Celica GT4 ST185 - Any good?

[NightRavne]

Hi there, as you can tell by the title I’m interested in getting a Celica GT4 ST185, and I was interested in what they are like both to drive and to live with. I would get a nice classic Impreza or ST205, but I have a budget of 10K, not a penny more, and those cars are all above that for anything decent, whereas an ST185 can be had ~8k in excellent condition.

Its kind of competing against an SW20 MR2 turbo for my next car, although if there was anything similar you all recommended I would much appreciate the recommendation. Anything rally inspired gets extra points! Nothing FWD however. Will be a daily though, and whilst I do well for my age (19), I’m also paying for everything myself and don’t have infinite pockets.

Bear in mind, this will be an upgrade from a 2005 Honda Jazz. Just because it doesn’t blow the doors off of your 800HP Audi RS-whatever doesn’t mean it isn’t fast!

[swampy442]

Great cars, very reliable if left alone (reverse and crap mods like dump valves etc.

As per Toyotas of that era rust is a real concern, trim can be fragile and hard to find, a clutch change is an engine out job but mechanically theyre very robust. Dont have that nasty figure of 8 suspension that the 205 has. Id love a 165 or 185.

I didnt thing you could find them for 8k though, especially in excellent condition

[NightRavne]

Sounds awesome. Yeah they are that cheap, a perfect condition one in red had to drop all the way to 7k in order to be sold. Anyone charging more is getting crickets and bugger all. Theres just no market to them unlike the 205s