95 convert or 94 gt hatch?, For daily driving. Options

[obi1kinob]

The lower the year, the cheaper the car. But the question is convert or not. I would like to ask your guys opinions on the pros and cons of each. All I can think of is price and insurance for cons. Also engine but I posted that on the engine board. Please help, this is really important to me and its the first step I need to decide.

[orvillescelica]

Ive been very very happy with my vert. I cant imagine not being able to pop open the top on a nice day when im cruising around or to load big stuff in the car or help pack my car to the rim when needed.

The engine and mecahnics are basically the same in both, so you will get basically the same kind of performance. But if you are into modding the car for looks (ie body kits) or plan on autocrossing or racing, you might be better off with a hatch.

[obi1kinob]

"If you group all the things you can do and rate them (exterior, interior, engine, audio) and rate 1 to 5 how much you want but you only get 12 points. Would you max out engine for speed, and lower the rest, or exterior for looks?

Exterior: ***
Interior: ***
Engine: ***
Audio: ***

Thats the best way I can explain what I want. 3 to all, an all around car. Not too great but not a pain in the ass either."

copied that from my post on engine board. Thats basically what I want except with a celica. but which celica is the hard part.

I'm not going to race, but more important, whats the problem with converts and body kits?

[orvillescelica]

as i know it, there is nothing wrong with kits front bumper part, but since the verts share the same body as the coupes, the side skirts and rear bumpers are different lengths. And since most kits for our car are made to fit the hatches, it will take extra modification to get them to fit a vert.

[YellowTwo]

As for audio, if you can find one, there are some Celicas that came with 8 speakers stock, which is really nice. That's what mine came with

I would say a Celica is an all around car to start out with...

[obi1kinob]

Audio is going to be final if at all. And this news about the body kit is disturbing Will the veilside kit fit on the vert?

[stelica85]

i'd go eith the hatch it all around better looking and you won't have to worry about fittment of body accesories

[subsolo_21]

Personally i love the look of the gt hatch, but converts are more rare. If I were you I'd look at the car's condition and price and the insurance cost. Just make sure your not going to wish you had the other instead once you get one. Both are great cars. Its mostly a matter of what you want. I usually dont like the way convertables look with the top up, but when its nice outside sometimes i wish mine was a convert. Good luck with your decision.

[Chrobis]

Converts are not more Rare in California, and if you plan on doing an engine swap the hatch is the best way to go, some people have brough up possible issues with Vert's chassis not being able to handle the extra power.

And on a vert there is just more stuff to end up breaking (more motors and stuff, like rear quarter windows, and the top)

[celicarocker]

the front bumper will fit, and im pretty sure the sideskirts will fit... just about any rear bumper WONT fit a vert/coupe because they're different than a hatch, and most kits are made for a hatch... i have seen veilside/invader coupe rear bumpers for sale (www.cyberbestbuy.com), but have no idea how they'd fit...

[obi1kinob]

Great information thanks guys. I also kind of dont think I want to deal with problems the vert has. Its probably extremely easy to steal. Higher insurance, higher cost just for the car, weak chassis. Problems just everywhere. But I live in California and boy would I love to put that top down on a sunny day.

Actually I don't like the sun, make that a moony night. Cool breeze in the air. Neons lit and engines revving. A girl watching in the midst. Like some sort of mating ritual; a competition between the males. But you put your top down and the girl jumps in, wet panties and all. Is this worth the trouble?

I guess you hardcore celica fans must think I'm lame cause one of the main reasons I want this car is for the chicks.

(imagine if soundslut had a switch to open the passenger door from the driver side. Now that would be some hot ****.)

[celicarocker]

id say go for the vert...

[Chrobis]

A hatch is the way to go if you want ease for upgrading. And Hatches look really good, especially with dark tinted windows at night

[obi1kinob]

I was talking to a few friends, getting as much advice on this as I could........

They think the celica is girly. Its too curvy and even the name is girly. I wanted to kick their balls in. I think its an awesome looking car.

Why would I want a car that looks like a man anyway :/ Anyone else get this kind of crap from friends? I'm sure they'll be begging for rides when I'm all done.


Anyway, I've decided to stick with my dream car. No sense in settling. 95 convert, and I'm going to slap on the 3sge. No turbo because I want this thing to last. Boy its easy to say all this. *sigh*


edit: What should I expect to pay for 95 convert? Kbb says $9165 for a 100kmiles 95 convert. Ouch.. Private Party, good condition: $6770

This post has been edited by obi1kinob: Mar 6, 2004 - 9:48 PM

[orvillescelica]

Good choice!! Verts are great! I think you got a bad idea about verts since all we did was list the downsides. But you will never notice the weaker chasis unless you are on the track regularly or have mad power under the hood. ive had my vert for 7 years problem free and still loving the car.

Trust me, you ask if its worth the trouble... i say, What trouble?

[boosted_K2]

statistically middle aged women are the large market for the 6gc. but how can the mini supra be girly??

and the 3sgte motor is just as reliable as the 3sge. it just depends on your driving style and how you maintain the car. the 3sgte takes a bit more maintanence, but nothing too tasking

[hioctane]

Get the convertilble if you plan to cruise and show off. Get the hatchback if you plan on doing an engine swap; however, I would sure like to see a convertible 3sgte.

[Akimbo]

3SGTE vert may not be possible. the frame might now be able to handle the engine's power.

[obi1kinob]

I'm going with 3sge not 3sgte. I know that it wont handle the power. Actually I dont know because no one was able to answer my question. I guess I'm going to have to find out the expensive way. Really expensive for someone like me. I dont want turbo because I dont want it to blow up in a few years. Which I've heard happens.

To handle the power of the 3sge (weak compared to 3sgte but oh well) I'm going to strengthen the chassis prior to the swap. I checked toysport.com:

"JDM CONVERSION PACKAGES
3SGE ST200 CELICA SW 21 94-98 3RD GEN, Full Harness ECU $ 1,950.00 "

Not bad I guess? This is the front clip of the engine I want right? I guess this post should kind of be in engine board. This is what they say though:

"CONVERSION PACKAGE- this will come as a front cut (or rear cut for MR2). The engine and all components are still in the original engine compartment (chassis) what you get are all the mechanical parts to do the conversion: engine with all engine accessories; all engine related harness, ecu, relays, and sensors; transmission. Sometimes axles and struts, radiators and condensers are included, depending on the parts we receive. Prices are quoted depending on what is included. Sheetmetal is never included, but sometime are left on the clip."

I'll need the 3sge tranny right? Now that I think about it, I have never read anything on whats necessary for this swap. Anyone got some info? I got a better question, is there a chatroom or something where people who know about this go to?

[SleeperCelica]

why is the verts chassis weaker? id figure it have to be stronger because its a vert.... sorry this might sound really dumb lol