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]

Wow... This is now almost like a year in review!

Well, after fixing the sunroof problems, I moved onto more pressing issues... Spree LED's!!! I couldn't decide on colours, so I bought a blue and a red set. After a month or two with the main cluster as red, I decided I'd go with the blue and did the full dash + ash tray light. I decided against the full package, because I liked the warm colours of the stock courtesy lamps.





Had to replace the battery at this point too, old one wasn't very connect with life it worked, but went flat listening to the radio in acc VERY quickly, and was showing many general signs of death.

During that time I also met an ex- 6th gen Celica owner through a university project, who gave me a new intake! Just an AirHog pod filter, but it gives that bit of sound under heave acceleration that will get me through until whenever I do an exhaust system.

Oh, and I can't forget the JDM Tails!!! (They look a bit tinted in this pic, but they're not... just the light).



For a long time I have been looking for a suitable subwoofer setup for the Celica that didn't impact on the practicality of the hatch back design (I often fold the rear seats down and throw my 26 inch mountain bike in the back, or load it right up with stuff when we go camping, so I couldn't use any normal box design.

For a long time I was set on an under seat powered subwoofer - the problem being that even most of the smallest ones don't fit! (I checked it out at my local store, and even Kicker Hideaway etc. wouldn't fit - you should've seen the look on the salesmans face ) The Pioneer TS-WX110A looked to be the best option, however it is quite a stretch to call it a 'sub'woofer, and since my aim was for balanced sound, not doof doof at 40hz, I wasn't convinced... Especially considering its $350 cost.

A few weeks ago, prompted by renewed interest when doing some sub research for a friend, I found the Pioneer TS-SWX251... A 10 inch down firing super-compact slimline subwoofer. The appeal; it fits PERFECTLY behind the spare wheel hump, meaning that wasted space gets used up... And since it is down firing there is nothing to get damaged on top, so stuff can still be thrown in the boot... On top of that, it fits well enough to not be bolted in, and has spring loaded clips, so that it can be easily pulled out and dumped in the front seat when I want to use the full space!

The downside.... They don't sell it in Australia... Which meant paying about $80 just in shipping from the states! Still cheaper than buying anything here though -.-

I then found an amp second hand for $40 that matched up very well with the power rating of the sub... The benefits of this one being it is tiny!!! With a little bit of work, I managed to mount it under the dash!!! (Between ecu and hvac)

I haven't tuned it up properly yet, so it still sounds a tiny bit muddy... But it definitely has the capability. I'll try and take a pic soon

Ummm... I think that's about it

So, plans:-
- Roof getting resprayed as soon as storm season is over (sun damage)
- looking for some 16" 5 spoke 7th gen rims, or some 17" ST246 Caldina rims (I.e. matrix m theory).
- clear side indicators still on the cards.
- And... I REALLY want some projector headlights, but can't justify spending anything over about $300 on them... Which is a problem

AND I still am planning to write my how to on taking the sunroof out and cleaning the drains, but still haven't got around to it (well, need to find the pics first )

Oh, and most currently (as in right this very second, as I am typing this) I am waiting for a tow truck to take my 1990 Celica AllTrack (GT4) home!!! Well, not really home, it has a dead clutch, so it is going to a mate who is in the 5th gen scene who is going to help do an engine swap, clean it up a bit then I'll drive it for a couple of months, before selling it Update: still waiting - stupid towie is now over 2.5 hours late on a confirmed job that was quoted and lodged over 2 business days ago. -.-

I saw a 205 on the weekend for the first time (remember, only 77 in the whole of Australia).... Soooooo nice. If only not so expensive, and not banned on provisional license Update: whilst sitting here waiting for the tow truck, another one went past!!!!! I think I like this side of town!

Note: I am writing this on my wifi only ipad in the middle of nowhere, so 'now' is when I'm typing this, not whenever it gets online