Just Purchased A 2001, 190 The Previous Owner Rarely Used 'lift&#3

[abers]

Hello all,

Firstly i will introduce myself as that's the proper way!

I have just purchased a 2001, 190 T Sport Celica in storm grey lovely thing and i am thrilled with it. Its my second Celica with my first being an ST205 GT4 so its a different animal but needs must!

The owner i purchased it off had it from 2007 and due to living in London said he rarely used the 'lift' VTEC esque function as around London its very hard to which is understandable.

Just to put peoples minds at rest he was a really genuine bloke and didnt hide anything he said he had used it but in recent years the car sat well below 5k.

I guess my question is i would like to see what the old girl goes like but am afraid of awakening this cobwebby sleeping part and possibly causing damage?

Its probably an unanswerable question but is it just a case of going for it?

It has FSH, lots of oil changes etc...

Thanks people :-)

[FROSTYBALLS]

Hello George = welcome to Toyota Owners Club

[Scarlett Arrow]

Hi, George & welcome to T.O.C.

I would recommend you change the Lift/Flange Bolts. If they've never been changed, the type fitted to the pre face lift are prone to wearing, and ultimately breaking. You probably know the Engine has to be warm before "lift" will engage.

Your Thunder Grey T Sport is relatively rare, as they were only offered for a year, before being down-specced in 2002.

[abers]

Hi, thank you, I look forward to sharing a few photos etc i've gleaned a huge amount of knowledge already :-)

I had read up on the bolts and had it in mind to get our mechanic to fit them as a precaution just seems a shame to open up an original engine, but i guess you could argue the damage it could cause is even worse!

The only pictures I have at the moment aren't great but i will make sure i get some up :-) Its got the little lip spoiler and side skirts which i think finish these off really nicely!

Good condition all around really with only the usual Toyota alloy flakey painty!

Its a different car to the GT4 and unfortunatley, I cant say in a better way, however it is a lot better than the Puma that i was driving around in especially in handling which i was surprised by as the Puma is a cracking little thing albeit with typical early Ford build quality...

cheers

[Scarlett Arrow]

It's only the Rocker Cover that needs to be removed for the Bolts, so a relatively quick/easy job.

The Dynamic Lip and Skirts were OE on your car, and they were two of the items that were deleted for the face lift T Sport.

I agree about the GT4 being a better car, build quality is inferior on the Gen 7, but still better than many other cars of that age.

Look forward to the pics :)

PS I used to sell new Fords in the 90's, but left just before the Puma was announced.