Owner Review: A fairly underrated JDM sportscar - My Toyota Celica ZZT231

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Basic Information

TOYOTA CELICA ZZT231 1.8 (M)  YEAR MAKE 2000

Reasons why I bought this car

Previously driving a Proton Satria 1.8 Gti, car stolen & was looking for a 2 door coupe.
Caught my attention on how the engine's potential of 190BHP as advertised by various motor trading website 10 years ago.

Car selection process

• I had a budget of: 75,000

• Models that I have considered include: Mitsubishi FTO, BMW E36 Coupe, Mitsubishi Airtrek Turbo, Celica ST205 GT4

Reasons why I chose this car

• Affordable to my budget of 75k

• Easy financing by my previous employer - a credit company

• Outlook & overall liking

User experience

• I have already done 135000 km.

Has been modifying bit by bit to improve the following attributes of the car:

• Handling
• Safety
• Engine performance
• Fuel efficiency
• Comfort
• Ergonomics
• Gadgets
• Outlook

Pros&Cons

Pros

• Supercharged setup punching an output of approximately 228whp & 218Nm of torque

• Fun to drive (daily) in town & weekend chill drive

• Superb handling & safety attributes (to own liking, not to be compared with other cars)

• Decent fuel economy (for an above 200whp car)

• Easy to maintain

Cons

• Not so responsive low end torque

• Modified cars tend to have more things to maintain

• Not so well-done-up paint job

• Not sought after by car enthusiast

• Not well defined JDM sports car

• Low resale value

• Poor market perception

Ratings

• Total Score: 4

• Performance: 4

• Quality & Features: 4

• Space: 3

• Ride Comfort: 3

• Fuel Economy: 4

• Price & Cost: 4

Modification lists

Bought it with a passion to further improve the car's feature in terms of overall attributes.

• Modifications Category: Stage 2.5

Engine

• 2zz-ge 1.8L DOHC VVTi-L Yamaha Engine

• Cometic 1.3mm metal thick gasket (lower compression by 1 10.5.0)

• WORKS Engineering lightweight crank pulley

• Customized engine breathing hose.

• Greddy oil catch tank

• Customized crank pulley shield

• Stock Pistons

• MWR Stage 3 cams

• MWR Forged valves springs

• MWR valve retainers

• ACR race bearings

• OEM crankshaft 

• OEM conrods

• ARP racing studs

• GReddy mp62 Eaton Mugnason Twin-screw supercharger kit

• Customized 3.4' supercharger pulley 

• OBX waterpump,alternator pulley

Transmission

• C60 6 speed manual transmission

• C-One Motorsports Type-R sports clutch

• C-One lightweight flywheel

• OEM Hellical gear/LSD

• OEM driveshaft

• TRD short shifter

• TRD shifter metal bushing kit

Management & Electronics

• A'PEXi Power FC standalone ECU with FC Commander- Customized ground/earthing wiring

• Greddy Infometer Touch with Greddy oil temp & press sensors & Greddy oil filter adapter

• A'pexi turbo timer- Prosport boost meter with sensor

• Customized relocated battery, Racetech oversize battery terminal protective enclosure

• Customized TPMS

Air, Fuel, Cooling & Ignition System

• Walbro 255lph fuel pump

• SARD 550cc injectors

• Customized fuel return system with steel braided hose & Tomei fuel regulator & gauge- MWR methanol/water injection kit

• Customized O2 sensor adaptor

• Ignition booster

• Stock intake with TRD drop in air filter

• Customized billet fuel rails

• C-One radiator hose- C-One Calorie

• Up oversized Radiator

Exhaust System

• PPE full stainless steel racing headers

• Custom stainless steel mid section piping

• Inoque Engineering E-flow Sports Performance muffler

Suspensions, Bushings & Bars/Braces

• C-one front & back antiroll bar with Energy Suspension bushings

• Tein Super Street - Driving Master series coilovers

• C-one sports tower bar Type-R

• C-one engine torque damper Type-R

• C-one 3 point trunk bar Type-R

• C-one end point trunk bar Type-R

• C-one front performance under brace

• C-one rear suspension upper bush

• Cusco front under brace ver.1

• Customized rigid collars for Celica ZZT231 (lower arms & cross-member)

• Tanabe Sustec rear under brace

• C-one steering rack bushing kit

• C-one sports engine mounting (2 pc)

• C-one upper radiator support brace

• Detachable D1 Steel type 4-5 point rollcage

Bodykits & exterior

• VARIS cooling hood ver.2 carbon fiber bonnet

• C-one Carbon Fiber rear spoiler

• Trial ver.2 front bumper

• Trial ver.2 side skirts- Trial rear bumper 

• Carcept roof spoiler

• Trial Tuning Spirit customized aluminium aerodynamic underpanel, front, side splitter & diffuser kit

• C-one/Beatrush front underpanel

• APR GT style carbon fiber side mirrors

Wheels & Brakes

• 17'' 8jj PCD 10H 5x100/5x114.3 rims   

• 20mm H&R light weight spacers

• Dunlop Direzza 02 Star Spec 225/45/17' performance tyres

• Celica ST205 4 pot front Sumitomo big brake kit

• 325mm oversize 2 piece front disc rotor

• Celica ST205 2 pot Sumitomo rear brake kit

• Brembo brake pads

• C-One Motorsports steel braided hoses

Interiors & Trims

• Customized soundproof & dampening

• SS-CUSS semi bucket sports seat

• TRD Original GT-86 gear knob

• TRD Celica ZZT-231 manual speedometer

Lightings & Indications

• Custom LED tail lamp with LED sequential turn signals

• Customised LED signal lightings

• Customised & replica carbon fibre Celica Sports

• Modellista/HELLA style headlamp with HALO LED lightings

Summary

Nicknamed the car Little Skunk in view of its current black & white color theme versus the poor market reception on this car.In addition, was a budget sports car that I looked for back in year 2010, after my previous car was stolen & was looking for a replacement. Luck was on my side when I met a seller which is keen of letting go his Celica at a decent selling price in year 2010.

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