Gen7 Celica facelift Q's

[ReaderScars]

If a 52 plate gen 7 Celica has a facelift, does this automagically preclude it from being an oil drinker - or could someone have put a facelift front end on it? Do 52 plate engines have the potential oil problem? ie, is it better to go for a 53 plate?

Apart from the facelift how do you identify the upgraded/improved engine?

[Stevo///M3]

Someone more technical than I will have to give you pointers on the engine mods and how you can tell the pre- and post-facelift apart - I assume you know the easiest way is the front air intakes (post-facelift has an intake below the toyota badge; pre-facelift has the badge sitting directly on the intake). I did some research into this issue before buying my current post-facelift car and just decided post-facelift was the answer. Buying an 04 plate was the answer! I recall 2002 was the year they did it but a 52 plate probably/possibly was actually made during 02 territory so I'd be wary in your place. Lemme know if you want to buy mine - 04 plate, red, low miles, vgc for sale (although not yet advertised) at a sensible price.

Stevo

[james_gt3rs]

In MR2 circles (they share the same engine), the consensus is that a car with regular oil changes is unlikely to go wrong for this reason. Toyota revised the engine in late 2002, and again until apparently it was fully fixed in 2006. Hence why the 1ZZ engined Elises have no oil burning problems as production started in 2006.

So a facelift, full service history car is a safe bet.

[ReaderScars]

Stevo///M3 said:

Someone more technical than I will have to give you pointers on the engine mods and how you can tell the pre- and post-facelift apart - I assume you know the easiest way is the front air intakes (post-facelift has an intake below the toyota badge; pre-facelift has the badge sitting directly on the intake). I did some research into this issue before buying my current post-facelift car and just decided post-facelift was the answer. Buying an 04 plate was the answer! I recall 2002 was the year they did it but a 52 plate probably/possibly was actually made during 02 territory so I'd be wary in your place. Lemme know if you want to buy mine - 04 plate, red, low miles, vgc for sale (although not yet advertised) at a sensible price.

Stevo

There is a 52 plate nearby for an unrealistic amount but I need to have my mind put at reast re: under the bonnet identifiers, just to make sure the the car is a non facelift with a new facelift front applied to it.

I think I'm looking at the 'intro' price of the market (52/53 plate, £1.5 max) so pretty sure your 04 will be out of my budget - but thanks for the heads-up.

[ReaderScars]

james_gt3rs said:

In MR2 circles (they share the same engine), the consensus is that a car with regular oil changes is unlikely to go wrong for this reason. Toyota revised the engine in late 2002, and again until apparently it was fully fixed in 2006. Hence why the 1ZZ engined Elises have no oil burning problems as production started in 2006.

So a facelift, full service history car is a safe bet.

Exacly what I had in mind, facelift with FSH. The ex had a MK3 MR2 - the only non consumable required was the usual O2 sensor - it's that reliability which is pushing me towards a gen 7 facelift.

[RedAndy]

if youre concerned that someone has just updated the front bumper, you can also check the tail lamps - they are a nicer design on facelift. Obviously you can swap those too, so check the dashboard centre console - which is less likely to be replaced. The original heater controls had 2 dials. Later it got climate control and had a dial on the right and a circle of buttons on the left (but this may be trim-specific).

Or you can weight it - the facelift is reputedly 30kg lighter.

Or measure it - it's supposedly 5mm shorter too!

I hear it got different fuel cap as well.

watch out for imports - some jap ones came with superstrut suspension which a a) fabulous when it works and b) very expensive when it wears out. Not worth it on a budget like yours.

but also watch for official TRD imports - they have loads of factory upgraded parts - faster and better handling and braking. Worth it because all those little tweaks add up to a much improved car. but unlikely on your budget.

[ReaderScars]

Thanks for the info, Andy. Just done a quick google image search for gen 7 tail lights but can't seem to find different clusters TBH. Wasn't aware of the charnges to the centre console other than the darker interior for the FL so will check on that too.

Will continue to look for the FL engine identifiers as that's really the crux of the matter. Great info, though!

[RedAndy]

old ones: mainly red red with a big orange stripe indicator at the bottom, and a little square white reverse. evilbay 321298197003

facelift are all red, and if you look "inside" there are moulded bulb recesses. evilbay 321298197003 (rubbish pic)

hth

[ReaderScars]

Aha, I see - I was looking at ebay replacement clusters but they wre being advertised for all gen 7s, hence the confusion on my part. Thanks again!