Checklist
1986 - 2006 TOYOTA CELICA
BODY & CHASSIS
Older Celicas don’t suffer too badly from rust, however any car that has been repaired and not rustproofed afterwards is a candidate. Check window surrounds for bubbling and discolouration or deteriorating rubbers. Make sure the sunroof, if there is one, moves without shuddering or making crunching sounds. Trying to locate panels pre-1990s Celicas is frustrating but availability improves when shopping for parts to suit more recent Celicas. Used doors range from $125-300 each, bonnets $500 and $185 for a new, reproduction rear spoiler. New mirrors for all models are being produced, as are front and rear lighting components. Make sure the lights pop up within a second and close in unison.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Ticking from a cold engine, smoke or bearing noise indicate a worn engine and a car that may be uneconomic to repair unless you can get a cheap replacement engine. Around A$1500 buys everything needed to recondition an engine including new pistons, bearings, camshafts, timing gears and belts, a waterpump and gaskets but not valves or a crankshaft. Even if you can build the engine yourself, the cost of crank grinding and a rebore will take the total for outsourced components beyond $2000. After test driving, switch the engine off for two minutes and then switch on the ignition to check the temperature hasn’t risen alarmingly. Manual and automatic transmissions are generally robust, just accelerate hard in second gear then lift off to check if the car jumps out of gear.
SUSPENSION & BRAKES
The shift to frontwheel drive improved Celica handling and still made maintenance a simple task. Standard front springs cost around $175 per pair or you can upgrade to uprated coil-over damper sets at around $1000 per pair. Look at the front tyres for uneven wear; a sign that suspension components need replacement. Power steering leaks can be remedied with a $40 kit (plus labour) or complete new pumps cost $300-350. Standard brake parts are available from Toyota and specialist suppliers stock a range of upgraded components that aren’t expensive.
INTERIOR & ELECTRICS
Osriginal Celica seats were often discarded early in the cars’ lives and replaced with something more comfortable. If they are authentic, check the frames aren’t bent or cracked and the recline/tilt mechanism locks. Dash cracks are unavoidable and replacements seem to be unobtainable in Australia although various kinds of dash covering are. Plastic components available from the USA may not suit RHD cars. Kits of body rubbers are available locally as are new carpet sets and boot mats. Check the hood-lining, especially if the car has a sunroof, for stains due to water seeping past seals.