Stock Number: 4541

When you think of turbocharged AWD rally rockets typically your mind immediately jumps to the likes of Mitsubishi and Subaru. But low and behold Toyota had one of the best cars on the road, we just never got the luxury of enjoying them here. Sure, we did have the 6th gen versions here stateside, but nothing like what was tearing up the Japanese roads at the time. The proper version sported the latest iteration of the 3S-GTE they were able to put out a reliable 251hp to all four wheels. The redesigned styling is reminiscent of its big brothers the Soarer and Supra which we all know and love but in a much more pleasantly sized vehicle. If you've driven either of the others then you know what we're talking about. Finished in Toyota's brilliant Renaissance Red (3L2) its a classic color for any proper sports car. The paint itself does show its age a bit. For instance, there is a spot of touch up paint on the hood along with some stone chips and fading to the front bumper and side-view mirrors. The clear coat also has light scratches throughout, then again, what 26 year old car doesn't at this point. The bodywork is in great shape with only a few typical door dings. The trademark tri-spoke wheels were photoed with their center caps off, however, we do have them back on the car.

The interior has been kept pretty much all stock with only a few minor tweaks from the factory. Since the stock boost gauge is a bit of a joke a proper mechanical Defi has been attached to the top of the dash. Also worth making a note of, the dash is in fantastic shape. Its not uncommon for Toyota's to begin to peel up around the defroster vent from sun damage, but this one has held up great. Neatly tucked under the dash is an HKS Turbo Timer along with the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system. The only other change up is the aftermarket radio. While it does work, you'll still probably want to swap it out for something newer and a bit more US-friendly down the road. The factory steering wheel and shift knob have held up surprisingly well as they're typically two of the most prone spots to wear. The driver's side bolster is another key wear spot we see. We're pleased to say that both the driver and passenger seats are in excellent shape. Both are free of any noteworthy stains or seam issues. The 50/50 split folding back seats looking hardly ever used and help to add additional cargo space since not many are going to want to squeeze back there. All of the standard powered features are operating as expected; windows, mirrors, locks, and climate control. The automatic climate system is pretty easy to use and blowing cold for these summer months ahead. While the power fold feature isn't quite up to par they do still fold in manually for the times when you've got to deal with street parking.

If it's wild looks and comfortable interior doesn't do it for you, then the potent two liter will. Factory turbo, water to air intercooler, and a more than capable AWD system make these a real monster on or off the street. While the aftermarket is strong for the 3S-GTE this one has been kept all stock which is refreshing. With 87K verified miles the engine bay has been kept up phenomenally well. Normally you would begin to see surface oxidation over the turbo heat shield and things of that nature, but we don't have any of that going on. The previous owner clearly cared for this one well, prior to leaving Japan the timing belt replaced at 63K. To ensure that everything continues running in tip-top shape we've gone over the car and taken care of the other big ticket maintenance item. A brand new Excedy clutch is being installed so no need to worry about that for quite some time. We've also thrown on four new tires along with a routine oil change for good measure. The two-liter fires right up and has a nice subtle tone at idle. Things do pick up a bit as the turbo spools, but in general, the stock exhaust keeps things surprisingly tame. The stock suspension is more than capable for daily duty while still keeping you planted when you toss it around on a back road. From Toyota's notoriously high build quality to its well-backed racing pedigree, this car really is a true classic. Now is your chance to finally own a proper Celica, the way Toyota had actually intended.

*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB complaint first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.