"Vracktal" (Vracktal-)
09/24/2014 at 10:12 • Filed to: None
1
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"Vracktal" (Vracktal-)
09/24/2014 at 10:12 • Filed to: None | 1
| 17 |
So, the time has come where enough of my Volvo 940 has rusted away for it to be an imminent MOT fail, so I'm now shopping for a replacement. Since I do most of my weekly miles on a motorbike, I only need a car for very occasional long trips and/or shopping.
With that in mind, I've decided to try and seek out a rare bird, a Toyota Celica GT-4. The GT-4 is essentially the AWD version of the standard Celica, and comes in two flavours which I'm interested in, the ST185 and the ST205 (They also made the previous model to the ST185, the ST165 available as a GT-4 but these are nearly impossible to find in running condition in the UK.)
ST185
ST205
Which leads me into my dilema. I'd really like a widebody ST185 but there's none for sale that I can find. The ST205 is much more plentiful, but I've always thought it to be kind of ugly. Should I hold out for an ST185 widebody, or just accept the easier to obtain ST205?
Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish
> Vracktal
09/24/2014 at 10:15 |
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Hold out! Those lights on the ST205 look like the Gen 1 Tiburon
Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
> Vracktal
09/24/2014 at 10:18 |
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I saw one of these recently. dont think it was a gt though. Is there a way to tell without looking under the hood?
Dunnik
> Vracktal
09/24/2014 at 10:19 |
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They are very hard to find. A friend's brother is obsessed with the GT-4, but gave up looking for one and instead converted a regular ST205 Celica into one, minus the AWD drivetrain. JDM GT-4 bumper/fascia, hood, spoiler, motor swap...if you want one, you may have to follow the same route.
I agree, though, the previous generation with its pop-up headlights!!! is better looking.
As Du Volant
> Vracktal
09/24/2014 at 10:23 |
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While I do agree with you, the ST205 can be made to look quite pretty.
nucciOMG
> Vracktal
09/24/2014 at 10:34 |
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I gotta go with the ST185
Popup headlamps... I mean what else is there to say?
Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
> Vracktal
09/24/2014 at 10:36 |
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Either! haha One of the biggest regrets of my life is not buying a '93 ST185 w/ 80k miles, owned by one elderly lady its entire life, looked fresh off the factory floor, and was only going for $7,000... What the hell is wrong with me?! :((( Good luck to you on your quest for one of the most awesome imports, and cars in general, ever!
bob and john
> Vracktal
09/24/2014 at 10:37 |
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I prefer the ST205 tbh
midengineer
> Vracktal
09/24/2014 at 10:49 |
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Hold out for what you really want though I think you can't go wrong either way.
Sam
> Vracktal
09/24/2014 at 11:03 |
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ST205, so that you can mock all us Americans that can't get them. I sold my friend my ST205 and he's putting the finishing touches on it still.
BarryDanger
> Vracktal
09/24/2014 at 11:13 |
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My vote is for the ST205 because it is unobtanium here in the US.
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Vracktal
> Dunnik
09/24/2014 at 11:18 |
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Luckily in the UK quite a few ST205 GT-4s were imported from Japan, they're rare but not nearly as rare as the ST185 widebody. At the moment there's about ten 205s and no 185s for sale nationwide.
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Vracktal
> Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
09/24/2014 at 11:20 |
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GT-4s have a scoop in the bonnet for the intercooler, the regular GTs don't have that. However, lot's of GT owners put the scoop on to make it look like a GT-4.
The other giveaway is the widebody option was only available with the GT4, so if the car has fender flares it's a GT-4.
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Vracktal
> As Du Volant
09/24/2014 at 11:26 |
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It does look good in rally livery, still get a bit of a catfish vibe from it though.
It's warming to me though...
Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
> Vracktal
09/24/2014 at 11:32 |
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There is a lot of stuff to make the ST205 nice, but on the other hand, pop-up headlights are awesome.
Captain_Spadaro
> Dunnik
09/24/2014 at 14:55 |
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There was an ST205 drivetrain and rear floor pan on eBay once...
lee
> Vracktal
11/27/2015 at 17:26 |
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What was the outcome of the decision?
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Vracktal
> lee
11/27/2015 at 19:20 |
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The Volvo is, inexplicably, still running. Although it’s next MOT is now approaching....