Toyota Celica Import versus UK car

Pros: Should be cheaper to buy than equivalent UK model. 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.

Thanks for this, I should have mentioned the car is an M reg, not a new car.

Anything else I should know ???

Thanks,

Paul.

Maybe do some research on the web, there may be car import forums or owners 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?

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.

Celica, but I

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.

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 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.

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.

Toyota owners club.com

wife bought me a

car to put it on

leather and

take a look

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.

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

in message

wife bought me

car to put it

leather and

should take a look

you're not

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.

for the

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.

will have been

remapped to run on

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.