2000 Toyota Celica VVTI from UK and Ireland - Comments

Firstly, the Celica has been established since the early 80's, so it can't have been forgotton about 20 years ago. Secondly, the Celica has performance and RELIABILITY which the Italians can only dream about. Let's see if a typical Italian car can last 20 years without breaking down.

The current Celica can hardly be likened to the previous generation models of 20 years ago. Anyway, would you call Japanese sports cars from the early '80s stylish? I don't think so...

As an Alfa Romeo Driver and having spent several moments of my youth pinned in the back seats of a Celica I have to make comment. The original Celica was and still is a stunning car, a design classic that we as Brits mocked as a Jap Fad. In its class it was probably the best. Having driven with vengeance both the GTV and the new 190 there is no question in my mind as to what to buy. I am dedicated to Alfa and this will probably cost me a lot of money because I will not sell the car I have but I am going to buy a 190. Having just tested it, it out Alfa's the Alfa with reliability and build quality that the Alfa cannot match. The engine is admittedly not what most people are used to, but understand it and revel in what an 1.8 can really do!

The interior and body design of the new Celica (particularly in red, black or silver) is very similar to a Ferrari, whilst the Fiat Coupe just looks like an overgrown Black and Decker Dustbuster on wheels, and have you seen how pathetically small those alloys are in the wheelarches?

The Celica came to be in the mid seventies and not the early eighties.

I had one of the earliest Celicas, a 1972 model... it was 21 years old when I had it & was still on the original engine.

I'm getting a new one next month, 190 model.

The car looks STUNNING! Mine is in silver with black upholstery. Even with 16 inch wheels it still looks good. Performance is superb - it pulls strongly even in 6th - economy isn't bad either. My only gripe is that the tailgate struts aren't strong enough to support a spoilered tailgate in cold weather.

Just to make a second correction regarding the birth of Celica. Celica was first manufactured 1971. I know so because I have a sweet 96 celica which is a 25th anniversary special edition. So 25 subtracted from 96...you do the math. I also have read magazines and looked on line of the date of its birth. I personally don't like the newer (2000+) celicas, because the designers made it TOO sleek, and kind of over did it. Love the interior though, and absolutely worship how engineers designed the 190 horse power engine out of a 1.8 L engine. Alfa Romeo, please!!!

The Celica was was first made in 71 indeed. It was one of the coolest cars of its time. Toyota kept its tradition of beautiful, sporty cars until 2000. The 7th generation celicas are the ugliest ever made. Up to the sixth generation (starting in 93) celicas were beautiful cars. However, the new models are both ugly and weak!!!

Perhaps you should drive or even be driven in a current shape 190 (T Sport) model before suggesting it is weak. Over 6,000 RPM where the VVTLi does its stuff, this car is sensationally fast and sounds amazing in the process. In fact the "in gear" roll on acceleration times are in the junior supercar league.

Weak it is not!

Weak and ugly, you must be mad. The 7th generation celicas to me are the sportiest of its kind. All you have to do is sit in the darn thing and you feel as though you are in a "real" sports car.

The new Celica's have let down the old ones heavily. I must say I worship the 190hp out of a 1.8 but get realistic here, the look of the new ones can never be as good as what the originals look. Even today, I find myself wishing for a LT Celica to do up and drive whilst everyone else looks on in envy.

Hi! I also drive a 2000 Toyota Celica.. with metallic silver exterior with black interior.. this is a great looking car with performance and reliability of Toyota to back up with!

However, I must say, I sometimes think that the older generation of Celicas (ones came out between 1990-1999) look somewhat better than the new body style (2000-current) especially the ones with pop-up headlights (1990-1995).. I have owned another Celica prior to this one which was 1993 Celica GT-S with ALL-TRAC.. now THAT was a great car with performance (turbo-charged engine) and TRACTION to go with, since I get a lot of snow here in the winter time.. I don't know why Toyota stopped making Celicas (or other models, for that matter) with ALL-TRAC and turbo-charged engine, but it would be great if those options ever come back..

Toyota Celicas have come a long way with performance, style, and reliability.. and I hope Toyota will continue to do a great job building this wonderful sports car!

I'm thinking about trading my Costly Calibra in for a 2000 Celica, Iv always liked the older Celicas, but I had a look at a VVTi in a Garage yesterday and was impressed, I think black would be the colour for me, but the silver is nice to, and those seats are Sexy as hell (front) I'm tempted, but the one I went to see was a bit rough! (and blue)!

Have owned my Silver 2000 Celica for 2 years now. Never let me down. Can't even consider getting shot of it. Still makes me smile every time I drive it. Handles like a dream on 17" alloys. Only gripe are the boot lid struts. Don't stay up in cold!

I had the same problem - dealer changed them under warranty for uprated ones.

Looks is a matter of opinion.

I personally think the 90-99 are butt ugly. I hated those Celicas and they were the epitome of what was wrong with 90's car designs (Bubble cars, eww!). The Supra was even worse. It's one reason I prefer the 2000+ Celica over the Integra despite the fact things point to the Integra being a better car overall (faster, I'm betting more reliable after reading some scary reviews here, more room for my dog even).

Personally, I like a more sharp, aggressive look and the 2000+ Celicas pin that down.

It is a matter of opinion like you say. Personally I probably prefer the integra over the celica, both old and new styling. The DC5 is one of the best looking cars on the road in my opinion, especially in white showing its heritage :D.