Buying a GT4 Carlos Sainz, advice please

Buying a GT4 Carlos Sainz, advice please

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ed_aw11

Original Poster:

973 posts

245 months

Monday 15th November 2004
quotequote all
I have been looking into buying a GT4 (ST185) preferably UK spec(for insurance reasons) and I was wondering if anyone could give me some buyers advice?

I have found one, looks good, but I am not sure what to look for on them. I know to check for white smoke = buggered turbo etc, but does anyone know of any specific things to look for?

I am going to look at it on Sat afternoon, and was wondering if anyone would be able to come and lend their opinion? I would be most grateful.

Cheers guys 'n' gals
Ed.

Pulsatingstar

1,715 posts

249 months

Tuesday 16th November 2004
quotequote all
All Sainz should be UK Spec. The Jap equivalent is callend an RC.

Cant really think of anything specific that goes wrong with them. They are pretty strong but a bit on the heavy side.

tuttle

3,427 posts

238 months

Tuesday 16th November 2004
quotequote all
Sorry chap, but have Looked up a few(hopefully)usefull links on the fab GT4-hope this is of some help
Matt
www.celica-gt4.co.uk/


http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/gt4/


www.rallycars.com/Cars/Toyota_GT4/Celica2.html

Mr E

21,718 posts

260 months

Tuesday 16th November 2004
quotequote all
www.gt4oc.com

Where abouts mate (I'm a bit of a GT-Four zealot).

Cracking car is a CS/RC. Not much to worry about. Avoid badly modified examples. Check for wierd noises. Clutch is expensive to replace. That's about it to be honest.

I'm more useful when it comes to ST205's...

deltaf

6,806 posts

254 months

Tuesday 16th November 2004
quotequote all
Hi there hope the following helps you.

Check the tyres for odd wear patterns on the inside edges, front and rear indicating misaligned tracking, worn bushes etc.
You shouldnt hear ANY funny knocks, clunks, whines etc while driving it, if you do, -->walk away.
Gearbox synchro's can be a problem on the ST185, but the CS and RC models had a stronger box than other ST185 models, so shouldnt be a problem.
Gearshift should be precise with no slop or difficulty engaging.
Engine should be quiet with no clacking (tappet noise indicates high miles), knocking or other odd sounds.
No smoke at startup either from hot or cold (make sure you DO get to start it from cold), no blue/white smoke under power/cruise conditions either.
You MAY see some BLACK smoke if you give it full throttle in 3/4/5th gears; this is normal as the GT4 ecu always overfuels a little to help stave off detonation-thats ok.
Turbo shouldnt normally be audible, even under power. If it whistles/whines etc then its probably on its way out.
Ride should be firm but not bone jarring or wallowy.
Make sure EVERYTHING works.
Check for mayonaise inside the oil filler cap.
If its got a service history, then all the better, mots and other bills all point to a looked after car.
How much to pay? Expect anywhere from 2500 for a crapper to 5500 for a minter.

HTH.

Mr E

21,718 posts

260 months

Tuesday 16th November 2004
quotequote all
deltaf said:
the GT4 ecu always overfuels a little to help stave off detonation-thats ok.


Understatement of the year....


deltaf said:


Turbo shouldnt normally be audible, even under power. If it whistles/whines etc then its probably on its way out.


Unless you have an induction kit fitted, at which point it's normal to think darth vader lives under the bonnet.

deltaf

6,806 posts

254 months

Tuesday 16th November 2004
quotequote all
Hi Mr E!

Have to agree with ya on the induction "roar" under power....ive sucked small children from the pavement with mine.....
Still, dont ever hear any whistle/whine from the turbo, even at full chat...weird.


Mr E

21,718 posts

260 months

Tuesday 16th November 2004
quotequote all
Really? I can hear mine scream on full boost, I hardly need a gauge....

Although how much of that is air noise, and how much is actually mechanical noise from the turbo is debatable.

ed_aw11

Original Poster:

973 posts

245 months

Tuesday 16th November 2004
quotequote all
Cheers guys.
Has definatley given me an idea of where to look etc.
It has 99k miles, FTSH and only a couple of mods. It sounds and looks mint, but I will have to wait til I get to drive it.

ps I was thinking of getting an AA or RAC inpesction done, buy my brother (Fatboy) says not to bother unless your buying a Vectra or a Festa. Would it be worth it?

Cheers,
Ed

Mr E

21,718 posts

260 months

Tuesday 16th November 2004
quotequote all
I took the AA to court after they inspected my GT-Four.

Total waste of money. Seriously, don't bother. Join up over at GT4OC and you may well find a local who can take a gander at it with you.

ed_aw11

Original Poster:

973 posts

245 months

Tuesday 16th November 2004
quotequote all
[quote=Mr E]www.gt4oc.com

Where abouts mate (I'm a bit of a GT-Four zealot).

quote]

Its in Essex. The more I read on the various websites suggested, the more I really, really want one. Far better than getting a new bathroom suite. Plus, "Sludge Green" does grow on you after a while.

Mr E

21,718 posts

260 months

Tuesday 16th November 2004
quotequote all
Lol.

Great cars bud, great cars. The ST205 is permenantly overshadowed by evo-rezzas of the same vintage, and I suspect it's a better car because of it.

Fatboy

7,986 posts

273 months

Tuesday 16th November 2004
quotequote all
ed_aw11 said:
[quote=Mr E]<a href="http://www.gt4oc.com">www.gt4oc.com</a>

Where abouts mate (I'm a bit of a GT-Four zealot).

quote]

Its in Essex. The more I read on the various websites suggested, the more I really, really want one. Far better than getting a new bathroom suite. Plus, "Sludge Green" does grow on you after a while.

I'd forgotten about the rather fetching bathroom...

ed_aw11

Original Poster:

973 posts

245 months

Wednesday 17th November 2004
quotequote all
Mr E said:
Lol.

Great cars bud, great cars. The ST205 is permenantly overshadowed by evo-rezzas of the same vintage, and I suspect it's a better car because of it.




Why be the same as everbody else. Plus the insurance quote I got for it was only £90 a year more than I'm paying on my '89 MK1 MR2. But its worth twice as much, and has double the BHP.

As Mr J.Clarkson said, "If your going to build a fast car, start off with a fast one in the first place!"

I say, "If your going to build an individual car, start off with an individual one in the first place"

Mr E

21,718 posts

260 months

Wednesday 17th November 2004
quotequote all
ed_aw11 said:


Why be the same as everbody else.


Yup. My point exactly.

Evo/WRX - (very) fast 3 box saloon.
Celica/MR2 - Custom built sports coupe

Cons. ST205 looks like a squashed frog.

tuttle

3,427 posts

238 months

Wednesday 17th November 2004
quotequote all
Mr E said:


Evo/WRX - (very) fast 3 box saloon.
Celica/MR2 - Custom built sports coupe



'Fraid I have to disagree there


Mr E said:

Cons. ST205 looks like a squashed frog.


Yesssss,but what a fab frog!

p.s. Small amount of progress with the R33 Mechanics(with a capital'S')
.................Large amount of satisfaction.

Thanks all,for the support

>> Edited by tuttle on Wednesday 17th November 19:05

tuttle

3,427 posts

238 months

Thursday 18th November 2004
quotequote all
Gazboy said:
Are you ever gonna get this sodding thing back?



I'm starting to think that owning the skyline was a figment of my imagination,or just one of those wet dreams
Now I remember,look I'm in front of a 33 & 34GTR-....wake up Matt,come back to the light.....



Appologies,not meaning to hi-jack this thread
Matt

>> Edited by tuttle on Thursday 18th November 09:58

Mr E

21,718 posts

260 months

Thursday 18th November 2004
quotequote all
Nice pic. Where was that?

deltaf

6,806 posts

254 months

Thursday 18th November 2004
quotequote all
Very cool! Ya just gotta love the Skyline. If i had the dollars id buy one in a heartbeat.

ed_aw11

Original Poster:

973 posts

245 months

Thursday 18th November 2004
quotequote all
That was Castle Coombe (Camp Corner?) if I am not mistaken. I have a pic on my PC at home of an Evo VIII going sideways, then flicking back and crashing on the very same corner, right under my feet. I'll try to remember to post it up this evening.