Hi All, Newie Here

[TimmyD190]

hi every one im a new face round here, put a deposit on a t sport celica at weekend, so av bi doing sum researching an stumbled across this place. every thing i need to know in 1 place. fab. my car im buying is a 2001 vvtli in tht nice grey. paying 5990 for her with a timingbelt change, full service, full mot, and the front wheels are getting a referb. she has covered 86,000 miles. as soon as i saw her i fell in love. the looks of the things are what sold it to me. my friend had one a while back an ive been drooling since i 1st laid my eyes on it. now i have 1. well on saturday. i previously owned a mazda 323f v6 24v so im hoping for the same reliabillity from the toyota.

what were the changes made to the facelift model.

thanks tim

[T600]

Welcome. Good choice of car; The 190's one of the few cars I've owned that I really miss and would buy another of.

Facelift changes included some changes to the engine (such as better lift bolts because the original ones failed regularly), different rear spoiler and rear lights, very different front bumper with much wider air inlet in the nose, minor (I believe) suspension changes, and various minor spec changes such as larger wheels, leather rear seats (the 190s are leather look plastic).

I think the later cars didn't have a sunroof whereas the early ones did. For me that's a big plus for the pre-facelifts. But watch out - the sunroof is plastic and easily scratched if you're not careful. Always rinse it well when cleaning the car and avoid using any abrasives on it.

Gratuitous picture of my old 190:

Where are you now :(

[cabcurtains]

You've made a good choice with a 190, lift is cool just make sure it works before you drive away.

I maybe being daft here but i thought the VVTLI had a chain driven engine in it?

[Scarlett Arrow]

No, you're quite correct about all Gen 7's having a Timing Chain.

T600 is largely correct with his reply, changes to the TS in Autumn 2002 inc. a darker/nicer Facia, different H/U, and the Sunroof was an option. The rear Spoiler however, was not changed and the 190 with its 16" Wheels discontinued.

[T600]

I wasn't sure about the spoiler. Mine was made before they had spoilers as standard anyway, so I had that fitted. Though I still think they look quite good without a spoiler at all.

Well spotted on the timing belt; you're quite right. All gen 7s have chains not belts. So Timmy should get a bit of a discount now the seller's not having to do that job.

On the other hand - if he sticks to his story that the belt has been changed then I'd be very suspicious about what else he might be lying about.

[TimmyD190]

when i went to pick it up he sed there is no belt its a chain, i was chuffed bout tht. my 190 looks diff to tht blue 1. it has a splitter on bottom. and my seats front an rear are deff lether. but after 1 week im hooked i love it to bits. gonna check out those bolts aswell. :D

picture of my sexy machine frm front, see the diference between blue 1 an mine

she also has bigger wheels thn others i seen

[Scarlett Arrow]

Are you sure it's a TS?, they aren't TS alloys so is it a 190 with the Sport and Dynamic Pack?

[TimmyD190]

Are you sure it's a TS?, they aren't TS Alloys so is it a 190 with the Sport and Dynamic Pack?

not sure mate on log book it ses vvtli 190 tsport. its badged vvti190. i think it does have the sport pack its got a front splitter and those 17" alloys they have a little celica picture on the hub cap. i didnt like the look of the earlier 1,s with the smaller alloys. she,s a right headturner. the exhaust on it sounds pretty deep. overall im pretty impressed with the car gear box and clutch are in good nick and at 86,000 i think she's in her prime lol. :D

[rptsport]

hi every one im a new face round here,....... thanks tim

I bought the TSport 190 bhp 03 model - absolutely love it...! I could sit and look at it all day.

Regards

RP