To buy or not to buy

[Tooter]

Hi I'm looking at buying a pre facelift 2003 190 t sport celica. I would like to know if the suffer from the oil burn problem I've been for a test drive and like the car apart from the clutch biteing high. But my main worry is the oil burn the early celiacs have. 

All input would be greatly appreciated.

[Scarlett Arrow]

Only 140's suffer from the oil burning problem, Jon..but for the tiny difference in price, a face lift would be a better choice.

[RUToyota]

As Kev says,...you shouldn't have any oil burning issues with the 190...the clutch may need replacing which will take about 300+ of your notes if it's done by a garage.

I had the clutch done in my previous Celica...IIRC it was around £350 with new fluid and shaft seals.

Great cars...you'll not be disappointed. I loved mine and it was only back issues on long drives that made me sell it...but then I am an old git.!

 

 

Neil

[Tomb3]

Some good answers already although not only is the facelift updated, I believe it is a tad lighter as well as slightly faster accelerating (2 tenths of a second to 60) the prefacelift didn't have a t sport it was the vvtli 190 so if t sport badges other alterations may have been made. Make sure you check it is a 190 as some 140 have badges on so they can be sold on to unsuspecting buyers.
Easy to check the engine bay all 190s have a metal intake plenum where as the 140s were plastic but as you say you have driven it so make sure you have checked lift kicks in before purchasing also.


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[Scarlett Arrow]

Just to clarify, Tom..the 190 was on sale from 2000 to 2002, the pre face lift T Sport, from 2001 to 2002.

The T Sport had the Dynamic Lip and Skirts, and also Multi CD Player deleted when face lifted in the Autumn of 2002.

[JoeyJoe]

My 190 is 2000, has done 165k miles and is still going very strong! Only a slight belt issue and oil is leaking slowly, but other than that, it's a decent engine.