Mazda MX3 or Toyota Celica of same vintage?
Discussion
Okay I know the two can't really be directly compared but after much thought today have decided to change the Saab for something different and so far these two are looking like prime contenders (although if I can find a decent Rover Tomcat then I may very well change my mind completely.)
So what are peoples thoughts? Anything I should keep an eye out for? Advice? Free money? All gratefully accepted
So what are peoples thoughts? Anything I should keep an eye out for? Advice? Free money? All gratefully accepted
How tall are you? I went to test drive an mx-3 v6 a little while ago and at six'one” was WAY too big to fit in properly, much less drive it. Shame, still quite like them. Celica is much bigger, and more powerful if you get the GT.
ETA Parts for the mazda are also considerably more expensive. 300 quid for a new alternator rings a bell iirc (I might just have false memory syndrome on that one though...)
ETA Parts for the mazda are also considerably more expensive. 300 quid for a new alternator rings a bell iirc (I might just have false memory syndrome on that one though...)
Edited by mrtwisty on Thursday 13th January 22:36
mrtwisty said:
How tall are you? I went to test drive an mx-3 v6 a little while ago and at six'one” was WAY too big to fit in properly, much less drive it. Shame, still quite like them. Celica is much bigger, and more powerful if you get the GT.
ETA Parts for the mazda are also considerably more expensive. 300 quid for a new alternator rings a bell iirc (I might just have false memory syndrome on that one though...)
Right well at 6'4" I'd say that rules out the MX-3. So the Celica now makes it's way to the top of the pack.ETA Parts for the mazda are also considerably more expensive. 300 quid for a new alternator rings a bell iirc (I might just have false memory syndrome on that one though...)
Edited by mrtwisty on Thursday 13th January 22:36
I may be a little biased here, but may I throw in the Puma as an alternative?
I test drove one after seeing them praised quite highly on ph. Never even considered one before, but loved it on the test drive. Hasn't the guts of a celica gt but by god is it agile. Just the girlie image to contend with, but not too bad if you get one in black ;-)
I test drove one after seeing them praised quite highly on ph. Never even considered one before, but loved it on the test drive. Hasn't the guts of a celica gt but by god is it agile. Just the girlie image to contend with, but not too bad if you get one in black ;-)
mrtwisty said:
I may be a little biased here, but may I throw in the Puma as an alternative?
I test drove one after seeing them praised quite highly on ph. Never even considered one before, but loved it on the test drive. Hasn't the guts of a celica gt but by god is it agile. Just the girlie image to contend with, but not too bad if you get one in black ;-)
Girly image I can live with, I'm more bothered about having something that's fun to drive and that will put a smile on my face each time I go out for a drive (a nice comfortable place to spend 200 miles on the motorway wouldn't go a miss either)I test drove one after seeing them praised quite highly on ph. Never even considered one before, but loved it on the test drive. Hasn't the guts of a celica gt but by god is it agile. Just the girlie image to contend with, but not too bad if you get one in black ;-)
farrendahl said:
mrtwisty said:
I may be a little biased here, but may I throw in the Puma as an alternative?
I test drove one after seeing them praised quite highly on ph. Never even considered one before, but loved it on the test drive. Hasn't the guts of a celica gt but by god is it agile. Just the girlie image to contend with, but not too bad if you get one in black ;-)
Girly image I can live with, I'm more bothered about having something that's fun to drive and that will put a smile on my face each time I go out for a drive (a nice comfortable place to spend 200 miles on the motorway wouldn't go a miss either)I test drove one after seeing them praised quite highly on ph. Never even considered one before, but loved it on the test drive. Hasn't the guts of a celica gt but by god is it agile. Just the girlie image to contend with, but not too bad if you get one in black ;-)
Gizmo! said:
Celica.
But at your height: what about a Volvo C70 (T5)?
I do like the C70, but can a good one be picked up for roughly 1k? As for the motorway mileage, I do a trip from Manchester to Kent about 4 times a year (although hopefully more this year) so thats roughly 400 mile round trip and I want to be comfortable (and if I can get mid 30's MPG I'll be happy with that, obviously I'd prefer more though)But at your height: what about a Volvo C70 (T5)?
Cannot comment on the MX3, but, we had a 1997 Celica GT and it was lovely to drive and quick, nothing went wrong in 3 years, but it is a bit thirsty and it was getting ready for an exhaust and I was told by a large National exhaust centre that they were no longer available - so would need custom making or importing... I am 6'3" and it had a leccy sunroof and was fine for space.
Now the wife has a Puma 1.7VCT and it is brilliant - off the line to about 80ish feels as quick as the Celica, and get it on a twisty B road and the Puma would be gone into the distance - PLUS parts are all easily available and the economy is really good if just sat in traffic and normal running about. I can fit in OK - snug and comfy and the car wraps around you!
A good friend had a Rover 220 Coupe and they are OK - well kitted and quick, but they are not very good on the corners and just feel vague and uninspiring in my opinion compared to both the Celica and the Puma...
Of all of these I think the Puma is the way forward!
Or it's big brother - Cougar V6?... << Have no experience of these, so someone will be along soon I am sure who will advise!!
Reedy
Now the wife has a Puma 1.7VCT and it is brilliant - off the line to about 80ish feels as quick as the Celica, and get it on a twisty B road and the Puma would be gone into the distance - PLUS parts are all easily available and the economy is really good if just sat in traffic and normal running about. I can fit in OK - snug and comfy and the car wraps around you!
A good friend had a Rover 220 Coupe and they are OK - well kitted and quick, but they are not very good on the corners and just feel vague and uninspiring in my opinion compared to both the Celica and the Puma...
Of all of these I think the Puma is the way forward!
Or it's big brother - Cougar V6?... << Have no experience of these, so someone will be along soon I am sure who will advise!!
Reedy
Edited by Reedy156 on Friday 14th January 09:26
Edited by Reedy156 on Friday 14th January 09:28
Reedy156 said:
Cannot comment on the MX3, but, we had a 1997 Celica GT and it was lovely to drive and quick, nothing went wrong in 3 years, but it is a bit thirsty and it was getting ready for an exhaust and I was told by a large National exhaust centre that they were no longer available - so would need custom making or importing... I am 6'3" and it had a leccy sunroof and was fine for space.
Now the wife has a Puma 1.7VCT and it is brilliant - off the line to about 80ish feels as quick as the Celica, and get it on a twisty B road and the Puma would be gone into the distance - PLUS parts are all easily available and the economy is really good if just sat in traffic and normal running about. I can fit in OK - snug and comfy and the car wraps around you!
A good friend had a Rover 220 Coupe and they are OK - well kitted and quick, but they are not very good on the corners and just feel vague and uninspiring in my opinion compared to both the Celica and the Puma...
Of all of these I think the Puma is the way forward!
Or it's big brother - Cougar V6?... << Have no experience of these, so someone will be along soon I am sure who will advise!!
Reedy
I hadn't actually even thought about the Cougar, but they do seem to be stupidly cheap at the moment. Just seen one on Ebay 1999 on the V 2.5 V6 100k priced at £995 (Got to be worth a haggle) although am surprised to see that although it's decked out with leather and a fair few toys it has a cassette player rather than a cd. Not exactly a deal breaker, just surprising.Now the wife has a Puma 1.7VCT and it is brilliant - off the line to about 80ish feels as quick as the Celica, and get it on a twisty B road and the Puma would be gone into the distance - PLUS parts are all easily available and the economy is really good if just sat in traffic and normal running about. I can fit in OK - snug and comfy and the car wraps around you!
A good friend had a Rover 220 Coupe and they are OK - well kitted and quick, but they are not very good on the corners and just feel vague and uninspiring in my opinion compared to both the Celica and the Puma...
Of all of these I think the Puma is the way forward!
Or it's big brother - Cougar V6?... << Have no experience of these, so someone will be along soon I am sure who will advise!!
Reedy
Edited by Reedy156 on Friday 14th January 09:26
Edited by Reedy156 on Friday 14th January 09:28
farrendahl said:
Okay I know the two can't really be directly compared but after much thought today have decided to change the Saab for something different and so far these two are looking like prime contenders (although if I can find a decent Rover Tomcat then I may very well change my mind completely.)
So what are peoples thoughts? Anything I should keep an eye out for? Advice? Free money? All gratefully accepted
My brother had a 2.0GT Celica, the last roundy one with the pop up headlights.So what are peoples thoughts? Anything I should keep an eye out for? Advice? Free money? All gratefully accepted
2.0 litres and 170hp.
Not as quick to 60mph as you'd think, although not slow (8.5 sec iirc). But what is suprising is how it pulls from 60mph onwards to much higher speeds. I suspect probably quicker than many hottish hatches today.
Very revvy engine and ok handling. Not the most involving drive and my biggest criticism would be to fully enjoy it, you truly had to drive it like you stole, and I mean totally rag it.
Nice looking cars though.
Quite like the little MX-3 too.
300bhp/ton said:
My brother had a 2.0GT Celica, the last roundy one with the pop up headlights.
2.0 litres and 170hp.
Nope. Not if it had pop-ups (Gen 5).2.0 litres and 170hp.
Gen 2 3S-GE with 158/154bhp (pre91/post91).
Gen6 (quad lights -- check profile) GT had about 168bhp unless it got a BEAMS blacktop (very rare).
Reedy156 said:
Or it's big brother - Cougar V6?... << Have no experience of these, so someone will be along soon I am sure who will advise!!
Reedy
My Dad had one of these, very comfy, more GT than sports car and felt more grunty than speedy. I quite liked.Reedy
Edited by Reedy156 on Friday 14th January 09:26
Edited by Reedy156 on Friday 14th January 09:28
It would also be worth considering a Probe too, I quite like the interior styling and the sweepy exterior is probably more modern today than when it was new.
Mazda MX-6 shares quite a bit.
Mr E said:
300bhp/ton said:
My brother had a 2.0GT Celica, the last roundy one with the pop up headlights.
2.0 litres and 170hp.
Nope. Not if it had pop-ups (Gen 5).2.0 litres and 170hp.
Gen 2 3S-GE with 158/154bhp (pre91/post91).
Gen6 (quad lights -- check profile) GT had about 168bhp unless it got a BEAMS blacktop (very rare).
Mr E said:
300bhp/ton said:
Cheers for the correction.
No worries dude, between myself and SWMBO we've had 4 of the damn things....My bro's was a steal, it had been left at a garage as the previous owner bust the cambelt and didn't have funds to repair it. They left it there for almost a year and let the garage keep it. We sourced a replacement 2nd hand engine that the garage fitted and we got the car (with new V5) for well under half it's market value at the time.
300bhp/ton said:
Not as quick to 60mph as you'd think, although not slow (8.5 sec iirc). But what is suprising is how it pulls from 60mph onwards to much higher speeds. I suspect probably quicker than many hottish hatches today.
When i had my MR2 i was always astounded at how my mates heavier celica could get to high motorway speeds
without me leaving it behind.When i drove it i was doubly impressed with the top end pull.
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