New car time, need some suggestions
New car time, need some suggestions
The strut braces new from toyota cost a fortune (this is what I've been told anyway), they do pop up used from time to time on ebay and can usually be sourced from a breaker. The only issue you will face with fitting the strut brace is you need to bend one of the brakelines to make it fit, easy enough to do but some people are put off. Phil managed to source an aftermarket brace that didn't need the lines bending but they've since disappeared. Lowering the car makes a MASSIVE difference and its something you will need to do. My car has TTE lowering springs and a progress rear ARB and the handling now is just immense (compared to standard anyway), my next purchase is a front strut but I doubt feel I need it.
Facelifts are altogether nicer but tend to start around the £4k mark, that said my advice would be to get a sorted Pre facelift than a shabby facelift model.
Not sure about the tyre size but will ask a couple of fellow owners
The facelift models (04>) have the dampered front strut brace and are 15mm lower than standard. They also sport a better bodykit.
The strut braces new from toyota cost a fortune (this is what I've been told anyway), they do pop up used from time to time on ebay and can usually be sourced from a breaker. The only issue you will face with fitting the strut brace is you need to bend one of the brakelines to make it fit, easy enough to do but some people are put off. Phil managed to source an aftermarket brace that didn't need the lines bending but they've since disappeared. Lowering the car makes a MASSIVE difference and its something you will need to do. My car has TTE lowering springs and a progress rear ARB and the handling now is just immense (compared to standard anyway), my next purchase is a front strut but I doubt feel I need it.
Facelifts are altogether nicer but tend to start around the £4k mark, that said my advice would be to get a sorted Pre facelift than a shabby facelift model.
Not sure about the tyre size but will ask a couple of fellow owners
I've found one near WIM for sale (trade) on an 02 plate so gonna try and take it for a test drive and see what it's like. Hopefully I can pop in there with it and give it a good inspection!
If the facelift model starts at around £4k I won't be getting one of those. Plenty of 01 and 02 motors out there for £2-£3k. Springs and a strut brace won't cost that much.
I'll let you know what I think of it then
![[Image: sig.jpg]](http://www.aspo21.dsl.pipex.com//sig.jpg)
E55EX_RACER
29-08-2018, 09:50 AM #52Cheers mate
I've found one near WIM for sale (trade) on an 02 plate so gonna try and take it for a test drive and see what it's like. Hopefully I can pop in there with it and give it a good inspection!
If the facelift model starts at around £4k I won't be getting one of those. Plenty of 01 and 02 motors out there for £2-£3k. Springs and a strut brace won't cost that much.
I'll let you know what I think of it then
What's the right kind of price for a car of this age and mileage though? £3,000 seems abit on the high side to me, although it is from a dealer.
I've also seen this one, which is very similar but £400 cheaper, it also has a factory fitted sat nav. Are these any good?
E55EX_RACER
31-08-2018, 08:08 AM #53I should be going to see this one on Saturday so I can test drive one. It has 10 months MOT, 6 months tax and 3 month warranty. There is a small dent on the front wing and a scuff on the front bumper but otherwise it's in very good condition.
What's the right kind of price for a car of this age and mileage though? £3,000 seems abit on the high side to me, although it is from a dealer.
I've also seen this one, which is very similar but £400 cheaper, it also has a factory fitted sat nav. Are these any good?
* Lift! - Check that it kicks in nicely (only when the engine is warmed up!) over ~6,200 rpm
* Seat pins - Check both passenger and driver seats move back correctly.
* Heater - check it pumps out hot air when the temperature is set to max (seems to have been issues with some heater matrix on some models).
* Clutch - quite a few squeaky cylinders out there - it's not serious as far as I know, just more of an annoyance. I find turning the radio up to be a good work around
* Keys - they should come with 2 black keys (both operate alarm) and one grey master.
* Gap above Radio - Check if it looks like the radio unit has a gap above it and the dash. Normally a sign that the center console/radio have been out before, that's not an issue in itself, but the design does seem to mean it can result in this gap appearing. There are some suggested ways to improve it if you search the forum.
Other points that are more your decision to make when looking for a CTS:
* Interior Trim - Decide if you want 'leather' (rarer) or cloth.
* Doors - decide if you want 3 or 5 dr (5 dr generally rarer), generally down to your personal taste. If you want 5 door the next point is answered, only pre-facelift available in 5 door.
* Face Lift or Pre-Facelift - Switch over was at somepoint in 2004 I believe. Easy way to spot the difference is the "tear drop" style lights on the front of the facelift.
* CTS Mats - always nice if the car does have a set of clean looking CTS mats.
As said above you might need to travel to find a good one and its a buyers market (especially on a car like this)
Bit of a buyers guide here mate
* Lift! - Check that it kicks in nicely (only when the engine is warmed up!) over ~6,200 rpm
* Seat pins - Check both passenger and driver seats move back correctly.
* Heater - check it pumps out hot air when the temperature is set to max (seems to have been issues with some heater matrix on some models).
* Clutch - quite a few squeaky cylinders out there - it's not serious as far as I know, just more of an annoyance. I find turning the radio up to be a good work around
* Keys - they should come with 2 black keys (both operate alarm) and one grey master.
* Gap above Radio - Check if it looks like the radio unit has a gap above it and the dash. Normally a sign that the center console/radio have been out before, that's not an issue in itself, but the design does seem to mean it can result in this gap appearing. There are some suggested ways to improve it if you search the forum.
Other points that are more your decision to make when looking for a CTS:
* Interior Trim - Decide if you want 'leather' (rarer) or cloth.
* Doors - decide if you want 3 or 5 dr (5 dr generally rarer), generally down to your personal taste. If you want 5 door the next point is answered, only pre-facelift available in 5 door.
* Face Lift or Pre-Facelift - Switch over was at somepoint in 2004 I believe. Easy way to spot the difference is the "tear drop" style lights on the front of the facelift.
* CTS Mats - always nice if the car does have a set of clean looking CTS mats.
As said above you might need to travel to find a good one and its a buyers market (especially on a car like this)
Marsdendean the one at £2500 looks like it has a few dings around the filler cap?
i paid slightly too much for my new sportcross, but again its from a dealer, and i looked at 4 others which were around £500 less, but all dogs. I'm getting mine from 90 miles away, as the ones which were close to me were rough, so you have to be prepared to travel!
Good spot, didn't even see that.
Did you travel to view the car in person before you bought it? That's what puts me off finding the time and money to travel to view cars that could turn out to be dogs.
The way I see it what you spend in time/money looking you could spend a little extra and get one closer to home. I don't mind a run up the motorway though if I do see any further afield but I need to get one within a couple of weeks ideally.
Gord You can always get the price lower from anywhere, its a buyers market mate
Obviously I would knock them down for the £3k one especially with the defects they've mentioned when I emailed about it. I'm prepared to walk away though and it's been on there a while I think.
E55EX_RACER
31-08-2018, 11:15 AM #55Marsdendean the one at £2500 looks like it has a few dings around the filler cap?
i paid slightly too much for my new sportcross, but again its from a dealer, and i looked at 4 others which were around £500 less, but all dogs. I'm getting mine from 90 miles away, as the ones which were close to me were rough, so you have to be prepared to travel!
Good spot, didn't even see that.
Did you travel to view the car in person before you bought it? That's what puts me off finding the time and money to travel to view cars that could turn out to be dogs.
The way I see it what you spend in time/money looking you could spend a little extra and get one closer to home. I don't mind a run up the motorway though if I do see any further afield but I need to get one within a couple of weeks ideally.
Gord You can always get the price lower from anywhere, its a buyers market mate
Obviously I would knock them down for the £3k one especially with the defects they've mentioned when I emailed about it. I'm prepared to walk away though and it's been on there a while I think.
reidy Bit of a buyers guide here mate
* Lift! - Check that it kicks in nicely (only when the engine is warmed up!) over ~6,200 rpm
* Seat pins - Check both passenger and driver seats move back correctly.
* Heater - check it pumps out hot air when the temperature is set to max (seems to have been issues with some heater matrix on some models).
* Clutch - quite a few squeaky cylinders out there - it's not serious as far as I know, just more of an annoyance. I find turning the radio up to be a good work around
* Keys - they should come with 2 black keys (both operate alarm) and one grey master.
* Gap above Radio - Check if it looks like the radio unit has a gap above it and the dash. Normally a sign that the center console/radio have been out before, that's not an issue in itself, but the design does seem to mean it can result in this gap appearing. There are some suggested ways to improve it if you search the forum.
Other points that are more your decision to make when looking for a CTS:
* Interior Trim - Decide if you want 'leather' (rarer) or cloth.
* Doors - decide if you want 3 or 5 dr (5 dr generally rarer), generally down to your personal taste. If you want 5 door the next point is answered, only pre-facelift available in 5 door.
* Face Lift or Pre-Facelift - Switch over was at somepoint in 2004 I believe. Easy way to spot the difference is the "tear drop" style lights on the front of the facelift.
* CTS Mats - always nice if the car does have a set of clean looking CTS mats.
As said above you might need to travel to find a good one and its a buyers market (especially on a car like this)
Cheers for that, I've been doing alot reading over on Corolla Club as well
How long do these engines take to warm up and where does the gauge usually sit?
The one I'm going to look at says it has 2 keys. So what if there is only 2 black ones or would 1 of each be ok? I'm assuming new keys are programmed from the grey one?
I definitely want leather interior but are the seats heated? If not the missus is gonna moan! :w00t:
Can only afford the pre facelift and it'll probably be a 3 door as I've hardly seen any 5 door ones.
So how much would you pay for a good condition 2002 77k mile car with leather? Worth £3k in your opinion?
E55EX_RACER
31-08-2018, 11:23 AM #56reidy Bit of a buyers guide here mate
* Lift! - Check that it kicks in nicely (only when the engine is warmed up!) over ~6,200 rpm
* Seat pins - Check both passenger and driver seats move back correctly.
* Heater - check it pumps out hot air when the temperature is set to max (seems to have been issues with some heater matrix on some models).
* Clutch - quite a few squeaky cylinders out there - it's not serious as far as I know, just more of an annoyance. I find turning the radio up to be a good work around
* Keys - they should come with 2 black keys (both operate alarm) and one grey master.
* Gap above Radio - Check if it looks like the radio unit has a gap above it and the dash. Normally a sign that the center console/radio have been out before, that's not an issue in itself, but the design does seem to mean it can result in this gap appearing. There are some suggested ways to improve it if you search the forum.
Other points that are more your decision to make when looking for a CTS:
* Interior Trim - Decide if you want 'leather' (rarer) or cloth.
* Doors - decide if you want 3 or 5 dr (5 dr generally rarer), generally down to your personal taste. If you want 5 door the next point is answered, only pre-facelift available in 5 door.
* Face Lift or Pre-Facelift - Switch over was at somepoint in 2004 I believe. Easy way to spot the difference is the "tear drop" style lights on the front of the facelift.
* CTS Mats - always nice if the car does have a set of clean looking CTS mats.
As said above you might need to travel to find a good one and its a buyers market (especially on a car like this)
Cheers for that, I've been doing alot reading over on Corolla Club as well
How long do these engines take to warm up and where does the gauge usually sit?
The one I'm going to look at says it has 2 keys. So what if there is only 2 black ones or would 1 of each be ok? I'm assuming new keys are programmed from the grey one?
I definitely want leather interior but are the seats heated? If not the missus is gonna moan! :w00t:
Can only afford the pre facelift and it'll probably be a 3 door as I've hardly seen any 5 door ones.
So how much would you pay for a good condition 2002 77k mile car with leather? Worth £3k in your opinion?
E55EX_RACER
06-09-2018, 01:48 PM #59Yep one of them! 2003 T Sport in blue, 73k miles with TTE kit and lowered. Got it for £2K
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