Celica, Coupe or something boring
Discussion
Sure you get millions of posts like this on here but it'd be good to hear from anybody who has experience of living with these cars.
I'm 21 and currently drive a C2 VTS. Got it a while ago as a replacement for my Clio 1.2 but don't really think it's the right car for me. Most of my driving is short town journeys which it is fine for or very long drives (do a lot of 200 mile journeys up north) which it isn't fine for.
The long drive issue is the main one for me, I want a car that'll handle the long drives and not drive me insane but I don't really want to get something boring and hatchbacky like a focus or a corolla (or should I?). I'd also like something a bit bigger and more practical to carry everything and probably something that's different to drive. I don't feel like the VTS is as good to drive as the Clio was (despite being a lot faster), mainly due to the steering I feel like I never know how much grip I have and the suspension is outrageously hard. The engine and gears also need to be worked very hard to get anything out of it.
So the two cars that are really in my budget (aside from slower 1.4/1.6 clios, focuses and corollas, all of which I'm considering) are the
gen 3 Hyundai Coupe 2 litre
latest gen Toyota Celica 140bhp
Does anyone have any experience with these? How are they on long distances? I know the Celica will have quite a similar engine that'll need to be worked hard, will this drive me crazy, I can handle this on country roads and like it but want something chilled out on the M1? How are they to drive?
I'm 21 and currently drive a C2 VTS. Got it a while ago as a replacement for my Clio 1.2 but don't really think it's the right car for me. Most of my driving is short town journeys which it is fine for or very long drives (do a lot of 200 mile journeys up north) which it isn't fine for.
The long drive issue is the main one for me, I want a car that'll handle the long drives and not drive me insane but I don't really want to get something boring and hatchbacky like a focus or a corolla (or should I?). I'd also like something a bit bigger and more practical to carry everything and probably something that's different to drive. I don't feel like the VTS is as good to drive as the Clio was (despite being a lot faster), mainly due to the steering I feel like I never know how much grip I have and the suspension is outrageously hard. The engine and gears also need to be worked very hard to get anything out of it.
So the two cars that are really in my budget (aside from slower 1.4/1.6 clios, focuses and corollas, all of which I'm considering) are the
gen 3 Hyundai Coupe 2 litre
latest gen Toyota Celica 140bhp
Does anyone have any experience with these? How are they on long distances? I know the Celica will have quite a similar engine that'll need to be worked hard, will this drive me crazy, I can handle this on country roads and like it but want something chilled out on the M1? How are they to drive?
Edited by edbarton on Sunday 8th August 17:09
Ive got a Celica 140 vvti, it was about 3 grand for a 51 plate and looks the same as some selling for double that.
Handling is pretty good, steering is very light, a little over assisted if anything. Its never going to set the road alight with outright pace. They are a revvy engine but are fine on the motorway thanks to a 6 speed box, I normally get 38mpg on long runs.
There are a few for sale so look for one with the Moonroof, leather and digital climate as these were options. Ours had no spoiler either, and the mrs ordered me to put one on, they are available on ebay £120 painted and fitted somewhere in S Yorks (Barnsley I think).
Only problem I had was a radiator burst, bought a brand new one on ebay for just £48.
Check oil, and for blue smoke on early models.
Handling is pretty good, steering is very light, a little over assisted if anything. Its never going to set the road alight with outright pace. They are a revvy engine but are fine on the motorway thanks to a 6 speed box, I normally get 38mpg on long runs.
There are a few for sale so look for one with the Moonroof, leather and digital climate as these were options. Ours had no spoiler either, and the mrs ordered me to put one on, they are available on ebay £120 painted and fitted somewhere in S Yorks (Barnsley I think).
Only problem I had was a radiator burst, bought a brand new one on ebay for just £48.
Check oil, and for blue smoke on early models.
5th gen prelude? (see my profile pic)
2.0l for lower insurance but still 140hp and a fantastic motorway cruiser. 2.2 vtec for performance with 180+hp.
Fantastic cars. Super reliable, most mechanicals shared with accord. Lovely interiors, great handling. Best car I ever owned.
Plus they aren't a car you see every day.
2.0l for lower insurance but still 140hp and a fantastic motorway cruiser. 2.2 vtec for performance with 180+hp.
Fantastic cars. Super reliable, most mechanicals shared with accord. Lovely interiors, great handling. Best car I ever owned.
Plus they aren't a car you see every day.
I have a 140 black celica.
Ive had it 2 years and haven't had a thing go wrong (touch wood)!
Its a fantastic drive for what it is and cheap to run and insure. I think they look great and have modern interior, and the seats are very comfortable.
Ive done a few mods to mine and it will be up for sale very soon.
With some of the early ones there is an oil issue, but I check my oil level monthly of after a long run, just to be safe.
Ive had it 2 years and haven't had a thing go wrong (touch wood)!
Its a fantastic drive for what it is and cheap to run and insure. I think they look great and have modern interior, and the seats are very comfortable.
Ive done a few mods to mine and it will be up for sale very soon.
With some of the early ones there is an oil issue, but I check my oil level monthly of after a long run, just to be safe.
Looking for something a bit newer than cougars, corrados and preludes with a lower mileage, hence why I'm after Celicas (hoping to get one around 03) and Coupés (maybe one a year or so later). Also wary of getting something a bit too big, don't really want to jump from a tiny C2 to Mondeo sizes at the mo.
Leesa how is the Celica sitting at motorway speeds. My drives up North involve pretty much sitting at that speed for 200 miles.
Leesa how is the Celica sitting at motorway speeds. My drives up North involve pretty much sitting at that speed for 200 miles.
I also do the same short journeys with sporadic 200 mile+ trips and I <3 my Celica T-Sport but it does sit at 3800rpm on the motorway which is quite loud in the cabin. (Well, you can't have a quiet conversation). I think the 140 is a bit more civilised however.(The Celica is also surprising practical given the huge hatch opening if you're prone to travelling with lots of gear, easily swallowing my mountain bike and on another occasion a piano).
Oh, Celica servicing: Intermediate ~£180, Full ~£350.
If you want fun on short journeys and comfortable motorway crusing though, can I suggest a Focus ST170? (Though I appreciate it's not a coupe, they are rather good and in your price range).
Oh, Celica servicing: Intermediate ~£180, Full ~£350.
If you want fun on short journeys and comfortable motorway crusing though, can I suggest a Focus ST170? (Though I appreciate it's not a coupe, they are rather good and in your price range).
Edited by itch on Sunday 8th August 17:45
edbarton said:
Looking for something a bit newer than cougars, corrados and preludes with a lower mileage, hence why I'm after Celicas (hoping to get one around 03) and Coupés (maybe one a year or so later). Also wary of getting something a bit too big, don't really want to jump from a tiny C2 to Mondeo sizes at the mo.
Leesa how is the Celica sitting at motorway speeds. My drives up North involve pretty much sitting at that speed for 200 miles.
Petrol wise it's ace, noise wise is a little different, but I do have a sports exhaust on. I think the standard would be a lot quieter.Leesa how is the Celica sitting at motorway speeds. My drives up North involve pretty much sitting at that speed for 200 miles.
I have emailed you
I'm going for the eccentric option here.
The Hyundai Coupe.
It may not be the sharpest handing, it may not be the fastest - but they look good, come with decent levels of kit, are reliable and the performance is more than adequate.
They're also very good value.
Depending on what you have to spend, you may even get one with some warranty left.
The Hyundai Coupe.
It may not be the sharpest handing, it may not be the fastest - but they look good, come with decent levels of kit, are reliable and the performance is more than adequate.
They're also very good value.
Depending on what you have to spend, you may even get one with some warranty left.
Can probably afford a 190bhp but at the moment with me being 21, insurance and mpg are just on the wrong side of where I'd like them for the next few years at least. Same issue with an ST170, Celica as it is is pushing the insurance, 140bhp model will be £400 or so more than the Hyundai, although only £200 or so more than the C2.
Problem with the BMW is again I'd be looking at a far older model than I'd like.
Problem with the BMW is again I'd be looking at a far older model than I'd like.
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