02 Toyota Celica GT-S vs. 99 Mitsubishi 3000GT

squeeb

OK, the title pretty much says it all. I am looking for a car for my son (surprise). And these 2 seem to be the leading contenders and was wondering what y'all thought on an audio forum.

Both about the same price, condition, and miles. Thanks.

http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/celica/2002/

http://www.carsforsale.com/used_cars_for_sale/1999_Mitsubishi_3000GT_152020613_13

ESavinon

I would stay far, far away from mitsubishi. Not the most reliable japanese automaker.

txcoastal1

+1^^^^^daughter had one was a real pain

Have 2 Toyotas now and a total of 7

sucks2beme

toyota corolla. The cheaper the better.

Syndil

The 3000GT is an awful car. Very heavy, which translates to very poor gas mileage. I would think that would be important for a young driver with gas prices as they are, unless you are buying your son's gas as well. That one for sale looks really nice, and incredibly low miles (65k on a 1999?) but still an awful car.

thsmith

Agree with above comments. I would have considered a Honda like the accord.

Joe08867

Out of the two I would say the Celica. I would look for a nice Corolla for him for a first car though. If it looks sporty he will drive it sporty.

squeeb

Joe08867 wrote: »

Out of the two I would say the Celica. I would look for a nice Corolla for him for a first car though. If it looks sporty he will drive it sporty.

Even if you could get the Celica for less than the same age and mileage Corolla?

kidglove13

If it is not the 3000 GT VR4 twin turbo then stay away and get the Toyota
Plus the GT VR4 is a beast of car and would be too much car for him

Syndil

It's not the VR-4, which I would avoid even more than the regular 3000GT. More stuff to break, and much more of a chance that it was rode hard and put away wet.

kidglove13

Syndil wrote: »

It's not the VR-4, which I would avoid even more than the regular 3000GT. More stuff to break, and much more of a chance that it was rode hard and put away wet.

Not always the case it depends on the previous owner history on whether it was maintained and taken care of and documentation to prove it. I owned a VR4 back in the day for few years from new it was a pretty good road machine.
The same could be said for the little Celica as well since it is the sport version
But this is all besides the point really
Its all about documented maintenance records and knowing how to thoroughly inspect a car
I would go onto a toyota forum particularly one for celica's and ask what the key things to look for are when buying one of those models
I am into Toyota Land Cruisers and currently own a 1994 and when I have bought different ones in the past I would go on the leading Land Cruiser forum and ask all kinds of questions on what to look for when buying a certain year and or model.
You would be surprised at some of the feedback you would get.
Cheers

Joe08867

The problem with a first car is kids are still learning. Of course the Celica is miles ahead looks wise but A Corolla is easier to park (Love that back wing on the GTS) and drive, more than likely cheaper to fix and if you had a Celica at your sons age wouldn't you probably want to drive it as fast as you could????? I would bet the insurance for a Corolla is cheaper as well...

A good, reliable, safe and cheap car is all I would get a kid for a first car.

kidglove13

I would bet since the Celica has that little S after the GT insurance will be more for sure
Especially more than a corolla.
The Corolla-S is a nice little car.

Syndil

kidglove13 wrote: »

Not always the case it depends on the previous owner history on whether it was maintained and taken care of and documentation to prove it.

VR4 has 4-wheel steering and twin turbos. That's a whooole lot of extra stuff that can break, and replacing a turbo with a spun bearing is not cheap. And who knows what's involved in 4-wheel steering.

Also has worse gas mileage than the regular 3000GT, which is already pretty bad. Just a bad idea all around for a first car. Maybe OK for a 3000GT enthusiast but definitely not for a first car.

kidglove13

Syndil wrote: »

VR4 has 4-wheel steering and twin turbos. That's a whooole lot of extra stuff that can break, and replacing a turbo with a spun bearing is not cheap. And who knows what's involved in 4-wheel steering.

Also has worse gas mileage than the regular 3000GT, which is already pretty bad. Just a bad idea all around for a first car. Maybe OK for a 3000GT enthusiast but definitely not for a first car.

Never said it was a good first car
Only a moron would get his 16 year old kid a car like that
Read my other post I clearly said it would be way to much car for most people let alone a 16 year old.
Besides whatever stuff you wrote
Its pretty clear what car the boy should get
This is a pretty stupid poll if you ask me\
I think you already know the answer

mdaudioguy

Joe08867 wrote: »

The problem with a first car is kids are still learning. Of course the Celica is miles ahead looks wise but A Corolla is easier to park (Love that back wing on the GTS) and drive, more than likely cheaper to fix and if you had a Celica at your sons age wouldn't you probably want to drive it as fast as you could????? I would bet the insurance for a Corolla is cheaper as well...

A good, reliable, safe and cheap car is all I would get a kid for a first car.

Personally, I'm not into buying cars for kids, but I have to agree with this^^^. Both of those options beg to be driven fast (I know I would have done it). No, they're not as fast as some of today's comparable models, but they probably won't handle as well either. Four-door sedan would be a better option...

squeeb

Interesting discussion I must admit. Not exactly what I was expecting. The 3000 is a heavier car with 160hp - not exactly a burner but looks like one. The Celica is 180hp but does not kick in until higher rpm's.

I realize we live in a different time but I had a 1969 Mach 1 with a 428 Cobra Jet as my first car - I survived. Probably drove my dad's Mazda RX-3 harder than my stang. And, yeah, am leaning toward the Celica because it should be a little more reliable.

And for all of you who have not had the pleasure of hunting for reliable transportation around the $5000 mark - you are in for some fun. Kind of like looking for good SDAs under $100 - it can be done but not easy.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

teekay0007

A friend of mine had the 3000 GT VR-4 Twin Turbo...OMG, was that a fun car to drive!!! :cool:

300HP, All-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Steering, Premium sound system (CD changer with 10-12 speakers, I think!), seats that held you in place during any taxing maneuvers!!

At 35 mph, the rear spoiler would start to tilt, the front airdam would start to close (for less drag) and the 4-wheel steering would kick in (you pretty much had to just glance into the next lane and ZIP, you were there!!). :biggrin: It had a button in the dash that would automatically change the suspension from "Touring" to "Sport" mode. In sport mode, it would hunker down and tighten up....you could feel every pebble you went over.

The first time I drove it, he said (from the passenger seat), "Wind 'er up, see what she can do!" :biggrin: In what seemed like no time at all, I had it going 117 mph IN THIRD GEAR!! :eek: :cool:

Note: This was 20 years ago, on a wide open stretch of interstate in North Dakota - the fine would have been about $80, with no instant loss of license. Stoopid? :twisted: Heck yeah!! But did I mention, OMG!, OMG! Was that a lot of fun!?! :eek: :razz: I, in no way condone this kind of behavior...instead, eat your vegetables, call your mom, feed squirrels, etc., etc. :exclaim:

Anyhoo....there I digress. And yes, I know he said it isn't the VR-4 Twin Turbo :rolleyes: but it still begs to be driven too fast for a newby behind the wheel! Yes, even when it's an AUTOMATIC transmission (WHY?! In a car like that?!) .

F1nut

Buy him a safe car because it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when he will wreck it.

DaveHo

Neither. The Mitsu is unreliable & the Celica is a chick's car. Keep looking.

squeeb

DaveHo wrote: »

& the Celica is a chick's car.

Can't totally disagree with you; however, there weren't too many manly cars built in the late 90s early 00s (IMHO). All the testosterone went into SUVs and trucks.

Syndil

What a ridiculous thing to be concerned about.

DaveHo

My post was meant in jest, somewhat. My first ride was my mom's 82 K car. All 80 or so HP of fury, Am radio only, no AC. Hated that thing with a passion. I surely wouldn't have bought one on my dime & would have protested loudly had it been bought just for me. What's the son's opinion on it?

gelinas

I vote toyota. But what does your son prefer?

squeeb

He would prefer a Mustang. However, RWD in Colorado not a good thing and I can either find 8 cylinders (no can do for insurance) or POS 6 cylinders with 150,000 miles. I surprised both of his older sisters with cars so will need to do the same with him. He would probably rate both cars around a 7 or 8. [10 being a Corvette and 1 being a Moped].

He wants a car that is sporty and "has a good engine". His mother and I want a car that is safe, reliable, and gets decent gas mileage - both seem to be a decent compromise (but now hearing and reading some reliability issues with the Mitsu).

Syndil

Front wheel drive, sporty, reliable... I'd be looking at a Honda Civic Si, Volkswagen GTI or Mini Cooper and pick whichever one I could find the best deal on.

shawn474

If you're looking for sporty, safe and mostly reliable, my vote is a subaru legacy sedan or the wrx. Probably a bit more pricey, but worth it in the end for the reliability and safety. I wouldn't even consider the Mitsu for all the reasons mentioned above.