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]

Wheel Alignment

So last year when registering the car after the long drive home, the inspector found transport chocks in the front suspension -.- Needless to say, I had thought the ride was a little harsh on the way home, and the wheel alignment was right out. So I spent my $70 for a new alignment (which was a big deal at that stage of my life) but the tyre shop did an economy car setup on it without consulting me, and killed the turn in.

Soooo.... In preparation for a big (silly) drive I got it done properly this time



Toowoomba Cruise

The next day I set off on a 400km cruise inland to Toowoomba with a couple of mates. We took as many back roads as possible, which included large sections of unsealed roads.... Lots of roads (and driving behaviors) that I wouldn't be able to do if I had some low and decent paint It was a good day




^Note the gravel in the wheels.... may have entered the shot sideways





Probably my favourite shot;



And a side shot, because I never get those




Projectorrzzzz

Yup... It finally happened!!! After ordering them in Easter, and waiting a number of weeks to finalize the sale, and 6 weeks shipping from Japan, and then another 3 weeks waiting for adapters since none of the stores around here could find HB4 plug adapters, I finally got them installed!

I had tracked down a perfect set, however during shipping two of the tabs on one of the projectors snapped off :'( This delayed progress for a bit, but I got down to it the other day and did the repair; 5 minute araldite (2 part epoxy) to secure the tabs back in place, and then a fiberglass repair kit to strengthen it up







For the wiring harness I bought the HB4 harness adapter, and used the H1 pigtails that came with the projectors, and just a simple cut and solder.



And a quick little bumper change (lol, jks )



My mate thought that this was an adequate storage technique



Then;



I had a few troubles getting the under body plastics back together (I have leftover screws and leftover holes... and they don’t match ), but I got it done I got the bulb holders for the accent lights but no pigtails to wire up So I am on the lookout for some 3rd brake lights or side markers to use

JDM door visors

Some of you will have heard that I have had a few issues with my JDM door visors.... The good news is that I finally received my refund!!! Only after opening a PayPal dispute of course, but it was settled outside of the system. (I will link my conversations with the seller here soon – it’s a good read )

However, whilst settling the dispute I scored an epic eBay bargain from Japan; st202 door visors for $22 +p&p!!! XD

They arrived in perfect condition this time, though oddly enough they came attached to the window linings! So anther 2 hours of my life gone, with a hair dryer and a not so sharp knife and I managed to remove them without damage – yay!

I cheated to take some photos and haven’t installed it properly yet – I just need to clear off the last of the double sided tape – I’m thinking I will reattach with silastic.






Mt Cootha

I went for a super quick mini cruise after work today up to a popular lookout overseeing Brisbane... so close but I haven’t been up there since I was a young child, so why not

Unfortunately there were no good photo opportunities with the view, but here is a panorama I made;



And one on the side of the road – note that the camera was completely level in this shot...... the car was not




AND PICTURES!!!! (‘Cause we totally haven’t had any of those yet)























I bought calliper paint – red for the callipers and black for the rear hubs. Now I just need to find time where I can paint them and let them dry

And I was told that my stuff in the UK would be shipping out this week, but I think we missed that boat