Toyota Celica GTS

2000 toyota celica gts

The 2000 Toyota Celica is all-new. For the GT-S, Toyota has scrapped the old Celica GT 2.2 liter 135 HP 4 cylinder for a 1.8 liter 180 HP 4 cylinder with variable valve timing (VVTLi) (gee, I wonder where they got that idea from?). The interior and exterior are totally different (interior is quite ergonomic, and exterior is much sharper than the old Celica, literally). The manual transmission has been upgraded to a 6-speed (the automatic has wheel-mounted manumatic shift buttons, which I will explain in more detail later in the review). Weight is down on the manual from 2580 to 2425 pounds (automatic down from 2640 to 2580). Starting prices have been lowered (1999 GT liftback 5-speed dealer invoiced at $19392 with freight, and the 2000 GT-S 6-speed starts at $19203). However, there have been some trade-offs in standard equipment as well.

Subaru Outback Sedan

2000 subaru outback

Subaru’s newest member of its all-wheel-drive family is the sedan version of its popular Outback series, which made its name in wagon form. Essentially a dressed-up Legacy with added mechanicals to power the rear wheels, the Outback series adds numerous pieces inside and out to transform pedestrian sedans and wagons into unique looking, riding, and handling vehicles. In recent years, the Outback has proven to be Subaru’s savior and this formula is a miracle of modern marketing. Using similar running gear to the FWD cousins and the same boxer design engine that it first found fame with, Outbacks have attracted a following that transcends demographics and income levels, while defying economic class stereotyping. And Subarus are not funny little cars for mail delivery in Vermont anymore. The Outback sedan, then, is as at home in Cheyenne as it is in Chicago.

Mitsubishi Eclipse GT

mitsubishi eclipse

The 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT is all new. Mitsubishi has scrapped the old normally aspirated (built by Chrysler for the Dodge and Plymouth Neon) and turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, and replaced them with the same 2.4 liter 4-cylinder and 3.0 liter V6 offerings also available for the 1999 Galant (albeit with a little more horsepower in the Eclipse). The interior and exterior are totally different. Body rigidity is up (bending up 41%, torsional up 26%), wheelbase is 2 inches longer, shoulder and hip room are down. Tires are larger (P205/55HR16 for 1999, P215/50VR17 for 2000).

Mercury Ford Sable LS

mercury sable

For 2000, the Sable has received a face lift, which Mercury hopes will increase demand for this often overlooked family sedan. Its first cousin, the Ford Taurus, is a consistent best seller, though actual sales numbers might be slightly skewed as rental car companies purchase them by the dozens. The Sable has been perceived as being a bit more upscale than the Taurus, offering a few more options in base form, while still being a good value.

Mercury Ford Cougar V6

Ford Mercury Cougar

The 2000 Cougar is Mercury’s offering in the very competitive $17,000-$25,000 sport coupe market. Basically unchanged since last year, this sleek poster child for Ford Motor Company’s “New Edge” style, is linked only in name to the Cougars of years past. It is smaller, more nimble, and dramatically more distinctive.

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