Buying a Toyota Celica
Discussion
Hi everyone.
im looking into buying a toyota celica very soon. i was very keen on the 190 version, and buying one which was already modified by the previous owner, so i need not spend any extra time or money, as im not capable of carrying out the mods myself, would have to pay extra to fit etc etc (been there done that with my current ZR!) anyway... ive seen one im really keen on - the only thing im not, is that its coming up as the 140 version and not the 190 version on the insurance quotes. ive heard the 140 versions can suffer from oil problems which cause serious engine faults. would you recommend me to stay away from the 140 version? ive just had a really good quote on the car, which is a lot cheaper than my mg zr 1.4! quite surprising. heres the ad:
http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/modi...
ive never even driven a toyota celica yet! so im jumping in quite fast, but the insurance quote i got for it is an amazing value, and cheaper than my slightly modified mg zr. does anyone have any tips to look out for when viewing the car? currently awaiting on reply with a viewing date from the owner.
im also waiting on a reply from this one too... coming up 140 also..
http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/toyo...
thoughts?
Thanks in advance
im looking into buying a toyota celica very soon. i was very keen on the 190 version, and buying one which was already modified by the previous owner, so i need not spend any extra time or money, as im not capable of carrying out the mods myself, would have to pay extra to fit etc etc (been there done that with my current ZR!) anyway... ive seen one im really keen on - the only thing im not, is that its coming up as the 140 version and not the 190 version on the insurance quotes. ive heard the 140 versions can suffer from oil problems which cause serious engine faults. would you recommend me to stay away from the 140 version? ive just had a really good quote on the car, which is a lot cheaper than my mg zr 1.4! quite surprising. heres the ad:
http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/modi...
ive never even driven a toyota celica yet! so im jumping in quite fast, but the insurance quote i got for it is an amazing value, and cheaper than my slightly modified mg zr. does anyone have any tips to look out for when viewing the car? currently awaiting on reply with a viewing date from the owner.
im also waiting on a reply from this one too... coming up 140 also..
http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/toyo...
thoughts?
Thanks in advance
OK second one has obvious damage so beware.
I had the same decision as you a couple of months ago - quickly in with a celica - I looked at the 190 but - and this is hearsay rather than verifiable fact - I understand that the exta power is only available right at the very top of the range so you'll need to rev the nuts off it to get any appreciable bonus - which, if you are a boy racer, I am sure you can do. I'm not (any more) and the 140 feels like it has plenty of power. I'd also heard that the 190 has a closer ratio 'box so develops slightly better acceleration - but again, that is at the top end only and you'll be in lost licence territory. I have an 04 plate with 72k on the clock, vgc in red and they are lovely to drive. Not heard any harrowing stories on the 140 either in terms of engine problems - the dealer I contacted said that, whilst they couldn't officially say it, those engines were bulletproof.
Despite a lot of re-badging to confuse the issue, the way I was able to tell the two apart is that (and I don't think these pictures show this unfortunately) down to he bottom left of the steering wheel there are two buttons - if there is a button for the traction control, that is the 190. Mine has the button used for something else - lock electric windows or something like that. T/C = 190 unless someon else can confirm this otherwise. 140 has plenty of power - you will need to rev it a bit due to low torque, however. There wasn't much difference in the insurance between 140 and 190 when I was looking though. And the 190s were, in my experience, extremely rare - although this car overall is really quite rare (compared to my previous cars - BM's and the like).
Enjoy either way.
I had the same decision as you a couple of months ago - quickly in with a celica - I looked at the 190 but - and this is hearsay rather than verifiable fact - I understand that the exta power is only available right at the very top of the range so you'll need to rev the nuts off it to get any appreciable bonus - which, if you are a boy racer, I am sure you can do. I'm not (any more) and the 140 feels like it has plenty of power. I'd also heard that the 190 has a closer ratio 'box so develops slightly better acceleration - but again, that is at the top end only and you'll be in lost licence territory. I have an 04 plate with 72k on the clock, vgc in red and they are lovely to drive. Not heard any harrowing stories on the 140 either in terms of engine problems - the dealer I contacted said that, whilst they couldn't officially say it, those engines were bulletproof.
Despite a lot of re-badging to confuse the issue, the way I was able to tell the two apart is that (and I don't think these pictures show this unfortunately) down to he bottom left of the steering wheel there are two buttons - if there is a button for the traction control, that is the 190. Mine has the button used for something else - lock electric windows or something like that. T/C = 190 unless someon else can confirm this otherwise. 140 has plenty of power - you will need to rev it a bit due to low torque, however. There wasn't much difference in the insurance between 140 and 190 when I was looking though. And the 190s were, in my experience, extremely rare - although this car overall is really quite rare (compared to my previous cars - BM's and the like).
Enjoy either way.
Thank you for your response.
yeah, 2nd one has damage but if it was offered to me for the right price and everything was in working order engine wise i would be willing to take it on and get the body repaired. yeah, i am aware the 190's extra kick doesnt come in until high revs, i would imagine that would be fun on the track tho :P the only thing i was wary of was i had heard about problems with the 140s burning oil in the earlier models. compared to my 103bhp at the moment im sure the 140 would be enough for me power wise. ive also been following this one on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
the guy has replied to me and told me its just passed its mot but the engine warning light comes on due to an air intake system on it sucking in too much air, but claims its nothing serious.. hes also told me its the 190 version but when using the numberplate in the photos its coming up with the car is a 140. so if the price was right and he is willing to sort the air intake problem out by replacing the current system with a standard one, i would be looking out for clues that it was indeed the 190, like the switch you suggested which tells the difference.
as you can see, im so egar to get my hands on a modified toyota celica! the other two havent been in touch with me as of yet!
yeah, 2nd one has damage but if it was offered to me for the right price and everything was in working order engine wise i would be willing to take it on and get the body repaired. yeah, i am aware the 190's extra kick doesnt come in until high revs, i would imagine that would be fun on the track tho :P the only thing i was wary of was i had heard about problems with the 140s burning oil in the earlier models. compared to my 103bhp at the moment im sure the 140 would be enough for me power wise. ive also been following this one on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
the guy has replied to me and told me its just passed its mot but the engine warning light comes on due to an air intake system on it sucking in too much air, but claims its nothing serious.. hes also told me its the 190 version but when using the numberplate in the photos its coming up with the car is a 140. so if the price was right and he is willing to sort the air intake problem out by replacing the current system with a standard one, i would be looking out for clues that it was indeed the 190, like the switch you suggested which tells the difference.
as you can see, im so egar to get my hands on a modified toyota celica! the other two havent been in touch with me as of yet!
I'm pretty sure the first one is a 140.
This is the cluster from a 190 T-Sport: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-CELICA-T-Sport-VV...
Notice it redlines at 8-9k. The 140 rev counter (and I can attest to this, being a former 140 owner) only revs to 7-8k as shown in the advert for the first car. Also, the 140 speedo only goes to 140mph, whereas the 190 speedo goes to 160.
It could just be a cluster swap, but it's more likely to be a 140.
Edit: For 140s, the issue you mentioned only affects pre-facelift models (the ones with a small grille behind the badge). My old 2001 140 was a pre-facelist and was still going strong at 102,000 miles but I would probably advise you to avoid pre-facelift 140s. Stick to facelift models or a 190.
Pre-facelift: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6...
Facelift: http://www.car-catalog.com/sports_cars/toyota_celi...
If you're looking for one, check the boot struts- they fail quite commonly and mean the boot won't stay open. Engine-wise they're almost bulletproof.
This is the cluster from a 190 T-Sport: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-CELICA-T-Sport-VV...
Notice it redlines at 8-9k. The 140 rev counter (and I can attest to this, being a former 140 owner) only revs to 7-8k as shown in the advert for the first car. Also, the 140 speedo only goes to 140mph, whereas the 190 speedo goes to 160.
It could just be a cluster swap, but it's more likely to be a 140.
Edit: For 140s, the issue you mentioned only affects pre-facelift models (the ones with a small grille behind the badge). My old 2001 140 was a pre-facelist and was still going strong at 102,000 miles but I would probably advise you to avoid pre-facelift 140s. Stick to facelift models or a 190.
Pre-facelift: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6...
Facelift: http://www.car-catalog.com/sports_cars/toyota_celi...
If you're looking for one, check the boot struts- they fail quite commonly and mean the boot won't stay open. Engine-wise they're almost bulletproof.
Edited by Neith on Tuesday 14th May 19:15
Neith said:
I'm pretty sure the first one is a 140.
This is the cluster from a 190 T-Sport: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-CELICA-T-Sport-VV...
Notice it redlines at 8-9k. The 140 rev counter (and I can attest to this, being a former 140 owner) only revs to 7-8k as shown in the advert for the first car. Also, the 140 speedo only goes to 140mph, whereas the 190 speedo goes to 160.
It could just be a cluster swap, but it's more likely to be a 140.
Edit: For 140s, the issue you mentioned only affects pre-facelift models (the ones with a small grille behind the badge). My old 2001 140 was a pre-facelist and was still going strong at 102,000 miles but I would probably advise you to avoid pre-facelift 140s. Stick to facelift models or a 190.
Pre-facelift: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6...
Facelift: http://www.car-catalog.com/sports_cars/toyota_celi...
If you're looking for one, check the boot struts- they fail quite commonly and mean the boot won't stay open. Engine-wise they're almost bulletproof.
Oh yeah. thanks! its confirmed that all 3 of the ones i linked are indeed the 140 version! thanks for the tip about the boot struts. from the photos, all 3 cars have the lil grill bit, but none of those cars are the standard spec, all have custom body kits on. isit the <01 models which are pre facelift? i should probably avoid the silver one with the lambo kit then?This is the cluster from a 190 T-Sport: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-CELICA-T-Sport-VV...
Notice it redlines at 8-9k. The 140 rev counter (and I can attest to this, being a former 140 owner) only revs to 7-8k as shown in the advert for the first car. Also, the 140 speedo only goes to 140mph, whereas the 190 speedo goes to 160.
It could just be a cluster swap, but it's more likely to be a 140.
Edit: For 140s, the issue you mentioned only affects pre-facelift models (the ones with a small grille behind the badge). My old 2001 140 was a pre-facelist and was still going strong at 102,000 miles but I would probably advise you to avoid pre-facelift 140s. Stick to facelift models or a 190.
Pre-facelift: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6...
Facelift: http://www.car-catalog.com/sports_cars/toyota_celi...
If you're looking for one, check the boot struts- they fail quite commonly and mean the boot won't stay open. Engine-wise they're almost bulletproof.
Edited by Neith on Tuesday 14th May 19:15
I'm reasonably confident that the facelift happenede towards the end of 2003 so basically 04 onwards cars have the facelift. I think that remedied some ot the engine issues that have ben rumoured but, again, that is hearsay as I have no presonal experience of this - just what I have gleaned from the various internet forums. I repeat from before, 190s are extremely rare and a good one will be hard to find. I did drive one but the clutch was totally shot and the seller did not inspire confidence!
I went with the 140 because it was more readily available to be perfectly honest and I was unlikely ever to really notice any benefits from the 190's high end performance.
You'll make your choice and pay your price no doubt but good luck with it.
I went with the 140 because it was more readily available to be perfectly honest and I was unlikely ever to really notice any benefits from the 190's high end performance.
You'll make your choice and pay your price no doubt but good luck with it.
Celi04 said:
i did a hpi check on the one in west sussex and it says it was a cat d in 2008. should this be something to worry about?
sorry - should have mentioned - cat d can range from something very minor to something extemely major. 190 I looked at was cat d as well - be wary and do some reading on what cat d actually means - I suppose you'd have to believe what you read, of course, but the overwhelming weight of evidence supports the view that cat d damage can only really be ascertained from the seller him or herself - and at that you'd have to trust him or her. Get as much info as you can - there may be accdent repair receipts, for instance. It's your money - you need to be happy with it.Don't bother with a written off one - there's plenty about for £2k or under. My friend just bought a really good one for £1100!
If you stick the number plate through an insurance database and it comes up as 140 - then that's what it will be. It's not unusual for owners to lie and say their car is better spec or model than it is!
If you stick the number plate through an insurance database and it comes up as 140 - then that's what it will be. It's not unusual for owners to lie and say their car is better spec or model than it is!
yeah i guess so! most do lie just to get rid! well, i havent managed to find a decent one for even 3 grand to be honest but ive been looking at this one and might just have to bite the bullet and pay an extra grand over budget for a decent t sport.. heres the car in q.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-Toyota-Celica-1-8-V...
what do u think?
probably a rip off, but it looks decent at least. 3 grand would sound more reasonable than 4..sigh
but ive been looking at this one and might just have to bite the bullet and pay an extra grand over budget for a decent t sport.. heres the car in q.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-Toyota-Celica-1-8-V...
what do u think?
probably a rip off, but it looks decent at least. 3 grand would sound more reasonable than 4..sigh
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