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Comments
"Also are they a true dedicated sport coupe? can they hold there own in the world of bigger faster more powerfull cars?"
They are coupes certainly. Their performance envelope is roughly the equivalent of the present-day Corolla, with 20% better handling when the car was new, but probably about equal now given the 100K miles on the Celica. Corollas can hold their own certainly, and the Celica will be OK too. The mid-90s Celica was one of the porkiest ones ever. On the plus side. the GTs mostly had ABS, which is a good thing.
"What kind of problems cn he expect to run into with this car, estemating around 100,000 miles."
Check those CV boots! Also, that model still had a timing belt due for replacement at 90-105K, so check it has been done or factor it into the cost of the car. That gen of Calica was a fairly low-sales one, so there aren't enough of them out there for them to get a "rep" for systemic problem areas.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Zinger, someone proposed to me that once the Celicas are no longer available, the used prices will go up significantly. What do you guys think?
I think it is hard to pawn off a car whose standard tire is a summer tire that lasts 15k miles.
My car has 45,000 miles. The hatch doesn't stay up, never did. When new, they replaced one shock. I came back, they replaced the other. As soon as the weather got cold, the hatch would fall down. I went to the dealer, let them know that I think the parts are faulty, that they never worked. The service manager is going to pay for 2 new shocks. Wouldn't be a big deal, except the parts are $110 a piece!
I just found a TSB on this, so it was a known problem, although the dealer didn't know of this bulletin. (Makes me wonder!) I'll give a copy to the dealer, to help them get paid for the repair (?).
Anyone know if a scratched moonroof can be repaired?
No permanent snow yet. Winter tires still in a pile!
But my hatch is rattling over bumps and that is very annoying - I am going to take it in to the dealer to see if they can fix. They quoted me $100 per hour to fix.
The Celica is basically a go kart and just as much fun.
I was window shopping recently...the dealer started by offering me $9,000 for my GTS with 40K.They brought the offer up...but sheesh!
Is it your hatch rattling? When I inflated my tires just a little more, it began sounding like the swiveling cargo cover began jumping on bumps. You would think the hatch would sandwich it tight enough where it couldn't move up and down. Anyway, that's what I suspect my sound is, but not sure.
It will be weird when the Celica is gone and the Matrix and Corolla XRS with (almost) the same powertrain are still around.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
It is unfortunate Toyota didnt put some advertising behind the Celica. But it is really a small market I guess. Im 39 with 3 kids and I am the only one in it 99% of the time. Winter beater is a 94 Cutlass and we also have a Town and Country Minivan for the family. Life is too short not to drive a car that makes things interesting. I do think though that the GTO would be more fitting for someone of my age group however because at times I feel like grandpa in the GTS.
:-)
So now I picked an RSX, the "grown-up's version" of the Civic SI and a really nice car, but one that definitely has inferior handling to that Celica. It's OK though, it has other characteristics (besides looks) that give it the edge. And now I don't get those comments any more...
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The Celica had too much interior plastic for me too. Hard, kinda cheap plastic. The RSX doesn't have that, but I wouldn't mind if my car had the auto-open and cloe moonroof that the Celica has. And ohhhhh, that Celica's handling!
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Toyota consumer svc (got number from a dealer) told me (1)yes it is in production (2)it isn't being shipped to northeast but dealers can ask for a 'preference' with a dealer who has it elsewhere and get it shipped (3)they're sorry, it's being eliminated for the scion which is selling "so so".
If i don't get a celica (i love that car), what is comparable in anyone's experience. i'm considering a mitsubishi eclipse but haven't test driven it yet...oh...i'm also getting similar stories about that car,though one dealer in my area has 5 on his lot. i heard the eclipse is being discontinued next year also, and another dealer told me the 06 eclipse is in production and supposed to come out in April-June instead of September, they pushed up production. Is anyone telling the truth? i need a new car in March or so. i'm not fond of Ford's though i hear the new Mustang is good. help.
The Eclipse is about to be redesigned. It's not being discontinued. An all new car with a supposed 260 hp 3.8 V6 will be introduced at the Detroit auto show tomorrow and should be available on the lots around April or May. You could get an excelllent deal on leftover 04 or 05 Eclipses, but the new 06 should be a much better car. But with the V6, this car is a totally different flavor from the Celica and TC.
Another good option is the Tiburon GT-V6. The days of the unreliable Hyundai are long gone. The Tib's fit and finish is excellent and other then early 03 models, reliability has been very good. I used to own an 03 V6 and it was a great car. It never saw the dealer for any repairs in the year and half I owned it. It also retains pretty good resale.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I wonder how comfortable those 00-05 Celicas are on a long trip.
Coming from a 91 Celica GT, I have already noticed that neither car isn't quite to the same standards (just comparing the drivers seat). With 191,000 on the odometer, the durablilty of the interior is just amazing. Looks like it came off the showroom floor.
However, the Celica is being sold in a couple days. I hope I can find a newer one to my liking.
There was a Celica in the parking lot at the drug store today that was completely TRD'ed out, and had these ENORMOUS rims on it, they were painted white and had to be 18s or maybe 19s. As sharp as the handling already is on this car, I just can't imagine spending a ton of money on much bigger rims. It would be better spent on stuff to make it accelerate faster.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Fit and finish-something I saw on a friend's 1990's Celica, the "Fish-nose" model, whatever years those were, and am seeing on my 2000 - one of the 2 hinges on the gas tank door has rusted profoundly, and the door sticks, squeaks, doesn't seem to be aligned properly. I don't see it-but I would think this would be an NHTSA issue, having to do with the emissions, and should be fixed for free.
Tundradude-This is a tough car to ride in, period. It is so low, it is difficult to get in and out of. The seats do not provide lateral stability. Low back support is putrid. Some days I feel great physically, take a 15 minute ride, and get out feeling like a hospital stay is needed.
Aside from the quirks, I LOVE this car. Any DRIVER should.
Someday I gotta put in a radio that can interface directly with Sirius, and also play mp3's. Doesn't need FM, haha, never use that anymore.
I am thinking of buying this Celica.
It is 91 model/135k miles/ red in color.
Paint seems to be faded but otherwise car looks in pretty good condition.
It is manual with 5 gears.
The manual shifts very smooth and with short throws.
I think it is turbo with 2.2L engine and Power SunRoof.
The asking price is $1600 with new tyres and new cd player.
Is it a good deal?
I have heard that one should not buy turbo engines as they dont last long and give lots of trouble.
I really like the car but scared to make a deal as I dont really have much time for repairs.
Are Celicas usually quite reliable
PLz reply asap
Thanks
DD
So my guess is you are talking about a (non-turbo) GTS, in which case I would say jump in without a care, assuming it drives fine with no funny noises or smells. They are very reliable and fun to boot, and at $1600 you can't really take a dunking if you've done the usual used car checks and not come up with anything.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I checked the engine and it says 2.2 litre so I guess it is non turbo according to you.
No visible leakage, new tires, new cd player.
The guy is selling bcaz he is moving to la from dallas so he is in kinda of urgency to just get rid of it.
The car runs very good with no funny noise and got a clean carfax history.
I really love the way manual was shifting.
Let me see
Thanks for your prompt reply.
My car had power everything, sunroof, 6-speaker radio, cruise control, fog lights, rear window wiper, and AC. This were the options on the car.
I ended up replacing my car with a xB. I haven't got it yet. I have been driving my Mom's 90 GT-S.
I have noticed very few Red 6 SP GTS's for sale.
It does seem as though the 350Z would be the perfect car -plenty of torque with the V6 and great handling. I have read about the tire, shifter, paint, problems and they are concerning.
The paint on my Celica chips just as easily.
zinger - have you sat in a 350Z and driven it? Not only does it feel huge and heavy to drive, but it is claustrophobic as all heck. The windows are at cheek level and there is barely space for two people in the front seats.
I would LOVE to see Toyota continue this model, using a reprogrammed and beefed up version of the Camry's engine. Heck, Honda gets 200 hp out of their 2.4L Accord engine in the TSX, why couldn't Toyota one-up them and pull 225, 240 hp out of its own? Of course, it would probably require lengthening the Celica's hood, so it would get bigger and we don't want it to get too big. But I think they could hold any increase in size to a minimum.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
It will still be very difficult to give up my GTS if I ever do.
In my GTS I get about 30 mpg, no matter how I drive.
The six speed requires a little too much shifting. I do minimize my shifting greatly (which I've done with all manuals I've driven), by going from first to fifth when going down hills, skipping gears when coasting on level roads, etc. But the six itself would be much more useful with a high-torque engine (aka the Legend inline 6) then a "puny" 4. Lastly, it does feels kind of cool to have a model that I rarely see on the road.
Someone around here recently posted that Toyota has just shipped its last Celicas to the land of the free and the brave. Bye bye Celica...
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I know you should never say never, but I honestly think the '00-05 Celica GTS may represent the zenith of handling for all Toyota vehicles ever, in the past and future. After all, Toyota USA has come right out this week and said its future is in trucks, especially large trucks. Sporty Toyotas will become icons of the distant past, and these Celicas will not be topped...
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Hairpin turns are unbelievable. Yes, yes, yes.
But, from everything I understand about the GTO, it drives 'big'; exactly the opposite of the Celica. When it comes time to finally sell my '00 GTS (hey, it's only got 130k miles on it, it's just starting to break-in!), I'll probably upgrade to a RX-8. I think this would be the closest in feel to my Celica (high rpm fun, razor sharp steering/brake response, and room for 4 real human!).
On a side note, I test drove a new Scion tC. This is supposed to be the replacement for the Celica? Ummmmmm, no. Not in my book.
Any thoughts on the 350Z?
There is a spectacular roadway out here in the park with three hairpin turns, all kinds of twisties and hills. I swear it is right out of a car commercial. Call me a nut, but when it is sunny and warm out on a Saturday, sometimes I just go there to drive it back and forth 2 or three times.
Use your car to the extent that you want. If you're happy hanging out at McDonalds on Friday night eating fries, playing Deep Purple on the radio, then being happy while still is just as powerful as racing around.
I feel people should buy what makes their heart happy. You don't need the best performer. You DO need a COOL car. Any of these will do that
To be honest, after four years, I still don't shift completely smoothly unless I concentrate on it. Is it even possible to shift smoothly when attempting to go WOT? Maybe I'm just a sucky shifter (I learned on the GT-S).
Seems like 1 and 2 are so far apart that you pretty much have to let the car coast for about .5-1 second to nail a smooth shift.
I do know that my 4th gear synchros are about shot; I don't think a hard day at Texas World Speedway did them any good. I can do the 3-4 upshift great, but the 5-4 downshift grounches EVERY time. But the 5-3 downshift is great!
zinger/guitarzan - snow....snow....oh, yeah, that's that funny white stuff you guys up north have to deal with during.....what was it called again.....winter?
Winters in Chicago kinda suck but where else is better to live when you have a family?
Maybe it is the nature of the powerband. You have to throttle it after shifting to get it back up to speed.
Thirty more lbs of torque and a change of ratios would eliminate this.
Or a supercharger, and the skipping of 1st and 3rd gears. Ha!
Rorr's post reminded me of something-if any upshifts grind or are awkward, have the shifter checked out for adjustment. If it does operate smoothly from 1 to 2, 3-4, it is just this particular tranny.
Yep SNOW-the worst 4-letter word I know. Lived here for a long time, and still hate it. If anyone cares, adding Blizzeks 15", slightly off-size, to this car, felt like I added 4-wheel drive. Literally amazing grip right through snow and ice. The soft material is GONE up front though. But I'll have some ice-sticking power next year after putting the rear tires up front. These tires reduced my stress 5 bazillion percent (no exaggeration) this winter.
One might practice in neutral, revving it to 2500, release, again, release, until a moderate gas pedal position becomes second nature.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
BTW, my background is engineering, so it's a little self-deprecating. But it is also pointing out myopic thinking when I see it.
I have this minor issue tho.. i do not even know whether this is a problem or not.. if i shift up to the 5th or 6th gear and leave the engine at low rpm (~2.5 k) and then step on the gas, there is this slight rattling kind of sound from the engine.. the pickup is smooth and all but there is this additional rattle.. the same also happen if i use compression braking at low revs (that is accelerate and then leave the gas alone but not step on the clutch).. does this happen with other people too or do i need to get this checkd.. my car has only 16k miles on it...
the only major gripe i have with this car is the touchy clutch.. i have had no probs with the shifter.. i have driven worse manual for 8 years now and this one feels perfect.. however, the clutch engagement is very sudden.. i typically have some trouble getting away smoothly from a stop lights.. too little gas and the car stalls.. too much and there is tirespin.. tho that is fun sometimes, i do not like to do tht everyday as it will grate my tires in no time.. any mods that i can make?? Thanks!
It sounds like maybe the "rattling sound" you are hearing from the engine when trying to accelerate at low speeds in high gears is pinging, which is a natural result of lugging the engine a bit. I bet you will find this never happens again if you just go a gear or two lower. And you will also find this doesn't happen in low gears like second, even if you step on the gas in the same hearty fashion at the same rpm.
HOWEVER, that does not explain the "rattling" when you are coasting in gear. Maybe it is just a harmonic frequency buzz of something in the cabin at certain engine speeds?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)