Celica ST205 Import or UK

[Guest]

Hello,

I'm looking to buy a Toyota Celica GT Four ST205 in the future as a daily driver. Insurance or running costs don't concern me. The issue concerning me is whether I should try and look for a GT Four already in the UK or buy a fresh import. I've heard from two mechanics I know that a GT Four that's already been in the UK a while whether it's a Jap import or not will be a money pit and that I should purchase a fresh import. This concerned me a little as a fresh Jap import would cost around £10,000. I was looking to spend between £3,000 and £7,000.

I'm concerned that if I buy a GT Four that's been in the UK a while, it will cost me dearly and I'll end up wasting my money. I'm aware that any car that is 24 years old will have issues and it will depend on if the car has been thrashed or not and if it's been looked after or modified and pushed to the limits. I've read various forums regarding the GT Four's reliability but most of them are from a few years ago. I'm looking for opinions from owners who own them now or have purchased them in the past 2-4 years and if there are any essential preventive measures to take or what to look for and if the mechanics I've spoken to are correct or not. I've done some research so far and from what I understand issues can circle around:

The SuperStrut suspension

The rear differential mount

The engine and turbo if it's been modified and thrashed

The clutch

Brake pipe's/hoses

Track rod end

Wheel bearings

Rust where the tailgate opens

Rust in the headlight arch

Please add to the list if there is anything I've missed or if I'm talking rubbish about anything. I only know bit's and pieces. I'm somewhat familiar with Celica's as my dad owned three GT's and one GT Four as well as a Mk4 Supra. I'm not going to modify this car, I like keeping my cars original and I would try and restore one of these cars to the original look as much as I could. 

Thanks for reading

[Simon_P]

Hi M8.

Just a few things to think about.

I have a 1995 UK GT4. 
Any GT4 you get will most likely have issues and spares can be a real problem depending the year you get.
THIS WILL BE A PROJECT CAR. 
Saying this I would not change my UK spec GT4 for the world. I used mine daily until the MOT was due and will be using again daily as my main car once I sort out the ABS sensor. 

I previously owned a 1998 Celica GT SSIII (ST202 with a 3S-GE Engine). It had an issue with the front I never solved it kept destroying wheel bearings. In the 3 years I owned it I had to change both front ones twice each. I also changed the 2 front drop-links (known issue on both the ST202 and ST205) hoping this would solve the problem (nope). Other than that  regular oil changes/filter and the normal new Battery, tyres, pads, fluids and disks all round(I do this for all the cars I buy).

My GT4 is a different kettle of fish. So far I had to or need to

• New Battery (The old one is still in great condition and now a spare/camping battery)
• replace both   fuel tank straps   (£38.22 each + Delivery). One done and one to do. One side needs a new bracket ($26 + Shipping from Japan).
• Rear brakes Pads (all for pins needed drilling out). Eventually found reconditioned rear calipers about £160 each but I had drilled out pins by then with a £80 pillar drill) 
• Front left ABS sensor (in process of getting a replacement now. $300, note i could only get the right hand one so i have to cut the sensor off and reconnect it to the original wiring)
• Some welding underneath just near the fuel tank. (Non structural and not exterior) Chassis is sound but does need urgent cleaning and resealing. 
• Fitted an 2din Android DVD player in the dash which did involve an hours work with a dremel and a small file to make it fit. 

Get as new a model as you can. Particularly one built after July 1995 as they changed the abs systems and finding early abs sensors is next to impossible.
If possible get a 1998/9 model as they will also be OBD2 (not sure when it became standard but my April 1995 GT4 is only OBD). 

You say insurance costs would not be an issue for you but getting insurance on an import is huge postcode lottery. I phoned several import specialists and main stream insurance companies as well as price comparison sites and the difference could be upward of £500 more for an import than for a UK stock car. My advice is check with price comparison sites and if the number plate comes up as a GT4 insurance will be easier. If it comes up unknown or a different car such as Celica GT or MR2 then you WILL have phone and trust me you will have issues. I put a caveat here. Where I live it was a much larger difference in price than it was in a slightly smaller town only 25 miles away.

Simon

Edited October 21, 2018 by Simon_P
Tidying up lol