Buried deep within a listing regarding a car collection sell-off is this: a very low-mileage Toyota Celica GT convertible seemingly in excellent condition. The seller has posted a 1939 Ford Tudor hot rod and a Chevrolet pickup in addition to the Celica, which he’ll let go for $9,000. Find the whole collection here on craigslist in Baltimore, but go here if the ad disappears.
The paint looks too good to be true on this Celica, but it may be original if the mileage check out. We see no reason why not, as the top and back glass look just as good as the rest of the car, and those are areas prone to visible wear-and-tear on almost any convertible. The GT-specific alloys and center caps are still in place and the low 36,080 mileage means this completely stock 5th-generation Celica should have plenty of years of top-down cruising left.
The interior is another indication the mileage is true, as the seating surfaces, dash, door panels and carpets all present as-new. The automatic is a disappointment, but given this isn’t a GTS or GT-Four, we wouldn’t sweat it too much. Plus, the standard engine in this car is a 2.2L inline-four that was designed with low-end performance in mind, hence the torquey nature of the motor.
Believe it or not, these Celicas had their convertible top conversions performed by American Sunroof Corporation in California. It truly is amazing how often ASC’s name pops up when it comes to factory-authorized drop-tops. In somewhat of a testament to their work, Toyota’s convertible lineup has always appeared 100% factory with a nicely integrated soft-top. This Celica is a hidden gem and we hope it remains the pretty survivor it currently is.
I recall back in the early nineties, I was in the market for a new Celica (I live in Australia) and craved the convertible version I saw when visiting the US. I ended up buying a superb Saab 900 aero 3 door (a fantastic car for the era), so I may be tempted to import this incredible example!
It’s a great car but last I heard was that your government has gone totally bonkers on importing cars that might contain even slight amounts of asbestos, making people remove even cylinder head gaskets and exhaust gaskets that just might contain a trace of asbestos! All the while the countryside is dotted with little houses built with what I remember to be called “Fibro” of which asbestos is plentiful in! And we think we had it bad with Nader and/or ethanol gasoline!
Had one just like this. In spite of the automatic, I think it was just all around better than a Miata or Mitsu Eclipse Spyder. If I were looking for a car now, I’d consider this.
Sounds about $6k too much. These were barely desirable new, typically gifts for rich teenage girls as a first car. Are convertible geo trackers the next great find?
Never driven one, have you?
1993 celica looks in great shape,but not enough pics to determine entire shape. Nor enough description. I like the hidden lights and red colour. Clearly a ladies runabout…with the odd man behind the drivers seat. I’d drive it top down in this looker is problem free, fun summer days ahead! I think the price can be haggled down a couple thousand..say $6000.00?
Nice looking car with so much life remaining. Agree price maybe a little high but if you consider the same car in good shape with high miles could easily bring 4K what’s the premium for the low miles? I think 6k would be a good buy but I would guess it could do 7-7500. Not a bad body style but for collectibility give me the all trac turbo model
Go on Craigslist ad, would rather have the ford.
Any old Toyota with that kind of miles should fetch a nice price . I agree this car should sell ez 6500 . The Celica hands down Over a miata. This car with better pic can easily sell.
Nice car, but if memory serves, these were very creaky with sub-standard reinforcement…needs a 5 spd to be on my list, but the price sounds fair?
I bought a used black one in 2004. Got it from a dishonest Ebay car dealer. I didn’t know it had been wrecked because it had a clean title. So when it rained 2 weeks later and water was gushing through the gap where the top meets the windsheild I was not happy at all. I paid 6K for mine and it had 70K miles on it at the time. Had it not been wrecked it would have been worth that. This red one is very clean and with the low miles it should fetch close to what he is asking for it if he is patient and waits for the right person to buy it. This car is actually better than the Solara that replaced it in the Toyota convertible offerings. Far better visibility. Although I agree the frame did flex a lot more if you got jiggy wit it. LOL. The GTS would fly though for what it was. Great little car. Pretty much the same drive train as the current Camry’s.