Ask the Car People.SM


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 111 of 155

#1100 of 1543 Paint Problem by 03celica03

Jan 22, 2004 (11:53 pm)

I own a 2003 Celica and agree with you and many other owners that the paint on these cars is about as thick as nail polish. I noticed front end paint chips within the first month I bought the car.The light, easily scratched plastic inside is also a bad thing but allows for the weight of the car to be around 2,425-2,450lbs. Very light for a car of this size and allows a 1.8 liter engine to be a decent performer because of power to weight ratios. But I really dont think light weight paper thin paint was used to save weight ,but actually just to be cheap and I think Toyota owners expect build quality to be excellent as this brand is usually. As for the 2004 I would love to get one before they are gone near the end of the year but this paint problem might keep me away.

#1101 of 1543 re: tnisace86 by gambit293

Jan 25, 2004 (5:01 pm)

The RSX will have a lot of the same bad-weather handling characteristics of the celica since the general design philosophy is so similar.
 
The Mazda3 is a sweet little car. I'm surprised the Impreza is not on your shopping list. They're all great cars, and whatever your choice, I'm sure you'll love it and enjoy it. Good luck.

#1102 of 1543 re: gambit293 by tnisace86

Jan 26, 2004 (4:58 pm)

Oops, I just looked at my post, and yes, I did forget to put the WRX on the list. I think that my mind is pretty much made up though. The other night, we just got roughly 3 inches of snow dumped on us within an hr or so, I had an absolutely nightmarish time driving through that muck. Probably going to go with the WRX, since it's the only one on my list with AWD.

#1103 of 1543 by guitarzan

Jan 27, 2004 (4:27 pm)

Speaking of nightmarish drives: The Celicas ABS prevents stopping at all on slick surfaces. It just keeps going, and going...I have my hand on the hand brake whenever dubious conditions are at hand!

#1104 of 1543 Trade by mookie09

Jan 28, 2004 (6:29 pm)

I am thinking of trading my 2000 GTS 6SP for a 2003 Mustang GT. Am I nuts?

#1105 of 1543 by guitarzan

Jan 28, 2004 (8:03 pm)

Realize you'll be tossing reliability out the window, and hopefully you won't own the car long enough to allow the squeaks and rattles to drive you insane. You'll have a great drivetrain, and nice looking car with fat wheels.
 
The bottom line: If it makes you happy, drive it.

#1106 of 1543 by mookie09

Jan 28, 2004 (8:28 pm)

A lot of people have complained about the Celica squeaks and rattles but I have not noticed any on mine. I realize the Ford is not as reliable as the Toyota. The paint quality on my car is poor - the hood has chips all over it. I dont even drive it in the winter. I does fit like a glove however.
 
I test drove the Mustang today and it is defintely not as tight as the Celica. The instruments look dated as well. I really didnt test the stereo. The Mustang feels more like a mans car. I still get people commenting that the Celica is a chick car.

#1107 of 1543 re: mookie by gambit293

Jan 28, 2004 (9:03 pm)

Ironically I am a celica driver who found myself with a mustang rental car this week.
 
I'd definitely have to fault the mustang with a somewhat inferior design. Just the little details that Ford seemed to miss.
 
It took me about 20 minutes today to figure out how to turn off the interior dome light. The switch that controls the different settings (off, on, depends on door) is not on the light itself. So I figured it was on the light "knob" but pulling it, turning it, etc. seemed to achieve nothing besides dimming the console, flashing the headlights etc. etc. Finally it turned out that the passenger door was slightly ajar. So why wasn't there any sort of door-ajar indicator? Turns out there is, but it's just a slight noise that sounds once as the car is turned on. (I don't recall ever opening the passenger door) The car manual didn't help at all.
 
And for some odd reason, something is really messed up with the pedal placement. I am constantly getting my foot stuck on "something" down there everytime I try to place my foot on the accelerator or remove it. It's like an odd bulge in the carpeting. I drive all sorts of cars (including other Fords) and never had this issue before.
 
At any rate, I think it's fairly obvious what the GT has to offer over the celica. If that is the design philosphy you want, then go for it. Especially if you don't like the styling of the new mustang coming up (I don't).

#1108 of 1543 by guitarzan

Feb 04, 2004 (3:37 pm)

Folks, I didn't see a response to my one post.
 
Has anyone put a plug and play Satellite radio in their manual Celica? How about automatics? If so, where?!!?

#1109 of 1543 The last Celica? by nissan350z

Mar 10, 2004 (4:46 pm)

Does anyone here know when the last year of the Celica will be made 2004 or 2005? Thanks

Messages Page 111 of 155

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement