New To It All, Need Some Advice

March 9, 2005

I bought my first toyota last year, a 1993 celica GT convertible automatic (import) 2.0. Basically, I just wanted something with a fair turn of speed in terms of 0-60, that had a soft top.

Anyway, I've gradually become more and more enthusiastic about it. Unfortunately I don't know much about cars engines etc in general (evidenced the other day when someone said "what does your odometer go up to?" and I said "I don't know. What's an odometer?") and could do with one or two bits of advice.

1. What exactly does lower the suspension achieve? What are the benefits / drawbacks? How much is it likely to cost?

2. Do you know of any good online shops where I can get accessories? Aesthetic things more so than spare parts etc.

3. Can you reccomend any good insurers? I'm 23 and most of the 40 odd insurers I've contacted either don't recognise the model I have, won't insure me because of my age, or give me absurd quotes. At the moment I'm paying £1400 a year with Norwich union.

4. Someone told me that the model I have doesn't have the structural integrity to support a turbo charger if I were ever to desire one (which is unlikely). Can anyone tell me if that's true?

5. I can't afford to spend massive amounts to do the car up. The garage I got it from said that they'd do me a special deal on a respray (£300). I've decided to thoroughly clean and spray up the hubcaps myself as the silver colour is very faded and yellowed a little. Can anyone suggest any little styling mods that aren't too expensive that won't bring my insurance premium up?

6. Finally, what's the best way to go about cleaning a soft top?

Thanks everyone!

March 9, 2005

:thumbsup: Well firstly hiya and welcome fella.The Celica guys are a great bunch and help so you have come to the right place! Im not really good with toyotas yet (had 8 fiestas before..anyone laughs they die!!) but ill give my opinion on youre questions!

1. Lowering the suspension....normally 35-40mm Itll handle better but a far bumpier ride in my opinion.

2.Go gold!! for 25 quid a year you get to go into the gold forums (well worth it!!) and also you get offered loads and loads of discounts from places like halfrauds (halfords) to place like hotels lol!!! But loads of good car places like funkyproducts etc

3.Insurance id just hunt around places if you want a big list PM me mate I got loads stored. But just hunt around some companies will insure sporty cars one year then the next they go crazy on the prices so hunting around is the best thing to do

4.Turbo...turbotechnics could but not sure on a convertable..also for the price youd get a beauty of a GT4 :drool: