Original owner cars are a special breed of motor vehicles, owing both to their scarcity and because old vehicles that remain with their first owner are generally in good condition. Most consumers change cars like they change their socks, so an owner who has remained committed to their daily driver, both in terms of upkeep and not just keeping up with the joneses, is a rarity these days. This 1992 Toyota Celica GT-S is such a vehicle and is listed here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $17,500.
The Toyota Celica is one of the more recognized nameplates of the 1980s sport compact class, and I mention the 80s for a specific: yes, the Celica existed before 1980, but it was really at this point that it became a household name in the competitive hot hatch segment. The first edition of the Celica, as collectible as it is today, was a wholly different era of car, and was more of a cruiser than a corner carver; the third- and fourth-generation Celicas began to change that reputation.
The seller’s Celica is the mid-pack GT-S version, which came with a few more features and upgrades but nothing of the mechanical variety. The All-Trac turbos were the hottest of the Celica model range and were quite compelling when compared to almost any other model offering in the segment. Very few models in the sport compact class offered both all-wheel drive and a turbocharged drivetrain, and if the seller’s car were one of these rare specs, I bet it would have already sold. I love the period-correct car phone.
With leather seats, the preferred 5-speed manual transmission, a power moonroof, and under 90,000 miles, you could certainly drive this Celica as an in-town errand runner and some mild daily use as the seller apparently has. The lack of rust and the known ownership are perhaps the most attractive selling features of this survivor Celica, but I still think the seller’s asking price is a tad optimistic for a front-wheel drive, naturally-aspirated example.
Most consumers are keeping their cars longer than ever. Over12 years on average due to high prices and inflation.Back in the 50′ and 60’s it was the tires are bald, the ashtray is full and it’s gettin a little rusty…time to trade her in for a lot of folks.The good old days.
Indeed, when automakers could spew out coal smoke and dump toxins into the water supply when building the car, so their owners could emit unregulated exhaust and crankcase gasses into the air, and lead from $.03/gallon gasoline into the soil, LOL! And you’re right, cars needed to be replaced much more frequently. Good old days indeed, I guess.
Maybe as a member of a younger generation, I just don’t look back on this as fondly. But I guess progress has to be made somehow. We’ve come a long way.
As this car illustrates! I’ve always wanted to have one of these GT-S Celicas. I don’t think the price is too crazy either given what some ’90s Japanese icons are now going for. These were very expensive when new. That $22,118 window sticker translates to about $48k today. Its modern equivalent, the Corolla GR, starts at $36k, though good luck finding one without getting your eyes gouged out via dealer markups.
When was gasoline ever .03 a gallon in the 50’s or 60’s? strip mining for lithium is worse than strip mining for coal and requires 500000 gallons of fresh NOT salt water to mine the Lithium that is then polluted.The strain on the grid is already showing itself. Gasoline engines are EXTREMELY efficient today and pollute less than ev’s from cradle to grave which are also heavy and destroy roads at a much higher rate. The climate hoax make people billionaires off the gullible.Being part of the ” older” generation I wasn’t brainwashed like the ”younger”generation is today with so many false optics being digested by …lemmings.Good night Irene.
These are good vehicles, stable, still look good and are useful. Parts (if ever needed) are always available. I have a rust-free AWD turbo version that works well, had the complex clutch replaced, … that was time-consuming.
Our first born Son was born in the front seat of a 1st generation Celica. I was the delivering “Physician” according to his birth certificate. I was a great little car! It took quite a bit of time to “clean up” after he was born, but we drove it for a long time. Another car that I regret not keeping!
Life happens. If able too, I would have parked it until the lad was old enough to drive it.
People seem not to understand what the EVs are going to do to our environment or our nation’s economy.
Plug-in hybrid technology is the best of both worlds, especially when hydrogen ICE is mainstream. I believe gasoline and synthetic gasoline will be around as long as we are. Catalytic converters are going to get phased out, and a GTS like this will get an updated retrofit workaround as well as better fuel to keep them and other good econo cars around. What’s happening in Europe is usually what some version happens around the world. Resource management. Pollution reduction. Reducing consumption has no magic pill or wand. This little GTS was an environmentally correct choice then, and now. EV will always have a niche, but four door family EV and SUV or off-road is nonsense. If the EV isn’t for strictly one or two commuter transport, it’s just nonsense. Everyone knows 90% of the time, most drivers are SOLO dragging around extra doors and seat weight. That’s 90% waste, if the goal of EV is environmental responsibility.
The 1979-1998 era for Toyota is one of the most impressive eras of car manufacturer quality that we have ever seen. In terms of value, 100% THE BEST. Honda a close second. Hyundai underrated, but even they won’t come close to how fantastic Toyota was (and Toyota Japan always of course quality). I myself wouldn’t be able to let go of that GTS in that condition. I’d find an excuse to keep it. That’s probably why the price, but try to find a better made car in that condition for less. I think a skosh high due to fondness of the seller is natural. Someone out there who had one and regrets selling it will make the right deal no doubt. Sporty runabout good on gas, parts readily available. Cost way less than my Alfa addiction and cheaper to keep. But I have a disease. Although some hobbies are more questionable. Helps having a steady girlfriend. Economically speaking. Make sure you get a girlfriend with her own career however! Thank the gods.