The Selling Points of the Toyota Celica

Ask any old-school automotive hobbyist what sporty cars he would prefer to drive on any given day and the Toyota Celica would surely be mentioned at least once, and be on the top three choices at that. The Celica refers to a series of sporty coupes manufactured by Toyota. Celica is derived from the Latin word coelica which is translated to mean "celestial" or "heavenly". In a sense, that's what the Celica is—because when you're driving one, you'll feel like you're in automotive heaven.

Like most car models, the Celica has gone through numerous modifications in its life but it remains Toyota's entry-level sport coupe that has gained many loyal fans and admirers. It was in 1971 when the model arrived on U.S. shores. The Celica was very popular in the United States because of its four-cylinder engine, sleek looks, and relative affordability—the rear-wheel drive coupe endeared itself among the throng of young Americans who desired a sporty car without the price tag of a Porsche. The first three generations were powered by R series engines, and had rear-wheel drive. The fourth-generation release of the model adapted front-wheel drive; later models were also released in convertible and hatchback body styles in addition to the traditional coupe.

The introduction of different body styles attracted different sets of customers but didn't do much good for the already-established market of automotive enthusiasts, who protested that these variants were not sporty at all—just flashy. It's a good thing Toyota heeded these complaints, because they worked to develop a faster vehicle. The success of this Toyota Celica variant was short-lived because hobbyists found fault with the stiff tuning. Toyota, probably thinking no further improvements can be done to the model, decided to just replace it with another: the Scion tC. The Scion tC had big shoes to fill. With the Celica discontinued, the Scion tC went on to perform at the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Races held during the Long Beach Grand Prix. However, enthusiasts say that the Scion isn't as sport-focused as the Celica. It's good for Toyota sales though, because it appeals to the current market and their more mainstream tastes.

The Celica is still very much a good buy however, especially if you're going for pre-owned. There have been seven generation releases of the Toyota Celica. The first was launched in 1970; the second was in 1977; the third came in 1981; the fourth came four years later; Generation Five was released in 1989; the sixth was in 1993; and the last generation entered the market in 1999. If you are interested in getting a Celica, it's best to do research on each model generation and their variants. The recent models are really satisfactory, with good gas mileage and cargo space, and outstanding reliability. Variable Valve Timing technology was introduced in models manufactured starting from late 1997. You might also want to hunt down a Toyota Celica Supra, which would later be known as the Toyota Supra. However, if you want a classic, sporty look and feel, you will do better with the Celica's earlier generations. 
By: Melissa King