Looking to sell my '96 Miata track car and get a vert Celica so the whole family can enjoy.
My wife doesnt like driving manual trans cars, what is the auto like in the Celica GT?
What sort of life expectancy should i get out of it presuming the previous owner never had the trans serviced or fluid changed?
How expencive would getting a new auto trans be (ballpark) if I had to get a new/rebuilt one?

Sorry for all the questions but over the past 20+ years I have had 6 cars with manual trans and other then my s2000 needing second and third gear syncros done there have been no problems.

On the other hand I have had three auto cars. One couldnt decide what gear it wanted and kept changing up and down.
One needed the trans replaced about every 70-80k miles to the tune of about 4k.
My auto track car (not the miata) has a trans and oil cooler and has 173k miles on the original trans with over 600 laps at Virginia International Raceway track day events.

I just want to make sure I am not making a mistake looking into buying a 20 year old car.

Really can't tell you much on automatics except for they work off black magic and that I hate them, that aside it seems most are usually good for at least 200K if the fluid was changed out every now and then and weren't burnout toys. Biggest thing is if it shifts smoothly and punctually lazing around or getting onto it and the fluid isn't burnt you should be ok, but you really can't get a feel for an automatic like you can a manual. Most of the twenty year old cars of today are pretty reliable provided they were halfway taken care of.

I do think something like the Solara convertible might be a better option if you're wanting a convertible the whole family can enjoy, it's bigger and potentially newer plus you can get a V6 so even with an auto it's not mind numbingly slow. Which I've never been around either in convertible form but in liftback and coupe form the rear seat of the Solara is actually bearable at 5'10" but impossible in the Celica. Sure with the top down headroom isn't an issue but if you ever got caught in the rain or needed to use it say in the dead of winter for some reason it could become an issue.

I'll 2nd a V6 Solara, not a terrible car, essentially a Camry Coupe.

The 5S/Auto Celica is essentially the same drivetrain as the 5S/Auto Camry through the same years, so checking out Camry reliability for their automatic trans will give you an idea.

I will third the Solara. I had a 2006 V6 Solara and I loved it. It shifted smooth and had a lot of power. I am 6' 4" and I fit in it great plus a fairly tall person could sit in the backseat. If you are dead set on an automatic Celica, here are 2 videos on rebuilding an automatic transmission for a 5sfe. Maybe these videos can help you make up your mind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BKpdy8FgOE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zl9mrhueKc

Thanks for the help.
Reliability is my main concern.
Solara is about a foot and 1/2 longer then the Celica and would be too big to fit 3 cars and my boat in my garage.
Reliabilty looks decent, will have to take a test drive and find out if it feels decent or if the automatic makes it a soulless appliance.

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I have a 1999 Celica automatic convertible that is pristine! Practical use and comfort of back seat depends upon who will sit in the back. Fine for young children -- too small for adults! Automatic transmission if flawless. Extremely fun to drive and handles with finesse!