Discussion
Right,
Potentially, i could get hold of a Celica pretty cheap, 1 owner, low mileage (i believe).
My question being, what are they like to live with, i know it's not going to light the world up peformance wise, but coming from an MPV it'll feel 'quick'.
Any niggles to look out for, anything really bad about it?
It'll be the SE 'Red' one (not sure what that is apart from red leather interior).
Potentially, i could get hold of a Celica pretty cheap, 1 owner, low mileage (i believe).
My question being, what are they like to live with, i know it's not going to light the world up peformance wise, but coming from an MPV it'll feel 'quick'.
Any niggles to look out for, anything really bad about it?
It'll be the SE 'Red' one (not sure what that is apart from red leather interior).
They're pretty well put together cars and handle pretty sharply. Mate of mine had one for a few years and had absolutely no trouble with it at all; sadly sold it as he wasn't going to be using it much for a few years. Look out for uneven tyre wear, especially at the front as they're a bit prone to the alignment going through potholes etc.
A Celica of that model year will definitely be a facelift version and shouldn't suffer from the oval-bore problem that leads to excessive oil consumption and (if left unchecked) a knackered engine.
I'd still get in to the habit of checking the oil level regularly though, just in case. I think Toyota extended the warranty for that particular issue to 100,000 miles/7 years (might have been 10 years, can't remember) but you probably don't want the hassle of it.
Alloy wheels will almost certainly be bubbling, so if you want it to look nice budget for a refurb or aftermarket wheels.
I'd still get in to the habit of checking the oil level regularly though, just in case. I think Toyota extended the warranty for that particular issue to 100,000 miles/7 years (might have been 10 years, can't remember) but you probably don't want the hassle of it.
Alloy wheels will almost certainly be bubbling, so if you want it to look nice budget for a refurb or aftermarket wheels.
Just found out it's got 30,000 miles on & is 6 years old, so definately the face lift model.
It's been serviced as it should of been, never failed an MOT etc, FSH.
Only downside is that it had acid thrown on it, although it's had a full re-spray.
It's the Ex's dad's car, he'll probably let it go for silly money as he does'nt like the hassle of selling cars!
It's been serviced as it should of been, never failed an MOT etc, FSH.
Only downside is that it had acid thrown on it, although it's had a full re-spray.
It's the Ex's dad's car, he'll probably let it go for silly money as he does'nt like the hassle of selling cars!
Great cars, if you pay heed to the oil level and it's been serviced you will be fine. The Red is just a special edition of the 140 with red seats and a few geegaws. Point to note, the older pre-facelift cars (with the narrower nose air intake) have a much better stereo system than the newer ones. My choice would be a pre-facelift 190 vvti-l (not the T-Sport).
The interiors are pretty nasty (the dashboard was designed by the Campaign for More Migraines I think) and the low-spec versions (esp imports) can be utterly grim in trim and equipment terms too.
They drive quite well but the design has dated horrifically and the quality (Celicas were once indestruictable things barring cosmetic rust) was never there to the extent that their values are all over the place and older models are actually rebounding past them!!
They drive quite well but the design has dated horrifically and the quality (Celicas were once indestruictable things barring cosmetic rust) was never there to the extent that their values are all over the place and older models are actually rebounding past them!!
The engine used in the MR2 which the celica uses had some fixes in 2004 and by 2006 Toyota had oval bore sussed and fixed. So if its 2004 onward less risk, 2006 onwards no issues.
But thats beside the point you really really want the 190BHP VVTL engine not the MR2 VVT one (the L in the name (lift) gives you an extra 50 horses)
But thats beside the point you really really want the 190BHP VVTL engine not the MR2 VVT one (the L in the name (lift) gives you an extra 50 horses)
johnpeat said:
The interiors are pretty nasty (the dashboard was designed by the Campaign for More Migraines I think) and the low-spec versions (esp imports) can be utterly grim in trim and equipment terms too.
They drive quite well but the design has dated horrifically and the quality (Celicas were once indestruictable things barring cosmetic rust) was never there to the extent that their values are all over the place and older models are actually rebounding past them!!
Not sure about this to be honest. Yes, the dash design is dated, but it is an almost 15 year old car. In my experience it was quite well laid out, practical to use and very driver-focused. I can't speak for imports, but all the UK cars I've seen have had either leather or quite nice textile seats. The overall design, to my eyes, still looks quite futuristic and elegant (with the right wheels) and was way ahead of the curve when launched, what with the short bonnet, slanting lights and creases in the rear wings.They drive quite well but the design has dated horrifically and the quality (Celicas were once indestruictable things barring cosmetic rust) was never there to the extent that their values are all over the place and older models are actually rebounding past them!!
It's true that the values are all over the place, and you see some very low mile cars available at ostensibly decent prices. But I'd actually go for one that looks like it's been driven how it ought to be, i.e. the engine revved and the gearbox used. So long as it;s been serviced and the essentials have been looked after, I'd have no worries about the engine and general condition (aside from the obvious things) until well after 150k miles.
Some people dismiss it as being a bit hairdressery, but the 190bhp ones are in fact quite meaty, and certainly much more of a driver's car than the equivalent TT or BMW 318 coupes of the time.
Exactly the car I had, a 54 plate Celice Red, great car, cost peanuts to run, the seats and interior is really nicely put together (although just a little too much plastic but all in all a good car, had mine 3 years and put appx 60k on it, never missed a beat, even dealer servicing is cheap, they aren'tthe fastest things but handle quite sweetlly and can be real fun on A & B road as once you get them up to spead they are quite capable of carrying it round corners.
Semi practical rear seat space but a massive boot, and with the rear seats folded doown you can carry tonnes if need be.
I'd say if its a straight clean car its a no brainer, they still look smart, performance is Ok and they are quite simple, so maintaining them is cheap ....
Get it bought ...
Semi practical rear seat space but a massive boot, and with the rear seats folded doown you can carry tonnes if need be.
I'd say if its a straight clean car its a no brainer, they still look smart, performance is Ok and they are quite simple, so maintaining them is cheap ....
Get it bought ...
. Very practical and still good looking. If you want more power theres a few places that will fit a super charger and bore the engine out to two litres.lawrence567 said:
I know the owner who's had it from new, so 1 owner, low mileage, FSH etc.
I'll buy it depending on what his 'low price is'.
I would be surprised if it's any higher than £3.5K
As he does'nt do selling cars, he just sells them to family members & friends/colleagues for dirt cheap money!
Absolute no brainer, is it a Cat C or D (not sure which would apply to an vandalism attack) as that would be the only concernt, at c3k its a good buy from a known home .....I'll buy it depending on what his 'low price is'.
I would be surprised if it's any higher than £3.5K
As he does'nt do selling cars, he just sells them to family members & friends/colleagues for dirt cheap money!
dibblecorse said:
Absolute no brainer, is it a Cat C or D (not sure which would apply to an vandalism attack) as that would be the only concernt, at c3k its a good buy from a known home .....
From what i gather, no, the roof, bonet & drivers side needed a re-spray, although that is a valid poin in my arsenal of bargaining, he's taxing it next week too!I'll let you know how i get on..
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