Buying A New Celica, Help Please

[bf2k]

Hi All

I'm new to this forum and would like some advise please if you can.

I am looking at buying a 7th Gen Celica and I have 3 to choose from. Hopefully I can get to see them tomorrow morning. The cars I've seen are:

1. 2004/54 T-Sport 190, Red, Leather Seats, 141000 miles, 10 months mot, FSH (Laquer starting to show signs of wear on paint work but generally in excellent condition). £1700

2. 2004/54, 140, Silver, Leather Seats, 125000 miles, 8 months mot, FSH £1600

3. 2001/Y, 140, Silver, Leather Seats, 70000 miles, 9 months mot, FSH (alloys starting to show rust signs) £1500

I really fancy a red car and like the sound of the 190 version and it is a facelifted version (same as car 2) so the lift bolts should be taper bolts and sound and car 2 won't have the oil problem. But I'm being put off by the mileage. Am I being silly? I bought a Mazda 6 last year at about 30k under mileage and I hardly saw it except on ramps!

Any advice would be fantastic thank you.

[daihatsukid]

i know a few people that have had either celicas or t sport corollas with the 1.8 yamaha beams engine, they are known oil burners, make sure it is 100% standard if ur goin for it, 1 t sport corolla had a large k&n air filter, made the engine run at higher temp cos of lean mixture, burnt out valves, got roughly 1000mls to 1ltr oil, most of the 190bhp engines will get about 3000mls to a ltr of oil which isnt bad all things considered. its really depends on whether you are going to check the oil level every week without fail to keep it healthy

[bf2k]

Hi, thanks for the comments. I am one of those who will regularly check the oil, water etc. I even do it on my new focus (suprisingly it needed quite a bit after 10k miles). All three are unmodified and I don't plan on doing any mods to it either except a new DAB stereo (can't live with DAB now I've used it). My major concern it the mileage on the 54 reg car. Prices are in my region (£1500 was my budget) and I'd prefer a face lift model if I;m honest, although I do prefer the front end of the pre-face lift version.

[Scarlett Arrow]

My advice to you is to save a little more. Probably not what you're wanting to hear, but there's a big difference in what £2K+ will buy you Gen 7 wise, compared to £1.5K.

AVOID the pre face lift 140's, the face lift is only slightly more expensive, and you're not having to be obsessive with the dipstick.

A face lift 140 or T Sport is a more difficult choice. I'm in the 140 camp personally, mainly because the 6th gear ratio in the T Sport would drive me nuts, and I'm past the stage where I want to go screaming around busy roads at 7K+ revs. The insurance/RFL/fuel consumption is of course kinder too.

Good luck in your search :)

[RUToyota]

Agree with Scarlet A...go for the facelift if you can..better interior...bigger brakes too.,!

As for the oil burning issue..?...well, it is NOT a given that a pre-facelift Celi will have it...it's just more prone to it.

That was addressed on the face-lifted model but does NOT guarantee it can't happen.

I think it's more down to regular oil and filter changes (I'd say 5/6k miles max) and using the right oil.

I know of peeps with the pre-facelift models who don't have an oil issue..and I know peeps with the facelift models who HAVE had that issue.!..but I guess it's right to say that the face-lifted model is perhaps a much "safer bet".

As for the 140 v. 190 question...I agree with Scarlet....but I guess it depends what YOU want from your car.?..if you want or feel a need to have that "lift" available then go for the 190..but you'll need to get to around 6k rpm to enjoy it..lol..I just didn't have a need for that..I'd personally find that a bit tiresome but I can well understand why the 190 guys and gals like them.

The 140 ain't a slow car...it handles well..and up to that point where you can wring it's neck and get "lift" then there ain't that much difference between the two.

As Scarlet says..there are other benefits in that the 6th gear is a slightly better cruiser..and the road tax/insurance is slightly better too...but those things won't matter if you WANT the 190. ;)

Buy the best car you can..on condition, history etc...and you'll have a really fine driver's car..be it 140 OR 190.

Mileage shouldn't be a major issue in that these engines are capable of dealing with high mileage (200k miles + is not unheard of)...providing they have been regularly serviced and had the oil changes they need.!!!!!!

Anyway...that's my tuppence-worth..so good luck.!..hope you find the right one for you.!!

Neil

[Scarlett Arrow]

Another thing to bear in mind, Andrew..is that the 190 engine doesn't produce anywhere near 190bhp. Owners who have used a R/R have found figures as low as 143, up to around 175.

But, as Neil says, the T Sport is still a good car, just a little too much hard work (in terms of gear changing) for me.

My first choice would be one of the special editions. Both the "Premium Red", and the "Premium Blue", have a high spec. list, and with 17" wheels and rear spoiler, look very much like a T Sport.

HTH :)

[bf2k]

Thank you all for your comments.

I managed to put the photo's through photoshop last night of the T-Sport and the paint work looks like it has had a sandblast on the front bumper. So I've decided to knock this on the head. I thought the 54 plate at 125000 miles was the next best option but after looking at the blanket of snow I thought getting to Leeds and back in half a day wasn't going to happen (which I've since found out they cancelled the trains this morning). I did see another T-Sport but unfortunately that had gone yesterday when I rang this morning.

As far as having to have a T-Sport, I only went towards those models because of the extra styling (spoiler, leather, etc) and for the price difference it made sense. I only on occasions have this need to ring a cars engine (testosterone release??? LOL). Apart from that the engine and the lift aren't that important in the grand scheme of things. I doubt the gear changes would both either, its the same reason I'd never have an automatic, I like to feel I'm driving the car. However, unless another comes up soon I think I'll take your advice and look at a 140 face lift. I've seen quite a few within 30 miles of me that have the Premium and Style packs, all varying in mileage, but all seem to be silver.

Again thanks for your help and I'll keep you posted on how I go on.

[RUToyota]

Good thinking.!....seems as though the 140 is the right way for you to go.

I do agree with Scarlet A....the premium reds/blues are certainly worth having if you can find one.!

Good luck....be patient.!

Neil

[bf2k]

I've managed to find 2 this afternoon a 190 red with 103k on the clock but only 4 months mot. The plus is it has a Try styling pack which looks great. The other is a 52 140 with 52k on clock but silver and a cloth interior. The service history of this car is exemplary.

I can see the 190 tonight but the other not until the weekend. If this is no good I think I'll bide my time and wait for a limited edition one.

[Scarlett Arrow]

If you didn't already know, all 190's are pre face lift, plus I would recommend you avoid modified examples. Go for a clean sheet of paper, and then take your time choosing modifications carefully, not forgetting insurance implications.

Don't let cloth interior put you off, leather seats front and rear can be picked up very cheaply. The two tone leather from a T Sport starts from as little as £50, and is easy to fit.

[RUToyota]

^^^^^^^^^...good advice...and yes it should be said that the 190's NEVER suffered with the oil burning issue (pre or post face lift)...it was only the 140's, I believe.

Neil

[bf2k]

I had a look at the 190 with the TRD styling last night. It was OK but the body work needed a lot of attention, the springs seemed to have been played with because the back end was very high. I didn't trust the "dealer" as well. He knew nothing about the car, he didn't even washer it or give it a wipe over.

I looked at the other car available on my way home (the garage was closed but the car was outside to view). I'm definitely going to have another look on Saturday. It was very clean and knowing that the car has always been serviced at the same place and the same garage that is selling it is a draw. Not sure on the price tag though, £1700 for a 52 reg with 113000 on the clock.

[RUToyota]

I think I'd give that first car a miss too....too risky.

As for the other...sounds promising and certainly worth another closer look/drive.

£1700 is a dealer price..simples...but everything's negotiable.! ;)

Better to pay a little over the odds IF it ticks all your boxes..and has the service and care history you think it has.

113k miles is certainly nothing to worry about at all.

I paid a "full" price for mine..from a dealer..and simply did the best deal I could. But it was pretty mint...full Toyota service history...very well cared for (inside and out) and with a slightly below average mileage. (82k miles in 11 years)....but I was happy to pay it because I felt it was the right one for me....so far..so good..!

Neil

[bf2k]

Hi, thanks for all your help. I've finally purchased a Celica. 140 version, 03 plate, Silver (red or blue were really hard to find), 145k on clock, 15 service stamps with main dealer (Toyota). 2 previous owners. Recent New clutch. I gave 1250 for it. It's spot on (so far, lol).

I'm planning on a few slight mods to it to bring it up to its former glory but it really doesn't need much. I might also use it as a project car as well, without going stupid. It drive superbly and has been stood outside my house for a week whilst I was away with work. Started up first time no issues this morning. I think it may be running a little rich. It's idling at 1500 revs and you can smell a tinge of petrol so going to get that checked out. Might be nothing and perfectly normal.