Toyota Celica (Hatchbacks / All Years)
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popular hatchback! You can catch up by clicking
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Desertlily, do you live in a major metro area? or are you limited only to a few Toyota dealerships?
I found that internet car shopping services were mainly useful in supplying -negative- information. They were great at telling me that what I wanted was unavailable! But negative information is useful (I knew that I wasn't going to just roll up to a dealer and find four suitable cars on the lot).
In the end I had to resort to a dealer, who did the search of the inventory in the region for me.
Brenda
Anyway, when I called the dealer to see if it was for real, they said it was.
Although this time I didn't use them, I did back in Nov 98. The dealer honored the exact price given to me by one of those services, which was $100 over invoice.
It's definitely worth a try. It becomes a problem when, like me and Brenda above, we want some option combination that is not normally on the dealers' lots.
I've been a Toyota owner pretty much all my life but recently departed off the lineage and have been driving a 3000GT for the past few years. While performance is wonderful, the car is a mechanical piece of crap (expensive to fix and problems all the time).
I'm thinking of letting the Mitsubishi go and picking up a Toyota. I've never purchased new, so I hope I don't get raped.
I've pretty much narrowed my choices down to a Celica or a Solara. I know the cars are very different, but having turned 30, perhaps the boy racer image is abit tired.
Prices for the Celica GT and the Solara 4 SE are pretty comparable. Each has their strengths and weaknesses. I think insurance costs would be similar as well.
I know the most common comparisons are Celica vs. Eclipse vs. Prelude etc .... but how would you guys compare the Celica with the Solara?
Considering both are Toyotas, and reputations for quality are excellent, I think the main difference is the driving experience and the image portrayed.
The only problem is that the dealerships I've gone to in NY tell me that the Solara's aren't really available in MT. Is this true?
Has anyone traded in their old vehicles before? I've used the Edmunds wholesale price as a gauge, but dealerships always come up with some stupid excuse to rake me for the trade in ... one offered $3000 for a fully loaded '92 3000GT VR4. Do you recommend just selling it on the street?
Last question, for the $20,000 you guys spent on the Celica, would you have considered a used Lexus sports coupe?
Eddie
BTW, I bought my Celica GT auto for $18.7K, that was with everything except spoiler and remote.
If you want to be practical forget about Celica. I would even through Solara out for something similar like Focus and save 3-4K.
I nearly laughed myself to death when I saw someone actually test driving a Pontiac Aztek (triangle on wheels), but I got to thinking that every vehicle is designed to target certain individuals. Of course, I also think that the Aztek buyer is a sucker.
I am also 30/M, but I think the styling of the Celica appeals to alot of different age groups. I drove the Celica several times and several hours before I committed to buying it. It just kept calling me back to the dealership. Personally, I can't find a weakness with the Celica. It's got power, economy,plenty of options, loads of room with the hatchback, turn on a dime handling, and a jet engine like air conditioner!
I never drove the Solara, but I did look at their town hall message board. I read alot of comments about people growing tired of the vehicle in the first year. The performance is non-existent with the 4 banger, and even the handling package in the expensive v6 model is sluggish.
Happy driving,
aim9
I test drove both cars, but they didn't have the Solara 4 SE in MT. The 6 cylinder SE drove nicely and had a nice punch to it. The Celica drove smoothly, but honestly, both cars lacked the raw power of the 3000GT I'm driving now (and want to get rid of).
I think I understand what you guys mean about losing interest in the Solara soon after purchase. It's not an exciting car and doesn't really turn any heads. It has more practicality than performance.
The Celica is beautiful, but really only fits 2 people. So there are pros and cons with both vehicles. It just depends on what I'm willing to give up to obtain the other.
But I'm in no rush, I still have to sell my current car first. 3000GT VR-4 is a mighty machine. I enjoy it but the repair costs are WAY too high. For the price of repairs, I could be driving a new Celica or a Solara. aim9 hit it on the nose when he mentioned gas mileage. I'm sick and tired of running 15 mpg on $2/gallon premium fuel. It's a nightmare.
Do you think it wise to look into some of the incentive deals for the left over 2000 models?
Thanx again...
Eddie
Some of the internet sites have the celica GTS manual around 800 over invoice right now. I am thinking about buying it next summer. So who knows, but price is usually low around december. And pretty high during the summer. I think I will try and haggle with the dealer first, it that didn't work.. I am going to buy it over the net.
I've pretty much decided to let go of the VR4. It's too costly. At one point I was spending $260 month in gas .... 2 $30 fillups every week. Is that insane or what? I only drive it on the highway for recreation now ... so basically, it's a useless car. The power is alot of fun, but it comes at a cost.
One of the considerations for me to look into the Celica is because it offers many of the same benefits of a super sportscar along with those of a more moderate vehicle. Gas mileage, performance, and driving enjoyment are all considerations for my next vehicle.
I also want a car where I can do much of my own repairs. There's absolutely NO reason why I have to pay $150 to change the spark plugs. The VR-4 is a nightmare when it comes to that.
The Celica GT-S sounds incredible, but all indications are that it's not worth the extra $4500... and premium fuel again. Argh!!!
So, with the savings in gas and repair costs, I can be driving a brand new Celica GT. The Silver color one looks really hot. White isn't bad either.
My only problem now is figuring out how to minimize comprehensive insurance in NYC. I can be looking at $3000 a year if I register the car here. I'm paying a grand a year for liability now. Imagine your car payment equaling your insurance payment? This is nuts.
JK111, which sites are offering the vehicle for $800 above cost?
Thanx...
Eddie
yep, if you just a ride around town I think a GT would be great. I can't imagine how much it would cost to own a vr4, those premium sports cars (300z, supra, rx7 and vr4) are super expensive on maintenance (twin turbo on a v6 engine..) and parts are not cheap either.
You can find deals at carsdirect.com and greenlight.com. You can also try autobytel and some other sites that will deal thru a dealer.
Btw, saw a Benz Smart yesterday.. I guess they have it over here as a prototype. Look very small in person.
I do NOT enjoy the small backseat. I hardly use it, but when I picked up my sister and her two children from the airport, it was tough (but possible) fitting two car seats in the back. The kids complained about having no room to swing their feet, and their window view was small. But then, rear-seat comfort isn't why I bought a car like this.
Can anyone recommend a radar detector from their experience? I've been looking at this Cobra for X-mas http://www.us.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=90044221&loc=111
Has anyone installed mud flaps on their Celica?
I have the mudflaps on my car. I got them from www.fredandersontoyota.com. They definitely cut down on the amount of dust and dirt kicked up on the sides and rear. They're pretty easy to install, too.
I think the units are approaching $400 these days.
Does anyone know where I could find a good quality
cover for the car? Toyota dealer couldn't help.
Do you remove the antenna?
The covers don't come with a cutout for the antennae. That is up to the consumer, but coverking does send a patch kit to make the cover conform to the antennae. Another option, would be to take your Celica to a Auto accessories shop and get a power antennae installed. Alot of Celica owners are putting Honda's S2000 rubber antennae on. They run about 20 bucks, install easily, and they are short and sporty looking.
I'm still waiting for my Celica and cover so I don't know what I'm gonna do about the antennae.
Brenda
Good luck with your Celica. It's a great little car. I have 7000 mi on my 2000 GTS. If I figure out the antenna issue, I'll let you know. I think the mast just unscrews with a crescent wrench.
Yeah, the antenna unscrews easily with a wrench.
And! The story of my search for a Celica is in the latest issue of BUSINESS WEEK magazine! It's the Nov. 27th issue, on page 190. The article is about how custom-ordering cars on the Internet has not panned out the way manufacturers might have liked.
Brenda
Max hp comes at redline, 7600 RPM. The GT-S's engine was created by Toyota AND Yamaha. Yamaha took the Celica GT's engine and enhanced it with their expertise in high revving engines. They added a second cam profile which switches over at 6000 RPMs, increasing piston travel, resulting in more air coming into the engine. This engine was made for high RPMs.
If I was racing a V6 Camaro, I'd be able to smoke him every time. If it was a V8, he'd smoke me every time. I wouldn't have to race repeatedly because I'd know the outcome already. Two races would be enough (just to be fair).
As for underpowered, can you name another mass production, FWD, NA 4 cylinder car for under $25k that can outperform the GT-S?
Obviosly, you haven't driven a Celica, or you would be in line with the rest of us to get one.
Actually the Celica and the Camaro are not the same class of vehicle.
The camaro is a gas sucking american musclecar that spends a good part of it's life in the GM service center.
The Celica is quick, reliable, compact sports car designed by some of the finest automotive engineers in the world.
One reason I got the Celica GT 5-spd was because of it's gas mileage 28/34 EPA. I'm not a racer, but neither am I slow driver, and I think the car has plenty of quickness. Not too mention how great it looks, and the Toyota reputation (I'll be passing my '93 Camry with 121K+ miles on it to my daughter).
So who cares if the Celica can beat the Eclipse, or the Camaro, or what. If you like the Celica, buy it, drive it, enjoy it. Otherwise, get something else.
Just one man's humble opinion....
Brenda
I asked the dealer if she thought I might get it as a Christmas present... she thought more like New Years! Oh well....
I'm sure she'll call me when there's some major blizzard or something too!
carlady/host
That's just how long it takes, that's all. The dealers say something about they get together before the model year, and decide how they want the cars configured to be delivered to them in their region (mid-atlantic, in my case).
For the GTs, they all came with spoilers, we didn't want that. None came with ABS, we wanted that. Also didn't want the security system, most came with that. So we got the all-weather pkg, sunroof, alloy wheels, power package, ABS, mats.
I've been trying not to think about it too much these last few months....
Surprised though, cause you ordered yours a week after mine, and my salesman just called me this morning to say that it was now on his allocation sheet, which means it's now in the U.S. (1 more week to go)
Maybe your car got slowed down due to the sunroof.
(I need the extra headroom so I left out the hole in the roof)
Anyways I know how you feel. After so much time goes by without hearing anything you start wondering if the order even went through. Then when your dealer calls you feel like you won a battle or something.
I got my TRD exhaust Friday, and got that feeling all over again. Only waited 3 months for it.
BTW, what color did you get hbark?
Also, i believe that constantly switching an automatic to neutral is not bad, but shifting back into drive while moving can cause problems.
Also, anyone have any idea how much it costs to lease a GT-S manual?
I like it... then again, I'm color blind, so who the heck knows????!!!
hbark,
cool. You can tell your friends that they custom built your Celica at Japan..hehe.
About automatic shifting. I don't think it is bad at all unless you rev the engine all the way up and than dump it into D. Shifting in low rpms shouldn't be a problem for an auto.
When I decided to buy my first new car I looked at the Celica, Grand Prix, and Prelude. I really wanted a Prelude but for the price turned it down. I thought for 28,000 I'd buy a new TA instead. My husband really wanted me to get a Grand Prix Supercharged b/c it was bigger. But I did not want another big car! And the gas mileage around town was only 18, which we argued over continously until my mother purchased a Bonneville SSEI w/ same motor and she's only getting 18. So I settled with the Celica got it for 22,558 Loaded with everything but side airbags and ABS.
Purchasing my Celica was not a very pleasant experience. Dealers around here did not want to give me the time of day nor did they seem to know their product very well. So far my celica has pleased me except for some minor things which I don't know if they are worth a trip to the dealer. The CD player skips (common complaint), the loose antenna (another common complaint), I have a rattle in my dash somewhere. The only thing that concerns me is the other day when I started it (very cold day) the idling went crazy and started loping then quit. I owned a 87 Prelude that would do that every once in awhile and was not expecting a new car to do that. Anyone else have the same thing happen to them? All in all I would recommend the Celica for what you get it's worth the price.
Do a search in Town hall for Camaro & Trans AM and you will see that everything, but the kitchen sink is going wrong with these cars. BTW, my buddy in Hampton, VA has a 1998 Grand Prix GTP. He just replaced the entire engine and supercharger at 48K miles. price $8400. Ummm, He was enraged!
I have over 5500 miles on my gts and i'm still loving the car tremendously, it's even got me in a little trouble with my wife b/c she thinks I take care of the car more than the house. She's right, the car is like my life blood. This was my first new car and spent hard earned money on her, and I want it to look good for a long time.