I Want One

[Mandy]

Hi Everyone

I currently have a 97 Avensis and am looking to buy my dream Celica soon. I am in the market for a 2 year old 1.8 in Lagoon Blue or Grey.

Before I get carried away with the first one I see is there anything particular to the Celica I should look out for?

Thanks

Mandy

[Calisto]

Hi and welcome to the club Mandy.

The rest of the gang will be along to help soon.

[daktari]

Hi Mandy.

Welcome to TOC. Assuming you buy from a Toyota dealer you will benefit from a warranty. As far as i know the only real issues with the Gen 7 Celica is the laquer lifting on the alloy wheels. Should be rectified or replaced under warranty. Usual excellent Toyota build quality although i`ve heard from a couple of folk that Toyota have skimped in a few areas. Purely on the grounds of cost. Check all the usual stuff, Service history etc and it should be fine. Happy hunting.

[dmjuk]

Apart from the alloys, the other area which needs attention are the brakes. Check for rust around the front and back hubs plus the calipers. Although the rust doesn't directly effect performance, having bright orange hubs on a 2 year old car can look a bit unsightly.

Even if they are only slightly rusted ask for them to be replaced under warranty, its been recognised as a probelm by toyota and they will be replaced with the revised black ones. If your dealer is really nice they will also stick nice new green stuff pads on as well.

[Mandy]

Apart from the alloys, the other area which needs attention are the brakes. Check for rust around the front and back hubs plus the calipers. 

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Thanks dmjuk,

I assume it is the calipers that rust, or as you suggest the pads should be changed is it the discs ?

As you are suggesting green stuff pads does this mean the braking performance of the standard pads is not up to the job? My Avensis stops on a five pound note if I apply anything more than the lightest of pressure on the pedal!

Mandy

(Desparately seeking Celica!)

[GT4 BOOSTER]

nowt wrong with toyota pads , they stop my 255 bhp gt4 , no dust either.

£ 35 a set , yes mandy they change the brake discs and replace them with black ones - please get the grey celica , that blue colour is yuk.

there is 2 - 1.8 celis on the market if you didnt know . a 140 bhp model and a 190 bhp model

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/?http://www.a...ry.php?id=52807

[JohnnyC]

and the 'grey' Celica is only available in 189bhp form (190 or T-Sport), unless you mean 'silver'.

Don't forget the problem with the hatch falling down by itself - easily fixed within Toyota's 3 year warranty.

And water where the spare wheel is (in the boot, under the carpet) isn't unheard of either.

Good luck, fantastic car :)

[Mandy]

Thankyou to all who have given me advice. Just have to find the right one now!!!

[Pasty]

and the 'grey' Celica is only available in 189bhp form (190 or T-Sport), unless you mean 'silver'.

Don't forget the problem with the hatch falling down by itself - easily fixed within Toyota's 3 year warranty.

And water where the spare wheel is (in the boot, under the carpet) isn't unheard of either.

Good luck, fantastic car :)

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Having just bought a 2nd hand celica.... I find this problem incredibly annoying!!!! any idea what was wrong with the hatch? Unfortunatley my car is out of the warrenty (only got a garage warrenty on it!)

[mikeb]

The hatch problem sounds like the gas strut is not powerful enough to hold the boot lid up. I suspect the problem is more prevalent on cars with rear spoilers?

The gen 7 has had a recall to correct a potential problem with the brake master cylinder. Only a small proportion of cars are affected, I think the dates were sometime in 2000.

I would recommend using the genuine manufacturer's brake pads on all cars. They may be a tad expensive but there is a reason for it. After all, the OEMs don't want to their cars getting a reputation for brake failures, but 3rd party manufacturers just want to make parts as cheaply as possible. Brake discs aren't nearly as critical, and you can make a decent saving in buying pattern ones (often they are made by the same people that supply the OEMS). One set of discs I bought came in unipart boxes, but turned out to have 'Brembo' stamped on them.