RE: Toyota Celica GT-Four: PH Used Buying Guide
Discussion
gazchap said:
Had mine for nearly 10 years now. Here she is:
Just over 137,000 miles on the clock and it's never missed a beat. Have various mods on it, but nothing major - pushes out 300-320bhp depending on my boost setting.
Rally decals on a normal road car how stupid.. Bloody love it that would brighten up my day every time I saw it.Just over 137,000 miles on the clock and it's never missed a beat. Have various mods on it, but nothing major - pushes out 300-320bhp depending on my boost setting.
Guvernator said:
Never really understood why these never got the same love as the Subaru Impreza's and Mitsubshi Evo's, despite having similar rally heritage. Decent versions of the former two seem to be rapidly moving into collector territory, see the £50k Impreza P1 and 6 figure 22b's as an example and yet even the most rarest and most hardcore WRC version of the Celica can still be had for relative peanuts. What gives?
Could the relative success of the Impreza and Evo have something to do with it?Remember the ST205 was the one done for illegal cheating and barely had any pedigree.
And nobody British drove one to cover for the lack of success either. Impreza had McRae of course, Evo had Burns for a short while but also Mäkinen winning four titles on the bounce to highlight how good it was.t
gazchap said:
RedAndy said:
i remember you putting those decals on years ago Gaz
Aye, the original set went on in May 2012 - I've literally (last month) had them all taken off and refreshed with new ones, as they'd started to crack and fade!
F1GTRUeno said:
Guvernator said:
Never really understood why these never got the same love as the Subaru Impreza's and Mitsubshi Evo's, despite having similar rally heritage. Decent versions of the former two seem to be rapidly moving into collector territory, see the £50k Impreza P1 and 6 figure 22b's as an example and yet even the most rarest and most hardcore WRC version of the Celica can still be had for relative peanuts. What gives?
Could the relative success of the Impreza and Evo have something to do with it?Remember the ST205 was the one done for illegal cheating and barely had any pedigree.
And nobody British drove one to cover for the lack of success either. Impreza had McRae of course, Evo had Burns for a short while but also Mäkinen winning four titles on the bounce to highlight how good it was.t
Things like the superstrut front suspension made them a pain in the hoop to modify also.
That being said about weight, if I was offered the choice of a crash in an Impreza, Evo or Celica, I’d choose the Celica. It’s also a far more refined place to be compared to equivalent age Imprezas, the plastics & trim are far better and leather feel dash etc.
Only car that got in and out my estate, including so called 4x4s for nearly a week this winter:
But the ST185 was a rally legend and smashed the WRC at the time - that car has plenty of rally heritage but still doesnt sell at silly prices like some Subarus/Evos. The Subarus and Evos you could mod heavily and get big power, but also seen that many are dead because of it. The ST205 probably would have gone on and won rally trophies left right and centre if they had not messed with the power, to be honest they probably didnt even need to do it out the box the engine had a great power delivery. Bizarre, but it is what it is.
It's certainly a split opinion car though, many people who have never driven one will not consider it because of looking at the spec sheet, its certainly worth giving one a go though before casting sweeping opinion. Mine has ABS, electric windows/mirrors, climate and stacks of other goodies with a nice power delivery curve and power peaking at 281bhp (for the willy wavers out there) with just a decat and stainless exhaust as mods everything else is standard which makes for a quick car on the road running safely within limits on the engine. Trust me, on the road it isn't slow, it doesn't feel heavy, and is barrels of fun.
It's certainly a split opinion car though, many people who have never driven one will not consider it because of looking at the spec sheet, its certainly worth giving one a go though before casting sweeping opinion. Mine has ABS, electric windows/mirrors, climate and stacks of other goodies with a nice power delivery curve and power peaking at 281bhp (for the willy wavers out there) with just a decat and stainless exhaust as mods everything else is standard which makes for a quick car on the road running safely within limits on the engine. Trust me, on the road it isn't slow, it doesn't feel heavy, and is barrels of fun.
F1GTRUeno said:
Guvernator said:
Never really understood why these never got the same love as the Subaru Impreza's and Mitsubshi Evo's, despite having similar rally heritage. Decent versions of the former two seem to be rapidly moving into collector territory, see the £50k Impreza P1 and 6 figure 22b's as an example and yet even the most rarest and most hardcore WRC version of the Celica can still be had for relative peanuts. What gives?
[b]Could the relative success of the Impreza and Evo have something to do with it?Remember the ST205 was the one done for illegal cheating and barely had any pedigree.[/b]
And nobody British drove one to cover for the lack of success either. Impreza had McRae of course, Evo had Burns for a short while but also Mäkinen winning four titles on the bounce to highlight how good it was.t
SonicShadow said:
Toyota won 3 drivers titles back to back, and 2 constructors titles. Subaru won 3 drivers titles and 3 constructors titles. That hasn't seemed to help the ST185's value either so I don't think pedigree is the problem.
Absolutely, and what I cited above. Comes down to iconicity which is a very difficult thing to measure. So many factors contribute to valuing of a car but ultimately it comes down to what people are willing to pay. A few years back Subarus were everywhere and dirt cheap, people went for them, they started dwindling in numbers, people still want them and prices climb. I remember you could get a reasonable manual Supra TT for £10k 5 years ago, cant get one for under £20k now for no other reason than we are 5 years down the line.
RedAndy said:
my decals never got the chance to fade or crack...last i heard of my silver/black decal'd one it was bent round a tree.
Ouch. Presumably after you'd passed it on, from your wording?I still see a shocking number of them ending up in breakers' yards, which is a sad sight to see - but, I suppose on the other hand anything that increases their rarity is a good thing for current owners.
gazchap said:
RedAndy said:
my decals never got the chance to fade or crack...last i heard of my silver/black decal'd one it was bent round a tree.
Ouch. Presumably after you'd passed it on, from your wording?I still see a shocking number of them ending up in breakers' yards, which is a sad sight to see - but, I suppose on the other hand anything that increases their rarity is a good thing for current owners.
i really want a 3rd...! but these breakers are pushing prices up! good for you, bad for me!
Best one to get is a 95. Hasn't got the Anti lag bits which is just added weight, no sunroof, no ABS and no Airbags. Mine tipped the scales at 1360KG with a full interior minus spare wheel and a more modern and lighter sound system (Car had 3 amps in it originally!). Hybrid turbo with boost coming in at just below 3K and around 340HP is still a respectable 250BHP/Tonne.
WRC versions have the anti lag, water etc. but its all deactivated and reactivating it without serious investment all over the car will blow it up in no time! The only reason to get the WRC version is because it is the WRC version.
Mine is not a WRC but feels every bit as special, I guess people will pay a bit more premium to get the WRC though so they will have additional value.
I have ABS on mine, and a sunroof, as I dont use the car to belt around as fast as I can both are really good additions! :-)
Mine is not a WRC but feels every bit as special, I guess people will pay a bit more premium to get the WRC though so they will have additional value.
I have ABS on mine, and a sunroof, as I dont use the car to belt around as fast as I can both are really good additions! :-)
coldel said:
WRC versions have the anti lag, water etc. but its all deactivated and reactivating it without serious investment all over the car will blow it up in no time! The only reason to get the WRC version is because it is the WRC version.
Mine is not a WRC but feels every bit as special, I guess people will pay a bit more premium to get the WRC though so they will have additional value.
I have ABS on mine, and a sunroof, as I dont use the car to belt around as fast as I can both are really good additions! :-)
If you are anything over 6ft like myself sitting in a Celica with a sunroof is a complete no no. Can just about fit with a helmet on without a sunroof. Mine is not a WRC but feels every bit as special, I guess people will pay a bit more premium to get the WRC though so they will have additional value.
I have ABS on mine, and a sunroof, as I dont use the car to belt around as fast as I can both are really good additions! :-)
coldel said:
Without ever wanting to track my car, unless I am trying to psyche out someone at a traffic light grand prix I never wear a helment so not a problem lol
I was just noting what is possible. Have driven a Gen 6 with a sunroof my hair comes out all static due to rubbing on the top!BricktopST205 said:
I was just noting what is possible. Have driven a Gen 6 with a sunroof my hair comes out all static due to rubbing on the top!
Ha! Fortunately I am not blessed in the hair department so no problems there!You just needed to recline the back of the chair into F1 racing mode and would have had no problem!
gazchap said:
Had mine for nearly 10 years now. Here she is:
Just over 137,000 miles on the clock and it's never missed a beat. Have various mods on it, but nothing major - pushes out 300-320bhp depending on my boost setting.
Looks great in the flesh, i recall when i had my GT4 (red one) you lived next to me on Osney Island Oxford :-) I've had two of these,easy to mod and great fun.Just over 137,000 miles on the clock and it's never missed a beat. Have various mods on it, but nothing major - pushes out 300-320bhp depending on my boost setting.
Had my '95 for 10 months, 10 years ago. Dyno'ed at 292bhp with a decat and boost cranked slightly.
Fast car, grip for days, but heavy. Boring and dull to drive, did a few track days in it and beat all the scoobies with ease.
Just felt boring and dull to drive unless in 3 figures. Great looking cars though, id' be tempted by another but feel like paying more for the same car I sold 10 years ago but also 10 years older and higher mileage would feel silly
Replaced with a 95 Rover Mini which was bags more fun!
Fast car, grip for days, but heavy. Boring and dull to drive, did a few track days in it and beat all the scoobies with ease.
Just felt boring and dull to drive unless in 3 figures. Great looking cars though, id' be tempted by another but feel like paying more for the same car I sold 10 years ago but also 10 years older and higher mileage would feel silly
Replaced with a 95 Rover Mini which was bags more fun!
Gregmitchell said:
Looks great in the flesh, i recall when i had my GT4 (red one) you lived next to me on Osney Island Oxford :-) I've had two of these,easy to mod and great fun.
Not me, I've never been to Oxford let alone lived there.On the subject of headroom - my ST205 has a sunroof and I'm 6'3" - I fit in it fine, although I do have to slouch a bit when wearing a helmet!
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