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]

Ccuk and respected in the same sentence? That'll be the day haha

I see what you mean now about the bumper join, At least with your car you can see that it's mostly the same shade of silver, take a look at the side of mine you'll notice a huge difference hence my comment lol

I can't help but thinking if you go for the euro front splitters it's going to look a bit unbalanced as in my opinion they aren't anywhere near as deep as the TRD's for example so it may look like there's something missing perhaps?

As for CCUK as you know there's a fair bit of bad blood there between me and them (I'm too bluntly honest haha) and don't get me wrong there's a lot of good members on there but sadly from my respective there's a lot of arse clowns too which ruin it.

Anyways will be watching this closely :-)

Yes, I have noticed your door colour in particular is not quite the same... at all

I know what you mean, but I haven't seen any pics of the TRD spats on a facelift front that I like... and it will make it even more obvious that I have OEM skirts... which I am not changing Perhaps a better option would be the SSIII front splitters... but I was never really convinced with those on my car (Unless lowered + spoiler... then I like them ). In any case, the euro GT front splitters will make it look less unbalanced than it is at the moment... so it is a good start

Looking really good man

Thanks, means a lot from you!

I want to get these: Linky link

Ahh okay, not my style but I can see why others would like them... and we have already established that we have different tastes (On that note I was reading Whatthe's thread again and like the 2 post again now ). I do have the feeling that it will look a little truckin' with that sort of spoke design on stock suspension though... Should do a photoshop


On that note... Look what appeared on my OzCelica page from another member...



... it's not happening though I don't want a slammed car, and I think it looks a bit silly

[ILoveMySilly97]

On that note... Look what appeared on my OzCelica page from another member...



... it's not happening though I don't want a slammed car, and I think it looks a bit silly

That's not slammed. Its about right. My car is probably about the same heigh. Lol. Rides just perfect. Can clear them drive ways and speed bumps perfectly.