Possibly letting go...., your opinion Options

[Spider77]

So, while doing a routine oil change I came across an exploded driver side cv halfshaft. Being this would be the 4th one Ive replaced (one due to just cause new parts)...I started to look at the possibility of moving on from my current DD. While estimating trade in vs private sale values ive come to realize (as im sure most of us have) that im only building sentimental value with the car while it depreciated daily.
Dont get me wrong, I love this car....had a good time learning the in and out of it. Like most of you, ive sunk more money in to it than it's worth. I have been looking into something with more doors (cause growing family). Ive been contemplating on selling the stuff like hood/skirts/etc...and either selling the car stock or scraping it. There isnt much action here for celicas something I wanted to get some unbiased opinions in what would you do...given the situation (realistically)?

[1994Celica]

It really depends on what your need and what you want. If you're done with celicas or need a bigger vehicle then sell it. If you love it and want to keep working on it then do that. You just have to ask yourself what you really want/need out of a car. However if you're interested in selling it, I might be interested in it.

[Spider77]

Im at least weighing the options on going back to stock...ie selling all the parts that were not there and using it as dd till I do sell/scrap. Just weighing my options at this point....

[Box]

Well this is a hard one cause if it were me I'd never have an automatic four-cylinder. Purely if it were me I'd find a larger coupe with a manual trans and the kids would just deal with it.

Things probably are different for you. How often are kids riding along? What's your budget? Do you want auto or manual? How important is power? How important is fuel economy? Does it matter if it's FWD, AWD, or RWD? Answers to that will better guide you.

This post has been edited by Box: May 23, 2015 - 5:52 PM

[Spider77]

Being 6"5 the last time I had two kids in the car I was pretty much eating the dash...
And the auto thing never bothered me..it was in list to replace when/if engine swap though. Being that I paid a dollar for the car I can't complain.

This post has been edited by Spider77: May 23, 2015 - 7:05 PM

[1994Celica]

I guess you'll just have to think it over. Make a pro/con list and a list of possible alternatives. Then drive those things and see what you like. If you do decide to sell though please contact me.

[Spider77]

I'll keep you in mind....

[RocketScott]

I've gone back and forth about the same issue. I bought my car when I was driving a lot between my house in Tacoma and my granddad in Vancouver BC. The way I figure it, the gas savings alone have paid for my car. Since the car is paid for I weigh what I could sell it for vs. what I would miss/what's it worth to me. To insure it and title it every year is pretty minimal.

I'm lucky enough to have other vehicles that I drive to work so It's not a DD. For what I could sell it for it's not worth giving up the benefits, and if it sits for a while while I work on it (like it is now) I'm OK with not having it.

[SwissFerdi]

Well this is a hard one cause if it were me I'd never have an automatic four-cylinder. Purely if it were me I'd find a larger coupe with a manual trans and the kids would just deal with it.

The children don't have to deal with the seat, you do, the one lifting them and the seats in and out of the back.

[Box]

Kids don't need seats, babies do. If he has babies then he might want to concede and get something with four doors, if they're kids then they're small and springy enough to be climbing in and out of the back of a coupe.

This post has been edited by Box: May 25, 2015 - 1:03 PM

[Spider77]

Kids don't need seats, babies do. If he has babies then he might want to concede and get something with four doors, if they're kids then they're small and springy enough to be climbing in and out of the back of a coupe.

It's both actually...those baby seats eat up so much room.

[Box]

I'd look into something like the Lexus GS300/400 then. It's still fun to drive, nice looking, and is a safe car for you and your family.

[Jmk91]

The newer Toyota Camry camrys are very nice, hell the Honda accord Sport is amazing. I'd personally Find another car and go from there. I'm short 5 8 and I had a car seat in my car one time and I'll never do it again.. I had zero room. My gf has a Camry. My celica is just for me only. It's not made to be a family car.

[Box]

Tell that to the ash tray in the back, it's clearly designed for four adults to be seated comfortably.

[Jmk91]

An eagle talon 2nd gen also has an ash tray in the back.. Think 4 grown men above 5" 8 could all fit inside it comfortably. Nooo. Many older cars had ash trays.. Now no newer car has an ash tray really.

[Box]

It's the ash tray in the back though, unless they're advocating children smoking they must've thought adults would fit. Though in fairness hypothetically two average adult males would fit in the front and two average adult females would fit in the back.

I think most cars you can still order a smoker's package and then it'll have ash trays, but most people buy what's on the lot and not many people that do smoke would use an ashtray anyway so they've fallen out of favour.

ANYWAY, to keep on topic one of the older Lexus sedans would be nice and comfy and in the same price range as the Celica which is what I'm assuming is what you have to work with. Honestly if I absolutely HAD to get a sedan I'd look into a BMW M5 or the Cadillac CTS-V since you can get them with a manual and they're still competent performers.

[Spider77]

It's not like the money from the sale of the celica would be my working price point. I just cant have three cars laying around at this point (if that were the case we wouldnt be having this conversation)...do I plan on having a project car...yes but not at this point...that will be in about 5-6 years from now when my oldest kid can wrench in it and drive it afterwards (btw she wants a first gen Z).
Price point is 6-7k, decent mileage, 4 doors....and fun to drive. And it must have like 14 ashtrays...Something not so boring and to where I wont have to drop a boat of cash to make it run fine.

[Box]

Late model GS300/400 would be my top contender then since the automatic isn't a big issue. On the plus side it does have a sport-shift mode, so that adds to the fun. Some of the younger people are into them along with the LS400, so they're not a straight up old man's car if that matters any.

[Box]

Oh yeah, I forgot the GS430 was part of that generation so that'd be another one obviously.

[1994Celica]

Mazda 3 would be a good choice. They come in hatch or sedan form. They're pretty peppy,and are fun to drive an practical. First gen Subaru Impreza is also pretty good if you want AWD. You maybe able to get a civic Si in that range but I'm not sure.