain routes and passes (snake pass in Peak District and Hardknott Pass in the Lakes) I was quite glad to have the Ignis and not the FTO.
Still like the look of this gen celica and would definitely consider a 190 if I needed a sensible(ish) car that could still be fun
No no I love the Ignis! Its asks for a good thrashing, handles well (rock hard says passengers), and is generally a giggle. Had mine with the seats down working on the house the past few months and it can fit plenty in due to the boxy shape. It doesn't do bad on fuel and apart from brakes and a battery etc when I bought it its been great so far. Different to my t sport but like them both. I went from an manual FTO GPX to the Ignis, so similar to 190 to ignis, and I do miss the overtaking grunt a little bit. Mostly just miss the awesome V6 roar from the FTO though. The Ignis is so much cheaper to run and arguably more fun on windy country roads. After 1500 miles of UK driving holiday (including various mountain routes and passes (snake pass in Peak District and Hardknott Pass in the Lakes) I was quite glad to have the Ignis and not the FTO.
Still like the look of this gen celica and would definitely consider a 190 if I needed a sensible(ish) car that could still be fun
Have to agree this celica is aging well!
I bought an 02 140 a few weeks ago.
It's a second car to save me driving the behemoth round town, to the garden centre etc.
It only cost just over £1k with 12 months MOT and I absolutely love it. The handling totally blew me away and the interior is quite a nice place to be (comfy seats).
It's a little gutless if I'm honest but that's about the only downside.
I took it to the midlands last weekend with the wife and granddaughter and, with one of the rear seats folded down, my bike and luggage too, so it's certainly practical. Scrubs up quite well too.
Even the boot struts work!
I'll be keeping this little car for quite some time I think...
It's a second car to save me driving the behemoth round town, to the garden centre etc.
It only cost just over £1k with 12 months MOT and I absolutely love it. The handling totally blew me away and the interior is quite a nice place to be (comfy seats).
It's a little gutless if I'm honest but that's about the only downside.
I took it to the midlands last weekend with the wife and granddaughter and, with one of the rear seats folded down, my bike and luggage too, so it's certainly practical. Scrubs up quite well too.
Even the boot struts work!
I'll be keeping this little car for quite some time I think...
I've had a 140 version which reminded me of a modern CRX to drive.
The 190 Vvtli engine we had in a 05 plate Corolla T sport.
Very dissapointing. Gutless with a very narrow power band which was only mildly entertaining and not a patch on decent Honda VTEC engines.
Poor build quality and component failures forced an early sale.
Toyota cut corners on build quality compared to the old days.
The 190 Vvtli engine we had in a 05 plate Corolla T sport.
Very dissapointing. Gutless with a very narrow power band which was only mildly entertaining and not a patch on decent Honda VTEC engines.
Poor build quality and component failures forced an early sale.
Toyota cut corners on build quality compared to the old days.
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