1994 Toyota Celica GT4 (ST205 model) 2.0 turbo
Summary:
Super car performance at an ordinary price.
Faults:
As the car had been sitting unused in the docks for 4 months before I bought it, I had to replace the tyres and electric aerial motor (it had seized).
I had to replace the clutch and clutch master cylinder at 80000KMs.
The brakes were replaced at 90000Kms - only the fronts needed doing but I had all 4 done.
A frost plug behind the water pump went at 100500Kms - very cheap part but it takes almost 3 days labour to take apart the engine, replace it and put the engine back together again.
General Comments:
Even with the trouble I've had with this car, I love it. Also, the troubles are only due to the age of the car.
It is an extremely quick car - apparently at least as fast as the Impreza turbo. Overtaking maneuvers are a lot easier (and consequently safer) because of it.
It is also very agile for a heavy car, corners very flat at speed and the 4-wheel drive can pull you out of almost any trouble you get yourself into. It even makes driving on snow & ice that little bit easier.
There is tyre noise at speed intruding into the cabin so I would regard this as a sports coupe more so than a grand tourer.
The steering is very communicative and responsive and you can feel what the car is doing "through the seat of your pants" - it is definitely a drivers car!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 26th July, 2001
18th Sep 2005, 17:13
The ST205 is a very under-rated car. It comes as standard 255BHP JDM, That's a lot more than your average Impreza. And at the time the Celica was and still is one of the best rally cars ever made.
The car does 0-60 in around 6seconds and 1/4 mile drag in 14. They are very very easy to modify; a performance air filter, exhaust and increasing boost from 0.9 bar (standard) to 1 bar will see you 300bhp. Tank like build, only let down is the weight at around 1380kg approx.
However mine is 340BHP+ and 0-60 4.2 on standard internals and turbo. Amazing, there isn't many cars that can produce that power through such little modifications.
Very reliable and handling is excellent, however strut brace upgrades are recommended for more power.
Check out the owners club www.gt4oc.net.