£2k budget, let talk Celica T-Sport or alternatives

Puzzled

Puzzled

Puzzled

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Time has come for a new car and I'm looking for something that adds some fun while still being a bit practical but the budget is only a modest £2k and I'd like to keep servicing costs down if possible.

Been searching around and the Celica T-Sport came up as a good option - cheap to run, reliable, no big issues with the engine, has some fun factor but still a bit practical with a big boot and could possibly squeeze an uncomfortable small adult in the back.

I've been out in one but could have done with a bit more time to play with "Lift", certainly brings a smile to your face when it kicks in but being so high up in the rev range it is a bit limited in the performance it offers. I do like the low seating though (reminds me of the MX-5) and while the interior isn't exactly quality it doesn't feel like it will fall apart.

I've already owned an MX5 and tbh I need a boot so convertibles are out, also owned an ST220 and while I am tempted to get another I'd rather try something new.

Test drove a Clio 182 and that was a lot of fun but I didn't really fit in it (pedals too close together) and belt changes seem rather pricey.

Anyway I've got another Celica lined up to see but before I do I thought I'd ask you lovely people for any buying advice or recommendations for possible alternatives.
 
EP3 Civics that cheap yet?

Edit: Not with low mileage :p Glad I didn't buy a RS Meg a while ago though if that's what a 50k miler is worth!

Edit II: I meant EP3 not FN2 :D
 
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EP3 Civic Type R. You won't regret it, I'm on my second. I regret selling my first one but my brother owns that now.
 
LiE said:
How about the RenaultSport Megane?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201705185578705

Fiesta ST?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201706166491345

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201704284897614

Saab 9-3 Aero?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201706166516566

Golf VR6?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201705025002029
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Cheers for the suggestions.

I did look at RS Megane after driving the Clio 182 but was put off by the horror stories online about reliability issues (especially on earlier models). Do these have the same expensive belt change costs as the Clio?

I nearly bought a Saab 9-3 Aero a few years ago but it felt a bit dull handling wise, that said the facelift interior models are cheap now so I might give it another go.

Haven't really thought about the Fiesta ST or Golf, will give them a look now.
 
Belt and dephaser on the clio 182 with A/C is approximately £500 at a specialist Renault Sport Garage, whereas the cheapest you'd get a specialist garage to change a run of the mill car will be in the region of £350 (???). £150 difference over 5 years isn't a massive amount more money to be honest, certainly not enough to warrant not buying a car you might otherwise want.
 
If you do get a Corolla/Celica T-Sport, make sure you check that the car will go into "lift" at 6200RPM (like VTEC in a Type R Honda), the lift bolts (can't remember the proper name) can snap after they wear which will cause this issue.

If you get an early car (pre 04 Corolla or a Celica which is called a VVTL-I 190 rather than a T-Sport) look to have the bolts replaced, because the design was revised in the later cars to minimise the possibility of this happening.

They are good fun... :) The Celica will handle much better and would be the one I'd go for. The interior and driving position makes them feel quite sporty as well. It does have electric power steering though whereas the Corolla has hydraulic.

Either would benefit from a suspension upgrade...

Other likely candidates, Fiesta ST 150, Renaultsport Clio 182, Renaultsport Megane, Saab's and Volvo's offer quite a bit of performance for the money (HOT Saabs and T5 Volvos etc) but they can't really be described as "sporty".

The Cooper S is another great one, but they are a bit difficult to work on. A good example is the need to take the whole engine out to replace the clutch (or at least this is the easiest way) meaning the labour cost is a bit much. I'd make sure any car you view has had a new/recent clutch so you don't have to worry about it.

I do really like the 2ZZ-GE engine which is found in the T-Sports though. They have very little torque but they are gloriously fun when you wring their necks up to 8250RPM and the noise is awesome when combined with a simple cone filter. They also have things like rain sensing wipers, dual zone automatic climate and so on as standard. Though I believe the later Celicas had less spec than the later Corollas for some reason. (may have missed out on auto wipers etc)
 
EP3 has a chain so no real issues there. My old CTR is on 127k miles and not missed a beat. My current one is on 78k miles with no issues.
 
Thanks guys some good suggestions for me to have a look at.

Acme did you have a celica or corolla? If I got one I'd be looking to get 04/05 facelift Celica but I've read the lift bolts can still go, just not as much of a risk. Apart from that issue the engine seems pretty solid, will just be the usual things on a car this age.

Darryl_1983 said:
Belt and dephaser on the clio 182 with A/C is approximately £500 at a specialist Renault Sport Garage, whereas the cheapest you'd get a specialist garage to change a run of the mill car will be in the region of £350 (???). £150 difference over 5 years isn't a massive amount more money to be honest, certainly not enough to warrant not buying a car you might otherwise want.
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Fair point, I do have a soft spot for the Megane looks (big ass :D) but been bitten by French electronics before. Will do some more research.
 
I had both one after the other. Sadly my particular Celica was not a good example, nor was it stock, so I can't really draw a fair comparison.

Lift bolts are easy to change, I'd do it as a precautionary measure and change the spark plug seals and cam cover gasket at the same time. Google it :)
 
Evo8 said:
EP3 has a chain so no real issues there. My old CTR is on 127k miles and not missed a beat. My current one is on 78k miles with no issues.
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Issue is tensioner and chain should be replaced every 80-100k. I bought an ep3, tensioner failed within 2 weeks of me having. A bit of a coincidence that it happened on the same day Honda serviced it and it dropped a valve. Dead engine.
 
People recon the Corolla is quicker than the celica because there is less parasitic loss from the ancillaries, but I suspect the difference is negligible and that the Celica would feel faster anyway because of the seating position.

The pre-facelift Corolla's handle like a blancmange, the post-facelift ones have revised suspension, front and rear strut braces, and some other bits and pieces. A bit better, but still not Celica level.

I'd get a Clio 197 if I went back to a hot hatch though.
 
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Celica t sport is what I had.
Was great until it became unreliable.

3rd gear felt bad
Had radiators go on me
Manifold developed a hole

Probably just bad luck, but I was glad to trade it in when I did. I dunno what was up with gearbox but I couldn't risk keeping it

Comfy good fun coming from low powered normal cars. That was traded in 5 year ago. Wow I've had my s2k for 5 years!
 
Those are normal things for an old car really. OEM exhausts don't last forever which is why people replace them with stainless steel systems. As well as fit alu radiators.
 
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