Looking to buy, got questions Options

[Fastbird]

Hey all, new here, looking for some help. I've decided it's time for a new daily driver car, and my fiancee' and I decided on a Gen6 Celica. Reason being, it's nicely designed, sporty, relatively inexpensive, and gets the gas mileage I need. Now......

I've noticed that there is a front and rear fascia change from 1995 to 1996. Were there any other cosmetic exterior changes other than those??

I'm pretty set on the GT liftback model, but then I noticed that the ST model gets MUCH better gas mileage. Are aftermarket parts (like header, exhaust, intake, ect) as readily available for the 7A-FE as they are for the 5S-FE???? I have every intention of putting a full exhaus system and CAI (NO stranger to performance enhancing mods here). I'm not looking to get silly, just a little more grunt that stock and the enhanced gas mileage from a free flowing exhaust always helps.

I keep seeing a lot of 97 ST models listed as "limited edition." Can anyone shed any light on this?

Maintenance isn't a big thing to me. I know it's a Toyota and that it will run forever. I currently have an 89 Celica ST as a daily driver and it's taken almost EVERYTHING I've thrown at it, so I figure a newer one, I can't go wrong.

What has everyone's personal experiences been, and would you prefer a certain year, and why??

Thanks in advance!!

[94CelicaRedHatch]

7A-FE mods arent all that hard to find. Im sure if you do a search on here you can find quite a bit of things. Easiest and cheapest stuff would be your general CAI exhaust and headers.

[saleeka]

ST's are saddeningly slow cars, be prepared for that if you decide on an ST. The limited edition ST's you see came in 2 years, 96's being 25th anaversary models, with higer spec equippment and fender badges. The 97 was called the limited edition, and its the same thing as far as i know, except the different badges. jewel Green is an exclusive color to these particular models, although they do come in silver, black, and red as well. also, they are the only ST's to come with 6 speaker stereo. The only exterior changes came in 1996 with the slightly modified front end and rear spoiler design, and interior fabrics. Also, 96 models on have MUCH better sound insulation, 94-95's can be quite loud inside at times. The 3 spoke steering wheel was 98-99 only... performace wise, all 6th gens dont get good gains unless you speed $$$, and even then its not that significant. ST's are easier to mod than GT's, but the power difference in a GT to ST stock will easily make it much more worthwile to just get the GT from the get go. I personally prefer the coupes over liftbacks because they have LOTS more rear head room, and are also more unique, IMO... My fav is the GT coupe, but ive never seen a GT coupe past the 95 model year, however, and I question if they really did exist in 1996 for serveal reasons, but thats another story... overall, my car has been indestructable, and I love how I never see others on the road. I dont see how you could go wrong buying a 6th gen if its at a reasonable price

This post has been edited by saleeka: Jun 25, 2005 - 6:29 PM

[Fastbird]

THIS ONE I'm going to be driving 2 1/2 hours to look at tomorrow. If it doesn't work out and I don't end up writing a check on the spot, I'm going to be looking at THIS ONE very soon thereafter.

I honestly would prefer the GT model because I do not plan to really tear into the motor (turbo, swap, cams, ect) and would prefer the higher optioned cars, but the ST would probably suffice. What I REALLY want though is to find a good 96+ car because of the newer front and rear fascia. I just like it better than the earlier, but if the right opportunity presents itself (Like the first one above, that seems to be a VERY good price for the mileage and aparrent condition) I'm not going to be too picky.

Thanks for the info, hopefully we'll be seeing a lot of me around as I'm a car nut! Please keep the info and opinions coming!!

[saleeka]

both seem to be good deals, the second being a little expensive for my taste... I forgot to mention that you need to look for rust as well- check the inner wheel wells carfully for blistering, and the bottoms of doors are prone as well. Open the door and get on the ground and look, because it always starts inside out...

[94CelicaRedHatch]

either one of those cars is a steal as far as im concerned

[Batman722]

here is some information on the difference between GTs and STs and USDM Celica engine specs

I have a 95 ST and I get about 33-34 MPG. I chose an ST because of the mileage.

IMO the 94-95 2 post rear spoiler is better looking than the 96+ 3 post one. The 96+ front bumpers are a direct fit on the 94-95s if you ever get crazy and want to go for the 96+ look (I did)

bottom line is the GTs are faster and STs have better mileage, and from what I have heard, the 96-97 ST are very slow compared to the 94-95 STs. Both are reliable and have the common Toyota problems (i.e. starter after about 10years/100K miles, rust, rust, and did I mention rust ?ect..)

good luck and you won't regret buying a 6th gen

[Batman722]

also, the second ad states that it has fog lights...94-95s didn't come with fog lights from the factory.

[Fastbird]

Thanks again for the info. I'm going to make it a marked point to look for rust on the one I'm looking at tomorrow. I do hope that it's in good shape because from the pics it looks like a very clean car. I don't really want to spend $7K for one because I"ve got a wedding in 5 months and then will be buying another home shortly after that, but if I have got to then I will. Problem is that finding something really well priced here in the NJ area is next to impossible. That's why I"m driving to VA tomorrow to look at the car.

So rust.........check for rust. Anything else?? Think that's a good deal, $5K for 108K miles?

*Edit* Those of you with GT's, what kind of gas mileage are you seeing?

This post has been edited by Fastbird: Jun 25, 2005 - 7:38 PM

[saleeka]

Average about 26mpg now- I drive harder than normal now, however... When I bought it at 99K consistantly 28ish. Mine is a stick as well...

[dustin15brown]

i get bout 30 mpg

[Fastbird]

Rock on. Thanks again!

[mark_426]

I sent you a message...

[Batman722]

not all are bad with rust but...check under both doors and the wheel wells first

[dustin15brown]

yeah it also depends on where u buy the car from.... u know that story... like mine has zero rust.. but then again i'm in indiana

[Fastbird]

I sent you a message...
[right][snapback]304852[/snapback][/right]

Message replied to!

yeah it also depends on where u buy the car from.... u know that story... like mine has zero rust.. but then again i'm in indiana
[right][snapback]304894[/snapback][/right]

Dustin15Brown, is that color on your Celica stock?? That's gorgeous man. I like silver and all, but a dark silver is just killer IMO. I'm actually going to be painting my TA in that color once all the motor work is done.

[macavely]

cars that have spent alot of time in the northeast get alot of rust damage... under my hood and under my doors i have to get her to a bodyshoe asap ... but you can also get really luck like i did and find a fully loaded GT for under 3k .. now she has 222,XXX miles on her and the engine is stilll kicking strong ..

[saleeka]

Dustin15's color from the factory is called Topaz Metallic, available from 94 to mid 1997...

[Fastbird]

Well, I just went through a waste of 6+ hours, 340 miles, and a tank of gas in a 00 Lincoln LS (fiancee's daily driver). We drove down to Fairfax VA to look at that 95 GT. I'm not even sure the car there was the same one in the pics. We got there and I took one look at the car as we pulled in and said nope. There was one small rust bubble in the wheel well on the rear driver side, but that was the least of it. The roof was 100% oxidized and faded, and the bumper was so faded it was white, not even silver. I didn't even give a salesman the chance to come out the front door before we left.

The search continues........

[dustin15brown]

dang man, before you left you should of hit up daniel (playr158) and I'm sure he would've helped you before hand..... Next time, if the drive is a good ways away post to see if someone is local and can help you out. And yes my car is a stock color and I love it... it will be getting repainted soon the same color.
EDIT: Does anyone know the color code # on my car?

This post has been edited by dustin15brown: Jun 26, 2005 - 4:40 PM