The Toyota Celica, a name that resonates with sports car enthusiasts, has left an indelible mark on the automotive world. From its inception in 1970 to its discontinuation in 2006, the Celica has evolved through seven generations, each contributing to its legendary status as an affordable, reliable, and fun-to-drive sports coupe.
First Generation (1970-1977)
The original Celica was introduced as Toyota's answer to the Ford Mustang. Available in both coupe and liftback body styles, it featured a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout that would define the model for its first three generations. The first-gen Celica was praised for its stylish design and affordability, setting the tone for future iterations.
Second Generation (1977-1981)
The second-generation Celica grew slightly in size and adopted a more angular design language. This generation saw the introduction of the Celica Supra, a six-cylinder variant that would eventually spin off into its own separate model line.
Third Generation (1981-1985)
The third-gen Celica marked the end of the model's rear-wheel-drive era. It featured a more aerodynamic design and introduced technologies like independent rear suspension and turbocharged engines in some markets.
Fourth Generation (1985-1989)
This generation marked a significant shift for the Celica, adopting a front-wheel-drive layout for most models. The GT-Four variant, introduced in this generation, featured all-wheel drive and a turbocharged engine, forming the basis for Toyota's successful World Rally Championship entries.
Fifth Generation (1989-1993)
The fifth-gen Celica showcased a smoother, more rounded design. The GT-Four continued to evolve, with the ST185 variant achieving significant success in rally competition, including multiple WRC titles.
Sixth Generation (1993-1999)
This generation saw a more radical styling departure, with a sleeker, more aerodynamic design. The GT-Four continued as the high-performance variant, with the ST205 being particularly sought after by enthusiasts.
Seventh Generation (1999-2006)
The final generation of the Celica returned to the model's roots as a lightweight, affordable sports coupe. While it lost the turbocharged and all-wheel-drive options of its predecessors, it gained a highly revved naturally aspirated engine in the GT-S trim, which produced impressive power for its size.
Key features of the seventh-generation Celica include:
An interesting fact about the Celica is its name origin. 'Celica' is derived from the Latin word 'coelica' meaning 'celestial' or 'heavenly'. This aligns with Toyota's tradition of using crown-related names for its models, as Celica can be interpreted as 'crown of heaven'.
Throughout its lifespan, the Celica was known for blending sports car performance with Toyota's renowned reliability. It served as a more practical and affordable alternative to pure sports cars, making it popular among enthusiasts who wanted a fun daily driver.
The Celica's success in motorsport, particularly in rallying, significantly boosted its performance credentials. The GT-Four models, homologated for Group A competition, achieved multiple victories in the World Rally Championship, with notable success in the early to mid-1990s.
Despite its discontinuation in 2006, the Celica maintains a strong following among enthusiasts. Many see it as a future classic, particularly the high-performance variants like the GT-Four and the final-generation GT-S.
The legacy of the Celica can be seen in later Toyota models. The ethos of an affordable, sporty coupe was carried forward by vehicles like the GT86/GR86, while its rally pedigree influenced the development of the GR Yaris.
As the automotive industry shifts towards electrification, there has been speculation about the potential revival of the Celica name, possibly as a performance-oriented hybrid or electric vehicle. While Toyota has not confirmed any such plans, the enduring popularity of the Celica name suggests that such a move would be welcomed by many enthusiasts.
The Toyota Celica's journey from a Mustang competitor to a rally champion and finally to a lightweight sports coupe showcases Toyota's ability to adapt to changing market demands while maintaining a focus on performance and reliability. Its diverse history ensures that different generations of the Celica appeal to a wide range of enthusiasts, contributing to its enduring popularity in the classic and performance car markets.
The cost of a Toyota Celica can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the generation, condition, and specific model variant. Since the Celica was discontinued in 2006, all Celicas on the market today are considered used vehicles, with some potentially qualifying as classic cars.
Here's a general overview of Toyota Celica prices:
It's important to note that these are broad ranges, and prices can fall outside these ranges depending on various factors:
Particularly sought-after models like the GT-Four, especially in good condition, can command prices well above the ranges mentioned, sometimes exceeding €30,000 or more for exceptional examples.
For collectors and enthusiasts, early generation Celicas in pristine condition or with historical significance can reach even higher prices, potentially €50,000 or more in some cases.
It's worth noting that as the Celica ages, well-preserved examples are likely to appreciate in value, especially for the more performance-oriented or limited-production variants.
As the Toyota Celica was discontinued in 2006, there are no new Celicas available for purchase directly from Toyota. All Celicas on the market today are used vehicles, with some potentially qualifying as classic cars depending on their age and condition.
However, we can discuss the cost of the Celica when it was new, and how that translates to today's market:
Adjusting for inflation, these prices would be roughly equivalent to:
It's important to note that these inflation-adjusted prices are purely for context. The actual market value of a Celica today depends on many factors including condition, mileage, and rarity.
For those seeking a modern equivalent to the Celica in Toyota's current lineup, options might include:
These modern sports coupes carry on the spirit of the Celica, offering performance and style in a similar package, albeit at a higher price point reflecting modern technology and safety features.
For enthusiasts looking for a 'new' Celica experience, finding a low-mileage, well-preserved example from the final generation could be an option. Such vehicles can command prices from €10,000 to €20,000 or more, depending on condition and specification.
The cost of a used Toyota Celica can vary widely based on several factors, including the generation, condition, mileage, and specific model variant. As all Celicas are now considered used vehicles, with production having ended in 2006, here's a breakdown of approximate price ranges by generation:
Seventh Generation (1999-2006)
Sixth Generation (1993-1999)
Fifth Generation (1989-1993)
Fourth Generation (1985-1989)
First to Third Generations (1970-1985)
Factors influencing the price of a used Celica include:
It's worth noting that certain Celica models, particularly early generations and high-performance variants like the GT-Four, are increasingly being viewed as collector cars. As a result, prices for well-preserved or restored examples of these models can be significantly higher than the ranges mentioned above, potentially reaching €50,000 or more for exceptional vehicles.
When considering a used Celica, it's important to factor in potential maintenance and restoration costs, especially for older models. While Celicas are generally known for their reliability, older vehicles may require more frequent repairs and maintenance.
For the best value, many enthusiasts recommend looking for well-maintained examples of the final (seventh) generation. These offer a good balance of modern features, performance, and reliability, often at relatively affordable prices.