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View Full Version : Celica vs. other competing cars


ishido
01-29-2002, 09:01 PM
Warning: this is a rant

There seems to be an endless amount of complaints on the aftermarket for our car, and concerns that other cars are faster or better.

I believe that the Celica was a well-designed car & that it is difficult for many companies to improve on the design... is this that bad? The Celica still competes well against other cars that have modifications (cams, i/e, etc.) 75% of the people that buy our car won't have the appreciation for performance upgrades anyhow. Our car was designed to perform well, stand out from the crowd, and to be reliable.

I was looking at 3 possible cars to buy. An Integra Type R, GSR, and then my bro mentioned the Celica GTS. All of the cars were the MOST RELIABLE or have had a successful reliability history. The Type R was a distant dream, and the GSR-while having a nice aftermarket- did not strike me as sporty as the Celica.

There are several cars out there that I have respect for simply because of their reliability or performance. Others are lacking in some or all areas.

In looking at Consumer Reports, the Neon was one of the absolute worst in reliability-i don't care how fast it is, it doesn't do any good in a shop or dead. The WRX, to my amazment had one of highest reliability ratings... more of a reason for me to want one.

In regards to aftermarket, Hondas have had a long history of modifications. But how many quality aftermarket products are there, and how many people actually get them? I'm talking performance aftermarket, cuz there is an endless supply of fart cans, altezzas, and frickin wiper lights. (sorry I'm performance biased) :shrug:

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think our aftermarket or our car is that lacking. For a 4cylinder 1.8L engine our car puts out some damn good numbers. If you want HP you'll spend more $ on a diff car for import or go for displacement (american cars). I'm damn proud that my lil 4 banger can haul balls and still get 26-29 mpg. One my my dream cars is still a 3rd Gen RX7, but since i'm on a daily driver I need something that handles well in bad weather (FWD) that won't kill me on upkeep.

SlasherX
01-29-2002, 09:14 PM
you're right..you guys got a highly tuned engien fromt eh factory..its hard to do much more to it, enjoy it for what it is...a quick lil fugger ;)

Keyshawn
01-29-2002, 09:27 PM
ishido,
Good points. However, some people simply want the option to increase the performance of their Celica. No harm in that.

ishido
01-30-2002, 03:23 PM
me2, Performance upgrades are always welcome--but I know it may be a while before there's a substantial one or there will be lots of $ involved.

Next objective: 10-12lbs wheels, and coilovers... *sigh* I'm a long way off $-wise

BRAK
01-30-2002, 03:46 PM
good post

ZeroGTS
01-30-2002, 05:45 PM
excellent post.
"wrd to that"

i agree. The car is a wonderful thing for what it is. Its a great daily driver with lots of room and reliability.

My friend just got an eclipse GST...fully upgraded...
i still like my car better even though he has a t3/t4 turbo.

i could never get rid of this car...it has everything i could want.
its plenty fast to get me where i want to go, it holds all my crap and computer stuff...it looks killer

and is comfy and all the girls around here like it too.
hell...what more could you want?
(slasher, if you say a mustang.....j/k :) im just messin wit ya!!!!)

Chiznarles
01-31-2002, 01:38 AM
ishido, wow I totally agree with you. your post makes alot of sense.

yakkosmurf
01-31-2002, 01:43 PM
Originally posted by ishido
The Type R was a distant dream...
Huh???? They weren't that hard to get.

djm221
01-31-2002, 02:07 PM
Originally posted by yakkosmurf

Huh???? They weren't that hard to get.
I think he meant nightmare. j/k

yakkosmurf
01-31-2002, 04:04 PM
Originally posted by ishido
The Type R was a distant dream...
Maybe for some. But for others, it's an everyday reality. Nothing like a Celica owner wishing they had a Type R.

ishido
01-31-2002, 08:23 PM
Originally posted by yakkosmurf

Maybe for some. But for others, it's an everyday reality. Nothing like a Celica owner wishing they had a Type R.

I was lookin at Type Rs before I even looked at the Celica. I was looking at used cars though too. For the price of the Type R I could've gotten an RSX type S. The Type R is badass simply because it's limited production and so many parts are given attention by hand. I like to think of it as a life size Hot Wheels collectible :)

I still love the Celi though :) mucho respect to the Type Rs I've seen around here. They all look stock (not ruined by bad taste in aftermarket stuff)

yakkosmurf
02-01-2002, 09:30 AM
Ruined Type Rs are a sad site. But so are Celicas done up the same way. Say NO to large metal wings.

jlevy
02-01-2002, 05:13 PM
Not to shoot down your dream car, but I've had a 1st and 2nd gen RX-7s (GLS-SE and Turbo 2) and a couple of friends with 3rd gen. Mazda reliability is just not as good as Toyota IMO.

Sure cracked exhaust manifolds, broken power window motors and switches, and other failed $100 to 200 parts can happen to any car with less than 100k miles, but problems such as these rarely happen to my Toyotas and frequently happened to my RX-7s.

- my dos centavos

Auto[BoT]_GTS
02-02-2002, 05:27 PM
my first choice for a car was a type r........and i couldn't get one.....but i got a gts and i am very satisfied with it....just wish my first one didn't crash...i didn't do it.....Cuz im waiting for ecu upgrade for my 02

ishido
02-02-2002, 06:22 PM
Originally posted by jlevy
Not to shoot down your dream car, but I've had a 1st and 2nd gen RX-7s (GLS-SE and Turbo 2) and a couple of friends with 3rd gen. Mazda reliability is just not as good as Toyota IMO.



My first car was a 1st Gen Rx7. Every couple months or so something went wrong w/ it :( I didn't even have power windows so I didn't have to worry about the motor going out :) didn't even have power steering... My bro had a 2nd gen GXL for about year w/ good luck though. But I'd agree the reliability isn't the same on Mazdas (except the Miata).

There's still something sexy about that 3rd Gen body though :)

2K1BLKCELGTS
02-03-2002, 10:08 PM
I have no complaint at all with my Celica. 18K on it, Might want more power but for what really? I don't think its me, but I burnt up a wrx a couple of weeks ago, Ran head to head with an eclipse up to about 130mph. Played tag with a corvette up to about 150mph. (he was a cop too!)
Might not beat em all but I'm in the pack.

My first car was a new '78' X-1/9 FIAT, 80K miles broke an axle on a corner.
In 1996 bought a '92' Celica, no problems at all till it was crushed by a Semi. I put about 60K miles on it. So I bought a 93 Celica GT.
I still have it. 132K, might have to put in a new clutch next summer.
FYI. Nissan is pretty good too, I bought a Pathfinder new in 90, I now have 235K on it. had to put in clutch at about 150K.

I looked a a Honda S2000, but decided I really don't like rag tops, especially after about 5 or 6 years.

Anyway, I love this car.