About To Buy 7th Gen Celica...

[iceland_potter]

Hi all,

My first post in here, hopefully not my last!

I am looking furiously at 7th Gen Celicas and am trying to research what to look for on them. So far I've got if the self-torsioner has been replaced.

Can anyone help me on any more common faults/problems please?

Also I wondered how many miles you think an average 7th Gen Celica will run for, I understand the engine is the Avensis engine so will probably go for a long time, but what about with respect to body work and anything else that might need doing.... I only seem to be able to afford Celicas with ~80,000 miles +

Thanks in advance.

[T600]

Which model you looking at.

I'd say full service history (preferably Toyota) is essential.

Look for threads on here regarding problems with oil consumption of the pre-facelift 140 cars. Many are drinking the stuff after about 40K miles. Toyota seem to be fixing this under warranty for most owners with full Toyota history, but others without that are having big problems.

Good luck though, apart from that problem they're very nice cars indeed; especially the 190s. I wish I'd never sold mine.

T

[iceland_potter]

Hi thanks for the reply, I'm looking at the 140bhp as I'm not bothered too much about the extra performance.

I'll search for the oil problem, sounds interesting as one I have my eye on only has service history up to 2004, at which point I assume the servicing was done by the owner.

[Bos]

If you can, buy a 2003 onwards model, facelift. I think they look better and there does not appear to be any oil problems with them.

My son is on his second one, a Celica RED, absolutely brilliant. :)

As far as I can tell there is no problem with the bodywork !!!!

[iceland_potter]

I'm worrying about the oil problem now I've read all those threads on it so thanks for pointing it out Bos and T600.

Is the only way I can tell if the oil is being used up by checking the dipstick, and checking if its being spat out of the exhaust ?

I can't afford a 2003 one, so I'm not sure what to do if this one I go to see has the oil issue.

[iceland_potter]

should the CAM BELT have been changed by 80,000 miles?

[fazzer]

should the CAM BELT have been changed by 80,000 miles?

they dont have a cam belt,they have a chain.the only belt is the belt that runs the air con,alternator etc.

I have a 2001 celica 140 for sale that has had the engine fully rebuilt by a toyota specialist.PM for me for more details

[iceland_potter]

should the CAM BELT have been changed by 80,000 miles?

they dont have a cam belt,they have a chain.the only belt is the belt that runs the air con,alternator etc.

I have a 2001 celica 140 for sale that has had the engine fully rebuilt by a toyota specialist.PM for me for more details

great news, means it hopefully won't need changing - at least my Micra's have never needed changing.

this is a picture of what came out of the exhaust when revved, I can't tell if its oil or not - any one any ideas please? I once looked at a Micra for sale and it had sludge coming out of the exhaust, I think the valve rings had split (or something) but I think IIRC the sludge was thicker than this. Btw it was raining if that makes any difference.

[T600]

You're still considering buying it? Unless the price is exceedingly low, low enough to pay for an engine re-build, I wouldn't be anywhere near it.

That looks suspicious, thought it's hard to be sure; but even if it were in perfect condition today, it could fail next week and you'll have a very expensive job.

If it had full service history that would be a completely different matter; it seems as if for the moment Toyota are footing the bill in many cases.

[iceland_potter]

oh right - wasn't sure to be honest, I thought it could be just dirt of some sort, doesnt look as thick as oil, but I confess to knowing nothing about cars, so I have to be guided.

I can't find a 7G Celica in my price range with low enough miles (£4500-£5000), maybe quite a few 2000-2001 cars have this issue...

I found the golden, perfectly coloured oil fully topped up to the brim a bit weird as I would have thought it would be a little dirtier seeing as its last service was meant to have been 8 months ago

[T600]

oh right - wasn't sure to be honest, I thought it could be just dirt of some sort, doesnt look as thick as oil, but I confess to knowing nothing about cars, so I have to be guided.

I can't find a 7G Celica in my price range with low enough miles (£4500-£5000), maybe quite a few 2000-2001 cars have this issue...

I found the golden, perfectly coloured oil fully topped up to the brim a bit weird as I would have thought it would be a little dirtier seeing as its last service was meant to have been 8 months ago

I don't really know what that is either; but it's not encouraging.

And you're probably right about the oil too.

IMHO Full service history is a must with these cars given the reports of engine problems.

Good luck in finding one though. It will be worth the search.

Also, if at all possible get a 190. I've seen so many threads on here where people have bought a 140 and want to upgrade the engine to a 190 - which would be very expensive to do.

[iceland_potter]

I have seen a few 190s but i'm probably a unique buyer in that i'm not too fussed about the performance. My 2 cars are a Micra 56bhp and Civic 75bhp so any Celica will feel quite fast, and I'm starting to watch the boring mpg figure too lately. I wouldn't discount a 190 tho ;)

[DefiantFrog]

I found the golden, perfectly coloured oil fully topped up to the brim a bit weird as I would have thought it would be a little dirtier seeing as its last service was meant to have been 8 months ago

Walk away, someone's hiding something there...

Low-ish milage Pre-Facelift with FTSH will be fine. If you keep an eye on the oil, you'll be fine with it. Mines just rolled over 80k miles. I'm getting through around 2.5 litres of oil every 10,000 miles (and if you hang around a month or two, it might be yours for your budget! ;))

You ever looked at the G6 Celica? You'll get a low milage, perfect example for your budget there, with some left over. You can also afford the GT4 as well - awesome motor!

[iceland_potter]

Thanks for the reply Frog.

I have seen an 81k example with FSH (verified by myself from its had every service from the beginning at Toyota as per Toyota's service schedule) and the owner says that no oil is consumed. I suppose I just have to take his word for it

P.S funnily enough this car is nr Derby actually.

[iceland_potter]

Hi all,

I went to see another Celica today, in my favourite colour (red) with 20k less miles on it than the one I described above, and it was £600 cheaper.

I did the same tests that i did on the black one I describe above, and this time saw it start from cold. No knocks, and *no oil or sludge* spewing from the exhaust. It was blowing slightly white exhaust fumes till it was hot then it was clear, just as I hoped.

This is from a branded dealer as well who will give 3 months warranty on - they say - everything.

I think i'm gonna be much better with this one! Did notice one headlight had condensation but was no major deal.

[iceland_potter]

Is there any way of telling whether the self-torsioner has been replaced, or if the engine has the oil consumption problem without having driven it for prolonged periods of time please?

[iceland_potter]

Would anyone get an RAC check done on a 7th Gen 2000 celica? Its £250 for the most comprehensive check.

[Scarlett Arrow]

Yes, the RAC will almost certainly find items that either require attention now, or will do in the near future. Any problems highlighted by them will allow you to "chip" the asking price on the Car or demand the Dealer rectifies the problem. One area where the Gen 7 is weak is the Brake Discs, these are very prone to corrosion on the inside faces, the lower the mileage the owner covers, the worse the Discs become.

As regards your earlier questions, I would say no and no.

Congrats on your choice, the 140 makes more sense than the 190 and Chilli Red is the best colour. If you can, try and stretch your budget for a face lift, the problem with the Pistons is only on the earlier Cars.

[iceland_potter]

Cheers for the congrats, can I ask why you think the 140 makes more sense than the 190?

I thought the Chili Red was the best colour too, I like the black in the pictures, but not as much up close. I suppose its all personal choice though.

I've made a deposit on the car 2nite without performing an RAC check on it. I'm taking a big risk I agree, but I did whatever checks I could - rang up its previous garages of services etc and they confirmed its had routine servicing done, brakes changed etc. The dealer i'm buying it from has changed 2 of the brakes and 2 tyres, given it a "full" service which i think is oil, oil filter, check levels and check body work. I will confirm this tomorrow though. I've bought it on the fact that it looked nice, sounded nice, I couldnt see anything wrong with it and it is £700 cheaper than its valuation on Parkers. It also comes with a full 3 months warranty.

[Scarlett Arrow]

The 140 is cheaper to buy, tax, insure, fuel and is quieter. The reason it is quieter and more economical is down to different gearing. There is also no danger of having a Lift Bolt shear as they are 190 only.

A Full Service is very comprehensive and involves stripping and cleaning the braking components. What you have been offered is an Interim which is normally around £100 from a Toyota Dealer.

Finally, make sure there are TWO Remote Keys with the Car, you wouldn't believe how much Toyota charge for a replacement.

[iceland_potter]

I don't believe it will have had a Toyota standard full service. I think i'm going to call them in a min to ask if its

-had a stamp from their garage for their "service"

-got a 2nd remote fob as per your suggestion

-if its been valeted yet

-if 2 small scratches I wanted repairing have been done.

Glad to see your thoughts on the 140 over the 190, I didnt even get a quote for insurance - I thought it'd be a lot - and i'm going to be insuring a 21 year old girl with 0 NCB on it as well.

From the figures on parkers, there wasn't a great deal of difference in fuel consumption between the two though.

cheers for your help. I will probably be visiting this forum all the more often once I have my Celica!