Decisions... Celica replacement?

[hotmetal]

Update to bump an old thread.

My 02 Celica is still running... 325000kms, forever burning oil and making the occasional unpleasant noise, but a reliable DD it remains....

My wife and I test drove a black BRZ Premium (the base package in Canada), with the automatic. I have to say I love the car, and the Subaru interior is a tad nicer...

No complaints about the automatic gearbox, it would make for a fun daily driver that could handle stop/go traffic.

Also test drove a 2012 WRX after the BRZ, and getting into that car with more power, more room and in my opinion was just as much fun to drive, it makes me seriously think the BRZ just isn't going to work for my family and lifestyle. I use the hatch on the Celica everyday, and the BRZ/FR-S just doesn't have the storage i need...

But a WRX 5-dr does... and what a fun car. So I'm saving extra $ for that, since it's not as afforable as an FR-S or BRZ.

My conclusion is the BRZ would be in my driveway if we could justify a 3rd car that didn't need to haul people or things, that I could use sparingly.

For those that have a BRZ/FR-S - enjoy your cars, they really are amazing rides... anyone that has or had a WRX please weigh-in on your experiences with that car... input is welcome.

[serith]

Originally Posted by hotmetal

But a WRX 5-dr does... and what a fun car. So I'm saving extra $ for that, since it's not as afforable as an FR-S or BRZ.

A limited BRZ is ~$28k. It's within ~$2k of a 5door WRX out the door (probably closer than that).

[norm24]

Originally Posted by serith

A limited BRZ is ~$28k. It's within ~$2k of a 5door WRX out the door (probably closer than that).

Not in Canada though...

[naticedog04]

IMHO the celica is not on par with the FRS... Sorry to burst the bubble; i understand attachment issues and all that, but a statement saying a celica gts is on par with an FRS is biased... The issue about brand and interior is completly oblivious to the reason people are buying the FRS...
Bottom line, if u drive ur car and smile, its a driver's car... The FRS was set out to bring a smile while driving and not hurt the pocket too much... Complaining about the interior is insignificant... I wish all toyota celicas long life and fun for many years to come...

[raul]

Either of your choices sounds like it could work. Can you fit some of the hockey/work equipment in the back seat alongside the trunk? Also, when it comes to kids, I think you'll be fine. Say you have kids in about a year and keep both cars for about 12 years, your kids wouldn't be older than 10-13 and would fit in the back seat of the FR-S without a problem.

The only problem I potentially see is the fact that you're 6'4. In order for the FR-S backseat to be usable, the driver has to be under 6' so they can move their sea up a bit without their legs pressing up on the bottom of the steering wheel, leaving room for a passenger behind them. So the car, in your application is a 3 seater, not a 4 seater.

[jadewbj]

Originally Posted by Saber_TRD

Sadly I cannot go the BRZ route and not just because of my brand stubbornness (loyalty), but because of the local Subaru dealer. The only one within a 2 hour driving radius has been charged for rolling back odos, over charging for government mandated insurance, sabotage or fraud related acts during repairs, seriously it's a long scary list and I have no idea how they are still in business. They're due in court yet again. I don't even have to step into my brand dilemma.



As I stated above, BRZ is a no go for me.

I hope so on your guess for the 2014 FR-S and that's basically what I'm waiting for, more of the big ticket items to be included then I can 3rd party convert the rest, since my dealership is telling me the can't get any of the JDM/EUDM parts I asked for. If that doesn't change or not enough changes, I may be looking at ending my long standing hold with Toyota, I really don't want to though. After seven years of waiting for a Toyota sports car, being promised one by the President and CEO only to have them not follow through in North America, then dealerships telling me they can't get JDM/EUDM parts when I've done it before with my Celica.... they just keep digging the hole and putting the nails in the coffin, with people like me screaming and kicking inside.

I've seen the car in person too, it only strengthened my position on not getting the car. By "Much better than any other toyota," I hope you mean currently available, as like we've stated, our Celica GT-S' are on par/better than the FR-S as it is now.

Gotta disagree with you about the Celica being on par with or better than the FRS. I went back and read the reviews of the car, it is by no means a track star. It was capable for a FWD, but not a star. With mid to high 15 second quarter mile times and slower mph in the slalom it really does not match up.

It was good for a FWD car but would have to be equipped with much of the TRD catalog to even keep up with the FRS on a track. That would have added a ton of money to the price of the car making it considerably more that the FRS.

The one car and driver tested was 28,552 after it was done up with trd gear.

If they released the car with all the GT-86 stuff on it it would have been at least 3k-4k more and not been any better of a driving car.

[Bonburner]

Don't kill me, I have no idea what the drive is like on these:

Have you tried the CR-Z? ":X

I really love the fr-s because its surprisingly efficient with fuel ... I walk/skate by a CR-Z quite often and noticed a decent trunk size ... other than the looks of it I have no idea how it drives ...

I'd still try for an FR-S but it'd be tough putting up with it - I'd still do it.

[mike2100]

Originally Posted by hotmetal

Update to bump an old thread.

My 02 Celica is still running... 325000kms, forever burning oil and making the occasional unpleasant noise, but a reliable DD it remains....

My wife and I test drove a black BRZ Premium (the base package in Canada), with the automatic. I have to say I love the car, and the Subaru interior is a tad nicer...

No complaints about the automatic gearbox, it would make for a fun daily driver that could handle stop/go traffic.

Also test drove a 2012 WRX after the BRZ, and getting into that car with more power, more room and in my opinion was just as much fun to drive, it makes me seriously think the BRZ just isn't going to work for my family and lifestyle. I use the hatch on the Celica everyday, and the BRZ/FR-S just doesn't have the storage i need...

But a WRX 5-dr does... and what a fun car. So I'm saving extra $ for that, since it's not as afforable as an FR-S or BRZ.

My conclusion is the BRZ would be in my driveway if we could justify a 3rd car that didn't need to haul people or things, that I could use sparingly.

For those that have a BRZ/FR-S - enjoy your cars, they really are amazing rides... anyone that has or had a WRX please weigh-in on your experiences with that car... input is welcome.

I had not seen this thread until today. When I started at the very first post I was thinking "WRX for you and a '12 Impreza or '13 Crosstrek for the lady."

My wife loves her '12 Impreza, and I really like it too. Very comfortable, practical, hugs the road, well appointed, very roomy, and good interior quality. I couldn't ask for a better car at this price point.
The Crosstrek is nearly identical to the Impreza, but with added ground clearance, and stronger brakes and more cooling for towing purposes.

I have to say, if I was that far north there would be no question. I would get the WRX. I live where there is hardly any snow and I would still have gotten the WRX for practical reasons, if not for a handful of reasons. 1) I have a goal of working my way up through HPDE and getting a racing license. I want to do that on a car like the 86 because I feel like I will learn more. 2) I've been following the 86 from the beginning and have been and continue to be caught up in the hype!

If you can, I would wait to see for sure what the next WRX will be. In the mean time, upgrade your better half's ride to a Crosstrek

[MVJ1975]

Originally Posted by Bonburner

Don't kill me, I have no idea what the drive is like on these:

Have you tried the CR-Z? ":X

I really love the fr-s because its surprisingly efficient with fuel ... I walk/skate by a CR-Z quite often and noticed a decent trunk size ... other than the looks of it I have no idea how it drives ...

I'd still try for an FR-S but it'd be tough putting up with it - I'd still do it.

The CR-Z is a classic case of a car that looks good. See also Veloster.

Thanks to a mindbogglingly stupid decision the poor car is saddled with a useless hybrid lump of a drivetrain that isn't fast or even remotely sporty, and doesn't even get particularly good gas mileage either.

Worse, the USDM CR-Z has no backseats. The EDM and JDM models have them, but not in the US. At least the FR-S still has "occasional use" rear seats.

[Re~Mix]

Originally Posted by hotmetal

The hatch allows me to fit hockey equipment and gear related to my work that won't fit in the FR-S.

If this hasn't been addressed yet, I can fit all my hockey gear and then some in the car. Granted seats are folded down

[Saber_TRD]

Originally Posted by jadewbj

Gotta disagree with you about the Celica being on par with or better than the FRS. I went back and read the reviews of the car, it is by no means a track star. It was capable for a FWD, but not a star. With mid to high 15 second quarter mile times and slower mph in the slalom it really does not match up.

It was good for a FWD car but would have to be equipped with much of the TRD catalog to even keep up with the FRS on a track. That would have added a ton of money to the price of the car making it considerably more that the FRS.

The one car and driver tested was 28,552 after it was done up with trd gear.

If they released the car with all the GT-86 stuff on it it would have been at least 3k-4k more and not been any better of a driving car.

You can go ahead and base it off of reviews if you like, but I own a 2003 Celica GT-S TRD Edition. Mine came out to ~38k CAD when all was said and done. The FR-S is ~27k CAD last I checked, at the same dealer my Celica came from.

My comparison was an all around of both vehicles and I believe I gave handling to the 86/FR-S. You seem to only be focusing on one thing. Not to mention other Celica owners in this thread have agreed with me. I put more weight in owners of the vehicles in question than internet reviewers/magazines. Especially when they don't directly compare the two.

[Turbowned]

Originally Posted by hotmetal

Hard to believe but we will likely replace the G6 with 140k on it before the Celica with over double the mileage.

That's not hard to believe.

I agree with the Subaru XV Crosstrek recommendation for the wife. Our rep brought a pre-production model to our dealer today and I have to say: it's brilliant! Great ride height for all-purpose versatility, plenty roomy enough, and extremely fuel-efficient for a not-bad price! Get one in orange

[ChrisOkc8]

Yup, reminds me of my Gts. That car was awesome.

[hotmetal]

Update to bump and old thread...

Traded in the Celica at 350,000 kms... oil burning was increasing to alarming rates.

New ride is a 2013 Camry SE 4-cyl (also black)...

Reality set in and after strong consideration for a WRX or BRZ/FR-S... it's the right car for me right now.

Lots of room, good/great mileage (I commute 100-150 kms round trip per day)...

My wife's G6 is up to 175,000 kms with minimal service issues, although its showing some warts and may blow up soon as well. If and when that happens, she probably gets the Camry, and I get to shop all over again.

I like the WRX concept that Subaru showed recently... maybe in a year or 2 that'll be the car I go for... Love the current WRX but it's too costly to run/insure vs. the Camry.