Mike1

Has anyone on here owned one and got any comments - I am talking about the type with pop-up headlights that is quite rounded. A friend has asked me if they are good cars to buy as a winter runner - are they quite reliable if they are standard and been reasonably serviced? He just wants something exciting to use for 6 months - they seem quite cheap but assuming the engine and turbo are OK is the running gear fairly sturdy ( it is a std power one with 105k miles and has got 12 months MOT ).
I don't know much about them but I assume the engine and turbo is the same as the MR2 Turbo?
We've looked on the owners club website but the overall view is more "rose-tinted" perhaps....

Disabled Account

Mike,

I've not owned one, but looked into these very closely........They have a lot going for them IMO, and very good value

ST165 & ST185 common faults:
Failed electric aerial (new one is over £200)
Radiator cap failure
Intermittent starter motor (tcb £40.00)
Rusted sunroof
Rear defogger element failure (new rear glass is over £400)
engine oil leaks
gearbox oil leaks
Aircon compressor failure (look for flashing aircon light)
Clutch wear
Turbo inlet & outlet pipe splits
TVIS butterfly valve rattle (at over 4300rpm)
Check engine light code 54 (intercooler water level low) - not a big deal

Links:
http://www.gtfours.co.uk/
http://www.gt4oc.net/
http://www.celica-club.co.uk/
http://www.celica-gt4.co.uk/
http://www.celicatech.com/
http://www.rallygt4.com/
http://www.toyotacelicaonline.com/

Aftermarket Parts
http://www.motorsportworld.co.uk/
http://www.fensport.co.uk/products.htm
http://www.toyheadauto.com/Performan..._Bushings.html

Technical info
http://opc.mr2oc.com/
http://www.carmanuals.btinternet.co.uk/

Celica GT4 specialist breaker (based in cornwall but ship parts to you)
http://www.tcbperformanceparts.co.uk/welcome.htm
http://www.tcbparts.co.uk/

Anonymous

Not owned one personally but have had a few friends who have, surprisingly strong running gear for the price of the vehicle, puts cossies to shame really!

Mike1

It is a completely standard car - I guess the main worries will be the clutch and transmission going then with the mileage it's done. I think if he buys it he will just run it as a standard car and then sell it in the summer when he uses his main car. He just thought it might be a fun alternative to a V- reg Mondeo or similar. He's been told that it is a non-interference engine ( if cambelt breaks ...no damage ) ?

Thanks for the links and info Doug - I guess that removes some of the queries about 2nd hand parts availability.

no1girlracer

I have owned one for about 6 years now, had problems with a shoddy engine rebuild when i first got it but all sorted now, been driving it the last year with no major problems, open door warning switch on the drivers side broke and one of the tail lights keeps blowing, thats it, mines a 1990 import, the imports had a few more goodies but otherwise no difference between the two.

Overall its a very well built car, 200ish brake as standard but they lose a lot through the 4wd transmission, still great fun to drive. always feels solid on the road, I've built up a lot of contacts over the years so if your mate does buy one and needs help sourcing anything give me a shout.

One thing to check for is worn rear bushes they are quite common from what i hear and make the car crab when they are worn, so easy to tell if you are following !

chris-m

the 185s were very solid and well built and suffered slightly as a result with outright performance due to their weight. you can do a fair bit to them, and they do handle very well.
get on the gt4 owners club forum and pick people's brains, there are also a few good cars for sale (incl already modded) on the forum.
http://www.gt4oc.net

FasterFords

We had a ST182 for 4 years, and there so well made and mega reliable.

iggy gt4

funny i have one for sale,i think chip has seen it,it is a great car but i have a little girl now so i needed a 5 door,great fun in the winter,and mine sticks to the road like glue........

Davey8oy

i work for toyota! i ve done a clutch on one and a turbo on another!

good reliable cars but expensive when they go wrong!

lets just say ill never be doin a turbo or a clutch on another one!

what a coont that was!

chris-m

yeah they are buggers to work on!. mine goes to Ian at Toyautos for owt major, he is ace with them and can do a clutch in a day (engine out job)

Davey8oy

TOTB-3

when i get another one in ill send it to him! thats one job i dont want to do again!

and everything was siezed or snapped!

give me a rs turbo with abs any day of the week for a clutch!

iggy gt4

we done the clutch on mine about 6 months ago and left the engine in.......it was a very arkward job as the box and transfer box weigh a fookin tonne....

had an engine hoist on it 2 people and a jack,,,,oh how we laughed.....