Crazy Cat Lady

Was it an HB or HC? I've owned 3 HBs, two in the late 70s, and one in 1989 I first one written off after collision with another HB Viva, my fault too, both totalled 🫤 However for the double accomplishment i received an award of merit for highway clunker removal 🏆

Yeah, that includes me! 🫣

I fear 3k maybe too optimistic 😐 The MOT rust advisories are emblazoned upon the history for all to see, and maybe regardless to if i get it repaired or not it will indeed put folk off, or want to hard bargain for it. It's difficult to value these cars with so many on the market in all kinds of condition at all kinds of asking price. I suspect nearly all of these remaining Gen 7s have rust bucket undersides. This Celica is a wonderful car to drive, if i needed to go to John O Groats, and then to Lands End, and then back home again, it would do so without missing a beat. However the rust is going to kill it in a year or two without appropriate rescue...

Would be interesting to get peoples advice upon how to go about selling on my 2004 Celica 140 Red Edition (Red leather interior) There is no urgency in the decision but due to reasons of no longer wanting to commit to the upkeep of a 20+ year old car, it would be nice to pass it on to someone keen. Also, for what i use it for; going to Tesco once a week, and one other 25 mile round trip a week, a Yaris would work fine and be more economical in all running costs. It passed the MOT last November, but with advisories about rust that will need attention most probably before the next MOT. My MOT guy is a straight shooter, he's been MOT checking out my Celica over the past decade and he really likes it and considered a bit of welding underside is well worth doing. (i got no idea how much this work would cost tho'). It drives really well with no issues, excellent F1 Eagle tyres, custom SS exhaust, a few years ago suspension & brake overhaul, plus new rad, A/C condenser, alpine speaker upgrade, low milage at genuine 76k miles with engine that doesn't burn any oil. Plus i'm only the second owner, first one 10 years me 11. Everything works, upper bodywork is far from perfection but looks respectable for year, the only one big issue is rust as mentioned on the MOT advisory. Is it really better to get the welding done before putting on the market? Or sell for less and let the keen new owner take up the challenge? Or perhaps simply trade the car in when buying a Yaris? (i know the answer to this - probably not...) Anyway, thoughts would be nice to hear thanks in advance. Plus an honest evaluation figure would be helpful cos i have absolutely no clue as to what i should be asking for (?) ...not street wise me 🤔

Drop links wear out anyway, so this maybe a component that's worn out and needs routine replacing, and is all that is needed. I can understand shorter fit drop links if conforming to differing specifications of lowering, but shorter drop lincs can hamper the travel of suspension which can underperform over bumpy or pot holed roads. Fabulous fun on nice smooth asphalt but on today's public highway maybe an unwise choice...

Probably could do with the Italian tune-up before the MOT

Just wondering if the petrol has gone stale in the tank? How long ago was your last fill up?

They surely must be the nicest standard wheels by far for a Gen6

That is a fabulous looking example, nice to see them clean and original. I like the wheels too, they don't look original but they suit the car really well.

More goodies for the cat-mobile arrived here today Won't fit the new spark plugs until the annual service in Autumn, firstly need to replace and see if the new 02 pre & post pussy cat sensors fix the occasional bogging down issue. Plus new handbrake cables due to the originals too far gone corroded on the old rusty backplates. Despite new backplates, rear wheel bearing units, drum brake blocks and spring set, all recently fitted the handbrake is not holding with the original cables; having been doctored up and reused...

Play spot the difference! Purchased new backplates, drum brake blocks and new springs set, and new wheel bearings over two years ago so about time i had them fitted! On the way home the cabin noise is noticeably quieter, wasn't sure if new bearings would improve this and it has, not hugely but definitely noticeable

This is how mine ends up on the lift (an photo taken in 2016)

The guy i go to only has a 2 post lift, and he doesn't have any problem lifting my G7 on Eibach 30mm lower springs. Is there not a way to adjust the attachments on the end of the lift arms to get them low enough as to fit under the car?

You maybe correct, 'stringer' is a nautical term meaning the fore-and-aft girder running along the side of a boat or ship. Your punter maybe a pirate who has changed his mind after finding a galleon instead. Those diagram parts you show are essential jacking points so if they were rotten the Celica certainly wouldn't be sea worthy.