Basically, Toyota feels that although many car enthusiasts have enjoyed the sporting Celica and MR2 models over the years, they're just not pulling their weight these days because they're getting beaten up by the likes of the Matrix, Corolla XRS, Solara coupe and the whole damn Scion line. The Celica was born in 1971 and had a hand in establishing the speedy subcompact segment, and was named "Import Car of the Year" and put on Car and Driver's "Ten Best Cars" list during its lifetime. The MR2 sprung to life in 1985, offering exotic car design without the hefty tag. In 1988 a supercharger was added, and recent models have featured six speed sequential manual transmissions. Toyota will stop production by the end of the '05 model year. Get a 40 ready so you can pour some out for your fallen homies.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
David Thomas @ Dec 18th 2005 11:10PM
The celica was out of here the second the Scion tC hit the showroom. I've seen about 3 or 4 tCs on the roads in the past few days. I went to test drive one at a local dealership and was told it had been sold already and I couldn't drive one. (I won't go into how idiotic the sales person was) So it seems Toyota can build popular models, they just need to rejuvinate them a litte faster.
keyboardist @ Dec 18th 2005 11:10PM
The tC is indeed a move in the right direction (finally), and I hope it translates to the rest of the line over time. I haven't liked a toyota design in years. I'd be very interested in their upcomming hybrid SUVs if they weren't so hidious. They need to take a cue from Honda, who has finally decided that it's reputation as a reliable, conservative auto maker is secure enough to allow for some experimentation with aggressive styling—a move that has produced some fantastic results, judging from Acura's latest offerings. See toyota?! Conservativism need non translate to stodgy bodywork. And stop with the small wheels already.
T-bone @ Dec 18th 2005 11:10PM
Toyota is brain dead. if they would actually avertise the MR2 and sing its praise just a little they could double sales. this car is rare on the road. people do not even know what it is and have to ask. They want this car to die and they wanted it since 2000 when they revamped it.
I was just getting mine serviced and the dealer did not even have any literature on the car for people to grab. there was 1 2003 on the lot. give me a brake go to mazda you can keep track of the miata on site.
make me puke
Simo L. @ Dec 18th 2005 11:10PM
Sad to think that all of the great Toyota sports cars will finally meet their fate....The Supra in the late 90's, now the MR2 and Celica??? What is Toyota thinking? All of these sports cars are driven more today than in any other year, finding even a 90 Celica GTS is a talk...Toyota should sit down and think a little while the Import horse power craze is in effect... They should definetly re-introduce the Supra, and maybe combine the Celica with the old technology of the Mr2, packing a lot of beauty with some balls, yet within a buget...
amyhr @ Dec 18th 2005 11:10PM
...maybe to make room for the volta? Or something similar?
Kenny Creeper @ Dec 18th 2005 11:10PM
If you dig on the Internet, you will see that Toyota currently has plans for a new two door sports car in the works. Howeer, the two door sports car market is dead when compared to the four door sports sedan market. The last thing an auto manufacturer needs at this time, to increase sales, are more two door sports cars.
eric smith @ Dec 18th 2005 11:10PM
i think they should redo the celica and bring it back as the turbocharged all trac gt-4. either that or reviving the supra would be the only thing that could redeem toyota in my eyes.
Fushar @ Dec 18th 2005 11:10PM
What is Toyota thinking? I love Celicas, like so many people. Makes no sense to take them out of the market.
Stupid Toyota...
matt @ Dec 18th 2005 11:10PM
You wanna know what i think? I think that they are straight out stupid. Anyone who could get rid of a perfect car needs to be shot. Well its not like i can change their minds. But i hope that they will bring it back in a few years like they did they Camaro, and if they do they could put a v6 in that baby.
Toyota is going to loose money.
Jav @ Dec 18th 2005 11:10PM
It was very disappointing to learn that Toyota will be discontinuing the legendary Celica and the MR2. As an owner of a 2000 Celica I would have to say it is the best car I've driven thus far. It's got a very exciting interior design which is what sold me. I still get exciting sitting in it. These two models did not fail Toyota; Toyota marketing (or lack of) failed these two models. I believe discontinuing them may be a mistake when you consider how dedicated Toyota is to their Formula One program as well as other racing series. One would think they'd want to support their compact sports cars. I can't imagine BMW and Mercedes pulling the M3 and the AMG SL500 respectively (both having strong F1 programs).
It is a shame.
Ralph @ Dec 18th 2005 11:10PM
I really wanted to cry when i knew about the celica's discontinue....i don't know what's Toyota thinking...but now i'mgoing to change to Honda¡¡¡¡
Lea-Marie @ Dec 18th 2005 11:10PM
When I saw the 2000 GTS on the road (in February of 2000), I knew that was the next car for me. The lines are so beautiful -- I receive many compliments on her silver body style -- and most of them are from men who know cars. I removed the spoiler for safety reasons (impaired rear vision day and night) and so as not to attract the attention of the CHP. This car was built to drive, not meander down a country road. All six gears are powerful for a four-banger, and she handles like the sports car that she is. I named her Callie after a great smooth jazz piece by Joyce Cooling, "Callie." It's a "pedal-to-the-metal" piece of music.
I, too, was heartbroken when I heard from my local dealership that the Celica line had been discontinued by Toyota. I agree with all the comments I have been reading – this was a dumb, stupid, shocking, brain-dead move by Toyota. Here in Northern California I see at last four or five 2000-2005 Celicas a day! And that’s while driving seven miles to work! Why would such a popular model be dropped? Let’s be grateful that Toyota didn’t increase their over-sized SUV line. I see way too many gas guzzlers that remind me of lumbering dinosaurs. If memory serves me well, it was the little prehistoric creatures that survived, not the huge dinosaurs. I hope Toyota realizes this, especially with our excessive use of oil products. My Celica gave me 36 MPG when I put her on cruise and drove from Central Oregon to the Silicon Valley of Northern California. She gets 30 MPG for combined miles, and 27 MPG for city driving. I would think that would be a good reason to keep the Celica. It has it all – great lines, powerful gas-squeezing engine, maneuverability, great MPG, and a 34-year track record of accolades.
The only consolation to all of this stupidity by Toyota is that the 2000 - 2005 models will be increasing in value. Once a model is discontinued, the value goes up. I figure by the time she is 25 years old she will be worth more than I paid for her!
I waited 17 years to buy my Celica. My last car was a Toyota Corolla Wagon – 1983 – 329,000+ miles on the original engine and purred like a kitten. I sold her to a mechanic when she was 21 years old. The mechanic fell in love with her and I knew she would have a good, loving owner.
I say this because that car was awesome -- performance, low repair rate, high MPG, (5-speed), and she took good care of her driver and passengers. My Celica does the same for my passengers and me.
David Wilson @ Dec 18th 2005 11:10PM
I've had 3 Celica's - '75, '83, and 2003. Fabulous little cars. Gas mileage - superb. Handling - outstanding. Power - push it and it will give most cars on the raod a run for the money. Styling - one of the best, most unique desgins today. All I can say is I hope Toyota decides to bring it back in grand fashion at some point.
David Wilson @ Dec 18th 2005 11:10PM
I've had 3 Celica's - '75, '83, and 2003. Fabulous little cars. Gas mileage - superb. Handling - outstanding. Power - push it and it will give most cars on the raod a run for the money. Styling - one of the best, most unique desgins today. All I can say is I hope Toyota decides to bring it back in grand fashion at some point.
Jav @ Dec 18th 2005 11:10PM
If it is true that Toyota is planning on building a new two-door sports car I will definately be there... There is no doubt that the Celica and or Supra will take part in their inspiration. If this is true I look forward to it.
Betty Colgate @ Dec 18th 2005 11:10PM
On the Scion XB has anyone had the plastic screw holding the plastic brace on one side for the bumper break? This is a very poorly designed plastic piece that we were told by the Toyato dealer that we need to replace the whole bumper assembly for $ 425 plus because the screw holding the plastic brace broke. The dealer refused to help in any way. We contacted a repair shop which will drill new screw holes and replace screws for $ 25.00. For the younger generation to pay $ 425 plus to repair a broken screw for a perfect bumber is ridiculous. This screw will probably break again if the car goes over a bump, runs over a tree limb in the road or any other obstacle a driver encounters on the highways today. I cannot recommend the Scion XB as in my opinion this is a serious design fault whic Toyota designers need to deal with.