🏁 Toyota Celica GT-Four ST185 – The Street-Legal Rally Legend
By Paquito Jr Conde | August 5, 2025
If you're craving real-deal rally performance with that nostalgic 90s JDM flair, the Toyota Celica GT-Four ST185 is your ticket. Packed with a turbocharged engine, all-wheel-drive grip, and motorsport heritage, this car isn’t just cool — it’s collectible.
🏁 Toyota Celica GT-Four ST185 – Complete Breakdown
The Toyota Celica GT-Four ST185 is a legendary piece of JDM rally history. Born from motorsport passion, this second-gen GT-Four was Toyota’s weapon in the World Rally Championship (WRC), even clinching the 1993 WRC title. If you’re into rally-bred machines with pop-up headlights and AWD thrills, this one’s for you!
⚙️ Key Specs
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Production Years | 1989–1993 |
| Engine | 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 (3S-GTE) |
| Power Output | ~200–225 hp (varies by market) |
| Torque | ~200–220 lb-ft |
| Drivetrain | Full-time AWD (All-Trac in U.S.) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Weight | ~1,400–1,500 kg |
| 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) | Around 6.1 – 6.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | ~230 km/h (143 mph) |
| Turbocharger | CT26 single turbo |
| Suspension | Independent (MacPherson strut) |
| Brakes | Disc brakes all around |
🏆 WRC Heritage
🏎️ Driven by: Carlos Sainz in the WRC.
🥇 Championship Wins: 1990 and 1992 WRC Drivers' Championships.
🔧 Celica GT-Four RC / Carlos Sainz Edition: Limited to just 5,000 units! Features include better cooling, lighter components, and a close-ratio gearbox — all for rally homologation.
✅ Pros
- ✔️ Rally DNA: Built to race, but street legal. That's pure WRC soul in a daily package.
- ✔️ AWD Performance: All-wheel drive gives excellent grip, whether it’s raining or you're carving corners.
- ✔️ Reliable Turbo Engine: The 3S-GTE is a tuning beast — reliable and full of potential.
- ✔️ Modder’s Dream: Plenty of aftermarket support and tuning guides out there.
- ✔️ Iconic 90s JDM Style: Pop-up headlights, wide body, and that aggressive rally-ready vibe.
- ✔️ Rare and Appreciating: Harder to find, especially clean ones. That means rising value!
- ✔️ Practical Power: A performance car that you can actually daily — not just garage it!
❌ Cons
- ✖️ Hard-to-Find Parts: Especially body panels or interior trims unique to the ST185.
- ✖️ Not Fuel Friendly: Turbo + AWD = thirsty. Modding makes it even thirstier.
- ✖️ Age Issues: Expect some rust, old bushings, or electronics unless it's well maintained.
- ✖️ Weighty: Heavier than some of its rivals — may feel slightly less nimble.
- ✖️ Insurance & Tax: Being a turbo AWD car, premiums and taxes might be on the higher end.
💡 Why Buy a Celica GT-Four ST185?
- 🚗 JDM Collector’s Gem: A proper piece of rally and Japanese performance history.
- 🏁 WRC-Bred Engineering: Few street cars share such a direct connection to WRC development.
- 🌧️ All-Weather Weapon: Great handling in rain, snow, or dry roads — thanks to its AWD system.
- 🔧 Mod-Ready: The 3S-GTE loves upgrades. 300+ hp is easy with the right mods.
- 📈 Future Classic: Get in now — values are already climbing!
- 😎 Timeless Looks: Pop-up lights + wide fenders = 90s perfection.
🛠 Pro Tips for Buyers
- 🔍 Look for units with full maintenance history.
- 🧼 Check rust-prone areas: wheel wells, underbody, and strut towers.
- 🏆 If you can, hunt for the RC (Carlos Sainz) Edition — rarer and built for performance.
📈 Investment Potential
The ST185 GT-Four is already on the rise in the collector market. Whether you’re buying to drive, show, or store — its mix of rally pedigree, solid engineering, and growing rarity makes it a hidden gem in the JDM world. Don’t sleep on this future classic!