Toyota Celica: PH Carpool
Toyota's Celica provides some stylish wheels for a fresh faced PHer in this week's Carpool
Car: Toyota Celica VVTI 140
Owned since: March 2013
Previously owned: Vauxhall Corsa B 1.0, Ford Fiesta 1.25 5th Gen
Why I bought it:
"I had always liked the look of Celicas since an early age - my uncle had a T-Sport when I was around 10 so I've always loved the way they look and wanted one. There aren't too many about and I was adamant I wanted one under 50,000 miles, FSH, etc. I had enquired about a couple but servicing and suchlike wasn't great on them. I finally found one at Herts Prestige in Bishops Stortford, went to see it on that Saturday and bought it there and then!"
Kids of today, eh - what were you driving at 20?
"I did a lot of research into whatto look out for, running costs and so on - Celica-Club.co.uk is a great website full of info and they are a great bunch of guys. To be honest as long as it's been serviced regularly they'll see 140K miles easy! The only thing I would say to check is the rubbers around the window - they are all that separate you from the outside and if they're a bit worn and you get your car washed while still inside you will get a bit wet. Other than that nothing!"
Things I love:
"Obviously the childhood memories of being in this car were a massive input into why I wanted one and it wasn't until owning one when you realise how much of a sports oriented car this is. Once you start getting above 4,000rpm the engine note changes as it really starts to pull away. Never fails to put a smile on my face! I also love the fact it's such a good looking car and looks like twice as much as it actually costs!"
Things I hate:
"Nothing really. Would of been nice to have leather seats but that's just me being picky! Kind of wish it had a bit more power sometimes but which 20 year-old boy wouldn't?"
Significant step up - see previous car history...
"It's pretty good running costs wise, I only have a five-mile round trip to work so I rarely do motorways. It's about £70 to fill up from empty and if you behave it's good for 350-400 miles. Insurance is £1,400 TPFT with two years no claims which is cheap in my eyes! I paid £3K for my first year in a £700 Corsa! It hasn't put a foot wrong so far had; some new tyres on the front and some windscreen wipers and that is honestly it! It's going in for service next week at my local garage - honest family run place which my family have used for the past 10 years and never had any problems."
Where I've been:
"Haven't been anywhere major; done a trip to Birmingham for work - just put it in sixth doing a steady speed and was happy the whole way. Somerset for a weekend to come and will be taking it for a day trip to France before Christmas!"
What next?
"Who knows! I'm forever changing my mind on what I want next but it won't be for at least another year or so! Alfa Romeo Brera/BMW 320d Convertible or a 6 Series if the insurance isn't too extreme."
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
Wonder what the Comp price was?
At 20? I was still at Uni, had figured I couldn't afford my own car - I hadn't yet discovered independent auction houses! ;-) - so it was my Mum's Corsa B 1.4 Premier. Lovely!
I realise anyone following a Sagaris in the slot is going to have a tough gig but show a bit of compassion for a fellow PHer!*
Cheers,
Dan
- You can be as rude as you like to we staffers of course, that's what we're paid for!
Ended up with an MR2 turbo - a real Toyota. The joys of living at home and being able to burn £2,000 on insurance.
The 190 is the one to go for if you insist on a Celica. The GT is actually quite a nice car, but nothing on the previous shape GT4.
You can pick up a previous shape (4 headlight) GT for pennies now. Much better drive than the 140, and it'll go on forever.
I bought it a few years old, was a 2001 model, had it for 6 years or so and put about 80k on it or so, the car had been everywhere.
It was used as a first car for a while, then a second car, and in general was kept in reasonable shape, but was never really given an easy life.
nothing broke.... EVER! kept it serviced and all was well. Fantastic car, in the end it was my wifes car, and was traded for a newer Civic Type R.... Celica is still a car i miss.... it needed a little more power though and i reckon i would have had it over the Civic every time.
I realise anyone following a Sagaris in the slot is going to have a tough gig but show a bit of compassion for a fellow PHer!*
Cheers,
Dan
- You can be as rude as you like to we staffers of course, that's what we're paid for!
Agree with TPFT. Surprised if at all its cheaper than fully comp. I'm all for these carpools and never slag off which car its about. Be it a Corsa or a Veyron.
But for the story to be, I've always liked them, just bought one and wish it had leather and drove to Brum. it's abit weak for a carpool story.
No offence to the guy/gal glad you like it etc. Maybe after having it for a year + actually doing something with it and having some experiences ..Pistonhead Quote 'share ownership experiences'.
Hey I have a Countryman Cooper S and was thinking about putting forward a carpooler story. Can't wait for my car to be hammered by 99% of People and my England taken apart by the other 1%.
Again nothing against the driver or car. Maybe should have just given it 12 months first.
I know it might sound slightly harsh but hey ho.
Toyota are not my cup of tea personally, but each to their own.
Agree with the post re the aspiration to a BMW Diesel - In my opinion you may be better off looking for a good e90 320si instead, a lot nicer sounding and has the potential to retain more value in the longrun.
In the end I pumped for an Avensis D4D SR and quite enjoyed it on the sly.
thanks GoogleCompared to last week's Carpool this isn't quite the same, granted, but good on him for having something nice and sharing the experience with us. Having a car like that is a nice change from the dull and drab sueprmarket trollies that the majority younger drivers like us use.
I thought it was a nice read, that insurance is insane though
Going back to the car I had when I was 20 [only 4 years ago mind you], I was driving a Corrado VR6 so a similar path as the OP, just I think his is more likely to be more reliable than my choice.
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