USED Toyota Celica Coupe (99 - 06)

My car

I was looking for a coupé with good performance and tested everything that was available. The Toyota 140 looked the part but seemed a little tame, something the 190 bhp remedied. I soon found I'd got a Cheshire cat style grin that's still their six years on. Driven normally the closer gearing and slightly higher torque made the 190 easier to drive, but there is a slight penalty on the MPG. I just love the trump card, wind up the revs and hear the engine howl as the VVTLi engages and the car bolts for the horizon, there is a knack to holding the power band, but once you get it it's immense fun. It's quite a practical car, I can run with two passengers easily, boot space is adequate and with the split fold rear seats it's possible to load a lot in there. I really enjoy this car and will be hard pressed to improve on it when I replace it. The experience of owning this car is good but not faultless, as with many owners the standard alloys corroded. £1200 to replace with an identical Toyota set, £600 for a set of after market wheels including tyres from an Internet supplier was a safer bet. I stuck with 16" rims as people were complaining about ride comfort, not a problem I've had. I suspect fitting 17" wheels has a penalty I don't want. While under warranty I found Toyota responsive and would have recommend them without qualm. As soon as the warranty ended however they completely lost interest, quality of feedback fell through the floor and they didn't seem to care at all.

My car

This has to be the best car that my wife has ever owned. Looks absolutely kick-ass in yellow, we kid her its "her Lamberghini".

Being auto its speed is off the pace but who cares, handles corners effortlessly. It carts her and her two dogs around town easily and we often choose to take it away on weekend trips. Actually the back seat is more comfortable than generally appreciated even for adults, true getting in is marginal but once there its very reasonable.

My car

I bought the T sport new in May 2004 having previously owned a VVTi which was very good. To date the T sport has done under 18,000 miles. There is a rattle in the exhaust that has been there from new that the garage 'cannot find' but worst of all is that 6, yes that's right, 6 wheels have buckled. I am in my mid 50s and no boy racer. The low profile wheels fitted to this model cannot take anything other than silk smooth roads. Toyota UK have shrugged their shoulders saying there is not a problem with these wheels (which is not true..see anothers comments bove) and I have been left having spent £2,000 replacing wheels, tyres etc. If I were to keep the car I estimate I would have to replace 30 wheels if I kept it for 10 years. Something is wrong but toyota will not admit it.

My car

I've had a few problems with this car.

Firstly the tensioner belt problem. Had problems with the dealer (Charles Hurst Belfast) over getting this sorted. Eventually they fixed it proper.

Buckeled wheels. Yes I have had four slighlty squashed rims and it took 2 years of fighting with Charles Hurst to replace them. I only got them changed when they started to pit. They never admited there was a fault with these rims but there is beware. I had to put up with noise and vibration for that lenght of time.

Rusty hubs. Had a nightmare with the dealer getting this one sorted though a quick call to Toyota had it sorted within the hour. I was raging when CH actually only painted them though as they were to be replaced. Got it sorted in the end.

Left the car in for a service and it came back with a fault in the intake manifold???? Charles Hurst again. Was eventually sorted and had to be replaced.

The alarm. It has a problem of going off and not shutting up. Countless trips to CH and it has still to be sorted as the warranty is now up.

I have concerns about corrosion under the car as it looks a tad tatty but other than that this is my favorite car.

It handles great, fair fuel consumption, fairly quick, looks great, feels solid yet there is a loud road roar at speed which tires you quickly.

Well its 4 years old now with 35k on the clock and boss says I have to change next April. No more Celica what are Toyota at. The only alternative is a Golf although an R32 ;)