What Celica To Get ?

[Duffusdipspinner]

Hi folks

After some advice please.

I'm looking to buy a Celica quite soon, but I dunno what model to go for

My budget will be around £1500 so I expect to get an early to mid 90's car. Am I right in thinking the 2litre NA engine from 95 onwards is more powerful than the earlier 2litre ??

the car will also be doing a 100 miles a day, which is why I think the late 80's very early pop up headlight model may be a bit old for me, but I'm sure you can put me right ;)

What should I go for ??

Also, any tips on what to look for with these cars ?

Service intervals etc.

Any info is gratefully appreciated :)

Many thanks !!

[T600]

My budget will be around £1500 so I expect to get an early to mid 90's car. Am I right in thinking the 2litre NA engine from 95 onwards is more powerful than the earlier 2litre ??

Yes, the 2 litre is usually the 3S-GE as fitted to the MR2s of the time; it evolved over the course of the 90s with each later version tending to produce more power (I think with one exception towards the end of the 90s when it lost a few hp to reduce fuel consumption and emissions). In the case of the MR2, each time the engine got more powerful the car also got heavier with more safety equipment, so performance actually stayed about the same. Not sure if that applies to the Celica. Also not sure if any Celicas used the the 3S-FE which also a 2 litre but which has a head more tuned for economy than performance and therefore probably best avoided unless that's what you're looking for.

the car will also be doing a 100 miles a day, which is why I think the late 80's very early pop up headlight model may be a bit old for me, but I'm sure you can put me right ;)

That's the Gen 5. Beautiful cars IMHO but unfortunately much heavier than the Gen 6's which followed.

What should I go for ??

Actually, if you're doing that kind of mileage, and definitely want a Celica, I think I'd be looking at the 1.8 if I were you; they're a little cheaper to buy and have better fuel consumption, but definitely not the same performance. Or a 3S-FE 2 litre if there is such a thing.

Also, any tips on what to look for with these cars ?

Suspension problems expensive on some Gen 6's. Apart from that very reliable, but look for rust and the usual things - head gasket, etc, etc.

Service intervals etc.

9K / 12 months I think on the Gen 6. Though the only one I've owned from this era was a Gen 5 GT4 which was every 6 months.

[spursnut]

Yes i have the 1.8ST - not always quite as fast as i would like but i find it's still grand for me - you get all the looks but with the lower running costs (i get 33-36 mpg generally from mixed driving - also a couple of insurance groups lower than the GT).

Apart from a current slight ABS problem at the minute, i've had nearly 3 years of faultless ownership - not bad for an 11 yo car me thinks :)

So i guess you have to decide if you want the faster model at the expense of the lower running costs. I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you choose though :D

[n0z]

my 1.8 costs me around 180 in fuel a month, ive had her since last feb when she was on 68k and ive just hit 89k so personally speaking if ur going to do alot of millage id go for a smaller engine.

money wise, i worked out it would be cheaper for me to run another car through the week and have a gt4 on the weekends than have a 2.0 constantly. if u were thinking of driving the car sensibly you could consider the gt4's off turbo fuel consumption to be as fair as the 3SGE 2.0 GT model.

im putting mine up for sale soon as saving for a gt4 :)

[T600]

you could consider the gt4's off turbo fuel consumption to be as fair as the 3SGE 2.0 GT model.

I don't think that's true. It's almost impossible to drive the GT4 without making the turbo spool up. And even if you could it would be thirstier thanks to the 4WD system which not only weighs a lot, but which also introduces more friction into the drive train.

Your other idea of keeping the GT4 for weekends is much more viable unless you do very few miles during the week, or else have very deep pockets.

[n0z]

the assumption was made on fuel consumption on a run so i spose on a wider aspect what i said was kinda wrong. :P

whats the MPG for a gt4 in real life terms?