Toyota Celica Import versus UK car
Paul W
have just found out it's an import.
What are the pro's and con's of owning an import ?? e.g. parts, insurance,
resale value, quality .......
Many thanks,
Paul.
Bob Davis
"Paul W" <nopau...@campbellsci.co.uk> wrote in message
news:hytSb.13823$YV1....@newsfep4-winn.server.ntli.net...
Could be a better spec. than the UK model.
Cons: May be lower spec. than UK model.
May not have UK standard safety equipment, depending on original market.
Parts may be hard to obtain, expensive, or long delivery. Or all three.
Will depend on popularity of import model, and whether unique parts are
required.
Insurance may well be expensive (largely due to parts issue, which inflates
repair costs.) Many mainstream insurers will not cover any models which are
not UK specification, as it requires detailed knowledge of the import model,
so you may have to deal with specialist brokers.
Resale will be lower for above reasons.
Build quality is usually not a problem, but be aware of the problems in
tracing the history of an imported model, so be especially on the lookout
for signs that the car may have been stolen, crash repaired or mileage
falsified.
Paul W
Thanks for this, I should have mentioned the car is an M reg, not a new car.
Anything else I should know ???
Thanks,
Paul.
Bob Davis
> Thanks for this, I should have mentioned the car is an M reg, not a new
car.
>
> Anything else I should know ???
>
> Thanks,
>
> Paul.
>
clubs who can help with specific information. You probably need to find
out, as a bare minimum, how your proposed car compares to comparable UK
models. At the extremes, you could find it's identical to UK spec., or
worst case is nothing like a UK model so even basics like plugs and filters
are harder to get - again, there are import part specialists who can give
information. Also try to get some insurance quotes, so at least you know
what you're letting yourself in for. Will your existing insurer cover the
car?
Johannes H Andersen
The main difference is if it's imported from EU or outside EU. If it is
from EU, it could be to UK RHD spec or even better. Resale of an import
could be lower due to uncertainty, but this isn't necessarily a problem
if you find a good deal.
Mike G
"Paul W" <nopau...@campbellsci.co.uk> wrote in message
news:hytSb.13823$YV1....@newsfep4-winn.server.ntli.net...
Celica, but I
> have just found out it's an import.
>
> What are the pro's and con's of owning an import ??
AFAIK very few if it's a jap Celica. I have a jap GT4 Celica. It
is virtually identical to the UK version. What differences there
are on mine, are more cosmetic than mechanical. No plate
holders, badges and transfers etc. I haven't found any
mechanical differences at all.
>e.g. parts, insurance,
IME the only problem with parts, is that most car dealers, inc
Toyota, usually need the VIN code to supply spares. Most can't
access the jap VIN codes which can make things difficult if the
guy in spares is not cooperative.
My solution is to use the VIN from a similar spec UK car. :-)
Spares can be expensive as for any jap car, but they don't seem
to need many, so on balance I don't think they're expensive cars
to keep running.
Any history is likely to be in japanese, so buy on condition,
and unless it's a private sale, any guarantees the dealer
offers. Within reason the mileage is not that important
The insurance is likely to be higher, probably because of the
perceived, rather than actual difficulty in obtaining spares.
> resale value, quality .......
Resale values are lower, but they are also cheaper to buy, so
it's not really an issue.
I think the build quality is extremely good. They are very well
put together.
They have a reputation for reliability. IME it's quite
justified.
Mine is no youngster, a '90 ST 185 Celica turbo, with 70k. No
rust, and no rattles.
In over 2 years of ownership it's been utterly reliable, and
never once misbehaved. All it's needed is the usual consumables.
Tyres, brake pads, oil, and filters etc.
With the usual cautions about buying s/h, if you like it, and
it's at the right price, go for it. :-)
Mike.
Paul Whitmore
I decided just before christmas I wanted a Celica, then my wife bought me a
private plate for Christmas, so I'm dying to find the right car to put it on
!!!
I want a black or silver, non modified 2 litre Celica, with leather and
aircon. The only nice ones I can find are imports.
Any advice on web sites, or celica owners news groups I should take a look
at ?
Cheers,
Paul.
"Mike G" <mgi...@clara.co.uk> wrote in message
news:107549614...@doris.uk.clara.net...
andrew
<pauldonotspa...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>Thanks Mike, that's all very encouraging !!!
>
>I decided just before christmas I wanted a Celica, then my wife bought me a
>private plate for Christmas, so I'm dying to find the right car to put it on
>!!!
>
>I want a black or silver, non modified 2 litre Celica, with leather and
>aircon. The only nice ones I can find are imports.
>
>Any advice on web sites, or celica owners news groups I should take a look
>at ?
>
>Cheers,
>
Toyota owners club.com
Mike G
"Paul Whitmore" <pauldonotspa...@ntlworld.com> wrote in
message
news:SCBSb.14090$JL4.1...@newsfep4-glfd.server.ntli.net...
> Thanks Mike, that's all very encouraging !!!
>
> I decided just before christmas I wanted a Celica, then my
wife bought me a
> private plate for Christmas, so I'm dying to find the right
car to put it on
> !!!
>
> I want a black or silver, non modified 2 litre Celica, with
leather and
> aircon. The only nice ones I can find are imports.
>
> Any advice on web sites, or celica owners news groups I should
take a look
> at ?
Having a GT4 turbo, I've only been interested the sites for that
particular model.
If you're interested there is a group for Celica GT4 owners on
Yahoo.
I think there's also another on Yahoo for the non-turbo
versions, but I can't be sure.
In any case, a quick web search for Celica should give you
several hits.
As the one you have your eye on is M registered, presumably it's
one of the earlier ST 202's ?. Looks the same as the ST 205
Celica GT4 turbo, but without the turbo or 4 wheel drive. Has 4
normal headlights, as opposed to the 2 flip-up lights of the
earlier ST 185 that I have.
Mike.
Johnny
Johnny
news:SCBSb.14090$JL4.1...@newsfep4-glfd.server.ntli.net...
>
> I decided just before christmas I wanted a Celica, then my wife bought me
a
> private plate for Christmas, so I'm dying to find the right car to put it
on
> !!!
>
> I want a black or silver, non modified 2 litre Celica, with leather and
> aircon. The only nice ones I can find are imports.
>
> Any advice on web sites, or celica owners news groups I should take a look
> at ?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Paul.
>
The only UK model (not sure about the GT-4 though, but I guess you're not
after one of them) that came with leather was the cabriolet.
Aircon was an option on UK cars, very very likely as standard for the
Japanese domestic market.
I believe (Mike G could probably confirm this?), Jap imports will have been
designed to run on 100ron fuel, UK cars will have been remapped to run on
95ron fuel.
Mike G
"Johnny" <n...@spam.com> wrote in message
news:401b8450$1...@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
> "Paul Whitmore" <pauldonotspa...@ntlworld.com> wrote
in message
> news:SCBSb.14090$JL4.1...@newsfep4-glfd.server.ntli.net...
> > Thanks Mike, that's all very encouraging !!!
> >
> > I decided just before christmas I wanted a Celica, then my
wife bought me
> a
> > private plate for Christmas, so I'm dying to find the right
car to put it
> on
> > !!!
> >
> > I want a black or silver, non modified 2 litre Celica, with
leather and
> > aircon. The only nice ones I can find are imports.
> >
> > Any advice on web sites, or celica owners news groups I
should take a look
> > at ?
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Paul.
> >
>
> The only UK model (not sure about the GT-4 though, but I guess
you're not
> after one of them) that came with leather was the cabriolet.
It was certainly an option on the GT4, but their cloth seats
seem extremely hardwearing. The seats in mine show no signs of
wear at 70k.
> Aircon was an option on UK cars, very very likely as standard
for the
> Japanese domestic market.
I believe aircon,or climate control on GT4's after '92, was std
on all UK and jap Celica's. I don't know whether it was option
on the non-turbo models.
> I believe (Mike G could probably confirm this?), Jap imports
will have been
> designed to run on 100ron fuel, UK cars will have been
remapped to run on
> 95ron fuel.
That is right.
AFAIK the same 2 ltr engine is fitted in both turbo, (GT4) and
non-turbo Celica's.
The GT4 has a knock sensor, meaning jap imports will run quite
happily on super unleaded, but marginally better on Optimax, and
presumably, having not tried it, on the BP? high octane
alternative.
I would assume the non-turbo 2 ltr also has a knock sensor, but
I don't know for certain.
As for different engined Celica's, I have no idea if they have
one or not.
Mike.