DreamZproject Posted June 1, 2014 Posted June 1, 2014 Hey guys, I've been half considering getting my GF (well conning her in to getting) a neat li'l early jap sports car that she can nip around in (unfortunately a Z/ coupe is a little on the exxy side). I have noticed that the early TA22 (and the like) Celica's are DIRT cheap compared to Z's, and yeah i know that they aren't exactly in the same class of sportiness, but seriously, they are a damn funky looking car! Does anyone know why they can sell in decent condition for the 3-4k mark and near pristine at about 10k when Z's are demanding more than double that easily? Besides rust is there anything I should be looking out for? After the Z's these are probably my favourite looking 70's Jap car, and they are so cheap! Quote
Scoota G Posted June 1, 2014 Posted June 1, 2014 These are cars are so cheap because it is reflected in the people who like them. I parted out one and sent windscreen wiper 100 kays away. I was asked to repack them to get it under 500 Grams to save $4 on postage. Windscreen areas are an issue. Check the boot and tail light area too Drivetrain is never an issue. Interior parts are gold so make sure it's complete there. Window rubbers on the side will always need replacing. DS Gaurd will sell for $450 but you will not be able to give away one from the PS. Biggest issue will be rust in the sills below the doors. Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted June 1, 2014 Administrators Posted June 1, 2014 They are cheap for the same reason that early Zs have been cheaper than Aussie Muscle cars. The demographic of enthusiasts who want them is small and generally cheap as Mark mentioned above. Values will go up and have been rising but not at the same rate as the Zs. I always like the TA22 shape in particular but in AU we got the single cam versions only. Which were not as exciting as the twin cam dual side draft carb version. If I had the space it would be another car I'd love to have but I don't have the space. Saw 1 the other day in rough shape but it made me realise you don't see them anymore. Quote
DreamZproject Posted June 1, 2014 Author Posted June 1, 2014 Gee... they're pretty stupid reasons for being cheap! Well I guess all the better for us hey! Quote
Retro Z Posted June 1, 2014 Posted June 1, 2014 They are cheaper as they are a low power 4 cylinder and don't have as much motorsport fame as a Z. Also less exposure in movies,video games etc. I had a ra23 and some ta22's in the past and could barely give them away.. Another reason would be that each successive Celica became more and more of a girls car with front wheel drive (apart from gt-four) while something like the hakosuka had the successful gtr lineup as did the Z with the 300zx, 350z,370z. But in saying that i will get a ra28 fastback soon as my next project. Quote
Scoota G Posted June 2, 2014 Posted June 2, 2014 But in saying that i will get a ra28 fastback soon as my next project. My brother has one of those in the garage with the twin cam in it, pick of the bunch in my opinion. Quote
Mr Camouflage Posted June 2, 2014 Posted June 2, 2014 Another reason would be that each successive Celica became more and more of a girls car with front wheel drive Worst mistake Toyota made with the Celica was making it front wheel drive. I used to have an RA28 back in the 90's. The last of the cool Celicas. Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted June 2, 2014 Administrators Posted June 2, 2014 These 3 look great. http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Toyota-Celica-1974/SSE-AD-2723717/?Cr=2&sdmvc=1 http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Toyota-Celica-1975/SSE-AD-2694128/?Cr=4&sdmvc=1 http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Toyota-Celica-1975/SSE-AD-2796417/?Cr=5&sdmvc=1 Quote
GK510 Posted June 2, 2014 Posted June 2, 2014 I've always has a soft spot for early Celicas too. If I hadn't have got a 1600 as my first car, I dare say I quite likely would have ended up with a TA22. I was actually eyeing off that white one in SA just the other day while doing a bit of random browsing. Quote
Retro Z Posted June 2, 2014 Posted June 2, 2014 My brother has one of those in the garage with the twin cam in it, pick of the bunch in my opinion. Hey Mark does your brother want to sell it? My 240z is a paintjob away from being complete so wouldnt mind working on a ra28 after i finish the 260z that i am working on for my friend. Quote
NZeder Posted June 2, 2014 Posted June 2, 2014 I know before purchased my first zed some 20 years ago I looked a a few RA23 and RS28 here in NZ (actually very rare to find here in NZ now) but having driven a few 240z/260z at the same time - I was very disappointed by the performance and they felt like a heavy car - so passed and got a 260z 2 seater that I still have today So that does not help with why they are so cheap in Oz but as others have stated it will be who is purchasing these cars - here in NZ they are going for good money if you find one for sale. Quote
d3c0y Posted June 3, 2014 Posted June 3, 2014 It's not that abstract, they were cheaper to buy new, like a GT86 is now to a 370Z. Not as highly regarded as the zed when new - just like NZeder has stated, lower performance, less desirable. It's the same as a 1600 not being worth the same as a zed. 1600 and Celica would be comparing apples with apples, especially if you are talking the 2 door variants. Quote
Moderators PB260Z Posted June 3, 2014 Moderators Posted June 3, 2014 I suspect that if we had the RG equipped cars rather than the underpowered T equipped ones things may be different. But as previously mentioned there are many factors that impact value. Quote
NZeder Posted June 3, 2014 Posted June 3, 2014 I suspect that if we had the RG equipped cars rather than the underpowered T equipped ones things may be different. But as previously mentioned there are many factors that impact value. I think you will find you did get the R power cars....bit of hint on Toyota Codes. AE86 = A series Engine - as in 4AGE in this case in a E86 series of Corolla KE20 = K series Engine - as in 3K engine in the E20 series of Corolla TE27 = T series Engine - 2TG engine in E27 - aka Sprinter/Levin So in the Celica range TA22 = T series Engine - 2TG in a the A22 bodied Celica aka coupe RA23 = R series Engine - usually 18R in the A23 bodies car again a coupe RA25 or RA28 = R series Engine and this time the Hatch back body. Models I have seen here in NZ due to JDM imports are TA22, RA23, RA25, RA28 and RA35. I took both T series and R series cars for drives 20+ years ago - from the single cam R to the twin cam R and all felt under powered - nice cars just not a performance vehicle IMHO at the time. There is a RA28 here in NZ with a 1UZ-FE engine between the structs now that has some performance. Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted June 3, 2014 Administrators Posted June 3, 2014 If you want power? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4IaMsTb_qs Quote
Moderators PB260Z Posted June 3, 2014 Moderators Posted June 3, 2014 I think you will find you did get the R power cars....bit of hint on Toyota Codes. I took both T series and R series cars for drives 20+ years ago - from the single cam R to the twin cam R and all felt under powered - nice cars just not a performance vehicle IMHO at the time. There is a RA28 here in NZ with a 1UZ-FE engine between the structs now that has some performance. You are correct we got plenty of R powered cars. I probably should have been a little more specific. It is the RG that delivered the power. The G meaning twincam. Cheers PB Quote
NZeder Posted June 3, 2014 Posted June 3, 2014 If you want power? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4IaMsTb_qs yes that is here in NZ and that is Martin's TA22 that is turbo powered he has 240z also - you might know that project user name Gaijin his TA22 has 422 RWHP So you did not get the 18R-G powered car there? We have a few here in NZ Quote
Moderators PB260Z Posted June 3, 2014 Moderators Posted June 3, 2014 So you did not get the 18R-G powered car there? We have a few here in NZ Unfortunately not , That is not to say that few private imports didn't come in. The first officially imported Twin Cam Celica that we did was the ST162 which in SX trim came equipped with 3S-GE engine, lower grades ran the single cam 3S-FE Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted June 3, 2014 Administrators Posted June 3, 2014 Seems slightly relevant... Has a bit of history on the Celica / Supra at the start. When the Celica went 'wrong wheel drive' they replaced it with the Supra really, although I never liked the 1JZ version much... the later 2JZ version was much nicer but a bit heavy. Quote
grimlynsan Posted June 3, 2014 Posted June 3, 2014 I always wanted a stable (like a proper horses stable!) with three cars, in it; a 70's Celica, a series I or II RX7, and a Z (with some JZ variant, 20b turbo and RB26DETT in each respectively). I always imagined each car, reversed in, with the keys all hanging on a hook by the door, and you just grabbed a random key and drove to work... Anyway, I drive a Z now because I test drove each of them before making my first purchase an I have to say, you got a lot more bang for buck with a Z (we're talking back in 2003). I could have spent more and got a clapped out RX7 with rust, or had no power and took the Celica option. I think there is something special about these three cars. I wasn't alive when they came out new, nor do I remember them on the streets growing up. But when I got my license and learned about cars (that were in my price range as a uni student) these three just stood out to me as being awesome! Each seems like the 'everyman's sportscar' of the brand at the time. And I never went the RB26DETT conversion; by the time I had the means to pay for one, everyone seemed to be doing an RB swap. Plus I learned about the sound of triples! Lee Andrew_L26 1 Quote
Lynton Posted June 3, 2014 Posted June 3, 2014 I purchased my 260z coupe in 1975 for $7400 on the road brand new, traded my Datsun 2000 sports, the zed was like getting into a soft ford falcon by comparison to the 2000 however the Celica LT I looked at was $3490 on the road back then it was like buying a 2 door Kia coupe today compared to a 370z, Hope that answers the comparison. Lynton Quote
DreamZproject Posted June 3, 2014 Author Posted June 3, 2014 Really??? Wow i thought the celica had at least a decent bit of sportiness. I guess that that's just something people do to them these days are they are such great looking cars. IMO, it would be a perfect classic jap car for my GF, because she really doesn't care about power at all or handling too much. Lets just see if she could commit herself to one! (Otherwise I do have a spare 2+2 shell kicking around ). Quote
Maverick75 Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 We ran a TA22 for a few years alongside the Z, and they are surprisingly nippy, but handling is very 'Corolla' like. I loved the single cam (pushrod) 2T engine which, whilst not exactly powerful, would rev all day and sounded sweet while doing it. I would definitely have a TA22 again, both the missus and I loved that car. Sorry for dredging up an 'old' thread. Quote
Andrew_L26 Posted September 20, 2015 Posted September 20, 2015 Really??? Wow i thought the celica had at least a decent bit of sportiness. I guess that that's just something people do to them these days are they are such great looking cars. IMO, it would be a perfect classic jap car for my GF, because she really doesn't care about power at all or handling too much. Lets just see if she could commit herself to one! (Otherwise I do have a spare 2+2 shell kicking around ). Sorry to dig up this oldish thread but I have to know, did you convince her to get that Celica Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted September 20, 2015 Administrators Posted September 20, 2015 Perhaps not so cheap anymore? http://bringatrailer.com/2015/09/12/46k-mile-survivor-1974-toyota-celica-st/ http://www.ebay.com/itm/1974-Toyota-Celica-ST-/331648695410 Winning bid:US $14,099.00 [ 61 bids ] which is ~$19K AUD at current exchange rate. Quote
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