Due to my son rapidly approaching his 17th birthday, I am going to have to dispose of my '2nd car' and buy a much smaller engined one. I really would be grateful to get a idea of what I can expect to get and where I should pitch the asking price - or whether I should SORN it and 'mothball' it in my brother in law's barn hoping that one day in the future this model may become a collectors item. (forlorn hope)?
Toyota Celica GT 2.0 1991 Standard FWD UK Spec with 109K and a FSH from new - book fully stamped. I have owned the car for 7 years and I am the 3rd owner. All 3 owners 'mature - ie not boy racers.
From 70k I have changed the oil myself every 3000 miles on top of the regular services. MoTs going back 8 yrs.
I believe this is the Mark 4 model being the rounded shape with pop up headlights. The tyres are Firestones and only about 30% worn.
Colour Red, which after 14 years has faded a bit but regular polishing keeps this in order. No dents - a few stone chips but pretty good for a 14yr old. Interior good - on very small worn path on drivers seat side.
The car drives straight and true with no rattles. The engine purrs and has never missed a beat and the gearbox is smooth.
I realise it's not worth much - worth more as car, if you know what I mean. However, it is a very nice and well engineered sports coupe so I don't want to 'give it away'.
I don't actually need the cash from this car to get my son on road and it does seem feasable that pop up lights cars may be sought after IDC. So as said laying it up could be a good future investment.
Any thoughts on what I should do, keep or sell and if selling, a realistic price to expect.
Many thanks
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my sympathy, not a nice dilemma.
Could you buy son a banger and keep the Celica going? It does seem a shame to get rid of it or lay it up.
BTW, what's IDC?
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IDC = In Due Course.
I don't think the Celica will ever become a highly desirable classic.
Have you tried enquiring about getting cheap classic car insurance for it? And using it on High Days and Holidays, and then maybe letting your son use it in a couple of years time when he has some more experience under his belt.
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I would keep it, but put it on a limited mileage 'classic car' insurance. Try Norton Insurance in Birmingham. I reckon about £150 should cover it for 3000 miles a year, fully comp. (note that they don't take your NCD for this).
The car is not going to be worth a great deal if you sell, I don't think you'll be happy with the price - I think you'll struggle to be honest. I bought a '93 Celica with MIL light on - fixed it up expecting it to sell easily. I really struggled to shift it. Youngsters can afford the car, but not the insurance. More mature people can afford something newer with airbags and ABS etc etc. The market for these is as 'weekend cars' on classic insurance. Also beware that the problem with old cars like these is that parts will become a problem, especially electrical/electronic parts and trim parts.
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Youngsters can afford the car, but not theinsurance. More mature people can afford something newer with airbags and ABS etc etc.
Yes, I know exactly what you mean. A young chap that my daughter knows wanted to buy at what I thought was a good price -- until he got or tried to get an insurance quote!
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A colleague of mine has a Mk1 Celica which he uses as a track day car - or at least thats the theory! In the last two seasons he has managed half a lap and half a hill climb before something has gone bang. He loves it and it has an interesting history, but getting parts for it is a nightmare as so few were imported in to the UK and of those only a few are left and there is very little aftermarket support. I feel you will eventually be in the same position of parts failing which you struggle to replace, but until such time I'd keep it!
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With the possible exception on the Nissan "Z" cars, there has been little interest in maintaining and supporting older japanese cars. The Japanese domestic market has no place for these cars, and as such the supply of parts from this quarter will dwindle.
Because so many parts are euro and even UK specific, the parts position is going to be what kills this car in the long run.
www.toyotaownersclub.com/ may be of some use in making your decision?
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With the possible exception on the Nissan "Z" cars, there has been little interest in maintaining and supporting older japanese cars. The Japanese domestic market has no place for these cars, and as such the supply of parts from this quarter will dwindle. Because so many parts are euro and even UK specific, the parts position is going to be what kills this car in the long run.
Well, I think the interest in Japanese sports cars is growing strongly. There are now quite a few magazines like JTuner and Banzai which feature older Japanese cars. When I was in Japan recently I was surprised at how many older sports cars I saw, including R32 Skylines, which seem to be becoming a classic. I gather that it is barely economical to import FTO's any more because Japanese auction prices have risen as they want to own one of these classics (only 25000 made, IIRC).
I have managed to source parts from Japan for 10+ year old Skylines and FTO's. The dealers local to me have been very obliging and I have not had any problems, apart from the occasional long wait.
I agree though, that in the long term the situation will become more and more difficult.
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Thanks for that Aprilia; my trade info on Jap cars is distinctly third hand. Useful to know there is a rising interest in the "heritage metal".
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Why not insure your son on it? It'll cost more in insurance but not as much as buying, then insuring, a small engined shoebox.
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Why not insure your son on it? It'll cost more in insurance but not as much as buying, then insuring, a small engined shoebox.
I wouldn't like to bet on that one....
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>> Why not insure your son on it? It'll cost more in >> insurance but not as much as buying, then insuring, a small >> engined shoebox. >> I wouldn't like to bet on that one....
Yep, he'd love that but I think A 17 year old male driving a 170bhp 140mph sports car might be tempting fate a bit.
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Keep it if i were you,'specially since you have somewhere to keep it.
I've kept hold of my old Porsche 924S despite numerous hints to get rid by my good wife - one day it'll be charging round a track somewhere..........
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