celica vvtli version

boxermad

im looking at changing my car, currently driving a mirage mivec but kinda want to change. im looking at a 99-00 celica 1.8 vvtli, its about 190 bhp. just wondering is it a reliable car?

thenashlegend

Cant comment on those from my own experience, but Toyota's are generally a very good car, the parents Starlet has over 180k miles up and never caused any major problems. Also cheap and easy to maintain.
I'd try to stay away from the high mileage cars if I was buying, and make sure to get a service history, check it out as much as possible. Call the garage and see if they have the car on record.
Happy Hunting!;)

Atlantic Dawn

The 1.8 vvtli is very reliable, there were a couple of issues in the early engines with lift bolts needing replacing, if you google lift issues on the 1.8vvtli it will give you more detail as to the engines that had the issue. The bolts can be replaced, basically they are used to give the car a lift when it hits 6000 rpm. As was said a service history is very important on these engines, oil changes especially.

bazz26

I'd be looking for tell tail signs of abuse and crash damage. Your looking at a 10 year old one so there is a high chance that the car may have been driven hard or seen the wrong side of a ditch over time.

BronsonTB

Irish celica's owners club have a few for sale.....good clean examples...

Just watch for burning oil....early models had this issue. Most were sorted under toyota warranty ....

But any q's on celica's the club is great place to ask....

I've the older BEAMS model (98)...:)

celicaireland

knifey_spoonie

The VVTLi engines are generally rock solid, as others have said the liftbolts were the main issue. They didn't suffer from the oil consumption problems of the 1zzfe. Monkey Wrench Racing specialise in parts for them, it your hoping to get more than 190bhp out of it.

Good car, and the engine is great fun above 6000rpm

--Kaiser--

If it has SuperStrut make sure to give the car a good test drive. If there is a knocking sound from the front or if it veers to one side on hard acceleration or braking then it could need an expensive suspension overhaul.

BronsonTB

BronsonTB wrote: »

Just watch for burning oil....early models had this issue. Most were sorted under toyota warranty ....

Wasn't that just the 140bhp ones though ?

BronsonTB

RoverJames wrote: »

Wasn't that just the 140bhp ones though ?

Might well be....I'm no expert on them....just remember being told that....and prob did apply to the Irish 140 models.....

OP: Happy Shopping & feel free to let us know if you find a nice one

boxermad

thanks for the help guys picked 1 up in limerick da wknd the fella didnt seem to be the kinda guy who drives em hard and also he was the 1st owner 4m ireland since japan. great solid car good fun also. as they said afteer it hits the 6000rpm is wen the fun starts

knifey_spoonie

boxermad wrote: »

thanks for the help guys picked 1 up in limerick da wknd the fella didnt seem to be the kinda guy who drives em hard and also he was the 1st owner 4m ireland since japan. great solid car good fun also. as they said afteer it hits the 6000rpm is wen the fun starts

Congrats they are a great engine, Was it a silver one on donedeal. Out of interest how much did you part with.

Cunning Alias

Iv had my 02 140bhp one for a few months now. I have been watching out for it burning through oil and it doesn't seem to be any worse than any other car I have had. It has been very well maintained in it's lifetime though and I drive like a granny.

Wait until the first time you let the revs get really high. Scared the crap out of me

BronsonTB

Very best wishes with the new purchase......Hope to see you at some of the celicaireland club gatherings....:D

swarren102

can anyone post a thread for st185 gt 4 celica wiring problems