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Mike's 1988 ST165 AllTrac Winter Car
SOLD 6/13/2004
[Car Info | Mods: Current & Future | Photos | Project Plans ]
Car Info
BODY/EXTERIOR
1988 Toyota Celica AllTrac Turbo 4WD (full-time 50/50 F/R torque split), Hardtop, Black (Color Code 202) exterior paint, Black Leather interior, Power Windows, Power Locks, Cruise Control, Driver Side Electronic Lumbar Controls, Fog Lights, A/C, Automatic Climate Control, ABS Brakes
ENGINE/TRANSMISSION
Turbocharged 2.0L 16-valve 4-cylinder with CT26 Turbo (Single-Entry, Stock boost = 7~8psi) (Engine: 3S-GTE -- iron block with aluminum head), 5-speed manual transmission (E50F2)
Other Info
Current Mods
BODY/EXTERIOR
- Euro Flexible Antenna
- H4 Headlight Conversion: Diamond Cut Housing with Sugo H4 Bulbs
ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN
- HKS Type 1 Turbo Timer (Stealth mounted in center console)
- Rear Differential Cushion - Cleaned/Filled with Polyurethane (80 Shore A)
BRAKES/SUSPENSION
INTERIOR/SAFETY
OTHER
Photos
Comprehensive Photo Shoot (3/30/2004 - 115 photos + 2 movies)
First Days (when I drove it home for the first time)
First Drives (when I drove it around for the first 2 times) (photo shoot)
The Story
This is not a "project" car... Which is why it's called my beater, although it's a bit too fun of a car to be a beater... But the intention is to keep it all stock as it is now, and only replace things as things break or wear out-- so basic maintenance only. I was looking for a winter beater car to replace my BMW and retire it from winter duties, as I realize that all that salt and crap isn't making my summer detailing job on the BMW any easy... I really wanted an AE86 Corolla, but those damn things are so over-hyped now that it's impossible to find a nice one for a sane price. And for some odd reason, I stumbled across this AllTrac, and the price was right and it's AWD with ABS Brakes -- good enough for me as a winter car. Plus it's a "rare" enough car that I can probably sell it back after the winter for about the same price (if not more, if i fix a few things here and there), so it is a "wise" investment choice, if there were such a thing when it comes to cars... But the only problem is that now I have 4 cars and no space in the garage/driveway for all of them! Haha...
The car feels heavy to me, it's almost like my BMW, not my MR2, yet the turbo is fun to play with. I love the feeling of when the boost kicks in. I also like that the car looks like any other 4th generation celica, yet it hauls ass. The AWD aspect is also neat. At the "initiation autocross" (all my cars have be to "initiated" with an autocross so i can see what it can do, and thus feel comfortable driving it in the street), the car accerelarates out of corners very nicely where RWD or FWD cars would do frustrating things. In a way, it's forgiving that way. Probably not the best car to learn how to race on, but nice to have to keep me out of trouble on the street. The car is very luxurious and comfortable inside, the stereo is not bad, and it's a nice little cruiser. It's as luxurious, if not more than, my BMW!! Haha, I kid you not.
...And now that winter is over (almost April), although New York is known for snowstorms in the middle of May sometimes, I have to sell this car. Plus I am going to start grad school in the fall and I can't justify 3 street cars on a student budget. So here's a chance for someone else to experience the joy of owning a rare car like this AllTrac. Car is mostly all stock (as you can see above) and it's all sorted out and ready to drive! (I can remove things like the turbo timer or the shifter if you want the stock one back in there.) I took care of all the small little issues that the car had when I bought it, so it's good to go for the next owner. Serious offers only-- I don't want to waste my time with people who either have no interest in buying this car or paying what I want for this car. I'd like to get around $5500. I will post on Autotrader and eBay and XCars within the next few days. Thanks! -3/30/04
Car is listed on the following online sites:
I sold the car and I no longer own it as of 6/13/2004. I feel a bit bummed out to see it go, since I've really enjoyed driving it. But at least the new owner will take good care of it, so I feel a bit better about it... After I graduate from school, I'm gonna get me another ST165. :) -6/13/2004
UPDATE: I really did miss the AllTrac and I got myself an ST185 on 7/1/2005. Here is the website for the ST185.
My Other Cars
1992 Celica AllTrac Turbo: yep, my second alltrac!
- 1986 MR2: my first MR2: really really fun autocross car.
- 1991 MR2 Turbo: my second MR2: project car to be built as a track (road race) car.
- 2001 BMW 325Ci: this is my first new car. I use it for stock-class (GS) autocross and weekend/night drives. Used to be used in winter in snow/ice, but now retired as this AllTrac will replace it for winter duties. Garaged during the week.
Mike Choi / alltrac@325ci.com