JoshuaM's '97 Celica ZR, The Final Chapter - Goodbye Options

[JoshuaM]

Hello 6GC'ers,

So here it is, my project thread, or more like a details thread because I don't think it will be evolving very quickly

Getting my Celica:

I decided about 2 years ago that I wanted to get a Celica for my first car (I am 17 now). I was originally looking at '93 model 5th Gen Celica manual Liftback (All lift back 5th and 6th gen Celicas in Aus have the 5S-FE), but once I started saving up a but more I decided to go for a 6GC. I liked the exterior styling of a nice clean 5th gen (has to be the update model though), but I was drawn to the 6th gens for the increased safety features, tighter turning circle, and their much nicer interior. It was also much easier to find them in good condition with low mileage. And I am now completely hooked on 6GC's

So I was on the hunt for a '96-99 model ZR Celica (This is the top-spec model in Australia, equiv. to the GT/GT-S) manual with less than 180,000kms. My preference was red, and i wanted a sunroof, but I wasn't ruling anything out.

After searching regularly for a number of months, I came to the conclusion that it was going to be very difficult to find what I wanted in my budget near me. The ONLY car that I found in my state that suited my requirements was from a dealer and felt very untidy when I test drove it, lots of rattles etc. it felt like it had been thrashed... A theory supported when I found a fire extinguisher in the passenger footwell and receipts for heavy duty shocks and coils. Very disappointingly, this was not the car for me.

I kept searching and eventually found 'the one'. A Completely stock standard Silver 1997 model Toyota Celica ZR Manual, in excellent condition, with only 140,000kms (about 87,000 miles). Optional features included being the Factory Sunroof, Air con, Tinting and an Aftermarket Alarm upgrade (update: which I have now found out doesn't work ).

It was initially too expensive for me. I kept looking at it every day, wishing that I could afford it... And 'if only' it was $1000 cheaper.... But then one day they dropped the price by $800, and I was on the phone immediately.

The problem was, it was in a dealership in Melbourne, AUS, just under 2000kms away from me. Because of the demand for cars out of Melbourne, it was too expensive to ship, so I had to organize to fly down and drive it back myself (an entire 2 weeks after I got my license).

After a very long process of organisation and the minor inconvenience of them selling the car to somebody else when I was organizing a mechanic inspection, it was mine XD

Here it is:
















The Future:

I have always been very much a fan of the stock look on Celicas (with all of the factory goodies installed of course!), so I do not have any extravagant plans..... And since purchasing my car I am now a broke uni student

But I am planning a few small things:

Aftermarket head unit for iPod integration.
JDM Clear Side Indicators
Spree LED dash kit + possibly everything else as well

I also have a few different ideas about less common mods to do, but they will require a lot of thought and probably some forum threads

But you never know, if I keep reading all of you guys project builds I might eventually get a proper mod bug

I will keep updating this thread when I do anything, but I don't imagine I will be moving terribly quickly.

This post has been edited by JoshuaM: Sep 6, 2015 - 11:20 AM

[JoshuaM]

Really less than a month? o.O I would of contacted the eBay member... every time something had screwed up for me they've refunded me lol

And man I am jelly of your TRD splits >.<

Also if you take your spoiler off, put on a pre-facelift spoiler and see how it looks

Yeah, should've but I had already left feedback when I found out which usually means they no longer care

Hehe, I like them... but you'll end up with some, everything comes with time

And I am one of the minority, but I actually don't like the 2 post spoiler... I think it looks too flat against the excentuated curves at the back of the celica. I had thought about a GT4/SSIII or TRD spoiler, but the mounting points are different and I hate making structural modifications to my car (I like to be able to easily put everything back the way it came)... that and it will attract a lot more attention from the cops

Grip is a very underrated (and misunderstood) commodity. I've heard a good bit of surprise directed at the speed I take turns, etc. Anyway, congratulations on the splitters, now get that bad boy lowered.

I still used to take the corners at those speeds, it just squealed, spun and squirmed like anything (Okay, slight exaggeration ), now I can plant it and it just hooks and goes XD

But there are no plans to lower - I bought my car for practicality too and do a fair bit of parking on kerbs etc. and don't want to ruin my ride comfort. I also have another addition coming to the rear of the car that must not be mentioned on car forums that will require some adequate suspension travel. If the right thing came up and I had the money I may get something adjustable... but I would only want to lower it minimally anyway. I think the 16's look silly when you get too low.

This post has been edited by JoshuaM: Sep 25, 2015 - 10:03 AM

[rentaspace]

I got those exact same side markers from eBay a while back, They were great for around 5months and then they started fogging up The seal between (on the lens side) had started failing :L I used some gasket sealer to permanently attach the lens to the seal and ha no problems since Just a word of advice if that happens to you


P.S. Sexy as car

Hehe, thank you

It took yours 5 months!!! Mine went in less than 1 Okay, I'll check that out next time I get a chance, thank you

Really less than a month? o.O I would of contacted the eBay member... every time something had screwed up for me they've refunded me lol

And man I am jelly of your TRD splits >.<


Also if you take your spoiler off, put on a pre-facelift spoiler and see how it looks

Yeah, should've but I had already left feedback when I found out which usually means they no longer care

Hehe, I like them... but you'll end up with some, everything comes with time

And I am one of the minority, but I actually don't like the 2 post spoiler... I think it looks too flat against the excentuated curves at the back of the celica. I had thought about a GT4/SSIII or TRD spoiler, but the mounting points are different and I hate making structural modifications to my car (I like to be able to easily put everything back the way it came)... that and it will attract a lot more attention from the cops

I must say, this is THE BEST performance modification you can do to any car...

Grip is a very underrated (and misunderstood) commodity. I've heard a good bit of surprise directed at the speed I take turns, etc. Anyway, congratulations on the splitters, now get that bad boy lowered.

I still used to take the corners at those speeds, it just squealed, spun and squirmed like anything (Okay, slight exaggeration ), now I can plant it and it just hooks and goes XD

But there are no plans to lower - I bought my car for practicality too and do a fair bit of parking on kerbs etc. and don't want to ruin my ride comfort. I also have another addition coming to the rear of the car that must not be mentioned on car forums that will require some adequate suspension travel. If the right thing came up and I had the money I may get something adjustable... but I would only want to lower it minimally anyway. I think the 16's look silly when you get too low.

All comes down to personal opinion I guess
Personally I like no spoiler and the two post
You gonna lower her?