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

[Con99vert]

Thanks, I am not worried about the mileage at all. Engine swaps are cheap and easy.

I am going with HID in all three because of all of the driving i do at night. I like to see the deer from a distance, not up close and personal. I also drive to Phoenix, Vegas, Denver, and North Dakota regularly so all the extra lighting I can get is helpful when I am in the middle of nowhere.

I have got the a point in my life where I don't spend the kind of money I used to on mods. $10k on just a paintjob never got a second thought before. Most mods I would do these days would be out of convenience or necessity, rather than just because it's cool to other people.

As far as rims go, I will probably buy a used set from somebody who is upgrading to something else. Same thing with the springs or coilovers. For now I may just powdercoat the stock wheels when I get to Arizona in a couple weeks.

I have already read the S2000 antenna mod and quit honestly it looks ok, but is just some ghetto crap somebody cobbled together. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if it was soldered together rather than superglued.

Yes, the car runs great! I just drove it 400 miles home without stopping and had no problems. It should do just fine going to AZ. My normal roadtrip car is a 95 Sentra so this should be much more reliable.

[richee3]

. . .

I like to see the deer from a distance, not up close and personal.

. . .

I know your pain. I know it all too well.