After a sporty a car around £2k... what not to get? What to get :D
- Thread starter juno_first
- Start date
I don't know if it is an import. The sales guy said no but I'm lucky my insurance is a bit cheap anyway: grp8 mondeo = 300, grp16 celica = 393.
It was a lack of rust proofing I was more concerned about if it's an import.
How can you find if it's an import? The reg doc & hpi report say nothing about an import. I did notice it red-lined at 8200 & some EU markets it was 7800 I think. Does anyone have one & can confirm that?
Still waiting for the call to go pick it up 
Hope there was no hassle passing the MOT.
Im getting concerned now as to if its an import, as it seems to have unusual spec: as in no rear spoiler & the non T-Sport wheels or pre facelift?
From the information ive managed gather from other websites I'm fairly certain its the facelift as the seats are all leather & its called a T-Sport on the reg doc etc.
There is no mention of import on the reg doc from what I remember or my HPI report & the garage showed me its HPI report on their PC which showed its previous colour was grey. Below is what it shows on my completed HPI report.
ColourBLUE
Number of colour changes1
Last colour change date18-Jun-2009
Year manufactured2002
Current keeper acquired on01-May-2008
Date of first registration in the UK08-Nov-2002
Its obviously never been grey as theres blue everywhere, darn confusing
If a Celica is an import, how will that affect the Insurance or anything else?
Hope there was no hassle passing the MOT.
Im getting concerned now as to if its an import, as it seems to have unusual spec: as in no rear spoiler & the non T-Sport wheels or pre facelift?
From the information ive managed gather from other websites I'm fairly certain its the facelift as the seats are all leather & its called a T-Sport on the reg doc etc.
There is no mention of import on the reg doc from what I remember or my HPI report & the garage showed me its HPI report on their PC which showed its previous colour was grey. Below is what it shows on my completed HPI report.
ColourBLUE
Number of colour changes1
Last colour change date18-Jun-2009
Year manufactured2002
Current keeper acquired on01-May-2008
Date of first registration in the UK08-Nov-2002
Its obviously never been grey as theres blue everywhere, darn confusing
If a Celica is an import, how will that affect the Insurance or anything else?
Yeah I find it real confusing as it dont have a rear spoiler unlike every other T-Sport ive seen, but it shows T-Sport in the reg doc & it passed the HPI including the VIN etc.
Here are the HPI results:
Make/Model:
TOYOTA CELICA T SPORT VVTLI
Vehicle Description
MarqueTOYOTA
RangeCELICA (MK7)
Engine size cc1796
FuelPETROL
ColourBLUE
TransmissionMANUAL
Number of gears6
Engine makeTOYOTA
Year manufactured2002
Date of first registration in the UK08-Nov-2002
Number of doors3
Number of seats4
Vehicle Economy
Urban MPG24.6
Extra urban MPG42.8
Combined MPG33.6
CO2 emissions200 g/km
CO2 ratingJ
Vehicle Performance
Torque Lbft132.8 lb-ft
Torque RPM6,800
Power BHP189.1
Power RPM7,800
Max MPH140
0-60 MPH7.4s
Power deliveryNORMAL
AspirationNATURALLY ASPIRATED
Driving axleFRONT
Drive type4X2
No of cylinders4
Bore82
Stroke85
Vehicle Dimensions
Length mm4,343
Width mm1,956
Height mm1,320
Here are the HPI results:
Make/Model:
TOYOTA CELICA T SPORT VVTLI
Vehicle Description
MarqueTOYOTA
RangeCELICA (MK7)
Engine size cc1796
FuelPETROL
ColourBLUE
TransmissionMANUAL
Number of gears6
Engine makeTOYOTA
Year manufactured2002
Date of first registration in the UK08-Nov-2002
Number of doors3
Number of seats4
Vehicle Economy
Urban MPG24.6
Extra urban MPG42.8
Combined MPG33.6
CO2 emissions200 g/km
CO2 ratingJ
Vehicle Performance
Torque Lbft132.8 lb-ft
Torque RPM6,800
Power BHP189.1
Power RPM7,800
Max MPH140
0-60 MPH7.4s
Power deliveryNORMAL
AspirationNATURALLY ASPIRATED
Driving axleFRONT
Drive type4X2
No of cylinders4
Bore82
Stroke85
Vehicle Dimensions
Length mm4,343
Width mm1,956
Height mm1,320
OH CRAP !!!!!!!!
How can I tell if its even a 190?
When I test drove it I didn't really go over 6000rpm & I didn't think it was that fast.
The redline was at 8200rpm though. What does the 140 redline at?
It sais T-Sport on the reg doc too.
There is a faded badge on the back just like this:
If it is not a T-Sport but it was advertised as a T-Sport can I get my £200 deposit back & cancel the purchase? I presume deffo if its not even a 190?
I'm feeling sick now..
Arr phew it all seems to check out.
I remember the engine was grey & had exposed plug wires, making it a 190. The HPI reports a 2ZZGE engine too & aI think the reg-doc.
The guys at celica-club.co.uk identified it as a pre-facelift T-Sport, as in a very early T-Sport. Which is why people think the T-Sport started with the facelift in late 2002.
Apparently theres another T-Sport that looks the same that goes to Celica meets.
Having no spoiler & 16" wheels are normal (17" wheels were an option at the time), so I guess its kinda good to still have the stock wheels & no one has stuck a spoiler on the back. Although the wheels looked like new/refurbished?
I remember the engine was grey & had exposed plug wires, making it a 190. The HPI reports a 2ZZGE engine too & aI think the reg-doc.
The guys at celica-club.co.uk identified it as a pre-facelift T-Sport, as in a very early T-Sport. Which is why people think the T-Sport started with the facelift in late 2002.
Apparently theres another T-Sport that looks the same that goes to Celica meets.
Having no spoiler & 16" wheels are normal (17" wheels were an option at the time), so I guess its kinda good to still have the stock wheels & no one has stuck a spoiler on the back. Although the wheels looked like new/refurbished?
Phew, just got back home with it after a 40mile drive in the pouring rain. Its all blue everywhere so no respray.
The first junction just I pulled out the wheels spun so no traction control as suspected.
I waited till it warmed up then pushed the revs & they happily went to 8400 ish, will check again tomorrow.
Actually, all hell brakes loose over 6500rpm & even in 3rd... once the cams lifted the wheels were slipping & I struggled drive it straight.
After driving an old ugly Mondeo for 5 years I noticed other drivers treat you differently, eg. Sporty cars let you out of junctions & the odd Vectra/Mondeo drive up your behind trying to overtake.
I'm concerned about a judder from the clutch passing through the bit point (which is low on the peddle), especially in 1st gear. It seems to almost go when pulling off quick at higher revs. I don't know if its me not being used to it or something more sinister. Does anyone have an idea? ta
The first junction just I pulled out the wheels spun so no traction control as suspected.
I waited till it warmed up then pushed the revs & they happily went to 8400 ish, will check again tomorrow.
Actually, all hell brakes loose over 6500rpm & even in 3rd... once the cams lifted the wheels were slipping & I struggled drive it straight.
After driving an old ugly Mondeo for 5 years I noticed other drivers treat you differently, eg. Sporty cars let you out of junctions & the odd Vectra/Mondeo drive up your behind trying to overtake.
I'm concerned about a judder from the clutch passing through the bit point (which is low on the peddle), especially in 1st gear. It seems to almost go when pulling off quick at higher revs. I don't know if its me not being used to it or something more sinister. Does anyone have an idea? ta
Sorted the vibration on the clutch. Of the 6 bolts holding the clutch in place 2 of them were loose & the clutch had uneven wear as shown on the pic.
The vibration has 99% gone now & is normal. There didn't appear to be any warping on the non dual mass flywheel.
The vibration has 99% gone now & is normal. There didn't appear to be any warping on the non dual mass flywheel.
I was not there when they changed it but spoke to the mechanic afterwords who did the job & he just moaned about removing an awkward engine mounting.
He said as soon as he took the gearbox away he saw the 2 loose bolts.
Pics on Flickr
A moment of geekness...
Yeah I think luck deffo plays a part with a s/h car.
I even know a mechanic who bought an evo & didnt notice a piston slap, so you can guess what happened when he turned up the boost
Well ive now been driving the celica for a couple of weeks now & heres what I think so far:
Compared to my previous V reg Mondeo which is now being turned into a toaster the celica is noticeably rougher to drive, ie. clunky gear change, louder with more road noise etc.
I know that being an older sporty car then these things are probably normal.
I'm finding it much harder to drive than the larger mondeo as im still struggling with the gear changes, like shifting down from 6th to 3rd & very often put it into reverse instead of 1st. I think this must be me, having to get used to it with being so different than anything ive ever driven before... A calibra I had years ago was much easier drive, although that was more of a squashed cavalier than a sports car. I've driven all sorts of 'new' vans from a vito to a 7.5t cargo & the celica is the hardest with regards to working the transmission.
I read somewhere you should not put it into 1st gear whilst moving & to this end im struggling with it in slow moving traffic as there are still a few minor vibrations when engaging the clutch. The garage that fitted the clutch said it was ok & probably because the engine mountings were a bit soft but not torn.
At how many rpm is it best to change gear while the engine is warming up & for economy? After warming up I feel ok pushing it up to 8200rpm on the rare occasion. A friend who came for a ride with me said I was driving it wrong by shifting up at typically 3000rpm.
I've noticed a bit of a flat spot in the power band between eg 2000-4000rpm in the higher gears.
Suspension is a little soft when driven spiritedly round twisty B roads, although nice & nimble/assertive at slower speeds.
Better mpg than the mondeo's 23mpg as getting 26mpg from the same journey of short daily 7mile of town/carriageway. Ive only used super unleaded so far & getting similar miles as the mondeo £ for £ lol. I think this is good.
All in all im starting to like the celica after the initial hassle I had at first.
I'ts certainly a pretty car & the colour makes it stand out, better than the previous rusty green mondeo
Compared to my previous V reg Mondeo which is now being turned into a toaster the celica is noticeably rougher to drive, ie. clunky gear change, louder with more road noise etc.
I know that being an older sporty car then these things are probably normal.
I'm finding it much harder to drive than the larger mondeo as im still struggling with the gear changes, like shifting down from 6th to 3rd & very often put it into reverse instead of 1st. I think this must be me, having to get used to it with being so different than anything ive ever driven before... A calibra I had years ago was much easier drive, although that was more of a squashed cavalier than a sports car. I've driven all sorts of 'new' vans from a vito to a 7.5t cargo & the celica is the hardest with regards to working the transmission.
I read somewhere you should not put it into 1st gear whilst moving & to this end im struggling with it in slow moving traffic as there are still a few minor vibrations when engaging the clutch. The garage that fitted the clutch said it was ok & probably because the engine mountings were a bit soft but not torn.
At how many rpm is it best to change gear while the engine is warming up & for economy? After warming up I feel ok pushing it up to 8200rpm on the rare occasion. A friend who came for a ride with me said I was driving it wrong by shifting up at typically 3000rpm.
I've noticed a bit of a flat spot in the power band between eg 2000-4000rpm in the higher gears.
Suspension is a little soft when driven spiritedly round twisty B roads, although nice & nimble/assertive at slower speeds.
Better mpg than the mondeo's 23mpg as getting 26mpg from the same journey of short daily 7mile of town/carriageway. Ive only used super unleaded so far & getting similar miles as the mondeo £ for £ lol. I think this is good.
All in all im starting to like the celica after the initial hassle I had at first.
I'ts certainly a pretty car & the colour makes it stand out, better than the previous rusty green mondeo
Thanks.
The shift does not crunch or difficult to get into a gear. I drove more aggressive going into work this morning & it never vibrated, maybe it's not as tolerant when riding the clutch as a mondeo.
The shift does not crunch or difficult to get into a gear. I drove more aggressive going into work this morning & it never vibrated, maybe it's not as tolerant when riding the clutch as a mondeo.