Discussion
Hey guys i just had a shot of a mates Celica GT4 WRC I loved it it was fast and seemed quite good to chuck about. So id quite like one or something similar so what are peoples experiences of running costs i know its not going to be great but are they cheaper than an impreza? Cheers 
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P.S id ask my mate but his fuel gauge isnt working.
. P.S id ask my mate but his fuel gauge isnt working.
In a nutshell;
Tough, but expensive when they break. Superstrut suspension will need fig-8 joints and lower suspension arms every 50-60K.
Rear diff mount fails, but is cheap and easy to fix.
Read the codes before buying; you'll need a paperclip and a lookup chart.
Think low twenties on fuel.
Mine took 7 years of abuse and still went bloody well when I sold it.
Tough, but expensive when they break. Superstrut suspension will need fig-8 joints and lower suspension arms every 50-60K.
Rear diff mount fails, but is cheap and easy to fix.
Read the codes before buying; you'll need a paperclip and a lookup chart.
Think low twenties on fuel.
Mine took 7 years of abuse and still went bloody well when I sold it.
Have a look out for a JDM SSIII, or SS3, not sure how it's stated. Its a 200bhp N/A Celica, With Front wheel drive only and the GT4 Suspension, so go well but no drifting them. I had one and it was good fun and a lot quicker than you'd think. Rare as rocking horse st though...
I've also had a JDM GT4a and that was good fun but getting on a bit these dats its the old pop up headlight model.
Parts are easy as to get, just go to your local toyota dealer, they will order parts for any toyota car no matter what.
I've also had a JDM GT4a and that was good fun but getting on a bit these dats its the old pop up headlight model.
Parts are easy as to get, just go to your local toyota dealer, they will order parts for any toyota car no matter what.
dabofoppo said:
what are peoples experiences of running costs i know its not going to be great but are they cheaper than an impreza?
.
What makes you think an impreza costs lots to run? .
Had mine 2 years and only had to buy tyres and brakes which needed doing when i bought it, other than that just oil changes.
A mates gt4 needed loads spending on it due to knackered figure 8s, but was a great car after some mods.
rb5er said:
What makes you think an impreza costs lots to run?
Had mine 2 years and only had to buy tyres and brakes which needed doing when i bought it, other than that just oil changes.
A mates gt4 needed loads spending on it due to knackered figure 8s, but was a great car after some mods.
Iv always thought imprezas cost a fortune to run dunno why. Plus i cant get insured on an impreza ( except turbo 2000 and N/A models) for less than £2000 but the gt4 is about £1200 Tpft. Had mine 2 years and only had to buy tyres and brakes which needed doing when i bought it, other than that just oil changes.
A mates gt4 needed loads spending on it due to knackered figure 8s, but was a great car after some mods.
AndrewO said:
Impreza would be a better bet, plenty around to choose from.
Suspension (fig8s), engine/turbo/gearbox all common problems with the GT4. Also a heavy car so brakes will take a bit of a hammering.
I owned a Rev 3, ST205 Uk Spec '96.Suspension (fig8s), engine/turbo/gearbox all common problems with the GT4. Also a heavy car so brakes will take a bit of a hammering.
The 3SGTE is a great engine, solid bottom end and can run silly power, the piston ringlands are the weak point at anything above 350hp so think on needing forged pistons. There is also talk of blocks cracking though it isnt very common.
Never heard any problems with the gearbox, not known anyone to breakone, can take silly power. Rear diff is also strong, never heard of any problems either.
The Turbo is the CT20b, will run 1.2 bar until fuel cut off on standard ECU - the standard ecu is not programmable so you need a standalone for remaps. a cheap EBC can see 280hp easily. CT20b will reach full boost by 2500 and hold it right up to the red line, it has a light weight shaft and ceramic (if jdm) turbines which are prone to failure but can run well if looked after.
plenty of mods to do, FMIC, SARD 800s, better ecu, hybrid turbo plus the usual extra's will see around 400hp reliably.
The brakes are proper 4 pot calipers on the front and 2 pots on the back, no silly side pull calipers.
It is a heavy car and deceptively quick with the long gearing and fast spooling turbo.
I enjoyed mine, they handle well and feel like a proper sports coupe unlike the family saloon feel you get in the scooby which is basically what it is.
They also look great and not very common. IMO.
I got 35mpg driving at 60mph on an economy run, but that was just an experiment. most of the time was about 25mpg around town and normal driving, never really changed that much unless i was really caning it.
Edited by e8_pack on Monday 14th November 18:16
Have one, great car, people tend to crap their pants as soon as figure 8's are mentioned but theyre only 60 quid a side and a doddle to fit.
other suspension components are pricey mind. TCB parts are good. i got my recent cambelt kit from camskill priced at a very reasonable 80 quid inclusive of tensioners.
rear diff mounts are 80 odd quid and are easy enough to fit.
mine is quicker once moving than a friends Impreza wrx, though many impreza lovers will loathe to admit it.
it boost's strongly and has a lovely gear change, pedal's are placed nicely for heal and toe, and when really pressing on it over-steers beautifully and is easy to control on the limit. i love the steering aswell.
good idea to keep them serviced very regularly. mine seems to reponds very well to a good service. good quality oil is a must.
here's a piccy.
other suspension components are pricey mind. TCB parts are good. i got my recent cambelt kit from camskill priced at a very reasonable 80 quid inclusive of tensioners.
rear diff mounts are 80 odd quid and are easy enough to fit.
mine is quicker once moving than a friends Impreza wrx, though many impreza lovers will loathe to admit it.
it boost's strongly and has a lovely gear change, pedal's are placed nicely for heal and toe, and when really pressing on it over-steers beautifully and is easy to control on the limit. i love the steering aswell.
good idea to keep them serviced very regularly. mine seems to reponds very well to a good service. good quality oil is a must.
here's a piccy.
Edited by Tommy Saxondale on Monday 14th November 18:55
mcflurry said:
I used to have a JDM GT four.
Petrol was drank at 16mpg on a "good day", going down to 8mpg with a heavy foot.
Parts were readily available from Fensport, and a decent local factor. The local main dealer was happy to work on it too
Those mpg figures seem like pure fiction to me, either you are highly exaggerating, miscalculating, it was broken, or was running 600hp and you only drove it for 3 miles at a time with a lead foot.Petrol was drank at 16mpg on a "good day", going down to 8mpg with a heavy foot.
Parts were readily available from Fensport, and a decent local factor. The local main dealer was happy to work on it too
While they certainly won't be good on fuel, an average person should at least expect 22-26mpg I'd have thought for normal use.
Get a UK Spec one.
Headlamp washers, Front splitters, bonnet spoiler proper rear number plate and a fog light built in plus you get proper dials. Also look for late spec, mine had the embossed rear spoiler, there's a few chassis mods and the late spec rear lights.
Power wise they are all the same on UK fuel and once you turn the boost up there is no difference.
Also look out for the bodykits, mine was a standard Toyota bodykit, the aftermarket ones fit differentlly at the back with a high square look to them.
Headlamp washers, Front splitters, bonnet spoiler proper rear number plate and a fog light built in plus you get proper dials. Also look for late spec, mine had the embossed rear spoiler, there's a few chassis mods and the late spec rear lights.
Power wise they are all the same on UK fuel and once you turn the boost up there is no difference.
Also look out for the bodykits, mine was a standard Toyota bodykit, the aftermarket ones fit differentlly at the back with a high square look to them.
).e8_pack said:
Tommy, that's a nice example, has it been resprayed?
cheers! and as far as i am aware it has'nt certainly not in my ownership! sadly i put a lovely dent in the bonnet the other day after hitting a pigeon on the way to work so it looks like in going to have to get the bonnet sprayed!Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff