Thinking of getting an 03 celica
Discussion
I currently drive a 2010 Vauxhall Astra J and it's boring, I'm bored of it and I've only owed it for 8 months. 
I've been looking at a Toyota Celica, specifically this one because it's not too far from me: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Are there any specific things I need to check on this model of car, especially of this age? I feel like a bit of a fool swapping a car that I bought fairly recently for £3600 and have since spent £500+ on repairs for one that's 7 years older and costs half as much, and I'm concerned it will be just as much/more of a money pit... but then again, it looks so much more fun to drive than what I have at the moment, which honestly feels like a tractor with the 1.4L engine, even remapped to 110bhp.
I've been looking at a Toyota Celica, specifically this one because it's not too far from me: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Are there any specific things I need to check on this model of car, especially of this age? I feel like a bit of a fool swapping a car that I bought fairly recently for £3600 and have since spent £500+ on repairs for one that's 7 years older and costs half as much, and I'm concerned it will be just as much/more of a money pit... but then again, it looks so much more fun to drive than what I have at the moment, which honestly feels like a tractor with the 1.4L engine, even remapped to 110bhp.
MOT history looks decent enough.
When it's warmed up, take it to the redline to make sure the cam lift engages at 6200rpm.
I don't know of anything else specific to them, so usual old car stuff applies, make sure everything more or less works, and that it all sounds and drives well.
You will need to budget in some cash for running maintenance on an older car like this, belts, bushes etc all deteriorate over time.
When it's warmed up, take it to the redline to make sure the cam lift engages at 6200rpm.
I don't know of anything else specific to them, so usual old car stuff applies, make sure everything more or less works, and that it all sounds and drives well.
You will need to budget in some cash for running maintenance on an older car like this, belts, bushes etc all deteriorate over time.
designforlife said:
MOT history looks decent enough.
When it's warmed up, take it to the redline to make sure the cam lift engages at 6200rpm.
I don't know of anything else specific to them, so usual old car stuff applies, make sure everything more or less works, and that it all sounds and drives well.
You will need to budget in some cash for running maintenance on an older car like this, belts, bushes etc all deteriorate over time.
Would that present as a sudden boost in power at 6200rpm? CheersWhen it's warmed up, take it to the redline to make sure the cam lift engages at 6200rpm.
I don't know of anything else specific to them, so usual old car stuff applies, make sure everything more or less works, and that it all sounds and drives well.
You will need to budget in some cash for running maintenance on an older car like this, belts, bushes etc all deteriorate over time.
I already have to budget for maintenance, since I got the Astra it's needed a new clutch (at 60k, f*ck knows what the woman who had it before me was doing to it), ignition coil, brake pads and disks...
Something like that yep.
The biggest factor (for me) on older jap stuff like this that has seen plenty of UK winters, is RUST. The celica in the ad looks like it has been undersealed recently. This *may* have been done to cover up rust for sale, or it could have been done properly with the underside fully stripped, treated and protected.
Have a good look around all the sills and arches for any telltale rust signs, and ideally get under the car if you can with a decent torch.
I would budget yourself a grand or so to cover any maintenance bits that have been skipped or need doing. Would be worth getting an AA or RAC inspection done on it for the sake of £100 if you are serious about buying it.
I love buying older Japanese cars, I have never owned anything newer than a 2002 model, but you have to be vigilant with preventative maintenance, and really stay on top of servicing and be watchful of rust creeping in etc. Go in with your eyes open, and expect to spend a few quid in the first year getting bits and pieces taken care of and tidied up.
The biggest factor (for me) on older jap stuff like this that has seen plenty of UK winters, is RUST. The celica in the ad looks like it has been undersealed recently. This *may* have been done to cover up rust for sale, or it could have been done properly with the underside fully stripped, treated and protected.
Have a good look around all the sills and arches for any telltale rust signs, and ideally get under the car if you can with a decent torch.
I would budget yourself a grand or so to cover any maintenance bits that have been skipped or need doing. Would be worth getting an AA or RAC inspection done on it for the sake of £100 if you are serious about buying it.
I love buying older Japanese cars, I have never owned anything newer than a 2002 model, but you have to be vigilant with preventative maintenance, and really stay on top of servicing and be watchful of rust creeping in etc. Go in with your eyes open, and expect to spend a few quid in the first year getting bits and pieces taken care of and tidied up.
The bootlid struts will not hold the boot up.
The whole rear sub assembly rusts horribly and invisibly.
Rear brake backplates rust badly.
Other than that, fine. Ive had mine (04 version) for 5 years, and have done best part of 75k in it.
It has let me down once - battery failed, and thats it.
I replaced the rad 3 years and the rear silncer this year.
Its currently on 133k and Im aiming to see it click over 200k unless something horrendous crops up.
The whole rear sub assembly rusts horribly and invisibly.
Rear brake backplates rust badly.
Other than that, fine. Ive had mine (04 version) for 5 years, and have done best part of 75k in it.
It has let me down once - battery failed, and thats it.
I replaced the rad 3 years and the rear silncer this year.
Its currently on 133k and Im aiming to see it click over 200k unless something horrendous crops up.
Head over to celica-club.co.uk for all the help and advice you will ever need.
They come in 2 engine types, both 1.8 but one is 140bhp and the other 190.
The comment about 6k rpm refers to the main difference which is the 190 has something called lift where at 6k it moves to a 2nd cam and revs to 8.2k (I have the same engine in my Corolla and it's great fun).
190 is more fun but rarer, 190s are pretty much problem free and both engines are chain driven.
Avoid the prefacelift (<2003) 140 model as the engine had a design flaw and for the price difference it's safer to go newer.
Sub frames can rust (£300) but otherwise it's just the general checks you would do for any car
They come in 2 engine types, both 1.8 but one is 140bhp and the other 190.
The comment about 6k rpm refers to the main difference which is the 190 has something called lift where at 6k it moves to a 2nd cam and revs to 8.2k (I have the same engine in my Corolla and it's great fun).
190 is more fun but rarer, 190s are pretty much problem free and both engines are chain driven.
Avoid the prefacelift (<2003) 140 model as the engine had a design flaw and for the price difference it's safer to go newer.
Sub frames can rust (£300) but otherwise it's just the general checks you would do for any car
ndreaw said:
I currently drive a 2010 Vauxhall Astra J and it's boring, I'm bored of it and I've only owed it for 8 months.
I've been looking at a Toyota Celica, specifically this one because it's not too far from me: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Are there any specific things I need to check on this model of car, especially of this age? I feel like a bit of a fool swapping a car that I bought fairly recently for £3600 and have since spent £500+ on repairs for one that's 7 years older and costs half as much, and I'm concerned it will be just as much/more of a money pit... but then again, it looks so much more fun to drive than what I have at the moment, which honestly feels like a tractor with the 1.4L engine, even remapped to 110bhp.
Hi ndreaw,I've been looking at a Toyota Celica, specifically this one because it's not too far from me: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Are there any specific things I need to check on this model of car, especially of this age? I feel like a bit of a fool swapping a car that I bought fairly recently for £3600 and have since spent £500+ on repairs for one that's 7 years older and costs half as much, and I'm concerned it will be just as much/more of a money pit... but then again, it looks so much more fun to drive than what I have at the moment, which honestly feels like a tractor with the 1.4L engine, even remapped to 110bhp.
I bought a 2003 1.8 VVTi facelift model with Premium Pack in 2012 which I only recently replaced - but still own.
Prior to the Celica, I drove a Mk1 Mazda MX5 which, in my opinion, would win on 'fun-factor' but nonetheless the Celica is a good handling car with very little body roll so should feel sportier in comparison to a non-hot hatch-back.
It can be very low cost to run if you're prepared to carry out servicing items (oil, air filter, brakes etc) and during my ownership I have only had to replace the radiator and rear section of the exhaust - both of which were the original factory parts.
I cannot comment on other reliability issues as Toyota tend to make a pretty bulletproof motor. I would therefore seek a car with as much service history as possible. It's obvious to say but bad/neglected ownership can be conducive to on going issues.
Check out some of my videos on my Celica: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iey6xtFVnq8
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