Background
The Toyota Celica has enjoyed a long and illustrious history dating back to the early 1970s when its first generation was made available in Japan.
It wasn't until the fourth generation that the Celica started to appear in large numbers on European roads, with this 1985 edition representing a significant reworking of the range and a sign that Toyota was looking to turn this sporty coupe into a high-tech breadwinner.
If you're looking for a used Celica then you're most likely to find examples from the fifth, sixth and seventh generation on sale in the UK.
In 1990 the fifth generation struck a curvier chord with its sleek lines, taking a step away from the angular 80s styling of its predecessor. The base model offered a 2.0 litre petrol engine, while the turbocharged GT Four had 4wd and rallying credentials to improve its public profile.
In 1994 the sixth Toyota Celica for sale touched down, offering the same two engine iterations just a few months prior to the launch of a convertible model that took advantage of the already better looking body shape and quad headlights at the front.
1995 saw a 1.8 litre Celica hit the market, offering a lower price point and the same driving fun as its stable mates.
Just prior to the turn of the new millennium, Toyota introduced the Celica's seventh generation, to much chin-wagging over its bold new styling.
Toyota endowed the base model with its VVT-i engine that had an output of just 140bhp, which doesn't sound like a huge amount of power to play with. However, the 190bhp iteration that arrived soon after was a much better fit for wannabe boy racers and combined with an excellent chassis to give it dreamy handling.
If you're interested in just how clever the Toyota engineers have been, the Celica 190's engine has a better power output per litre than the McLaren F1 or BMW M3.
The used Toyota Celica was put out to pasture in 2007, although it lives on in the used market and provides an excellent buy for anyone who wants a sporty coupe that's also as reliable as the rest of Toyota's flock.
Bang for your buck
Fifth and sixth generation Celicas are well equipped for their respective ages, with gradual depreciation and a more discerning class of owner helping to keep the used market buoyant.
The seventh generation model, which is really the one you'll want to go for unless you're deadly serious about bargain hunting, comes with plenty of good kit as standard.
You get four airbags upfront, stylish alloy wheels, remote central locking and even a steering wheel that has leather trim.
Optional extras included leather upholstery, climate control, bigger rims and a spoiler, most of which were standard features on the Celica 190.
Interior-wise the Celica packs plenty of quality plastics and an appealingly designed dash. There are a pair of seats in the back, although with quite cramped head room you might find that bigger passengers spend most of the ride in a hunched position.
The final Celica certainly divided people when it comes to exterior styling, although the camp of admirers is much larger than that of the critics. Wherever you fall, you can't deny that it is a striking beast.
What you'll pay
As you'd imagine the oldest used Toyota Celicas can be bought for a few hundred pounds, although at this price you'll need to check carefully to separate the duds from the gems. You should also watch out for Japanese imports, because these are not entirely uncommon.
A seventh generation example with high miles can start for £1000 to £2000, although you'll find a well maintained late model 1.8 VVT-i for closer to £4000, when the quality starts to get seriously good.
What to check
All Celica cars for sale come with Toyota's reputation for reliability, so there shouldn't be too many mechanical issues to worry about. Damage to the exterior and interior will be worth looking out for, while older cars can tend to corrode, so keep a watchful eye.
Parts
Newer models are cheaper to run than older ones, with brake pads starting at just £22. However, there are some major expenses, like the £800 exhaust system, that you'll want to watch out for.
How it drives
It may be a front wheel drive coupe, but the Celica was heralded as offering the best handling in its admittedly small market segment.
Even the 140bhp basic model is a fun drive and can hit 60mph in just 8.7 seconds, while older models offer affordable fun.
