RE: PH Carpool: Toyota Celica GT4

RE: PH Carpool: Toyota Celica GT4

Monday 11th February 2013

PH Carpool: Toyota Celica GT4

Unmolested Celicas are rare but this week's PHer scored a true 'one lady owner' minter



Name:
Manjinder Bains
Car:
1995 Toyota Celica GT4
Owned since:
2010
Previously owned:
"I run a Golf TDI day to day and sold a Mitsubishi FTO to buy the Celica."

The peak of Celica development, and mint
The peak of Celica development, and mint
Why I bought it:
"When I was at college in 1996-1998 I always used to see a UK model Toyota Celica GT4 in my home town of Wolverhampton . I just loved it, and so did my mates. But at the time I couldn't afford one; they were £30,000 new and secondhand prices were high. And nobody would have insured me at the time, even if I had had the money to buy one.

"It took me nearly three years to find this one. The lady owner had the car since new and it was a perfect example in every way and I knew it had been well looked after. She also only sold it to me when I went down to her house to view it and she felt comfortable selling it to me. She decided that she would only sell the car to an enthusiast and turned down two other offers because she wanted the car to go to a good home. When I first viewed the car I loved it straight away, and I said to my wife, 'I'm not going home without it'! I was scared in case they turned me down too but I knew deep down that I would look after it."

Originaly three-spoke alloys still in place
Originaly three-spoke alloys still in place
What I wish I'd known:
"I did a lot of research on various GT4 websites before I bought it. The only problem I have is servicing it, because the Toyota dealership in my home town is a bit clueless about the car. So I have it serviced and maintained by TR&D, a GT4 specialist near Nottingham. Service costs are not that expensive at all; you just need to be careful with the front Super Strut suspension as it is very expensive to replace. Also the clutch, as the engine has to be taken out for the work to be done."

Things I love:
"I love everything about the car. The performance is fantastic, road handling is great and there's loads of power in every gear. Also, four-wheel drive makes it safe. Plus people can't stop staring at the car, even though it's 17 years old!

"The car came with full Toyota service history to 55,000 miles, then specialist history and every MoT present. The car had only done 69,000 miles when I bought it. Mileage now is 72,000. Touch wood, since I've had the car it's been fantastic; it just needs a basic service every year or 6,000 miles."

Three-year search for a good one paid off
Three-year search for a good one paid off
Things I hate:
"There's nothing I hate about it, except I am a bit tall and it gets a bit awkward getting in and out as it sits close to the ground. Also it attracts the wrong attention sometimes."

Costs:
"I also have two diesel cars and, to tell you the truth it's not that bad on fuel at all. If you drive the car fast it will push the fuel consumption up but that's the same with every car. I usually get around 24-26mpg. I pay £360 a year to insure fully comp which is not bad at all."

Where I've been:
"The best trip I've had with the car was driving to Yorkshire Dales, stayed there a week for a break. The country lanes were fantastic, and I loved every minute driving around tight twisty roads."

What next?
"I was thinking about selling it last year but changed my mind, due to getting scared who I'd sell it too! I don't want anyone to ruin the car as it has been looked after so well all its life!"

Author
Discussion

Donkey62

Original Poster:

227 posts

164 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
Toyota Celica GT4 is such a great car next to 'bushi FTO/GTO's with better sporting pedigree too

garypotter

1,483 posts

149 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
I still miss my imported 4WS celica, Great car by the way

filski666

3,841 posts

191 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
sniff, my GTFOUR goes tonight.....it has been one of my favourite cars I ever owned -this article didn't help....

Mr E

21,583 posts

258 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
I still miss mine.

Alfa159Ti

827 posts

156 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
Love these - one of the many Jap performance heroes from the halcyon days of the nineties import scene.

Same engine as in the MR2 Turbo I believe?

The GT4 just looks so mean - so much presence on the road. The front always looks like some sort of fighter jet/ rocket launcher to me. Love it!

Steamer

13,846 posts

212 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
Think I'm still in love with the previous model (pop-up head lights) - but these are still awesome!

Sounds like cheap thrills too, if you buy right.

hughw

1 posts

133 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
Have had a 1990 GT4 ST185 UK model for 13 years now, 145000 miles, great car and you can put your bike in the back too! Over 30mpg easy, great 4wd and always a pleasure to drive

ferdyg

193 posts

170 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
Great cars, you will love very minute of your ownership.

Looks like you found a well cared for example.

Resist the temptation to increase the performance as this is where they get expensive.

this is mine







Superb, much underrated car.

Enjoy!!


rtz62

3,340 posts

154 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
A man after my own heart.
I'm 50 and look after my cars with a passion; I don't do 'modified', and having owned several noteable cars (inc a 10,000 miles from new RS500) I love this.
Make a note of my user name my friend, when you wish to sell, I'd like to be offered first refusal.

Edited by rtz62 on Monday 11th February 12:18

rtz62

3,340 posts

154 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
A man after my own heart.
I'm 50 and look after my cars with a passion; I don't do 'modified', and having owned several noteable cars (inc a 10,000 miles from new RS500) I love this.
Make a note of my user name my friend, when you wish to sell, I'd like to be offered first refusal.
And I've given the car 10/10; what seriously is not to like about a gout who buys a low miles, one owner car????

ge0rge

3,053 posts

204 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
Sega rally as a kid made them an icon in my mind.. Always a bit tubby tho werent they!?

mr2j

516 posts

157 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
Alfa159Ti said:
Love these - one of the many Jap performance heroes from the halcyon days of the nineties import scene.

Same engine as in the MR2 Turbo I believe?

The GT4 just looks so mean - so much presence on the road. The front always looks like some sort of fighter jet/ rocket launcher to me. Love it!
'Tis indeed. Plenty of power and torque without mods, although saying that mine has a fairly extensive list of them biggrin

I would love one of these one day but I hope to keep my 3S-GTE to the aft for the foreseeable future.

silent k

783 posts

230 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
I still miss mine, I loved all the scoops and vents on the front - it had real presence. Huge amount of grip too, the only problem I found was you had to be going pretty fast for it to come alive.

loudlashadjuster

5,084 posts

183 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
Solid cars. A mate has had about eight in the past 14 years, mostly ST205s, and is pretty much a walking repository of knowledge on them now. They've ranged from mint, unmolested examples like yours to mildly but tastefully modded ones.

They've never been the quickest of the rally reps - too heavy and a bit less frantic than an Evo or Impreza, but the build quality and longevity are in no doubt. I'm not a huge fan of the looks, but can't deny they have presence in spades and would say they've aged remarkably well.

Oh, and the clutch isn't necessarily an engine out job; I have the scraped knuckles and Batchelor's Degree in Swearing to prove it!

Ryvita

712 posts

209 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
Awwwww. *sigh* I lost mine to serious mot failure in december. frown His parts are being used to keep two st205s and an st185 going so can't be too sad about it. Underappreciated gems who must start going up in value soon as they become rarer.

jbforce10

509 posts

174 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
At one point, about 15 years ago I half-thought about going down the GT Four route. I used to like Toyotas when I was a kid (Dad owned a couple) but I think I was spoilt by having previously had a couple of Lancia HF4WDs and an 8v Integrale. The Toyota felt "lardy" in comparison and I had an internal battle with such a switch of allegiance so I bought a 16v Integrale.

Unfortunately since then every GT Four that I've seen since has been bastardised (maybe it's a Suffolk/Norfolk thing).

The silver one looks nice, I would immediately de-wing it though.



Edited by jbforce10 on Monday 11th February 13:50

BoxsterEtype

496 posts

151 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
I've had an ST202 for 13 years, the old girl is getting tired now but the wife won't hear about her time being up. I think I would have to go first. Would love to have an ST205 as a keeper for the future. They will always draw crowds.

Alfa159Ti

827 posts

156 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
ferdyg said:
Great cars, you will love very minute of your ownership.

Looks like you found a well cared for example.

Resist the temptation to increase the performance as this is where they get expensive.

this is mine







Superb, much underrated car.

Enjoy!!
Beautiful.

David87

6,648 posts

211 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
I like that! Is it some sort of special edition? Didn't some GT4s have a smaller rear spoiler and different wheels? I may be imagining it, though!

Amirhussain

11,486 posts

162 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
Alfa159Ti said:
ferdyg said:
Great cars, you will love very minute of your ownership.

Looks like you found a well cared for example.

Resist the temptation to increase the performance as this is where they get expensive.

this is mine







Superb, much underrated car.

Enjoy!!
Beautiful.
+1. Great car.