Owner Review: A not so reliable Toyota - Story of my Toyota Celica

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Basic Information

TOYOTA CELICA ZZT231 1.8 (M)  YEAR MAKE 2000

Reasons why I bought this car

Previously driving a Proton Satria 1.8 Gti, car stolen & was looking for a 2 door coupe.
Caught my attention on how the engine's potential of 190BHP as advertised by various motor trading website 10 years ago.

Car selection process

  • I had a budget of: 75,000

  • Models that I have considered include: Mitsubishi FTO, BMW E36 Coupe, Mitsubishi Airtrek Turbo, Celica ST205 GT4

Reasons why I chose this car

  • Affordable to my budget of 75k

  • Easy financing by my previous employer - a credit company

  • Outlook & overall liking

User experience

  • I have already done 135000 km.

Has been modifying bit by bit to improve the following attributes of the car:

  • Handling
  • Safety
  • Engine performance
  • Fuel efficiency
  • Comfort
  • Ergonomics
  • Gadgets
  • Outlook

Pros&Cons

Pros

  • Supercharged setup punching an output of approximately 228whp & 218Nm of torque

  • Fun to drive (daily) in town & weekend chill drive

  • Superb handling & safety attributes (to own liking, not to be compared with other cars)

  • Decent fuel economy (for an above 200whp car)

  • Easy to maintain

Cons

  • Not so responsive low end torque

  • Modified cars tend to have more things to maintain

  • Not so well-done-up paint job

  • Not sought after by car enthusiast

  • Not well defined JDM sports car

  • Low resale value

  • Poor market perception

Ratings

  • Total Score: 4

  • Performance: 4

  • Quality & Features: 4

  • Space: 3

  • Ride Comfort: 3

  • Fuel Economy: 4

  • Price & Cost: 4

Modification lists

Bought it with a passion to further improve the car's feature in terms of overall attributes.

  • Modifications Category: Stage 2.5

Engine

  • 2zz-ge 1.8L DOHC VVTi-L Yamaha Engine

  • Cometic 1.3mm metal thick gasket (lower compression by 1 10.5.0)

  • WORKS Engineering lightweight crank pulley

  • Customized engine breathing hose.

  • Greddy oil catch tank

  • Customized crank pulley shield

  • Stock Pistons

  • MWR Stage 3 cams

  • MWR Forged valves springs

  • MWR valve retainers

  • ACR race bearings

  • OEM crankshaft 

  • OEM conrods

  • ARP racing studs

  • GReddy mp62 Eaton Mugnason Twin-screw supercharger kit

  • Customized 3.4' supercharger pulley 

  • OBX waterpump,alternator pulley

Transmission

  • C60 6 speed manual transmission

  • C-One Motorsports Type-R sports clutch

  • C-One lightweight flywheel

  • OEM Hellical gear/LSD

  • OEM driveshaft

  • TRD short shifter

  • TRD shifter metal bushing kit

Management & Electronics

  • A'PEXi Power FC standalone ECU with FC Commander- Customized ground/earthing wiring

  • Greddy Infometer Touch with Greddy oil temp & press sensors & Greddy oil filter adapter

  • A'pexi turbo timer- Prosport boost meter with sensor

  • Customized relocated battery, Racetech oversize battery terminal protective enclosure

  • Customized TPMS

Air, Fuel, Cooling & Ignition System

  • Walbro 255lph fuel pump

  • SARD 550cc injectors

  • Customized fuel return system with steel braided hose & Tomei fuel regulator & gauge- MWR methanol/water injection kit

  • Customized O2 sensor adaptor

  • Ignition booster

  • Stock intake with TRD drop in air filter

  • Customized billet fuel rails

  • C-One radiator hose- C-One Calorie

  • Up oversized Radiator

Exhaust System

  • PPE full stainless steel racing headers

  • Custom stainless steel mid section piping

  • Inoque Engineering E-flow Sports Performance muffler

Suspensions, Bushings & Bars/Braces

  • C-one front & back antiroll bar with Energy Suspension bushings

  • Tein Super Street - Driving Master series coilovers

  • C-one sports tower bar Type-R

  • C-one engine torque damper Type-R

  • C-one 3 point trunk bar Type-R

  • C-one end point trunk bar Type-R

  • C-one front performance under brace

  • C-one rear suspension upper bush

  • Cusco front under brace ver.1

  • Customized rigid collars for Celica ZZT231 (lower arms & cross-member)

  • Tanabe Sustec rear under brace

  • C-one steering rack bushing kit

  • C-one sports engine mounting (2 pc)

  • C-one upper radiator support brace

  • Detachable D1 Steel type 4-5 point rollcage

Bodykits & exterior

  • VARIS cooling hood ver.2 carbon fiber bonnet

  • C-one Carbon Fiber rear spoiler

  • Trial ver.2 front bumper

  • Trial ver.2 side skirts- Trial rear bumper 

  • Carcept roof spoiler

  • Trial Tuning Spirit customized aluminium aerodynamic underpanel, front, side splitter & diffuser kit

  • C-one/Beatrush front underpanel

  • APR GT style carbon fiber side mirrors

Wheels & Brakes

  • 17'' 8jj PCD 10H 5x100/5x114.3 rims   

  • 20mm H&R light weight spacers

  • Dunlop Direzza 02 Star Spec 225/45/17' performance tyres

  • Celica ST205 4 pot front Sumitomo big brake kit

  • 325mm oversize 2 piece front disc rotor

  • Celica ST205 2 pot Sumitomo rear brake kit

  • Brembo brake pads

  • C-One Motorsports steel braided hoses

Interiors & Trims

  • Customized soundproof & dampening

  • SS-CUSS semi bucket sports seat

  • TRD Original GT-86 gear knob

  • TRD Celica ZZT-231 manual speedometer

Lightings & Indications

  • Custom LED tail lamp with LED sequential turn signals

  • Customised LED signal lightings

  • Customised & replica carbon fibre Celica Sports

  • Modellista/HELLA style headlamp with HALO LED lightings

Summary

Nicknamed the car Little Skunk in view of its current black & white color theme versus the poor market reception on this car.In addition, was a budget sports car that I looked for back in year 2010, after my previous car was stolen & was looking for a replacement. Luck was on my side when I met a seller which is keen of letting go his Celica at a decent selling price in year 2010.


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