Celica T Sport

Author
Discussion

Andy665

Original Poster:

3,599 posts

227 months

Sunday 17th May 2015
quotequote all
Dealer / trader I bought from was great - very open and honest, they have a very nice collection of their own cars and a nice, varied selection of cars for sale

Andy665

Original Poster:

3,599 posts

227 months

Sunday 17th May 2015
quotequote all
Work has commenced - I'm totally OCD about my cars condition so couldn't resist the temptation to start

First job was the headlights, passenger side was replaced several years ago so was not too bad, drivers side after 13 years and 116k miles was very very tired, pitted to hell and yellowed

Wet sanded and use of Megs Headlight Restoration kit got them both looking like new

Before


After


Decided to move on to the engine bay, honest is how I'd describe it - nothing missing apart from a few minor clips that will be ordered tomorrow but clearly never been shown any love. Auto Finesse Verso diluted 1:2 and plastics dressed with 303 has brought it up better than I expected

Before


After


Got the week after next off so will be continuing the work - full interior clean and paint correction with a bit of luck as well as starting the wheel refirb - nbot sure whether to go silver or graphite

Andy665

Original Poster:

3,599 posts

227 months

Thursday 21st May 2015
quotequote all
After collecting the Celica on Saturday I have been using it for its intended purpose - general duties so thought now is a good a time as any to note my initial thoughts

Firstly, whilst the doors do not shut with the solidity of a bank vault its clearly well made - certainly does not look or feel like its done 116k miles

Electrically everything is in perfect working order, even the climate blows ice cold

Few rattles that need sorting - rear parcel shelf and exhaust heat shield - nothing in comparison to the Clio at all

Leather is in great condition and only has a minor patch of scuffing on the drivers backrest bolster which has already been addressed

Main reason I bought the car was to sample first hand a Japaneses sporty coupe with an engine that needs to be worked hard so how it drives was important to me

Engine - absolutely the VVTL-i lump needs revving - the point at which the valve timing and lift change over (the lift being the main difference between 140 and 190bhp models) is at about 6200rpm and it certainly brings a smile to the face. Just like VTEC lumps though, its perfectly tractable and enjoyable below this phase

Gearbox - 6 speed box is an absolute delight, very short throw, precise and the clutch is wonderfully light after the Clio

Steering - typically Japanese thin rimmed wheel but again, its a delight, there is an immediacy to the response that is impossible to deliver by the latest electric systems and the responsiveness is clearly also helped by the low weight (1145kg - over 100kg lighter than the allegedly lightweight GT86), this is a car you can aim at a corner and it will go precisely where you point it

Ride / handling - again, really benefits from the low weight, grips extremely well, not got close to feeling the VSC spoil the fun and the ride whilst firm is a lot less crashy than the Clio

Overall I'm really impressed, I was initially a little concerned by the mileage but the combination of Toyota durability and a good history means it wears its miles incredibly well, feels at least as solid as my E36 328i Sport felt at similar miles and a lot more solid than the Boxster did at 80k

Its got all the fun of the Clio but is a little more sophisticated in the way it does things and certainly feels like a higher quality product

Think I may be keeping this one for a while

Edited by Andy665 on Thursday 21st May 11:45

BigTom85

1,927 posts

170 months

Thursday 21st May 2015
quotequote all
Looks great!

I've been looking out for a good condition sensibly priced 190 for a while locally, nothing.

The styling has improved with age on these, and I can't think of anything else that suits my needs better.

Whats the milage on this one if you don't mind me asking?

Andy665

Original Poster:

3,599 posts

227 months

Thursday 21st May 2015
quotequote all
BigTom85 said:
Looks great!

I've been looking out for a good condition sensibly priced 190 for a while locally, nothing.

The styling has improved with age on these, and I can't think of anything else that suits my needs better.

Whats the milage on this one if you don't mind me asking?
It will look better when spacers are fitted, wheels refurbished and I have machine polished it

Just under 117k on this one

I enjoyed my Clio 182 a lot but this does everything that could do but a little better - I think they are a sadly overlooked and underrated car

Joey Ramone

2,150 posts

124 months

Thursday 21st May 2015
quotequote all
If you've got the week off can I bring mine round for you to clean?

Andy665

Original Poster:

3,599 posts

227 months

Thursday 21st May 2015
quotequote all
With what I have planned for the Celica I'll have no time

Stonechips sorted on bonnet

Full machine polish + wax / sealant (not sure which yet)

Wheel refurb

Cleaning of all inner arches, cleaning of visible suspension parts etc

All seats out and interior deep cleaned

Least I do not have to go out for supplies






morgan-3rhfn

2 posts

106 months

Tuesday 26th May 2015
quotequote all
Look's good, I echo your thoughts on your review having just came from 3x 172 cups in a row and a Megane r26 in between as my track/weekend toys. I picked up my 75,000 T-sport in the same colour just over a week ago although it's a pre facelift and its going through a freshen up similar to yours. Mechanics first and then the shiny bits... I'm also OCD with my cars.

I'm interested to know where you found the centre caps having searched for a week now and came up with nothing.

Also to answer your question I would go for a gunmetal type colour on the wheels, mine has similar and they will be getting redone when the mechanics are up to spec.

Poor pic but It gives you an idea.



Lastly, how are you finding the cabin noise compared to the Clio's? Specifically from the rear? I'll hold judgement until my new tyres are on but I can see me replacing both rear wheel bearings to quieten things down. There's no signs of wear or roughness but they just sound quite droney which I have read is common.





thatguy11

640 posts

122 months

Tuesday 26th May 2015
quotequote all
morgan-3rhfn said:
I'm interested to know where you found the centre caps having searched for a week now and came up with nothing.

Also to answer your question I would go for a gunmetal type colour on the wheels, mine has similar and they will be getting redone when the mechanics are up to spec.
The centercaps for these Fondmetal wheels are like hen's teeth, searching for a week is nothing...I hunted for the best part of a year before a set popped up on ebay! But who knows, you might get lucky

Re: wheel refurbs I went for a charcoal finish, done by The Wheel Specialists. Fantastic job, 18 months later and they are still perfect condition. Gunmetal works really well with the Thunder Grey paint on yours



Andy665

Original Poster:

3,599 posts

227 months

Tuesday 26th May 2015
quotequote all
morgan-3rhfn said:
Look's good, I echo your thoughts on your review having just came from 3x 172 cups in a row and a Megane r26 in between as my track/weekend toys. I picked up my 75,000 T-sport in the same colour just over a week ago although it's a pre facelift and its going through a freshen up similar to yours. Mechanics first and then the shiny bits... I'm also OCD with my cars.
Mine was MOT'd before collection and it feels very taut and no strange noises so mechanically / suspension wise I'm leaving it as is for the time being.

Cleaned all the underside at the weekend and sprayed with Hammerite smooth black, will be coated with Bilt Hamber anti corrosion spray was too - if its good enough for oil rigs its good enough for underneath a car

From this


To this - not perfect but an improvement and its protected


morgan-3rhfn said:
I'm interested to know where you found the centre caps having searched for a week now and came up with nothing.
Stumbled across them on the Celica Club - £15 delivered, could not quite believe my luck, still in sealed bags - bought them before I had found the car


morgan-3rhfn said:
Also to answer your question I would go for a gunmetal type colour on the wheels, mine has similar and they will be getting redone when the mechanics are up to spec.
They look good in a dark colour but I found 4 GT Pro bright silver aerosols in the garage from my Jag wheel refurb so decided to stick with that

morgan-3rhfn said:
Lastly, how are you finding the cabin noise compared to the Clio's? Specifically from the rear? I'll hold judgement until my new tyres are on but I can see me replacing both rear wheel bearings to quieten things down. There's no signs of wear or roughness but they just sound quite droney which I have read is common.
Cabin noise is a bit of an issue - I have ordered 40 sheets of sound deadening material to line the boot floor, rear quarter panels, doors and under the rear seats with - consequence of the lightweight build I suppose, plus its not exactly long geared

mg cup

2 posts

106 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
quotequote all
Yours looks nice in that colour combo thatguy, having bought mine spur of the moment while looking for a cheap runaround I actually ended up with a good car. I just can't help myself but going through my cars with a fine tooth comb when I get them though which usually makes them into a not so cheap runaround. I do wish I had searched a bit more now and bought one with the 6 spoke wheels like yours.

As far as the centre caps I'm just going to rub these down and get a sticker stuck on and lacquered over, I don't think I'll find any in the timescale I'm going by.

Andy, just a word of warning on putting in more sound deadening, I read of a guy doing the same and it having little to no effect on the road noise. Said guy's next port of call was to take off the roof lining, carpet, front and rear door cards and get some in behind there to dull the noise.

I plan to remove all the plastics, fit some padding to the bottom and any contact points and secure them down by fitting riv nuts and bolts rather than the plastic clips. I also ordered a 900g boot carpet to hopefully dull things a bit.

I today have worked through this list which unearthed a loose spoiler and some trims loose. The spoiler studs had broken and weren't in great condition.

http://www.celica-club.co.uk/forum/index.php?/topi...

That's a marked improvement on the rear arches I might give mine a going over with a tin of stone chip if I can find a can kicking about. Your bilt hamber should do the job spot on.

How do you find that GT pro paint? I seen tins in a local motor factor and they're only £3 something + vat for a 500ml tin, I'm planning to use it for my primer and laquer during my refurb.

Andy665

Original Poster:

3,599 posts

227 months

Thursday 28th May 2015
quotequote all
Mg cup - some very good points

The GT Pro paint is superb, the nozzles ensure no drips or splatter at all, not the cheapest but specially formulated for wheels, I get mine from twgsports off eBay, highly recommended

I'm taking off the door cards and rear trim panels and lining with sound deadening, only way to ensure any reduction in road noise really

The arches and have been painted with smooth Hammerite - cavities injected with Bolt Humber Dynax S50 and the arches / underside will be coated with Bolt Humber Dynax UB - fantastic products that I have used for years, gives peace of mind that corrosion will be pretty much a non issue - obviously without a complete stripdown you can't reach everywhere but 80-90% coverage is better than nothing

Andy665

Original Poster:

3,599 posts

227 months

Monday 8th June 2015
quotequote all
Doing the basics on the car first - mechanically she is in great order and nothing obvious needs doing at the moment so been concentrating on the basics

All rear trim panels removed (cabin and boot) and thoroughly cleaned - sound deadening applied before re-fitting

All carpets shampooed - car now smells like new

Some minor cosmetic surface corrosion on inner front wings rubbed down, primed and repainted

Rocker sprayed satin black in anticipation of my carbon fibre coilpack cover and alloy oil filler cap arriving this week

Full clay mitt session in advance of a full machine polish

Removal of all tar spots, satisfying job as a lot of what i thought were marks turned out only to be tar

Leather cleaned and conditioned again - now looks like new - might not be the greatest quality leather but at least its tough

Still continuing the alloy wheel refurbishment, currently on the second rim - they are all pretty badly marked so there is lots of filling, priming, rubbing down, filling again going on before paint gets applied - fortunately its a job that can be fitted in and around a pretty hectic work schedule with Lexus at the moment

I think she is wearing the 117k miles pretty well













Edited by Andy665 on Monday 8th June 10:53

Andy665

Original Poster:

3,599 posts

227 months

Wednesday 10th June 2015
quotequote all
New underbonnet plastic clips fitted today together with an alloy oil filler cap and a carbon fibre coilpack cover that along with the satin black painted rocker cover really tidies up the engine bay - happy with the improvement in the 3 weeks since purchase

Nearly bought a Lotus stamped coilpack cover - Toyota never made them but my OCD would not have coped with Lotus being upside down - fortunately this came up for sale at a reasonable price

from this


To this


To this


Edited by Andy665 on Wednesday 10th June 14:10


Edited by Andy665 on Wednesday 10th June 15:49

paulmaurice99

123 posts

142 months

Friday 12th June 2015
quotequote all
Lovely car OP, and hats off for taking such good care of it!

I currently own a 2000 MR2 Roadster (until recently my daily), and now also a 2005 Mondeo commuter (following a recent move I now do 130 miles a day). As we also have my wife's family car, I can't afford to keep both so am considering a Celica to replace the MR2 and Mondeo.

Question is (to you and the other experts on here), which engine is better in terms of durability/issues? The 140 or the 190? And with the 140, are there years of manufacture to aim for? I know the post 2003 MR2 engine was revised, presumably the Celica had these improvements too? And is it worth buying even later (2005 on)?

Also, what sort of mpg are you getting on motorway runs?

Thanks!

Andy665

Original Poster:

3,599 posts

227 months

Friday 12th June 2015
quotequote all
I'm not really the most knowledgeable about the engines but I am spending the weekend in Vienna with Toyota Europes most highly qualified technician so I will ask him

I do know the early 140 engines had oil supply issues but that was quickly resolved

There are enough 100k+ mile 140's and 190's out there to suggest that properly maintained they will go on for a long long time - certainly my 190 with 177k on the clock feels tight as a drum, doesn't use oil or water and still feels like its got most of its power intact

Only done 1 motorway run so far but it saw in excess of 40mpg

paulmaurice99

123 posts

142 months

Friday 12th June 2015
quotequote all
Andy665 said:
I'm not really the most knowledgeable about the engines but I am spending the weekend in Vienna with Toyota Europes most highly qualified technician so I will ask him

Only done 1 motorway run so far but it saw in excess of 40mpg
Thanks Andy, err yes, Toyota Europe's most highly qualified technician will do nicely! biggrin

That's good consumption for a 190, good good (plotting). I can live without the extra performance, but the 190s tend to be better equipped, and of course good to widen the net when looking.

Much appreciated, enjoy Vienna!

Andy665

Original Poster:

3,599 posts

227 months

Friday 12th June 2015
quotequote all
paulmaurice99 said:
Thanks Andy, err yes, Toyota Europe's most highly qualified technician will do nicely! biggrin

That's good consumption for a 190, good good (plotting). I can live without the extra performance, but the 190s tend to be better equipped, and of course good to widen the net when looking.

Much appreciated, enjoy Vienna!
I did briefly consider a 140 but thought that I would always miss the extra performance - 190's are not a lot more money to buy, for me no more expensive to insure, maintenance is the same, economy similar.

Begged the question as to why I would buy a 140 - only reason I could come up with is that there are more 140's to choose from

Vienna - sadly its purely work

Andy665

Original Poster:

3,599 posts

227 months

Wednesday 17th June 2015
quotequote all
paulmaurice99 said:
Andy665 said:
I'm not really the most knowledgeable about the engines but I am spending the weekend in Vienna with Toyota Europes most highly qualified technician so I will ask him

Only done 1 motorway run so far but it saw in excess of 40mpg
Thanks Andy, err yes, Toyota Europe's most highly qualified technician will do nicely! biggrin

Much appreciated, enjoy Vienna!
According to my contact in TME (Toyota Europe) whilst the 40 is a solid engine the 190 is absolutely bulletproof and definitely the one to go for in terms of robustness

C.A.R.

3,967 posts

187 months

Wednesday 17th June 2015
quotequote all
Looks superb - it makes me miss mine even more!

I preferred the pre-facelift - the central vented bumper just flows much better with the lines on the bonnet / vent in my opinion, the facelift looks almost aftermarket in that respect.

I fitted a Pioneer double-din with eBay reversing camera to mine as parking can be awkward, those high hip lines and a spoiler directly across where you want to look don't help!
I found the brakes to be pretty terrible - in both feel and effect. I upgraded the pads and discs to some meatier Mintex stuff. Mine had a tendency for wheelspin too - I can totally appreciate why the Sports-M TRD model offered an LSD as an option. How are the boot struts too? I have fond memories of my Celica's tailgate trying to eat my Mrs!!