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Toyota Celica (Hatchbacks / All Years)

1543 messages,  Last post on May 02, 2013 at 11:26 PM

You are in the Toyota Celica Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Celica, Coupe, Hatchback

Messages Page 1 of 155

#1 of 1543 carlady by mzn

Nov 13, 2000 (1:53 am)

Let's continue our conversation about this very
popular hatchback! You can catch up by clicking
here.


carlady/host

#2 of 1543 buying a Celica by desertlily

Nov 13, 2000 (2:24 am)

Forget about internet carbuying services. They're useless, and only exist to make themselves a fortune. I'm back on my own now.....no good prices from dealers either....looks like nobody cares whether or not you spend your 20,000 on their car, and they treat you really badly on top of all that. Do you think Toyota knows this?

#3 of 1543 by bclough

Nov 13, 2000 (4:36 pm)

Thanks, OOgts!


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

#4 of 1543 Internet Dealers by hbark

Nov 14, 2000 (3:49 am)

I have to disagree, about using the 'net for car shopping. When I used autobytel adn autodadvantage and carpoint, they referred me to a local dealer. One of them actually gave me a price, I forget which.


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.

#5 of 1543 Celica question by eddiesvr4

Nov 14, 2000 (6:38 pm)

I have a few questions for you guys, and hope that you can help me with some honest answers.


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

#6 of 1543 Celica question (eddiesvr4) by sergeis

Nov 14, 2000 (8:34 pm)

If you prefer apples to bananas - buy apples, otherwise go for bananas. I have Grand Marquis (my wife simply does not stand the idea of a minivan)and Celica GT, had no problems at all with Mercury (it's 95), as to the Celica 2000 I had it once damaged on parking lot (hit and run, $2K fixing), and now and then I get some dudes throwing eggs at it. When I want to drive somewhere far with family - I take Merqury as it is certainly more comfortable-roomy-and-safe, but for the city Celica is real fun.
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.

#7 of 1543 Solara is nothing more than sleek camry by coupe2001

Nov 15, 2000 (2:31 am)

you are right, the solara and celica are very different vehicles. I suggest you drive the vehicles to make your decision.
 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.


#8 of 1543 Celica vs Solara by aim9

Nov 15, 2000 (2:39 am)

Both nice cars. I'd beware of the Focus due to reliability issues. Drove Solara and Celica several times before getting the GTS 6spd. I agree that they are completely different cars. This is my 4th Celica,and for practicality own a 98 4-Runner SR5, an absolutely wonderful, trouble free vehicle. The Celica has 10K now and not a single problem. Tremendous highway car in ride, reponsiveness, and comfort (the front seats are great.)Got 36 mpg over 500 mile trip last weekend averaging 75 mph.


Happy driving,
aim9

#9 of 1543 Celica / Solara by eddiesvr4

Nov 15, 2000 (8:01 pm)

Thanx for the comments guys. I guess either way I go, I probably won't lose. It all depends on what I want and what I'm willing to give up.


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

#10 of 1543 mpg by sergeis

Nov 16, 2000 (12:19 am)

Gas mileage was the main reason why I got Celica (GT auto) instead of Cougar. But I cannot get more than 35 mpg on interstate and 22-25 for city only driving. I think the specified 27 mpg can be only reached if one ignores stop signs and traffic lights. But it is still better than Marquis with its 26/18 mpg.

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