goodbye celica....? :(, I hope not Options

[96bluevert]

So it looks like I might have to let the Celica go sometime soon. The problem is, that I need to replace the head gasket, that's going to be a good $1k-$1.5k from somewhere reputable it seems.

So I am asking your guys' opinions. Do you think it is worth it to keep the Celica and put more money into fixing it up or maybe time to move on to another car? Keeping in mind that the car IS 13 years old and may have other problems I havn't come across yet.

I realize it'll probably be more of a biased opinion on this forum, but I'm just really confused right now what I should do.

[samir0189]

depends what the car means to you man, If you are willing to put the $ into it, and whatever else it may need, the car will continue to last and treat you good.. things break, it is it's nature, nothing lasts forever.

If you feel it'd be more worth your time and money to move on to a more recent car no one is gonna hate you, 1.5k is alot towards a newer car.

Good luck whichever way you decide to go.

[95CelicaST]

Send the head off to get decked and do it yourself. Go get on pstoc and shoot Rix86 a PM and see how much he'll charge. He's a certified toyota tech. He's super awesome and will let you get in there and help and he'll teach you as you go, or you can just drop it off at his house and pick it up when he's done.


Don't spend $1,000+ Call/PM Rick and let him do it for 3-400.

[96bluevert]

Yeah, I'll probably pm Rix and see if he's willing to help out with this/ how much he'd charge since I've heard he's really knowlegable.


IDK, I love the Celica to death, but have been looking at some newer and more conventional cars recently too.

[95CelicaST]

Well if you don't want to fix it you should sell it to me on the cheap. My girlfriend wants a blurple vert.

[richee3]

I had to vote no.. The Celica is a good car and all, and they look great. The vert just makes it even more fun. But it's a 13 year old car, and things are really gonna start breaking on it before too long if not from wear and tear, then just from age alone. $1500 is a good down payment on a newer car, and there's a lot available. I hate to say it, but I think it might be time to move on. If this happened to my car, I wouldn't hesitate to buy something different. That's just my opinion though.

[96bluevert]

Well if you don't want to fix it you should sell it to me on the cheap. My girlfriend wants a blurple vert.

I'll let you know if I do decide to sell the car. It'd be nice to know it'd still be in good hands if you or another member got it.

I had to vote no.. The Celica is a good car and all, and they look great. The vert just makes it even more fun. But it's a 13 year old car, and things are really gonna start breaking on it before too long if not from wear and tear, then just from age alone. $1500 is a good down payment on a newer car, and there's a lot available. I hate to say it, but I think it might be time to move on. If this happened to my car, I wouldn't hesitate to buy something different. That's just my opinion though.

My thoughts exactly. Excellent cars, but they are gaining age and are more likely to break.

[njccmd2002]

just buy a beams!!!

[96bluevert]

Seriously, I would LOVE a 3sge Red top BEAMS, but the problem with living in the city is the laws that prevent you from doing any type of swap (especially in these cars which never came with the 3sge over here in the states.

And like I said, I'm not sure what else may or may not be wrong with the car.

[njccmd2002]

leave town, why not spend in a rebuilt engine and put it in yourself

[96bluevert]

Sounds easier than it is lol

[Hanyo]

i would just move on...

Simple fact of the matter is, every single piece of your car is 13 years old. You will notice ball joints, bushings, and every other small piece of your car wear out. replacing them all will cost several times the value of your car.

From my perspective of owning the celica for 5+ years. If something major goes out, its time to call it quits.

[njccmd2002]

well here is the deal, the car is old true.

in my case, i love it a lot. I never did any auto work until i got this car and this website, i have learned a lot.

I have learned so much that i am not interested in buying new cars anymore.

I had never changed a clutch, and i did it

I have never swapped an engine, and i will do it. ( yes is difficult, but i want to accomplish something)

Very soon the celi will no longer be dd, but a toy.

I want to keep it no matter what.

But if you are in a position that cannot continue to drop money in it, i would say sell it. but you will regret it...

[SwissFerdi]

I agree with the fact that our cars are getting old...sadly.

I'm not worried about my mileage, but I'm a bit hesitant about age. The fact that it's an auto also makes me hesitant about potentially buying performance parts because well, it's an auto. I could do a 3S-GTE swap, or maybe go 7A-FTE in the future and then do a manual swap at that point, but what if the rest of the car is just too old by then?



If you feel like selling, then maybe I can't blame you...

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Sep 22, 2009 - 12:44 PM

[96bluevert]

Well I'm going to wait on a local toyota owner's/ certified mechanic's opnion on the car whenever I can find a time that works out so he can take a look at it. If it's too bad, I may just give up, but if it's just the head gasket then I will probably just replace that since he said he could do it for a lot cheaper than I was quoted by other places.

The past few days have been hell trying to figure out what exactly I'm going to do. I test drove a 2010 Corolla S yesterday just to see my options and yeah, it's decent, but I still prefer the 13yr old Celica. I'll let you guys know what's going to come of the Bluevert when I've finally decided for sure what I want to do.

Thanks for all your opinions.

[RocketScott]

Matt,

Your more than welcome to come down to Tacoma and we can put in a new head gasket. I've never done it on the celica but have on several other cars/bikes. All you would need to buy is the parts. Worst case senario is we find something else wrong with it while we are in there and it has to sit in my shop for a couple of days.

Oh, and I work for beer.

[96bluevert]

Thanks Scott, I'll keep that in mind. Although I don't know how I'd be able to get it down to Tacoma

[RocketScott]

Oh is it not driveable right now? We could rent a uhaul trailer and pull it down here maybe.

[Bigblock]

If you use it as a trade, wouldn't it have to be fixed?
Could you save some $ if you get another car or would pmnts & insurance limit that?
What I'm getting at is maybe you can get the new car & work on the Celica whenever time & $ allow-that way you keep the Celica AND have a new car. ; ) I know-easier said than done!!
Good luck in you endevour!!

[95CelicaST]

How far north are you? I've got a handful of free tows with AAA, but I'm not sure if there is a mileage limit to it.

This post has been edited by 95CelicaST: Sep 23, 2009 - 1:53 PM