My brother was interested in a nice daily driver. After at least a month of switching his mind back and forth, He brought up an SVT Focus. He likes to autocross as well, but IMO, he really doesn't need another autocross car. He has his Trans-Am he wants to keep, but its too expensive for daily driving.
I don't know how or why he considered an SVT Focus for $12k. I suggested an Acura TL instead, but he said there were too many miles on them. Then he wanted to be picky and say something newer than 2000, with not alot of miles. So I looked up 2000-2002 Celica, they seem to be within the price range, and IMO a better/nicer car than a Focus.
Meanwhile, after reading stuff, he decided to stay away from the Celica, and now I realize, well, they aren't too far off my price range, as I've been looking at another car for a while. I have always been fond of big muscle Camaros/Trans Am's for a while, but my current car (A 97 Saturn SC2) is very light, small and nimble. I really like that. It weighs a little over 2300lbs, and has a pretty good suspension, but really lacks in power. The Celica GT weighs a little over 2400, and the Celica GT-S weighs 2500lbs. So, its not too far off my cars weight, and the Celica should handle better. The Celica GT has 140hp, and the Celica GT-S has 180hp. IMO, the Celica GT-S looks better (nicer wheels).
What do you guys think of them? I'm not too fond of the steering wheel, it looks like something from the early 90's, but the rest of the car is nice. I don't like the new 2003/2004 front ends, so I am fond of sticking to the 2000-2002s (plus, they are cheaper). I like to go autocrossing as well, but theres a good chance I'd trade my current car in (or sell it) to help with the down payment, so it must be a pretty decent daily driver.
The main problems I've heard about the car is, with the GT-S, it has a sloppy 6th speed, and you will often find yourself choosing the wrong gear when trying to shift. Also read that torque only really kicks in at 5000+ rpms, and thats the time you must shift again anyway, back into the no torque zone. Though, I'm not sure if thats a problem for me. My Saturn (automatic) peaks out 120lbs of torque, and I'm often launching much faster and keeping in first longer (probally up to 4k rpm)than most anyway.
I cannot find any reviews on the regular GT, but I'd probally take the GT-S anyway if I had the choice, and there isn't much of a price difference between the models.
Celica GT-S Review from Edmunds
EDIT: My budget shouldn't be over 12k. I know this is a chick car. I would definatly take an RSX over a Celica, but I can't find any in my price range.
EDIT2: Edmunds says the car doesn't even have keyless entry... thats gotta be a lie. My Saturn has Keyless entry. My brother's 93 Trans-Am has keyless entry. Someone confirm this for me?
I don't know how or why he considered an SVT Focus for $12k. I suggested an Acura TL instead, but he said there were too many miles on them. Then he wanted to be picky and say something newer than 2000, with not alot of miles. So I looked up 2000-2002 Celica, they seem to be within the price range, and IMO a better/nicer car than a Focus.
Meanwhile, after reading stuff, he decided to stay away from the Celica, and now I realize, well, they aren't too far off my price range, as I've been looking at another car for a while. I have always been fond of big muscle Camaros/Trans Am's for a while, but my current car (A 97 Saturn SC2) is very light, small and nimble. I really like that. It weighs a little over 2300lbs, and has a pretty good suspension, but really lacks in power. The Celica GT weighs a little over 2400, and the Celica GT-S weighs 2500lbs. So, its not too far off my cars weight, and the Celica should handle better. The Celica GT has 140hp, and the Celica GT-S has 180hp. IMO, the Celica GT-S looks better (nicer wheels).
What do you guys think of them? I'm not too fond of the steering wheel, it looks like something from the early 90's, but the rest of the car is nice. I don't like the new 2003/2004 front ends, so I am fond of sticking to the 2000-2002s (plus, they are cheaper). I like to go autocrossing as well, but theres a good chance I'd trade my current car in (or sell it) to help with the down payment, so it must be a pretty decent daily driver.
The main problems I've heard about the car is, with the GT-S, it has a sloppy 6th speed, and you will often find yourself choosing the wrong gear when trying to shift. Also read that torque only really kicks in at 5000+ rpms, and thats the time you must shift again anyway, back into the no torque zone. Though, I'm not sure if thats a problem for me. My Saturn (automatic) peaks out 120lbs of torque, and I'm often launching much faster and keeping in first longer (probally up to 4k rpm)than most anyway.
I cannot find any reviews on the regular GT, but I'd probally take the GT-S anyway if I had the choice, and there isn't much of a price difference between the models.
Celica GT-S Review from Edmunds
EDIT: My budget shouldn't be over 12k. I know this is a chick car. I would definatly take an RSX over a Celica, but I can't find any in my price range.
EDIT2: Edmunds says the car doesn't even have keyless entry... thats gotta be a lie. My Saturn has Keyless entry. My brother's 93 Trans-Am has keyless entry. Someone confirm this for me?