Celica 1.8ST Coupe 1997 (Toyota Celica (pre 1999))

Member Name: Hornetsnest

Product:	Toyota Celica (pre 1999)
Date:	07/10/00 (2386 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Looks / Handling / Reliability

Disadvantages: Lacks power

I have owned this car for a year now, had to have the black one as it looks the business, although its hard to keep clean.

I get about 320 miles for a full tank, not bad considering i drive it hard.

This model i not all that fast, top end is about 122mph and the acceleration above 80mph aint that good.
However the handling is probably better than any other car i have driven. I run it on 17" alloys, Goodyear 215/45/17 all round.

The ABS is good and needed in the wet as is slides about a bit. The steering is responsive and you know what the wheels are doing.

When performing the handbrake turn in the dry you really needed to throw it in fast but be aware that you cant leave it pulled on very long as the rear end comes round pretty quickly.

When in the wet you only need the handbrake for a fraction of a second and plenty of oversteer will follow.

If you push this car in the dry around a bend it will understeer, i find that if you aproach the corner fast, slam the brakes on hard going in and give it plenty going around the rear end comes out quite nicely.

The car is very nice to drive, nice gearbox and clutch, steering is just right and the seating position is very comfortable.

There is not alot of head room i the front or rear but this is not an old mans car, its for drivers.

The boot is pretty surprising in size, and with the 8 inch front door speakers + 6 inch rear panal speakers you can introduce one loud stereo system easily.

One point i dont like is the weak looking exhaust back box, and you cant get off the shelf replacements.

This car is best described as a hairdressers car - Good looking, not much power but extreme handling.

Summary: