Workin' My Way Back To You Babe...

[ForzaMinardi]

Hey Guys, for 4 years I had a blue 190vvti which I absolutely loved but with a almost 100 miles commute to a new job, 3 years ago I had to trade it in for a diesel snoremobile. Now that I'm back able to walk to work and so on, I'm on the market for another Celica pending the upcoming and amazing looking 'new' Celica becoming affordable. Bizarrely, I registered here back then but never posted - don't know why not!

I've found a 2001 TSport for just under £4k with 130,000 miles on it. I know it's a Toyota and my beautiful old one had 110,000 without a problem on it when I said sayonara, PLUS I always tell others, "don't worry about the mileage, look at the history" but 130,000 miles is a tad scary for a car that will have to do me for a few years and of course I'll be looking for a bit of fun in it (not THAT kind of fun, keep it clean!).

Anyway, I know my way round the car reasonably well from owning one before and I'm fairly confident that they're about as bombproof as a car can be, but I was wondering if you had any advices for what to look for on an older car? To be honest, I wasn't even aware of the oil-eating problem before now and its not something my old one suffered from - is there anything I should look for to suggest a potential purchase may suffer from this apart from the obvious wad of receipts for oil? And meanwhile I suffered form the old Toyota belt squeak, is that actually a major problem? It never seemed to cause anything other than irritation back in the day.

On a slightly different note, isn't it amazing that the Celica is still the best looking mid-range coupe on the market AND still compares well with the contemporary competition on performance and economy? I'm flabbergasted that so little cash buys you such a brilliant car these days. I spent £9k on mine back in the day! What an enduring design it has proved to be - a future classic I think.

Can't wait to get stuck back into a proper car. Its just a pity Toyota F1 is no more, I'll need a new name for "Jarno Mk. 2"!

[Old Red Celica]

The Oil problem only relates to 140's, the 190's have problem with the Lift Bolts :)

130k is not a lot really.

[ForzaMinardi]

Lift bolt? OK.

[GreyRacer]

Lift bolt? OK.

The 1ZZ-FE engine in the 140 has variable valve timing only, or VVT-i.

The 2ZZ-GE engine in the 190 has variable valve timing AND lift, or VVTL-i. Th extra 50 BHP comes from and extra cam which engages at 6,200 rpm and takes you to the limiter at 8,200 prm.

This is what we term ''lift''

Two of the bolts are the ''lift'' bolts. On the earlier 190 models they were know to break. From 2003 Toyota changed the design and they are fine now. Even though my TS is a 2006 I change mine every 10,000 mile service. (OCD on my part) but then I live my life in ''lift'' or the '' dark-side'' as some call it.

Good luck finding a new car.

[ForzaMinardi]

Hmmm, strange, never heard that before and not something my old one suffered from as I liked to keep the engine spinning away. Beyond the obvious of it not taking off at 6,200rpm and a light on the dash, is there any way of knowing if its on the way out? And if it is, I assume it's an epically expensive task to repair?

Thanks Old Red and Grey. I see you're a jock too Grey. Unfortunately I am exiled in the heathen land to the South.

[GreyRacer]

You won't know if the lift bolts are on their way out unless you physically check them. If they go, they go suddenly. It will not damage your engine, you just loose lift. Removal of them before broken is an easy task for those with some mechanical knowledge and there are very good instructions out there to help. A broken bolt is another issue entirely.

The redesigned bolts fitted to 2003 and later, seldom if ever break. The early versions became worn and snapped. You can change pre 2003 for the newer bolts.

I don't like the idea of exile. South of the Border is fine for a short holiday and meetings with the natives.

[SIE]

Sounds like yor paying 2 much for a car thats got that many mile, i payed £4,800 for a 140 vvti, thats dune 50,000 miles.

im shore if u looked around you can find 1 with better than that.

[ForzaMinardi]

SIE, I suspect a 140 is significantly cheaper for its horsepower deficit?

[SIE]

i still wouldent buy a car for 4 grand thats dune more than 100,000 miles. i dont fink id even spent 2 grand if it hade dun more than 100,000 miles. even if it is toyota,

[SimonPG]

SIE, I suspect a 140 is significantly cheaper for its horsepower deficit?

Not true, with the increased insurance and fuel costs the 190 brings I'd say prices would probably be about the same.