Shifterati

Toyota Celica · 6th gen (1994–1999)

1997 Toyota Celica

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

Learn

What changed

  • The GT coupe is dropped, and Fiesta Blue Metallic can be had with the black sport cloth interior.1,2

What it came with

  • 1.8L four (7A-FE)2,3,4

    110 hp, on the ST · 1994–1997

  • 2.2L four (5S-FE)2,5,6

    135 hp, on the GT

Transmissions
5-speed manual3,6
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive7
Trims
ST (1994–1997)8,4, GT8,5, GT Limited Edition (1997)1
Packages
GT convertible (1995–1999)9,2, Sports Package2, Anti-lock brakes8,5

Colors

  • Super White 3,6
  • Black 3,6
  • Renaissance Red 3,6
  • Alpine Silver Metallic 3,6
  • Turquoise Pearl Metallic 3,10
  • Topaz Metallic 3,11,10
  • Solar Yellow 3
  • Baltic Blue Metallic 3
  • Blue Slate Metallic 11
  • Blue Metallic 10,7
  • Orange Pearl Metallic 10
  • Fiesta Blue Metallic 1
  • Caribbean Green Metallic 4,7
  • Galaxy Blue Metallic 12

Interiors

  • Black 6
  • Black/Ivory 6
  • Black Sport cloth 1

Compare with another year

Buy

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

  • Worn convertible top All years One source so far

    What to check: Raise and lower the top, and look for a gummy or torn canvas, a broken strut and a loose rear window.

    Two Edmunds owners of a 1995 GT convertible report a worn top. One says the canvas went gummy, a strut snapped and the rear window fell out, and the other says the roof needs replacing.

    Sources 9

  • Oxidized paint All years One source so far

    What to check: Look over the roof, hood and trunk for faded or chalky paint, above all on a dark car.

    Two members of a ClubLexus thread on buying a 1995-on Celica raise it. One says the darker colors oxidize on cars that were not garaged or looked after, and the other has seen oxidized ones on the road.

    Sources 13

Recalls

No recalls are listed for this year.

Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

  • Avoid: Underpowered for a sport coupe All years Less sought after

    Edmunds' reviews of the 1996 to 1999 cars call the Celica woefully underpowered next to its rivals; Hagerty notes the US cars had Camry or Corolla engines while Japan got the GT-Four.5,4,14

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.

Sources

  1. Edmunds 1997 review
  2. Wikipedia (Toyota Celica)
  3. Edmunds 1994 specs
  4. Edmunds 1998 review
  5. Edmunds 1996 review
  6. Edmunds 1999 specs
  7. Edmunds 1998 specs
  8. Edmunds 1994 review
  9. Edmunds 1995 review
  10. Edmunds 1997 specs
  11. Edmunds 1996 specs
  12. Edmunds 1999 review
  13. ClubLexus (buying a 1995-on Celica)
  14. Hagerty (seven generations)