OPPO tell me about the 7th gen Celica

"Tareim - V8 powered" (tareimgaml) 10/02/2017 at 12:36 • Filed to: Celica

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So I’ve decided that I really could do with a 2nd car, mostly due to the winter coming up and the heater/blower really is pathetic on my VX220 and I don’t fancy having to sit in the car for 10-15 mins waiting for the screen to clear.

I’m not wanting some dull and boring car as a 2nd car but has to be cheap due to lack of funds hence me looking at the 7th gen Celica’s though I don’t know a huge amount about them except that the 190/T Sport is probably be best one to get due to the 2ZZ, is there anything else I should look out for?

failing that any other recommendations, I know this won’t be easy with me being on the opposite (correct :P) side of the pond

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Tareim - V8 powered 10/02/2017 at 12:41

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It’s like an Integra but ugly

CaptDale - is secretly British > Tareim - V8 powered 10/02/2017 at 12:41

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They were neat when they were new, but I think aged very poorly. Things get even worse when you find out it is FF.

Tareim - V8 powered > CaptDale - is secretly British 10/02/2017 at 12:48

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yeah the FF is a downside to it especially coming from an MR, however it makes it a hell of a lot easier to work on should something go wrong

Tareim - V8 powered > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 10/02/2017 at 12:49

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true but it’s much cheaper

AuthiCooper1300 > Tareim - V8 powered 10/02/2017 at 12:50

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If not able to demist the ‘screen is such a problem, wouldn’t it be easier trying to replace it with a heated one? Maybe such thing doesn’t exist, but have you tried to find out?

On the other hand I perfectly understand you don’t want your VX to suffer the rigours of winter.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Tareim - V8 powered 10/02/2017 at 12:51

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Why not keep it mid-engined and get an MR2 with a hardtop? Then swap in a 2ZZ as a summer project next year.

Nibby > Tareim - V8 powered 10/02/2017 at 12:53

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good luck finding one not riced or modded to shit

CaptDale - is secretly British > Tareim - V8 powered 10/02/2017 at 12:56

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That kinda sounds like a cop out

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Tareim - V8 powered 10/02/2017 at 12:58

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They’re ridiculously reliable, even in the high-stung GT-S trim. Consider the “Action Pack” trim level as the spoiler is basically above your rearward visibility. Keep in mind though, it adds nothing but bumper covers and a tall-deck spoiler.

Action Pack:

Standard GT-S

The GT-S is known to scrub tires in the front, it’s unavoidable and whatever tire you mount, expect about 2/3 of the life you expected from the tires for this reason. The GT does not suffer from this issue.

The back seat is unusable if the driver or passenger are over 5'10". The back of the front seat will touch the back seat if it is all of the way back.

Otherwise they get great gas mileage, are decently comfortable for a small coupe and are fun enough to toss around.

Tareim - V8 powered > Nibby 10/02/2017 at 12:58

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there is a surprising amount of non riced ones and non modded ones, or if they are ‘modded’ it’s just a stereo or wheels

Tareim - V8 powered > Out, but with a W - has found the answer 10/02/2017 at 13:01

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it’s something I’ve considered (not the engine swap part) but the engine bay is so cramped like the vx

Tareim - V8 powered > AuthiCooper1300 10/02/2017 at 13:02

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yeah another issue is the road salt, I’ve heard it badly reacts to the shims between the ally tub and steel subframe

Tareim - V8 powered > CaptDale - is secretly British 10/02/2017 at 13:03

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nothing wrong with that... lol

Tareim - V8 powered > PotbellyJoe and 42 others 10/02/2017 at 13:05

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I thought as much with the rear seats though not too fussed as I rarely have a passenger but used to just the 1 spare seat, wasn’t aware about the tyre issue though so thanks for highlighting that

Dasupersprint - base trim is enough > Tareim - V8 powered 10/02/2017 at 13:08

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It was my dream car in 2000!

LongbowMkII > Tareim - V8 powered 10/02/2017 at 13:10

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These were essentially corolla coupes. If you can get past the styling, great dd’s

AuthiCooper1300 > Tareim - V8 powered 10/02/2017 at 13:13

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Ouch. That does not sound good. A modern version of the problems the Superleggera bodywork suffered from...

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Tareim - V8 powered 10/02/2017 at 13:14

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It’s not so much an issue as just a setting of expectations. More than a few owners went off on that without considering that they were driving a stiffly suspended front-wheel drive car. Something has to give.

Tareim - V8 powered > LongbowMkII 10/02/2017 at 13:17

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the styling doesn’t bother me too much to be honest

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > PotbellyJoe and 42 others 10/02/2017 at 13:21

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You just blew my mind by bringing up the “Action Pack”. My mother drives a GT called the “Tsunami Edition”, which is the same body kit. I always wondered why google images of Tsunami Celicas were always so sparse, but now I know it it must have changed name/been called something else outside of Canada.

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > Tareim - V8 powered 10/02/2017 at 13:28

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My mom drives one year-round that she bought new in 2004ish. GT model (weaker engine) with a stick, but it only takes regular gas instead of premium. 0 problems with the car with over 120,000km of city driving. With winter tires, it sticks to the road like glue. Back seats are surprisingly usable as long as everyone in the car is less than 6 feet; I’ve sat in them for 4 hours straight before.

I haven’t really driven it more than around the block, so I can’t really comment on driving experience. She was worried I would destroy the clutch since I didn’t know how to drive manual very well before I bought my own car to wreck.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Tareim - V8 powered 10/02/2017 at 13:30

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Huh? Always seemed quite sensible to me, lots of empty space, both from the top and the bottom of the car. Plus, it’s a Toyota, so it’s not like you need to be in there a lot. ;)

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] 10/02/2017 at 13:31

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It had a few different names globally, the factory order code was XY, for the XYR concept car.

Tareim - V8 powered > Out, but with a W - has found the answer 10/02/2017 at 13:33

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true, though knowing my luck I’d have to go in there often

Thir-STi > Tareim - V8 powered 10/02/2017 at 13:43

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I had a 2005 GT when I was in college with the 5 speed. Only did the TRD springs. It was fun enough but very reliable, I did nothing but routine maintenance and it never missed a beat. Compare it more to a corolla than a sports car, its not fast.

Tareim - V8 powered > Thir-STi 10/02/2017 at 13:46

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I’ve got the VX if I want a blast so the 2nd car doesn’t need to be lightning quick, just something that will get to 60 before I get old and nothing beige lol

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Tareim - V8 powered 10/02/2017 at 14:04

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The 2ZZ is quite peppy (and works a whole lot better with the tire/wheel combo the Celica is equipped with). It’s reliable, but requires premium fill-ups. 8100 redline pulls are hilariously fun. I’m not sure on the sound deadening situation, but it might get a tad loud if there isn’t any.

NojustNo > Tareim - V8 powered 10/02/2017 at 14:14

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You just need to upgrade the heater. Who needs a passenger seat amirite?

Tareim - V8 powered > NojustNo 10/02/2017 at 14:23

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that might double the weight of the car lol

Tareim - V8 powered > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 10/02/2017 at 14:24

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have you seen the interior of a VX220? its pretty much just bare metal, no sound deadening there (besides behind the seats)

feather-throttle-not-hair > Tareim - V8 powered 10/02/2017 at 15:37

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They’re ugly, they have no limited slip diff and they’re FWD. Those are the downsides.

Honestly, I’d totally rock one as a DD. I’ve driven multiple GT-S’ modded and stock back in the day (i used to own an all-trac and go to celica meets, the 7th gen guys and I would trade drives since all of them had never driven an all-trac and were super eager to try it out.)

People don’t give enough credit to how well they handle and how friggin light they are. Several hundred pounds lighter than the generation that preceded it. Steering is very nice and accurate.

Look, i wouldn’t recommend you buy the car as your only performance car, because you sound like an adult who can do better. But i absolutely would recommend it as a second car to commute in. It’s competent enough that it wont make you want to kill yourself out of boredom every time you drive it. Just be careful and shop around, you don’t want one that’s been abused, Toyota or not. And quite a few of them have been abused due to the nature of the car.  

Tareim - V8 powered > feather-throttle-not-hair 10/02/2017 at 15:43

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got the VX220 as the performance car so it does sound like it might make a fun enough commuter car, lack of diff might be a bit annoying but we’ll see

Tareim - V8 powered > Out, but with a W - has found the answer 10/07/2017 at 13:46

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I’m starting to come round to the idea of an MR-S can you give me ideas of what to look out for?

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Tareim - V8 powered 10/07/2017 at 14:25

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Sure! In general, they’re a backwards Corolla/Celica, so most stuff should be reliable and cheap to replace.

The post-facelift cars (03+) are the ones to get, as they received additional bracing and the precat problems were largely resolved (early ones had a tendency to suck ceramic material into their cilinders). Gutting the precats or getting replacement headers (Zero Exhausts in the UK have one of the best) preempts the problem. High oil usage is a very strong indicator of damage.

You’ll probably be looking for a hardtop, so try and find a car that has one already. The hardtop itself is worth 300-600 GBP, and the ones sold second hand do not always come with the mounting hardware. I actually don’t use mine, as my MR sleeps inside and is only taken out in weekends.

The soft top can develop ‘ears’ when down. They’re the folds at the rear in the picture below. Nothing serious, and easily fixed with a 10-20 GBP strap, but you can use it as a bargaining chip.

You might want to check the presence of the limited-slip diff. IIRC all British ones had them as standard equipment, but the Japanese imports don’t. There should be a B in the transmission code (on a sticker on the driver’s side door sill) I think.

Wheels and tires are differently sized front and rear, both diameter (only for 03+) and width wise, so that might be inconvenient. Running a square setup is possible, but that means you’ll be more likely to encounter oversteer. In any case, they drive more like an MX-5 than like the old snappy MR2s.

Issues I currently have on mine, not sure if they’re common: driver’s side seatbelt doesn’t readily retract when disengaged (tensioner works though), rubber trim around the motorized antenna is getting loose, (rear) hood release doesn’t work. All easily fixed, but I don’t have the time nor space to work on it right now. Might just ask the dealer to do it when I bring it in for the yearly check-up.

Average fuel consumption is 7,5-8,5l/100km, doesn’t really matter if you drive economically or rag it all the time.

Great sources: Spyderchat, MR2ROC, midshiprunabout.org

If you were in continental Europe, I’d sell you mine. ;)

Tareim - V8 powered > Out, but with a W - has found the answer 10/08/2017 at 06:18

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many thanks for the feedback, shame about the pre ‘03 issues as I came across a nice looking yellow 1 but it was ‘01 so I’ll forget about that one, the hunt continues...

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Tareim - V8 powered 10/08/2017 at 09:22

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No problem!

Pre ‘03s should be okay if their oil consumption is negligible. Checking the precats for damage is also not that hard, you just need to remove the 02 sensors. There’s no telling when or if you’ll get issues later on though, so gutting them is a safe bet, provided you can still pass emissions inspection (the forums should have more on that).

dogisbadob > Tareim - V8 powered 10/08/2017 at 15:52

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It looks fast :p

(sorry, couldn’t find one better than 240p)

Tareim - V8 powered > dogisbadob 10/08/2017 at 16:07

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haha that’s awesome