Faults:

Replacement items since purchase in August:

Front 275mm discs and calipers replaced with 277mm items from the Avensis, whose larger pads give much greater swept area.

Braided front brake hose.

Brake lines from behind the engine to the rear brakes.

Radiator and thermostat (rather awkward to bleed the system).

Cam belt.

Exhaust back box.

Nearside rear caliper.

Handbrake system (drums) refurbished.

Things to do:

Air-con needs re-gassing.

Central under-tray missing.

Needs better head lights.

General Comments:

Good looking (like a cheap Ferrari).

Winter tyres all round means the fantastic handling (very low C of G) is also available in the cold and wet.

I can fit my mountain bike (minus the front wheel) in the back (rear seats down obviously!).

Sporty, long low seat position (I'm 6'2").

140 BHP is good, but it needs lots of revs to get the best out of it. Very strong flexible engine design, which was also used in several other Toyota models, plus the Pontiac Vibe and Chevrolet Prizm. Lotus used VVTL-i in the Elise and Exige. VVT-i known to last over 230k miles and is often turbo'd to 220 BHP).

Virtually no rust.

High 30s MPG on a long run (with modest throttle of course!).

Decent standard audio system.

£2.8k including purchase price and full service.

Faults:

No faults so far...

General Comments:

This is a superb car. I had considered a few motors and chose it over an Impreza WRX in the end. Why? - well the Celica may be beaten on performance, but it is much better looking, uses much less fuel and feels much more special.

The subaru was very fast, but at the end of the day you can only tell the difference in performance when you have a very long, very straight road with no speed limits, cameras or other cars - it just doesn't happen.

In the Celica you can have your fun (with a 0-60 of under 7 seconds), slow yourself down (60-0 in 3 seconds) and then cruise around town in what looks like a baby Ferrari.

Theres the difference. While the Subaru will get you respect with rally fans and performance heads, the Celica turns the heads of everybody, young and old.

The engine is sweet with peak power arriving at 6,000 rpm. It is superb when you time it just right so that when you pull out to overtake you are just hitting 6,000 - watch it fly. Then leave it in until just over 8,000, change up to third and you will just be at 6,000 to start the whole process again - sweet!

T-Sport leather seats are excellent an look cool as well.

Gear change on 6 speed box is slick and quick - although geting into reverse can be a pain. (it's next to 1st and the car beeps like lorry to let you know it's in).

CD player is OK, but a tad disappointing.

17" T-sport wheels look cool and the 205 tyres keep the car glued to the road.

Steering is well weighted and gives goo feedback through corners.

Bit disappointed with motorway refinement (though not bad for a sports coupe). Cruise control not even an option, but would be nice for long journeys.

Back seats aren't as bad as many people think - I am 5' 10" and I can fit in comfortably. Some 6 footers mates of mine have managed to shoehorn themselves in before now as well.

My car is Storm Blue - it looks black, but has a blue flip to it, depending on the angle.

My advice - buy one, its the complete sports coupe.

Faults:

No faults at all. This car is a well built delight to own.

General Comments:

The handling is excellent and very comfortable.

The car is fast and economical.

The stereo is very good and the leather seats and sunroof make the interior even nicer. (Also the climate control A/C is nice on a hot day).

The car is such a pleasure to drive and is quick enough. I have had much quicker cars, but they were no fun to drive.