Toyota Celica... Any Good?

[24seven 104]

I remember when these came out, they looked really radical and edgy and futuristic to me at the time but other than that I can't say I've really heard anything about them at all. Maybe I've just missed it all, but it seems they've gone largely un-noticed.

 

That said, I like the styling and they do have that sporty "handles well look" about them. So... Are they any good? I've seen one for sale locally that seems a bit of a bargain and I need to replace the 309.

 

[edit] Should probably say I mean the most recent generation that first appeared in the late 90's or early 00's. The one I've been offered is the 140bhp version.

Edited August 10, 2012 by 24seven

[MiniGibbo 142]

What age..?

 

The gt4 looked good/looks good but the forty four tonne drivetrain destroys its performance

[harryskid 193]

I heard the later ones were not so good as the earlier ones but not that sure! I've always used their vans in my business from new and have never had a bad one!

[24seven 104]

Should have said, it's the most recent model, 140bhp version I've been offered.

[Anthony 1,003]

You mean the generation with the 1.8 VVTi and 1.8 VVTLi engines?

 

I've driven a couple of them (had one on a days loan when my then MR2 was getting serviced) and they're alright but nothing special in my option, and for the premium they seem to command against other similar cars I don't think that I'd personally bother. The 140hp VVTi is a bit under powered really but it would be fine on a daily driver, whereas the 190hp VVTLi is reasonably quick but very frustrating to keep on the boil as it's like an old-school VTEC engine but with odd gearing and a rev limiter that feels like it's 500rpm too low so you constantly hit it when pressing on (it was apparently lowered on later models compared to the early cars, so that might be why). Ideally needs a LSD too.

 

It's not even in the same league as an Integra Type-R for example, or if that's too pricey and you want a coupe, take a look at a Ford Puma 1.7 as they're fantastic (if rather rust prone). Both are in another league compared to a Celica, even though it's not a "bad" car per-se.

[24seven 104]

Yeah that's the one Anthony. I've only around £1k to spend on both a car and the first insurance payment and that's not until I've sold a load of stuff first. The one I've been offered is a 140bhp model on 121k miles, service history up to 115k where it had a new cam chain. He only wants £700 for it.

 

[edit] Actually it's not that different in terms of history/mileage/price to this one on PH, only different wheels and it's dark grey.

Edited August 10, 2012 by 24seven

[Anthony 1,003]

Ah right, the prices of them have fallen through the floor then since I last looked as even rough examples were going for £2k+

 

At less than a grand, it would be a much more tempting prospect

[24seven 104]

Hokey kokey. Thanks. Broadened my options a little. I don't need anything mega quick at the moment, only one more year of being a poor student to go then I can start playing with cars again. But meanwhile I refuse to lower my standards enough to go for something like a 1.5D 106.

[Anthony 1,003]

At the end of the day, drive it, have a poke around and see what you think

 

I freely admit that I'm somewhat picky when it comes to cars, and there's plenty out there that I don't think much of that others rave about - 306 GTi's are a good example, as I find them distinctly underwhelming, and yet others think they're one of the finest hot-hatches ever. Equally, there's plenty that I like which others would raise their eyebrows at - Citroen ZX's being one, together with my seeming like of so called girly cars (hence my Puma suggestion, which is worth a look as they're similar money/age to the Celica and rust aside, cheap as chips to run being Fiesta based)

 

Looking at the Celica prices, it does look like I was sort of right, as most 140's and all 190's are still over 2-3k, and it only seems to be the earliest and higher-mileage examples that are into down below a grand. I can't work out if it's something particularly undesirable about those early cars, or whether it's just that most sellers are being distinctly optimistic with their pricing - which given it's PH is quite likely (the 205 GTi section is always worth a giggle)

[chipstick 382 1 Cars]

What do you want from the car?

 

If something small and nimble (which I'm doubting due to the Celica prospect) I'd recommend looking at Clio 172s with your budget. You'll find one for a grand. They aren't far away from GTi6 value now, and are a better vehicle IMO after owning both. A fair bit of car for the money, and cheap to maintain.

 

You'll laugh - but if you want more Celica size, perhaps a cheap Xsara VTS. Loads of change from a grand and they drive really well - although they lack the refinement. Loving mine - although the exhaust fell off today.

[24seven 104]

At the end of the day, drive it, have a poke around and see what you think

 

I freely admit that I'm somewhat picky when it comes to cars, and there's plenty out there that I don't think much of that others rave about - 306 GTi's are a good example, as I find them distinctly underwhelming, and yet others think they're one of the finest hot-hatches ever. Equally, there's plenty that I like which others would raise their eyebrows at - Citroen ZX's being one, together with my seeming like of so called girly cars (hence my Puma suggestion, which is worth a look as they're similar money/age to the Celica and rust aside, cheap as chips to run being Fiesta based)

 

Looking at the Celica prices, it does look like I was sort of right, as most 140's and all 190's are still over 2-3k, and it only seems to be the earliest and higher-mileage examples that are into down below a grand. I can't work out if it's something particularly undesirable about those early cars, or whether it's just that most sellers are being distinctly optimistic with their pricing - which given it's PH is quite likely (the 205 GTi section is always worth a giggle)

 

I'm sort of with you on the 306. I's a good fun car to drive, but they're still quite overrated. It may be very similar underneath to the 205 and 309, but it's not as raw and it doesn't give you that feeling of someone poking you in the back saying "Go on... floor it... have a go... you know which one the loud pedal is... go on... go on..." as much as it's older brothers do. The only 205's on PH within my budget are either bangers or unfinished projects, though there is a nice miami with an S16 engine, but that's bang on £1k which leaves no money for insurance (tax is free due to a family health thing).

 

What do you want from the car?

 

If something small and nimble (which I'm doubting due to the Celica prospect) I'd recommend looking at Clio 172s with your budget. You'll find one for a grand. They aren't far away from GTi6 value now, and are a better vehicle IMO after owning both. A fair bit of car for the money, and cheap to maintain.

 

You'll laugh - but if you want more Celica size, perhaps a cheap Xsara VTS. Loads of change from a grand and they drive really well - although they lack the refinement. Loving mine - although the exhaust fell off today.

 

Why would I laugh at a Xsara? I had one for a few months and it was great. if it wasn't an ugly phase 2 and bit of a rotter then I'd have probably kept it, but I only bought it as a donor for the 309. It felt far more refined than a 306 and was more comfortable, better built, better equipped. There aren't many around for sale though, and it would have to be a phase 1 (the P2 front end really is just toooo damm ugly!)

 

I've looked at 172s, but the problem is for £1k they've all been hammered or are falling apart in typical French fashion. I've found one on eBay, the later (imo less attractive looking) phase 2 with the triangle headlights. It's a good price, but the seller thinks the dephaser pulley is making horrible noises at idle, which from what I can gather from a quick google search is the Clio equivalent of having a "tapper" GTi6 engine - It could go at any time completely shafting the engine and it's not a cheap/easy fix.

Edited August 11, 2012 by 24seven

[chipstick 382 1 Cars]

I have to hugely disagree on the xsara feeling more refined than a GTi6. The Xsara does just come across as a 1.4 model with a spoiler and the engine shoved in. Granted they made the handling and steering feel right, but inside it lacks the few odds and sods that's the GTI6 had such as half leather alcantara, silver detailing etc. The plastics inside are more ghastly. I'm talking ph1 VTS though, I've never looked at a ph2.

 

When this one gets broken in the next couple of months I will be looking for another to run about in.

 

Would buy another GTi6, but they have attracted various 'buy it but don't maintain it' owners and a large majority of them have been run in to the ground moreso than the VTS.

[welshpug 1,657]

just sounds like you have bought a cheap shagger Dan

[kyepan 291]

My ex had been one I drove it a couple of times, massive lack of torque in normal driving. Pretty car, wasn't able to test the handling the they seem to put massive wheels on them which never bodes well. Looks far better than it goes.

[chipstick 382 1 Cars]

just sounds like you have bought a cheap shagger Dan

 

Had 10 months of trouble free driving otherwise for the price of what the engine will sell for when I'm finished with it, so I'm happy.

 

The exhaust has been a problem for a long while though. Luckily the wife was using it when it fell off, so it's her that had to spend 3 hours stranded - not me.

[24seven 104]

The nasty plastic is there on both cars, no doubt about that, although I do prefer the shape of the 306 dash and how the centre console angles towards the driver. But even on the 150k mile rotter P2 I had there were no dash squeaks or rattles and the steering wheel controls were actually a lot more useful than I had anticipated. I preferred the 5 speed gearbox as well, the quicker steering rack is naturally more fun and with the same engine in (I'm think I'm right in saying) a lighter car, it's not slower off the mark. It's a younger design after all - they're bound to have made improvements.

 

[edit] As it happens I've just had an offer accepted on a tidy P1 VTS, so I won't get to try out a Celica after all. Thanks for all the input/advice folks.

 

 

Quick question though, The car has been SORN'd since august 1st as they weren't using it, although it has a fresh MOT. I'll use one of those day insure places to cover me to drive it back, but what's the deal with tax? I can get tax free through a family member who is disabled which means a slightly more complicated process than just nipping into a post office on my way home with the car. Should I notify police before hand?

Edited August 11, 2012 by 24seven