Toyota is a popular nameplate in the racing community, and quite frankly, it has been for a long time. The Japanese brand has made some of the fastest and most powerful sports cars. Although Toyota began operations in the 1920s, the marque waited until the 1960s to present its first production sports car: the Toyota Sports 800. From then on, Toyota looked for a way to expand. The brand listened to the market. The ‘70s era brought a new sense of modernity and independence. With a decline in work time, folks switched to vacationing and fun activities to pass the time. This meant that the market needed cars that would ooze a leisure vibe, pack a strong engine and deliver the best speed. It was in this context that the Toyota Celica was born.
In the last quarter of 1970, the first-generation Toyota Celica made its debut. The Coupe-shaped sports car was the brand’s response to Ford Mustang Pony Car. The car went on for 5 generations, offering a pioneering shape, amazing engine output, and an unwavering performance. By 1994, the sixth-generation Toyota Celica joined the scene. In the U.S., the Celica was only available in ST and GT trims.
The Toyota Celica is a perfect illustration of Toyota’s racing lineage, emerging as a symbol of global sales success and true motorsport. In this article, we will dive into its price and features. Stick around and find out how much you would pay for a 1994 Toyota Celica.
The Toyota Celica Is One Of The Cheapest Used JDMs In The Market Today
During its production year, Toyota offered the Celica at a starting price of $22,598. For the 1994 Toyota Celica in the classic market, buyers should expect to pay $19,024 today, according to classic.com. This price reflects a good condition model with reasonable mileage. Prices can go as low as $6, 278, with the lowest price touching the $2,366 bottom limit. But with this price, these models should have some minor quality issues and higher mileage.
The mint condition and well-preserved models can sell for as much as $28,310. At the time of this writing, the price of the sixth-generation Toyota Celica is on a gradual decline, meaning that it will be even cheaper in a few years. As this price fluctuates over time, be sure to check the classic website for average price changes
Is The Classic Toyota Celica Worth It?
Yes. If you’re looking for a sporty everyday driver, the Toyota Celica is a perfect fit. The exterior came finished in amazing exterior color offerings. Its front fascia included a unique bumper cover with built-in fog lamps and a hood spoiler for windshield wipers. These also featured a factory-installed rear spoiler on the trunk.
The ST version was powered by a new 1.8-liter 7A-FE engine and the GT by a 2.2-liter 5S-FE engine. A close-ratio E154 five-speed manual gearbox handled the shifting, and the power went through a permanent all-wheel-drive system that features a viscous center coupling and a torque-sensing rear differential. For the 1994 model year, the Celica's new style featured stylish headlights and became hailed as the "Supra style" Celica.
The 1994 Toyota Celica GT-Four version is one of 2,500 homologation models produced for the same model year. With this GT-Four model under its belt, Toyota envisioned the Celica joining the Group A World Championship as a rally car. But due to the irregularity of the turbocharger, the team was suspended from the competition for a year after just one victory.
What You Should Know Before You Buy The 1994 Toyota Celica
First, the Toyota Celica is among the most powerful classic sports cars you can find. It’s also known for its reliability, if maintained properly and operated levelheadedly. Hidden beneath its smooth skin is a relatively simple design that shares many of its components with other cars in Toyota's vast lineup.
However, keep in mind that JDM vintage cars are, at the end of the day, still vintage cars. Therefore, they need a careful and thorough inspection before handing over the money. This is all the more important in the case of JDM vehicles for sale, where spare and service parts are unlikely to be available as quickly as other American or European sports cars. But in truth, classic high-performance sports cars, specifically the ones initially reserved for Japanese consumers, are actually the most popular purchases these days.
Before you buy your model, make sure to check for corrosion. While it's rare, be sure to check on the lower edges of the door panels, lower rear corners of the fenders, the door sills, and the trunk lid for any signs of decay. Also, make sure the engine starts immediately, idles smoothly, accelerates properly, and doesn't release unwanted smoke from the exhaust pipe. A common problem on the Celica is the transmission, which requires a shift solenoid replacement. Another thing to check is for internal problems, particularly the clutch. If the transmission in a manual car is too loose or too tight, there may be a clutch problem.
The Toyota Celica GT-Four turbo offers exceptional performance and is much more expensive in the market than the rest of the range. Produced in limited numbers for the 1994 model year, It’s a rare Celica model in the classic market. However, keep in mind that its turbocharged powertrain makes it more expensive to insure than its standard sibling.