7th Gen Celica vs 2nd Gen Tiburon.

Robbie said:

If you're worried about fitting into a miata, you should instead be worried about fitting into a 7g celica. We used to call that car "richard hammond".

I’m 6’-3” 250# but I’m coming from Samurais and AC Beetles. Much worse than that?

ebonyandivory said:

Robbie said:

If you're worried about fitting into a miata, you should instead be worried about fitting into a 7g celica. We used to call that car "richard hammond".

I’m 6’-3” 250# but I’m coming from Samurais and AC Beetles. Much worse than that?

I'm not-quite-6ft and 180 and the only way I could wear a helmet and drive was to put the helmet in the sunroof hole (didn't have to open the sunroof, just use the indent). Which annoyingly wasn't directly above my head so I had to drive canted a bit to the right. Maybe non-sunroof cars would be better? 

Different people are different however and it might be because I like to be a bit closer to the pedals and wheel than most. Only way to know for sure is to go sit in one. 

I vote Celica.

I worked at a GM/Hyundai dealer when the 2nd gen Tiburons came out and remember them having some issues right off the truck in some cases. Among other things, one of them famously needed everything in the interior (including all the wiring!) replaced because the sunroof leaked from the factory and it destroyed everything inside while on the transporter. I can't imagine time has treated them as well as the Celica.

Go test drive a Celica. I would be surprised if you fit. The 2000+ toyota are not as good as the 1990's toyotas from an over-engineered built like a tank stand point. I would almost say a 6G will be better than 7G for your asks. 

Our 2005 Hyundai is now over 200K miles on basic maintenance. IT's not a fancy car but it's never left my MIL stranded and trust me I'd hear about it if I did. I'd have no issues recommending a Korean car. 

In reply to bmw88rider :

I actually much prefer the looks of the 6th Gen Celica. I’ll need to be convinced that a car that old can be a reliable daily driver 

Well, I've DD'ed a 1994 Miata, 1991 MR2, a 91 Celica All-trac, 2004 MS Miata, and a 2009 LS3 miata in the last decade. As long as they are kept up, I never had a problem. The only time I had a problem was when I got lazy with keeping up with the small stuff. A 97-99 Celica would be a no brainer to me. 

In reply to bmw88rider :

How were these with rust?

Wrong guy for that question. I spent 16 years in TX and now in remarkably rust free front plains of CO. It's been since 2002 since I lived in a rust prone area. 

ebonyandivory said:

Robbie said:

If you're worried about fitting into a miata, you should instead be worried about fitting into a 7g celica. We used to call that car "richard hammond".

I’m 6’-3” 250# but I’m coming from Samurais and AC Beetles. Much worse than that?

6' 240 and I don't fit without laying the seat waaaaay back in the celica. The Tib is better, but the sunroof sucks up way too much space. That's why its going in the trash and a non-sunroof liner in its place. 

In reply to bobzilla :

What about the sunroof/cutout itself?

In reply to ebonyandivory :

I can fit without a helmet in the Tib without laying the seat back. The cutout is too far to the right for me to be comfortable with a helmet.

All I know about the Tiburon is that Louisville winters were enough to turn a boyfriend of a friend's into swiss cheese in short order. Looked like the back bumper cover was flapping because the bracket wasn't attached to metal anymore.

In reply to Daylan C :

yeah, salt eats them fast. Part of the reason I was so stoked with the one I bought. minimal rust and no structural. But pretty much EVERYTHING here has that problem. I've seen 3 year old dodge trucks with the rear wheel arches gone. Integra's that had more plastic than metal left. Celicas with no floors. 

I wouldn't have any qualms about a 6g celica being reliable with regular maintenance, but it's an even less sporting base motor than a 1zz is. It's essentially a 2dr late 90s 4cyl Camry minus some weight as far as the performance level. There comes a point I'd rather have a Camry. 

I drive an ND everyday and it doesnt bother me, 30lbs ago I got into a celica and thought this thing is TINY.

I like them both, I always thought the tibs looked good, especially with the 19?s and Brembos.

In reply to bobzilla :

I get that. I'm spoiled being from the part of Kentucky that didn't seem to get any salt this winter. My 300k mile '96 dodge still had black paint on the frame.

All I can say about the 2nd gen tib.. it's ugly compared to the 99 I had (last of 1st gens without the awful quad headlight thing.

ok.. something else. Go to any junkyard and you will find quite a few tibs, all with smashed fronts. I am not sure if this is from too heavy front braking or understeering like a pig.

In reply to mad_machine :

More of the "bought by a bunch of high school kids that think they're in a F&F movie" than either of the above. 

I think Celicas and Tiburons both suffer from that problem. As well as Eclipses and Integras. Sort of comes with the territory when your goal in life is to be a sporty looking cheap fwd.