My wife always wanted a McLaren and when she saw the new 2000 Toyota Celica driving down the street she thought it was one. So when one showed up in Concord I went up and picked it up preowned with 20,000 miles.
The vehicle had one problem since we owned it and it was very minor.
When the warranty finally faded into oblivion and the car didn't blow up we decided to upgrade. She said, "have fun, but make it loud." We were married on August 29th, 2004 and after the honeymoon, this is what she came home to.
A full paint job and a very loud exhaust, ready for shows.
A Veilside body kit went with the crazy paint job. A cold air intake was installed, but removed later because of the massive torque loss. The exhaust is a glass pack exhaust designed from the mid-pipe (including catalytic converter) back to the tip.
It ended its career wearing a set of 18" Arelli Assassyns.
Unfortunately the car won't make power without an incredible investment, which I'm not willing to make on a car like this and as it got retired from the show scene there just wasn't enough initiative to keep it up to speed. So as it capped 100,000 miles of very reliable service it was sold.
The Celica, during its time, became the mascot of our club and business. It was like a camera hound that managed to make its way into every shot and every show. Even with the vehicle's downfalls I was very proud of it and loved driving it, but those downfalls proved to be its undoing and would keep me from buying another one.
But don't let my opinion keep you from looking at this car. By far it has been a very reliable and fun car. If you don't have qualms with 180hp and 130 torque and need reliability then this is probably the car for you.
Driving to auction:
