I said I wasn't going to keep looking at cars...

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
10/12/2015 at 23:03 • Filed to: OH CRAP HE'S POSTING TOYOTAS AGAIN

Especially after assuming the position when purchasing my wife’s Matrix, err I mean, Vibe. But here I am again! Some updates are that my wife says I can do whatever the fuck I want (God, I love her). However, she expressed, politely, that she wished I would buy something safer. So I’ve never owned a car with airbags or ABS. Feh! For the record she says these things because I did narrowly survive being rear-ended at a dead stop by a car traveling 70 mph, but that’s a post for never. I am also, I’m sorry, CONSIDERING, even weakly... an autotragic transmission [insert boothisman.gif]. Hey, you try revolving your driving life around the 5 and 405 here in WA.

The budget it low, so unless I find a nice Astra I’m willing to finance, I’m looking at something older, with high miles (my specialty). And for me, no damn surprise, I’m looking at older Toyotas.

So what am I kind of considering lately?

That’s right... a Lexus-quality ‘90’s Camry Coupe with a V6 (which you can’t get with a stick, dammit). Real world MPGs estimated between 21 and 25mpgs. I can handle it if I’m traveling in something well-built and comfortable. Maybe something with working AC even!

But if I’m going for Lexus-quality and an auto, why not just bump up 2 cylinders AND buy an actual Lexus? These are getting very affordable (although low mileage ones are fetching over $8k locally, but those are exceptions rather than the trend).

I could totally daily a Vibe. Though I would prefer a manual version with 50 more horsepower. Of course I’ll be shopping for one with high miles, but hey, give me that 2ZZ. Not terribly common on CL though... but still way more common than a Camry Coupe at this point.

But were to completely honest, the car I just want is:

A 1985 Celica GT-S, 5-speed, with A/C. Rear wheel drive! The interior is basically the same as my ‘85 Tercel SR5, which only makes me like it more. Except instead of being attached to the 63-HP 3A-C motor, it has the 22R.

This is no longer just spit-balling; all of my upcoming Christmas bonus is going towards a vehicle for myself, because Goddammit I deserve it.

DISCUSSION (42)

TheHondaBro > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:07

Kinja'd!!!

This hunk of sex is just begging to be rallycrossed.

Amoore100 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:08

I quite approve of all of these. You have a knack for weeding out the interesting Toyotas from the boring shitboxes ;)

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:13

http://classifieds.castanet.net/details/1984_t…

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:14

It seems your mostly looking at coupes, but another option,

Early 90’s ES300, basically that Camry, but with two extra doors, and a third pedal.

Kinja'd!!!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Amoore100
10/12/2015 at 23:18

For the record, there are countless other non-Toyota vehicles I’m drawn to... But I likes what I likes.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/12/2015 at 23:21

I have considered these but it’s just way more car than I need — I don’t even have two friends! Moderately joking, but I’m still resisting the sedan idea — just personal choice. If it has to have 4, then I would prefer 5, like the Vibe.

bob and john > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:22

Maxima?
lexus GS?
lexus ES?

Infinitys?

MLGCarGuy > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:23

I was going to say the SC400 was the best choice…

But then I saw that Celica. In the words of the wise Shia LaBeouf, JUST DO IT!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
10/12/2015 at 23:24

That’s too hip and with it for me.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:25

Kinja'd!!!

Why is this even a decision...? We all know the one you should buy. :P

traitor joe > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:26

For the record, Camry V6 manual coupes do exist, though I have only seen one.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > MLGCarGuy
10/12/2015 at 23:26

Yeah I can’t quite get it out of my mind.
Good thing everything I like is so abundantly common! No :(

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:26

I can can relate to that. I got rid of my 97 Accord sedan, for a 01 civic coupe, because I just didn’t need a sedan.

Plans C, find a clean 92-95 Camry Coupe with a blow trans, and a wrecked ES300 with a stick, and put the 5 Speed into the Camry.

Then simply add a TRD supercharge.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:27

But you’ll love it, and it’s dirt cheap.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > bob and john
10/12/2015 at 23:28

I just don’t want a sedan right now :(
Like everything else has in my life in the last 5 years, I’m sure that will change too.

Amoore100 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:30

Your Toyota habit is definitely more sustainable than some of our BMW, Saab, Lancia, or Volvo fetishes...I’d say stick with it and get either the SC or the Supra; both are bona fide touring coupes with both style and composure (nothing against the Camry or Vibe, but those are based off of economy platforms whereas the other two certainly aren’t...)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/12/2015 at 23:32

Were in not for my 1-car garage, I would own 3 project cars right now, no doubt. I so can’t wait for my second home... Cars everywhere and room to store them!

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:35

Find a SC with the V8 and manual swap.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Amoore100
10/12/2015 at 23:35

I don’t begrudge others for their more, shall we say, adventurous tastes in automocars. What’s funny is I’m doing the best financially now in my entire life my a large margin, yet I still want to own another Tercel. You can’t shake your roots.

MLGCarGuy > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:35

All the good Toyotas are super rare, unless you’re willing to spend time on a project…I tried to look for a nice ST185 a few weeks back and they were basically non-existent.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:37

I decided to take a peek at cool Toyotas in WA, under 10,000 with manual trans.

This one looks awesome

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/525126…

Or this, it’s begging for a 4AGE swap

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/526073…

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > MLGCarGuy
10/12/2015 at 23:38

Oh God, don’t bother. If you do find one that ISN’T a project, they go for between 5 and 8k around here. If you’re lucky enough to get to it first. What are more common are the Corolla Wagon AllTracs, which I like but no one else seems to.

bob and john > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:39

you could find a 2 door infinity

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/12/2015 at 23:41

I’ve seen both of those ads. I do like the first gen Tercel’s, but the real gem is the SR5 Liftback:

Kinja'd!!!

But they are really spartan in terms of creature comforts.

Amoore100 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:42

That’s for sure. I will always respect the naturally aspirated two ton turd of Swedish steel that had no fifth gear or likely more than a hundred horsepower that managed to get me home from the hospital after being born and continued to faithfully serve our family for five years well into the 300K mile range...it was the ultimate definition of a beater, and though I didn’t realize it in my childhood, I really really miss it now that I’m older...it’s also part of the reason I stay true to Volvo because now I realize that that tank kind of instilled my love for cars and is a part of who I am today. You can’t shake your roots.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:43

Saw one of those Celica's today, it was nice.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:46

honestly, for a daily, I’d say get an SC400. It's the one that will handle daily duty the best, plus it's got a V8, so it will have some giddy-up

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > bob and john
10/12/2015 at 23:46

All I can think of is the G35 or G37; I am not well versed in Nissan.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
10/12/2015 at 23:47

Why can’t that be meeeeeeeeeeee

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:51

I’m not even mad. That Lexus looks awesome.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/12/2015 at 23:52

It would certainly be the most luxurious thing for the dollar among those candidates... I’m just worried about a little bit of the stigma. I’m sure that sounds crazy to some of you, but I don’t live in a very wealthy area. In fact quite the opposite. If you see a ‘90’s Lexus or Acura parked somewhere on the block, you assume it’s just a drug connection.

MLGCarGuy > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:54

I think only the genuinely…eccentric car enthusiasts like the Corolla Wagon. For me, blurting out that there’s a Camry or Corolla wagon driving by results in blank stares from many.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > MLGCarGuy
10/12/2015 at 23:58

90’s Corolla wagons are dirt cheap now. They go for $1500 because they’re old and no one wants them, even though they will last for eternity. Even the AllTracs don’t fetch much coin. They are incredibly disposable which is why I considered one, but I don’t want to go back to driving cars I don’t care about. At least the AllTrac is quirky and shaped like a wagon. The regular ones are just blobs of meehhhk

SonorousSpeedJoe > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2015 at 23:58

Have you considered a V6 Camry Solara coupe with a 5-speed?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > SonorousSpeedJoe
10/13/2015 at 00:03

I don’t know what it is, but I just don’t like the look... The rear is nice, but I just don’t know about the face. If I found a really clean one with a nice color, perhaps. You’re talking to a guy who likes the styling of a Tercel wagon.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/13/2015 at 00:06

I saw an old Cressida right after that.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/13/2015 at 00:15

Kinja'd!!!

I DD a 2009 GT with the 2.4L and a 5-speed. Even with that motor I get 27.5 avg for the past 20,000 or so miles. Stupidly good cars.

Try to find a 2005-06 Corolla XRS too, it’s the XRS/GT/GTS motor but in an unassuming sedan.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/13/2015 at 00:29

im purposely looking for cars without engines trans or with broken ones. They must be RWD tho

SP23 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/13/2015 at 01:16

Kinja'd!!!

This is still quite a handsome vehicle.

facw > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/13/2015 at 01:49

Rather than the vibe, I’ll put in a good word for my car (or rather its wagon version since you don’t want a sedan):

Kinja'd!!!

Volvo V40 is safe and while only 170HP, it’s not a big or heavy car so that gets it around. They’re pretty cheap now from what I can tell. No manual in the US though, but the auto is mostly well behaved.

Dunnik > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/13/2015 at 02:38

Well, if you can find a V6 SE XV10 Coupe I encourage you to also search for these:

Kinja'd!!!

Your wife is right about the ABS and airbags, though.

Yes, yes. I know. You know how to pulse the brakes so well you’re as good as a 1st gen ABS computer. You drive defensively and alertly and insist on driving a well-maintained car with good rubber, one that can slalom decently in an emergency. You realize that the best safety feature is the driver.

But still. When all else fails, an airbag won’t (unless it’s a un-recalled Takata, I guess). And modern ABS systems plus new-school shit like Electronic Brake Force Distribution make you - make anyone - brake as well as an F1 car from the 1960s (I exaggerate a bit to make the point).

Modern cars also crash better too, better than even ones from the 80s and 90s. As much as I love them, I’d never take a car from before 1985-ish on the highway.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/14/2015 at 02:17

ah, I gotcha... well I go to Redmond high school, where we've got Juniors in $50K audis, E92 M3's, and a girl in an autobiography Range Rover :P