The Dangers Of Buying An Iconic Toyota Sports Car From The 1990s

One owner shares valuable experience in purchasing an iconic JDM rally icon by Toyota.

What to look for when buying a used enthusiast sports car? That's one question every car enthusiast should fervently research when having chosen the next big car purchase. While Toyota is, generally, a safe bet, even those cars aren't immune to age-related issues or negligence. YouTuber and car aficionado, James from Jay Emm on Cars, has bought more than a few cars that are desired by enthusiasts. Anything from lightweight Lotuses to V-12 Ferraris.  

This also includes a 1996 Toyota Celica GT-Four – a car associated with one of rally racing's biggest scandals. The Celica GT-Four can be chalked to one of those cars that make the Mk 4 Toyota Supra look unreasonably expensive. That said, the particular example, owned by Jay Emm (James) is a perfect example that buying somebody else’s Toyota performance car may hide potential headaches. 

Common problems on the Toyota Celica GT-Four that come with age and/or usage 

• Differential mount failure causing differential play and clunking noise 
• Rust can be an issue throughout the body and undercarriage, but mostly superficial on the structural elements 
• Suspension arms and bushings 
• Gear linkage and synchro mesh 
• Rear axle carrier play 
• Steering rack oil leakage 
• Low boost due to turbocharger failure 
• Boost creep – inherent problem on Celica GT-Four due to small wastegate 
• Front seats may fail to stay in place due to a worn spring mechanism 

A case of negligence 

The owner of this iconic Celica ST205 shares that while this GT-Four has been in his fleet the longest, it was the least driven. Since 2019, James has done a lot of stuff. In fact, he shares that he spent more on repairs than the actual car cost him to buy.  

Immediately it becomes obvious that build quality issues are a thing with a 1990s JDM sports car. Most of them while much-desired, are somewhat flimsy in terms of the bodywork and seals. Among the Celica ST205's annoying features is the boot lid which squeaks if not properly closed. Then, there are the door windows that start rattling either from worn-out window regulators or rubber seals that, often, become hard with age. 

Things to consider when buying an old Japanese sports car (or any sports car for that matter) 

• The car may have been in an accident. Check the chassis for warping 
• Rust can be a severe issue on most Japanese cars, especially if not garaged 
• Check the wheels. Are they straight? Have they been welded? 
• How long had the car sat without being driven? Why? 
• Poor condition of the bodywork and interior is a sign is, typically, a sign of general negligence 
• Always try to do a test drive to see if the car runs and sounds as it should 
• Always do a thorough research on the car model and the specific vehicle, if possible 
• Make sure you can get parts for it 
• Make sure there are specialists who know how to work on the car 

The Celica GT-Four still displays the well-known Toyota reliability 

When it came out, the ST205-generation Toyota Celica GT-Four produced 242 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 223 pound-feet (302 Nm) at 4,000 RPM, from a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, inline-four engine. Coupled to a five-speed manual that sends power to all four wheels, this resulted in a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 150 mph with the tall wing on the back. 

Despite the Toyota Celica GT-Four being a rather emotional purchase, one good thing about it is that when strapped on the dyno, it still made the original horsepower. Jay Emm claims the dyno pulls showed 255 horsepower, which is more than the official number for the GT-Four. Technically, this is the output of the fifth generation of the 3S-GTE engine. The Celica ST205 GT-Four has the third-generation 3S-GTE engine. 

Granted, the owner claims his car came with an exhaust system that wasn't original and a catalytic converter that barely passes emissions, so it is unknown whether that extra power comes from "modifications” or Toyota simply gave a more conservative figure as was common back in those days. 

How easy to modify is the Celica GT-Four? 

James’ ownership experience included a few minor modifications to the Toyota Celica GT-Four. The car is, by no means, a finished project, but it does have a software remap and a stand-alone ECU. Apparently, these cars don't like to do "pops and bangs” on the stock ECU, and apparently, mappers are having trouble figuring it out. 

How much power can the 3S-GTE engine take? 

As with most performance cars, sky is the limit... or budget. A completely stock engine is good for 275 to 300 wheel-horsepower before reliability starts taking a hit. The block can take around 700 wheel-horsepower, although other sources claim that around 500 is the limit since the pistons are rather fragile. 

The five-speed manual transmission is also robust, and according to information from Toyota Owners Club, it can reliably hold over 550 crankshaft horsepower. The all-wheel-drive components are generally reliable, but they also contribute to a powertrain loss of around 25 percent. 

Is The Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205 worth the price? 

According to Classic.com, the ST205 Toyota Celica GT-Four's average value on the used market is $16,190 (as of 2024). The lowest recorded sale is $6,869 with the highest being $23,500. In Europe, these vehicles are a lot more expensive, with pristine examples grabbing the equivalent of around $45,000. All of the 2,500 Celica GR-Fours are right-hand-drive cars.  

What you get is a rally icon that comes with a potent, turbo-four engine, manual transmission, and all-wheel drive. I am not, in any way, trying to make a strong case for the GT-Four as most of us don't want to see those cars get hit with the JDM tax. But if you are willing to go with the potential risks mentioned above, you are getting a car that is a blast to drive. Apparently, that's the main reason James hasn't sold his car despite all the trouble. 

Do you think the Celica GT-Four is worth it over a Mk4 Toyota Supra? Please, click the red link to drop a comment below.

About the author

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.

Image source: JayEmm on Cars/ Youtube