January 2003

Style and practicality have become Toyota Celica bywords - for 30 years now the popular two-door coupé has offered an unbeatable combination of the two, with premium reliability thrown in for good measure.
The seventh-generation Celica was launched in October 1999 and has acquired a very enthusiastic following - there is even an owners' club (www.celica-club.co.uk) dedicated to the enjoyment of the car. It regularly organises track days for members.
Like all Toyotas, the Celica is well built and long lasting, but unfortunately that doesn't mean it's cheap to run. Insurance premiums can be steep, fuel economy is no better than average and the tyres don't last brilliantly. Also, there are faster and more driver-oriented cars on the market for the same amount of money.
But none of its rivals can match the Celica's winning combination of razor-sharp looks and user friendliness which, when put together, make it an excellent second-hand buy.
Checklist
* The most common fault is corrosion to the wheel hubs, which can cause the car to pull to one side under braking. Clean hubs regularly to stop tarnishing.
* We've heard of a few cars where the timing belt tensioner has become loose - listen for a light tapping from the engine. Dealers will tighten them for free.
* Look for tyre and suspension wear on cars that have been driven hard - Yokohama rubber doesn't come cheap.
* On cars with spoilers, the tailgate support struts should be marked 'SP' to indicate they can take the weight. Check cars with aftermarket spoilers.
* Paint finish, especially on solid colours, is variable and prone to chipping.
Glass's View
Celica values have always been strong, says Glass's Guide. The latest incarnation is no exception, although the introduction of the facelifted version last autumn has hit the price of earlier cars. The best buys are ex-fleet models, as they are usually well maintained. Private buyers must check the history - imported cars are worth about 20 per cent less than UK ones, and there are a few ringers about.
My Celica...
Until last April, Matt Smith was a company car driver. He covered about 20,000 miles a year in a Peugeot 406, but as less than 18,000 of these were on business, new tax legislation meant his monthly liability would go up. So 29-year-old Matt decided to go it alone. He bought a Celica as it provided almost as much practicality as the Peugeot, but lots more style and driver pleasure. "I went for the 140bhp model as it was cheaper to insure," said the IT systems consultant from Keighley, West Yorkshire. "The performance deficit makes little difference, as most of my driving is in town."
Matt chose the Toyota mainly for its looks, but also because of the company's reputation for reliability. "It's well engineered and hasn't let me down," he told us. "That's what I expect from Toyota." Matt also cites good dealer service as one of the reasons behind his choice.
But there are niggles. "I think some of the trim feels tacky and the seat fabric isn't great," he said. "The car also has a flat spot at low revs, so you really need to work the gearbox to get it to move."

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