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!!

[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