Concerned

[wilson]

hi all just registered to the site as ive just put a depost on a 1993 celica gt4 import and have been reading all the posts and i am getting concerned about parts prices and availability and ease of maintenence.ive always fixed and serviced my own cars as i dont trust garages as far as i could throw one.this is my first import but second jap moter last one was nissan sunny zx coupe. am i concerned about nothing can anyone put my mind at rest. also what is the best manual to get.

[Boro Sera]

Hi,

welcome to TOC.

to generalise and quickly cover your questions, don't worry too much about parts, or ease of maintenance for that matter. It's a car. Maintanance isn't going to be any harder because it's J spec. Parts are mostly the same as the UK spec ones, but if you do need anything specific that you can't source then Toyota can supply what you need. My car was never sold outside Japan and I can get parts next day for it !

Enjoy your stay.

Rich

[daktari]

Cant add much more than what Rich has already said. Parts aren`t a problem at all. Fensport Clicky for one can supply virtually all your needs if your local Mr T cant. As for a manual. I`ve got a Chilton which is quite good. The only slight drawback being it caters for American & Canadian models. So allowances have to be made. You could download the BGB from here.Celicatech But really there`s nothing too difficult about them if you take things logically.

[wilson]

excellent thanks for all your help what about wiring sterio in particular for starters will the chilton manual have corect diagrams as i looked at previous topic on import wiring {which got heated} and there was no real clear cut conclusion. also not to be too much of a pest can anyone recomend any insurance companys iv got a prety competative quote through master quote but it doesnt hurt to shop around :D

[daktari]

excellent thanks for all your help what about wiring sterio in particular for starters will the chilton manual have corect diagrams as i looked at previous topic on import wiring {which got heated} and there was no real clear cut conclusion. also not to be too much of a pest can anyone recomend any insurance companys iv got a prety competative quote through master quote but it doesnt hurt to shop around :D

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Funnily enough i`ve just changed my stereo. And to be honest it wasn`t the easiest one i`ve ever done in regard to the wiring. There are two specific wiring diagrams for the celica. GT4 is different to other models and colour coding is not as you would expect. For instance the red wire is a speaker wire!!! And the permanent live is Blue/Yellow And to further complicate matters the chilton manual don`t give a colour code diagram. :ffs: Easiest way is to use a multimeter and a bit of patience. If you need any help give me a shout.

[wilson]

all i can say is thanks again mutch apreciated

[RichardCrafts]

My two cents worth...

I brought an import GT4 about 8 months ago as a "fixer-upper" and I've had far fewer problems than I expected. Most parts are the same, the obvious exceptions I've come across are suspension and brake components (unfortunate, since I've had to replace most of mine). Even then, they arn't noticably more expensive. Pattern parts companies like Bennets stock most items or can obtain them easily.

If you need to get work done, do go to a turbo specialist. I made the mistake of trying to get some diagnostics done on the cheap and spent a lot of money for no useful return. Ironically, it turned out that Turbo Technics charge about the same hourly rate as the guy I went to, ie about £45 per hour plus VAT. As a rule, I take my car to a garage for something simple like an exhaust rattle or an oil leak and if they don't screw it up, I'm happier about bringing it back for something more complex.

That said I do have some real horror stories so I understand why you don't trust garages.

[spotipus]

on the subject of insurance i have found adrian flux are very good . worth a ring ?? i have now had a new thermostat to stop me getting involved in heated discussions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :censor:

[wilson]

its funny you say somthing simple like exhaust cos i had one fitted by a tyre and exhaust SPECIALIST cos i thought nothing could go wrong and i couldnt be bothered. but no leaked like a tea bag and ratteld like a snake car went back 3 times sorted it myself in the end nuf said.

[wilson]

no offence to any good honest genuine mechanics out there where ever you may be :D

[wilson]

just a sugestion how about a dodgy garage list for the site like a name and shame list also a good garage list could help people and encourage good conduct.

[spotipus]

all main agents and dealerships are con artists.before i fell in love with my celica i had a renault 19 16v i was quoted £880 for puttin a !Removed! clutch in and that price didnt include the clutch. i also paid £90 for a speedo cable .

i have a great mechanic now but i hardly use him because i drive a celica nuff said

[wilson]

cant wait to pick my gt4 up on thursday in that case,after the test drive i was in love. anyone know what the going rate on a 93 {k} import gt4 in a1 condition with 59k on the clock is.

[Tom.B]

..Priceless to the owner :group-cuddles: ...been offered £1750 for mine today (gen5 97k FSH) noooo.way baby....unless anyone want it after the summer or wants to p/x for their gt4 hehehehehehehhe

[wilson]

not letting go of my gt4 just yet{ever}its the !Removed! paying top doller too

[mikeb]

..Priceless to the owner :group-cuddles: ...been offered £1750 for mine today (gen5 97k FSH) noooo.way baby....unless anyone want it after the summer or wants to p/x for their gt4 hehehehehehehhe

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£1750 sounds good. That must be about the top end of the value for a gen5 gt. Do you have many mods?

[RichardCrafts]

Is that 59,000 k or 59,000m ?

[wilson]

59,000 m

[wilson]

59,000 m or 99,000 k ish with fsh since been imported anyway.