Latest Car idea for me

rammstein · 01-02-2009, 11:19 PM

I was looking through some national results for autocross, and it apears that the last gen Celica is competitive in G-Stock.

Unlike integras, I am seeing a lot of Celica ads for cars that don't look like a wild pack of high-school aged car-molestors had a rape-fest on them.

Anybody here had experience with these? Your impressions? Any known issues like frames breaking in half or whatever?

I am thinking there's VERY clean ones to be had for $7k with under 80k miles, and that would leave me with a couple thousand for konis and race rubber and whatever else they allow in stock-class.

Don't forget, my options are limited by having a rear seat of SOME kind for the dog, and an A/C system. I was looking at a 1994 325is that was fully prepped for STX class, but I got some unexpected noise from the wife about the age and German breed. She is probably allowing some of her repressed 944 Turbo angst bubble to the surface, but she does have a point- a 2002 Celica will break a lot less than a 94 325, I would imagine. No doubt that the 325 is a better drive... anyhow, rambling...

Anyone like Celicas?

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

I looked at celicas before I bought my car. The biggest problem I had was finding a stick. Overall they seem like great bulletproof little cars though.

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

ehm, they are front wheel drive ?!?

dd74 · 01-03-2009, 01:49 AM

Anyone like Celicas? No, not when compared to the Acura Integra Type R (mid-90s era). I think it revs to about 7,600 RPM, and can do 0-60 in (as a Euro magazine stated) 5 seconds.

Essentially, your Celica would be be "meat" against a Type R in almost any performance driving circumstance.

onewhippedpuppy · 01-03-2009, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dd74

Anyone like Celicas? No, not when compared to the Acura Integra Type R (mid-90s era). I think it revs to about 7,600 RPM, and can do 0-60 in (as a Euro magazine stated) 5 seconds.

Essentially, your Celica would be be "meat" against a Type R in almost any performance driving circumstance.

Good luck finding one without a fart can, primered body kit, and wallpapered in stickers. Seriously, in the past I've tried because the Integra GSR and Type R are great cars.

Personally, I'd look elsewhere before buying a Celica. I've always felt that they were chick cars (my mom has one). Pretty small inside as well, don't plan on using that back seat for humans. The GT-S engine is VERY peaky, you have to really beat it to get any power.

I'd go for a Prelude SH long before a Celica. There were several recently for sale in the KC area in the $5k price range, both non-rice. You could also find an Acura RSX Type-S in the $8k range, they are also great cars. If you're thinking FWD, that money will also buy you a very nice Saab. The 9-5 Aero, 9-3 SE, and 900SE are all great cars that are quick in stock form and can be modded to be silly fast and handle well.

You want a shopping tip? crazedlist.org, use it with Firefox. You can search multiple Craigslist sites in one shot. Once you set it up it saves your settings, run it every day to look for good deals on your cars of choice.

onewhippedpuppy · 01-03-2009, 04:13 AM

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=249307032&dealer_id=63092997&car_year=1995&rdm=1230988317184&model=C36&num_records=25&systime=&make3=&make2=MB&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&model2=C43&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=MB&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=1&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=33128&advanced=y&end_year=2010&doors=&transmission=&max_price=9000&cardist=2320

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

The last gen Celicas are designed so the rear end goes to toe-OUT under compression. It makes the car feel sporty on the street, but makes it a crappy sports car.

Porsche virgin · 01-03-2009, 05:45 AM

I don't think the Celica GT-S is competitive in SCCA autox. I'm pretty sure the GT is, though. The RSX base model can be quite competitive in H stock. The RSX-S is a popular choice for STS.

My wife and I bought an RSX-S new in '02. We still have it. Great car. Very reliable, very versatile. About as much soul as a toaster, though.

lyon · lyon's Garage

I had a '91 Celica GT in the mid 90's just after college. The car was bulletproof, functional and actually fun to drive. I would recommend this car to anyone who wants dependable transportation on a budget.

VincentVega · 01-03-2009, 08:21 AM

My GF has a 2001 Celica. Nice enough car, but little power and cramped interior. I'm ~6'3 and the front is tight. Back seat is good for groceries. She has an automatic GT, maybe the GTS w/ a manual is more fun to drive, hopefully.

One thing that seems fairly common with the car is catalytic converter failure. I havent found a quality aftermarket unit and Toyota wants ~$1500. Other than that it's been very reliable.

rammstein · 01-03-2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dd74

Anyone like Celicas? No, not when compared to the Acura Integra Type R (mid-90s era). I think it revs to about 7,600 RPM, and can do 0-60 in (as a Euro magazine stated) 5 seconds.

Essentially, your Celica would be be "meat" against a Type R in almost any performance driving circumstance.

The type-rs are in D-Stock. They are awesome. They are all either molested to death or $15-20k.

rammstein · 01-03-2009, 09:34 AM

Wife has now said that Miata is preferrable to an older car, so now I am at a total loss. I mean, Miata is a no-brainer besides the no back seat issue. Its pretty much just an issue of the dog- they are SUPPOSED to open a dog-park only 2 blocks from my house which would end this all, but its a city project and hence could take them years.

rammstein · 01-03-2009, 09:38 AM

That supercharged miata is awfully tempting, but the list of issues like CEL lights scares me away. But man, I bet a forced induction Miata is stupid fun.

onewhippedpuppy · 01-03-2009, 12:56 PM

CEL is common with an FI or heavily modded car. It doesn't take much to trigger the light. If you like the car, pulling the codes is simple enough. I think stupid fun pretty much fits the bill, that has to be a blast.

Heel n Toe · 01-03-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rammstein

Miata is a no-brainer besides the no back seat issue. Its pretty much just an issue of the dog- they are SUPPOSED to open a dog-park only 2 blocks from my house which would end this all, but its a city project and hence could take them years.

Don't let the dog thing keep you from getting the car you want... put a trailer hitch on that thing and get/build some kind of itty bitty doggy trailer.

Heel n Toe · 01-03-2009, 01:21 PM

Isn't there a bit of space behind the seats in the Miata? Definitely looks like there is in that SC Miata.

Sarc · 01-03-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

You don't NEED a stick

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=249307032&dealer_id=63092997&car_year=1995&rdm=1230988317184&model=C36&num_records=25&systime=&make3=&make2=MB&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&model2=C43&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=MB&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=1&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=33128&advanced=y&end_year=2010&doors=&transmission=&max_price=9000&cardist=2320

You really need to top posting these

rammstein · 01-03-2009, 03:52 PM

OK- I am going to try something- going to try and rig up a platform to go in front of a car seat, maybe as simple as a big-ass pillow. Then I am going to see if my dog will tolerate that.

Mazda 3 shows up in H-Stock, so that's worth looking up too.

onewhippedpuppy · 01-03-2009, 05:56 PM

If you're so set on having something to autoX, why not split up the $8k? $4k for your autoX Miata/MR2/whatever and $4k for a DD Protege/Accord/whatever? It's pretty tough to combine the perfect autoX car with the perfect DD.

Give the Mazda3 a serious look if you want a compromise car. The interior is impressive for a compact car, and the hatchback has a ton of room. The 2.3S models are pretty sporty in stock form, they have pretty good steering for a FWD car and good brakes. Plus, Mazda gives deep discounts on parts if you race your car (ask Jim Cesiro). My in-laws have a base model for their teen daughter and it's been flawless, except for killing a deer.

dd74 · 01-03-2009, 09:51 PM

I vote for the S/C Miata. I've seen one at Willow Springs, and it was pretty much one of the faster cars on the track, including in the straights.

Now, if I needed "practicality," I'd look at a Mini Cooper S or a Mazdaspeed 3. Or wait a year or so and pick up a used GTi (latest model) or a Cobalt SS, which is supposed to be a great all around car.

Sorry, I don't know the auto/x rules, and how any of those I mention fit. I'm just saying these are some great cars that will also haul a dog, etc. The Miata, not so much...