Soarer Central: Toyota Celica Convertible- what's your thoughts?

Soarer Central General Soarer Chat Toyota Celica Convertible- what's your thoughts?

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Trevor Marsh
TryHard
queensland
soarer tt

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Reg: 05-2012

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Wednesday, February 05, 2014 - 03:00 pm, by: Trevor Marsh (Tma7)

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A bit off topic but having owned my beloved TT for 13 years, it's the best car (out of a lot I've had) I've owned. However my only regret is that it's not a convertible. I've looked at photos of Soarers that have been converted and they look fantastic but as far as I know, they've never gotten past all the strict mechanical checks to get 'em on the road legally. So for a while I've been toying with the idea of getting a convertible to go alongside my TT. I've drooled over a fair few drop heads but one by one I've discounted things like SAAB's, absolutely horrible (in my opinion) Capri's, Holden Astra's (problems with the roof clips) and others. I have now found my way to the Toyota Celica's (around 1995 year). I'm wondering if any of you in Soarer land have owned, driven or otherwise had any experience of the convertible Celica's?

If so, good or bad, I'd appreciate your thoughts.

And my unreserved apologies for going way off topic but as people with discerning tastes who have already proved they're smart, (for owning a Soarer) who better to ask?

Ali Saeed
Goo Roo
WA
RSP JZZ30

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Wednesday, February 05, 2014 - 11:32 pm, by: Ali Saeed (Ali)

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James Buchan
Goo Roo
Vic
vvt-i turbo

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Thursday, February 06, 2014 - 03:21 pm, by: James Buchan (Jrbuch)

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I'd probably lean towards an MX5 - Miata too. Rwd, and plenty out there so lots of spares. Don't see many celica convertibles, so should you have a problem with the roof mechanism etc, I'm not sure how you'd go finding spares.

Shane Haverkamp
Goo Roo
nsw
soarer TT

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Thursday, February 06, 2014 - 04:15 pm, by: Shane Haverkamp (Havabeer)

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if i remember correctly the convertible celica's where average. only ever came as manual and had a mad issue with rust building up some where.

i may how ever be thinking of the 80's st162 celica's

either way, i'd go the mx5 as well, you'll how a •••• load more fun in the RWD low thing compared to the 2.2ltr dud of the celica. it does how ever take the 3s-gte engine which is the turbo'd version which would be an awesome/easy conversion to do

Trevor Marsh
TryHard
queensland
soarer tt

Posts: 112
Reg: 05-2012

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Thursday, February 06, 2014 - 04:52 pm, by: Trevor Marsh (Tma7)

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Thanks guys. I've heard nothing but good about the MX5 and it's in my price range. Trouble is, I just don't get fired up about the look of it. I'm not saying it's unattractive but it just reminds me of the Triumph Spitfire I had when I was in my twenties and is almost 'too pretty'. The reasons I'm interested in the convertible Celica is that I like the look of it.

I have been keeping my eye on a black one (1995) near Brisbane but I've been put off by the salesman who was a bit too pushy. It did look the business though, and reminded me of how a Soarer would look without it's roof.

I'll have a long think on it. I do, however, take in the advice about there being few spares if the roof or something went South.

Thanks again.

Ali Saeed
Goo Roo
WA
RSP JZZ30

Posts: 4633
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Friday, February 07, 2014 - 01:26 am, by: Ali Saeed (Ali)

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Porsche Boxster?

Liviu Velisarie
Tinkerer
Romania
JZZ30 GT-TL

Posts: 30
Reg: 05-2012

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Friday, February 07, 2014 - 01:54 am, by: Liviu Velisarie (Greenroadster)

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I drove a Miata some years ago. Awesome experience! Really cool to be that low and that planted on the street. And to clean your tail light while driving!

:-)

Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31

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Friday, February 07, 2014 - 07:32 am, by: Matthew Sharpe (Madmatt)

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IMO, if you are over 35, or just not much to look at (and yes, that includes me) don't get a convertible - get a car with a good sunroof. Convertibles are for young people - and older people, particularly older guys just look sad and mid-life crisisy driving them.

Of course if you don't give a jot what other people think and just want to enjoy the wind in your hair, get a Honda S2000 - they are ••••••• awesome!

Dave Rose
Goo Roo
wa
UZZ31 / ML320 CDI

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Friday, February 07, 2014 - 10:49 am, by: Dave Rose (Sand_groper)

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Have you ever wondered why there are not many convertibles in AU ? even driving round with the sun roof open in 35 deg burns your head and shoulders.Sunscreen a hat and long sleeved top just to go for a drive is to hard , guy close to were i live bought a SC430 had the roof down for the first week ,now roof always up.

Ian Rigby
TryHard
NSW
'97 AE102, '95 JZZ30

Posts: 194
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Friday, February 07, 2014 - 11:57 am, by: Ian Rigby (Hiro)

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Shane Haverkamp wrote on Thursday, February 06, 2014 - 04:15 pm:
if i remember correctly the convertible celica's where average. only ever came as manual and had a mad issue with rust building up some where.

i may how ever be thinking of the 80's st162 celica's

either way, i'd go the mx5 as well, you'll how a •••• load more fun in the RWD low thing compared to the 2.2ltr dud of the celica. it does how ever take the 3s-gte engine which is the turbo'd version which would be an awesome/easy conversion to do

ST162s get chronic rust around and in the sunroofs

And the ST202C convertibles imported here have the 3SGE (either GenIII or redtop BEAMS) rather than the 5SFE, probably because the 5S-powered versions wouldn't have met the SEVS import criteria. Most of the ones I have seen have been auto but manual was an option.

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