Just bought a 1999 Convertible Options

[Con99vert]

I am a new member here, so i wanted to make an introduction thread and tell you a little about myself and my newest Celica. I am 32 years old and live in Rapid City, South Dakota. I just hitchhiked 400miles and picked up a 1999 GT convertible. I bought a 99 GT brand new in 98 on the same day I bought the engagement ring for my ex wife. I shoulda get the car and got rid of the woman, but it's all good because I finally got another one and this one has alot more headroom. The car is in amazing condition for a 10yr old car in South Dakota, especially considering it has 224K+ miles.

I drove it home last night and made it 390 miles before the gas light even came on. The car drove and rode great. It is not as fast as my Solstice GXP was, but that's not what I bought this car for either. I did have one hiccup when I got off the highway, it stalled when I stopped at the end of the exit ramp. It fired right up and didn't have any problems at all today. Maybe somebody could give me some hints to what that might be.

The car will be more of a daily driver, road trip vehicle, and may have some spirited driving through the hills. So i am not planning on any engine upgrades at the moment. I like reliable vehicles. I will however be tinting the windows, suspension upgrade, and get some 17's underneath it.

I need upgrade the speakers even though i love the way it sounds. At low volumes you can hear some crackling from deteriorating surounds. I don't remember my old one having this much bass either.

The windshield has one small rock chip. The interior is perfect except for the drivers door panel fabric came loose at some time and somebody did a ****ty job glueing it back on. The Top is in Perfect condition with ZERO rips, tears, holes, burns, or even fading and the motor works great. The drivers sunvisor has a punture from the top lock mechanism, and the driverside window makes a rubbing noise with it gets almost all the way up. The paint still has a nice shine, it has a few small rock chips on the hood. The front passenger fender has a tiny rub mark that should buff out, and the passenger rear quarter has 3 small door dings that are only visible in certain light and at certain angles. The trunk release works, but it doesnt actually open unless you lift it up while popping the trunk. Last but I am sure not least, the power antenna goes up but not all the way back down. I think all in all these are very minor problems and most of them are easy and cheaply fixed.

I will eventually do some searching and get to fixing those minor things, so if you know of anything I can do to fix any of it just let me know.

Here are some things I will be looking for as well...

HID hi and low beams, possibly even fogs
Lowering kit
17" wheels and tires
Leather seats(I would like to get Katzkin to make me some suede ones)
Stubby antenna

















This post has been edited by Con99vert: Aug 27, 2009 - 1:07 AM

[GriffGirl]

Welcome! Your car looks great - like a very clean foundation. Being a Toyota, the mileage isn't really as scary as it would be if it were, say... oh I don't know, anything else.

My '94 has its original, now greenish brown, 251k miles radiator. Nary a crack to be found. Granted I don't want to wait for it to crack, but on the other hand, why fix what ain't broke? However, having the harsh winters you have there, and pretty hot summers if I recall correctly, I think in your case I'd start shopping around for a radiator once you've got all the tune-up type of things taken care of. Depends on your cash flow at the moment of course... and of course, you're still gonna need gas money for that road trip you're heading out on. Just don't forget to get AAA to be safe. Search KOYO for a high quality aftermarket radiator. Nice upgrade, not too much $$ compared to stock OEM replacement as far as I know.

As for HIDs on the high beams and/or fogs, I'd definitely forgo them on the fogs unless you run them a lot, and on the highs, assuming you live in a fairly remote town and drive a lot at night, I'd get 'em if I lived in SD. If you actually do live in Rapid City, then there's street lights, and I wouldn't worry so much about getting them on your high beams. Silver Stars should be more than adequate when combined with HIDs on your low beams.

You say NOW that you're just looking at minor mods... you just wait. I think most of us started at that point

Here's some quick tips/sources:

HID hi and low beams, possibly even fogs

I can hook you up with those, I sell them on the site. They're great quality but not the cheapest you can get 'em for. Just the least I can offer them for.

Lowering kit

Eibach Sportlines; you can find them on eBay, or any respectable performance shop on line. Expect to pay about $200 for all 4 springs, plus about $160 for shocks/struts - you'll want to consider KYB GR2s or Billsteins for good quality "budget" shocks. If $ is no object, then search the site for "coilovers". Expect to pay about $1500 for them.

17" wheels and tires

http://www.tirerack.com is a GREAT source. Most local places (America's Tire/Discount Tire) will price-match them, too. Saves on shipping. LOTS of tire opinions on this site, just search the site... General consensus is 225/45r17 is the best spec for 17" (I agree!)

Leather seats(I would like to get Katzkin to make me some suede ones)

looks like you're on that already!

Stubby antenna

Search the site for S2000 antenna mod

[tomazws]

Lowering kit

Eibach Sportlines; you can find them on eBay, or any respectable performance shop on line. Expect to pay about $200 for all 4 springs, plus about $160 for shocks/struts - you'll want to consider KYB GR2s or Billsteins for good quality "budget" shocks. If $ is no object, then search the site for "coilovers". Expect to pay about $1500 for them.

Teins are a bit cheaper than Eibach, and it works well for me with KYB shocks.