Welcome back to Shitbox Showdown! Time once again to get our hands dirty looking at a couple of cars that cost less than a week at an all-inclusive resort, but don’t include the watered-down drinks or karaoke night. It looks like young Thomas was having a little fun in here over the weekend. I don’t mind, of course, but he left a half-eaten container of poutine next to the keyboard. I’m not your maid, sonny boy; pick up after yourself. Dang kids.
This week was supposed to be all Japanese cars, but you know how it goes: If you’re not looking for something, you’ll find it everywhere, but as soon as you start searching, they vanish like the cockroaches in the kitchen of your first apartment. I found plenty of Camrys and Accords, but there’s only so much to be said about those. So today we’ll look at a couple of sporty Japanese numbers, and the rest of the week we’ll look at all the other cool stuff I found that I wasn’t actually looking for.
But before we get into those, there is the small matter of last week’s champion to settle.
Well, would you look at that? Despite the howls and protestations of so many commenters, the old K-car derivative has emerged victorious. A narrow win, but a win nonetheless. A few people have requested ranked voting for Fridays; I’ll see what I can do.
[Editor’s note: How the hell did a K-Car beat out a diesel Merc, a V-4 (!) Saab, and a sweet little stickshift Ford/Mazda truck? This makes no sense. Please help me understand. -DT].
Now, let’s take a look at today’s competitors:
1993 Toyota Celica convertible – $2500
Engine/drivetrain: 2.2 liter inline 4, 4 speed automatic, FWD
Location: Clearlake, CA
Odometer reading: 186,000 miles
Runs/drives? Yes indeed
Everybody knows someone who once had a Toyota Celica, but no one has ever had one themselves. I’m not sure how that works, exactly, but when the subject of the Celica comes up, which admittedly isn’t often, it’s always “my friend/roommate/girlfriend’s sister had one.” They’ve rarely raised the interest or pulse of most enthusiasts, with the exception of a few special versions like the turbocharged all-wheel-drive GT-Four (or All-Trac as it was known in the US). Most Celicas were more like this one: sporty-looking but not particularly sporty, stylish but forgettable — exactly the sort of car your friend’s roommate’s girlfriend’s sister would drive, I guess.
The convertible versions like this were made from coupes, modified by ASC in California — even the ones that were sold in Japan. This one hasn’t strayed too far from home, and unlike any other California car we’ve featured (as far as I can remember anyway), this one just passed a smog test and has fresh registration. It has lived a bit of a hard life, it looks like, and yes, that bungee cord is actually holding the trunk shut. A replacement latch might be hard to come by, but you can probably come up with something better than a bungee cord.
Inside, things look… dusty. A good vacuuming and some Armor-All would go a long way here. But the clean mechanical bill of health from the state of California is encouraging, and this looks like it would make a good reliable runabout if you wanted a convertible. It won’t set the world on fire – the 2.2 liter four and overdrive automatic used here could also be found in the contemporary Camry – but it’ll keep chugging along for a good long while yet. And hey – the top works.
1988 Subaru XT6 – $2250
Engine/drivetrain: 2.7 liter horizontally-opposed 6, 5 speed manual, AWD
Location: Denver, CO
Odometer reading: 159,500 miles
Runs/drives? Yes, but needs some work to be roadworthy
Before Subaru became the official station wagon manufacturer of farmer’s markets everywhere, the company built this doorstop-shaped sports coupe, starting in 1985. Dubbed the XT in the U.S. and the Alcyone in Japan, it was completely different from anything else Subaru sold at the time. Hell, it was completely different from anything anyone else sold at the time. Sleek, wedgey, and futuristic, it looked out of place next to Subaru’s sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons, which in the ’80s didn’t even have a model name in the US.
That high-tech futurism also showed in the mechanical specification, which included available four wheel drive activated by a push-button on the top of the pistol-grip manual sgearshift (Subaru wouldn’t make AWD standard across the board until the mid-1990s), a turbocharged engine, and an adjustable-height air suspension. By 1988, when this XT was made, it had gained two cylinders and permanent all-wheel-drive to become the XT6.
The seller claims to have spent a lot of money whipping this one back into shape, presumably after some years of neglect, but abandoned it after finding a newer Subaru. This fickle behavior has left the XT6 half-finished and looking for a new home. The power steering is out, which may be a problem because the XT6 uses an unusual electro-hydraulic power steering setup that is probably a nightmare to fix and requires special very expensive fluid from Subaru [Editor’s note: Toyota MR2s of the era also used an electrohydraulic power steering design. In fact, MR2 pumps are favorites amont folks converting cars to EVs. I wonder if you could retrofit it to work in this XT6 and safe a few bucks? -DT] . Luckily it’s not a very big or heavy car, so just work on your upper body strength and you’ll be fine.
The outside looks a little scruffy, but it’s such an unusual car that you could probably leave it as-is and still get admiring looks and comments from car folks. And that cool asymmetrical steering wheel and pistol-grip gearshift are sure to be conversation starters at Cars & Coffee. Every photo in the ad shows the pop-up headlights in the up position, leading me to wonder if they can in fact go down, but that can’t be too hard to fix.
So you’ve got your rare high-tech flying doorstop in need of some repair, or your sorority-girl-special safe bet convertible. The choice is yours.
I feel like this is a no contest win for the xt. For any other car to have a chance it would have to be a 2/3 gen supra. Maybe that should be one of the shitbox showdowns this week: weird drift cars without the tax.
The XT is the easy win, but coming from a guy who loves to work on interiors, I voted the Celica. It wouldn’t take too much to clean it up and swap the trunk lid from a local yard. It would be the easier of the two to make a daily driver…a sluggish one, but the high road of the two…and the easier one to flip.
DT: How did the K Car derivative win?
They’ve never driven one before. (Plus not being broken in any way kinda helped. )
I choose the Subie today. Quirky and unique.
Got to go with the XT. One of the most ’80s of ’80s sports coupes. Too bad it doesn’t have the digidash, which looks like it was made by Atari.
I have had the privilege of seeing and sitting in the Frankenwedge, which is an XT6 that received a successful engine swap with a 3.3L flat six from an SVX, while preserving the AWD. It lives in NC at the moment but will probably eventually be relocated to SoCal. Its owner recently moved out there to take a position at a rather popular automotive YouTube channel.
I’m not seeing the voting form, but I’d go for the Subaru. It’s more of a Japanese time machine, I think that’s why.
That Gen celica drop always looked like a soap bar with the top down. The hard top was actually pretty engaging to drive for the time even with the auto. With that said, it’s much rather have the previous Gen wedge that the subie reminds me of. So had to go with the latter.
“How the hell did a K-Car beat out a diesel Merc, a V-4 (!) Saab, and a sweet little stickshift Ford/Mazda truck?”
Because you could spend another thousand or two and get a much better Saab, the Courier was pretty beat, and the Merc would have cost too much money to get into decent cosmetic shape. While I voted the Merc because I didn’t want to return to my parents’ K-car days, the K-car was genuinely the best option for someone wanting to buy a beater and drive it.
I’m with DT on this one. In fact, I am surprised to find myself on the contrarian end of the whole poll. All the candidates got votes in an inverse proportion to how I would have ranked them. I liked the Saab best (because it looks groovy and it’s smog-exempt and therefore I can do whatever I want to it to make it run), then the Ford truck (because it’s a stick and it’s useful and it’s my kind of shitbox and I’m not really concerned about the gearbox), then the Mercedes (which I don’t like at all but at least it’s less embarrassing than what remains), and finally the K-car which offends my sensibilities on every level except the seat upholstery.
As for today’s vote, I chose the Toyota, for once just because it looked pretty easy to clean it up and make it into something I could sell at a profit after driving it for a summer. I already have a better convertible, but this one looks like… well… no, actually, it’s pretty ugly. Just less ugly than the Subaru. That one has an aesthetic I couldn’t embrace.
Your list was the same as mine, for different reasons in some instances.
But I picked the wedge mobile with the weird shifter here, for the same reason I picked the Saab. Most interesting, most likely to put a smile on my face.
XT6 just for that steering wheel.
You people are nuts, give me the cheap drop-top that runs all day.
I agree when I buy a car I have a few rules
1. It must run
2. If it doesn’t run it must repairable so that cost plus repair must be less than the value of the car once repaired.
3. If vehicle is going to be restored it must be restorable under the conditions in step 2.
Therefore the Toyota is the best choice because I do not need a POS. THAT IS WHAT THAT SUBARU IS.
Also the Subaru looks like a Triumph TR-7.
I am probably in the minority here but this is my favorite generation of Celica. I just love them.
I think, in general, Celicas are fantastic looking, even if they’re often more show than go. Most Celicas are among the best looking cars Toyota has ever made, with the exception of the second gen that I don’t like. But I wouldn’t touch this one with a 50 foot pole. That looks like it’s gonna give me several rashes.
On the other hand, the Subaru XT is the ’80s future we were promised, even if this one would be a nightmare to get going.
XT all day.
Just VOTE for the Subaru. Do not BUY the Subaru. Just vote. No buy.
I have loved those things since they were new, but I have heard horror stories about the Cybrid suspension systems.
But I STILL want one so bad.
Subaru, as I don’t think we could get it here and it’s quite unique. Never saw a Celica convertible, but in this climate, it’s not surprising.
Buddy had the regular Celica, They always had the looks but no $$
XT for the win. As close as I am going to get to an Aston Martin Lagonda
You mean an old TR-7. No big deal both the Triumph and the Lagonda were craptastic
Can’t see the poll. Subaru for days. The Celica should be a stick. With 150 or so horsies that autotragic needs to go. Even with the stick it won’t light the world on fire but will make it more engaging.
Now the Subaru, that sounds like a fun project. AWD turbo power through a manual along with that 80’s interior would have me blasting some synthwave or The Ramones. At least that’s the dream. If nothing turns out to be made from unobtanium…
This is the later 6 cylinder, not the turbo 4.
I love convertibles, but I have to vote for the Subaru.
XTs look like a two-door coupe version of the Citroën XM. That’s worth something. Subaru XTs aren’t especially fun to drive, but they’re different enough. If they’re tunable to do a little more fire-breathing, I could easily revise my opinion.
The Celica convertible would fix up to be a good-looking car pretty easily. But it will never be more than a great little neighborhood cruiser.
While I think this Celica is a far better buy, the XT6 would get my money.
Absolutely the Subaru here. I know parts availability is probably pretty rough but worst case scenario I’d rather have a cool looking paperweight than a beat up auto convertible Celica.
Definitely the Subaru. 6 cylinder, plus turbo, plus AWD makes it a winner. Celicas were nice, but overrated. When I bought my Eagle Talon Tsi AWD, the equivalent Celica All-Trac was $10K CDN more expensive, and slower.
Don’t think it’s a turbo.
It’s not. I meant to say “lost the turbo but gained two cylinders.” That’s what I get for rushing to finish at 11 pm…
Pedantic moment: The 5S-FE debuted in the Celica in ’89, and then went into the Camry in ’92.
The Camry has a Celica engine, which is fitting because the Camry started as a Celica model.
Did it really? I had no idea…I learn something new every day here – thanks!
I enjoy Toyota’s model name bending convention, like the Supra’s origin as a Celica model. Cool that it goes the other way too.
Like how a chunk of their (more classic) names can be translated into “crown” some how or another.
Oh good call!
Or how Toyota’s done it fairly recently even, with the horrendously ugly Toyota Solara (nee Camry Solara) that was the final, ignominious nail in the coffin for the Japanese personal luxury coupe segment.
Hey, you shush!
I still get compliments almost every month on my 15 year old Solara convertible.
(The honest truth is that I think other people like it more than I do. It’s not a bad looking car, but it’s not one I’d randomly compliment in the parking lot.)
I really meant the coupe version. That thing was oddly proportioned/bulbous.
The convertible (to my eyes) looks better top up than the coupe (I think the canvas top breaks up the lines nicely), which is kinda abnormal.
I always thought the first-generation Solara, coupe or convertible, was quite a handsome car. The second generation… ugh. You’re right that the drop-top unusually wore it better, at least.
Agree on the first gen.
And I’ll show I really mean it by totally coming clean & saying…likewise for the 1st Gen Chrysler Sebring.
I seriously considered a first-gen Sebring coupe back in the day…loved the strangely euro front end. Ended up going with something more affordable given my paycheck at the time.
Flame on!
Meh on those as well
/\
That was intended elsewhere, commenting system glitch.
I did not mean to put Meh on those as well! I apologize!
I intended to say that I’m a guy who likes 80s and 90s Fords,, namely Tempo, Taurus and Aerostar, so I’m far from judging someone who likes Chrysler Sebrings or Toyota Solaras.
Ran across this, thought I’d leave it here (in case it’s gone, it’s a V-6/5spd Solara, or “Solar Cuope” according to the ad). https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/d/troutdale-toyota-solar/7481691891.html
“Kanmuri” means crown in Japanese and it is what the Camry is named for. To think that it started out as a very cool four-door Celica is a bit depressing.
Exactly what I was referring to. I wish I would’ve worded it better.
You’ve screwed me again, missing edit button!
Came here to say that. I’m guessing by the name you’re a 5S Fan too. I have the “third gen” in my Camry and it’s pretty bulletproof. Previous owner had a CAI on it with the stock exhaust which is the perfect amount of Cabin engine noise for me without being too annoying to anyone outside the car.
Subaru for sure. A sportscar restoration project that likely stay restored longer after you completed it.
And the interior is even wonderfully more ’80s futuristic than pictured. The angle belies the crazy multi-control-stalk setup for one.
Rode in one once, way back when. It absolutely evokes the feel of something the hero would drive in a that-era, low-budget science fiction movie.
The top of the Celica “works”. Doesn’t look like it actually keeps out water though.
Gimme that goofy Subaru with a MT and half the miles and a trunk that keeps out water.
Yeah, that top looks very janky, like a tent set up by my little sister.
Yeah big bro let’s see a picture of a tent you put up without mom and dad and the family dog helping you.
Not related but just couldn’t help myself. Lol
I’d rather own and drive the Subaru but the Celica seems like it would make a really tempting flip because a convertible is always worth something and it seems so close to being a nice car.
Stick shift for the win, plus I dislike almost all convertibles. Beating with the heart of your average Librarian’s Camry doesn’t help.
That looks like an automatic shift lever & a dead pedal in the Subaru, regardless of what the ad says.
Nope, it’s a manual. These had a slidey plastic ball “shift boot” like some 2000s Volvos had. If it were an automatic, it would have the same shape handle, but you’d see the PRNDL next to it.
What a terrible design!
If I hadn’t seen one before, I might have assumed the same.
Don’t discount the sweet quiet librarian. There must be a reason that most porn films used to have them.
Meh on those as well
The Celica looks to be a junkyard trunk lid, paint job, and interior detailing away from being in nice shape.
Subaru all day long. Yeah it needs work but where would you find another one? I can’t say I’ve ever even seen one!
I have, had a buddy who owned a turbo version. He loved it. I should’ve asked to drive it, had I known I’d probably never have the chance again.
Having lived in Colorado, I have seen a couple of XT6 in my days. But very rare cars indeed.
So where do you get parts boy wonder? This category is becoming NP or ND. Yeah not the old one the new one. We need some definition here to help people make a decision. Like if you never would buy it you can’t vote for it. If it’s not repairable it shouldn’t be listed. I don’t mind replication of Jalopnik ideas but prefer the mistakes aren’t replication as well. IMHO.