I'm working my way up through the Celica range lol. I just recently sold my 1974 TA22 Celica which was a pretty sad day. If you want a head turner, a TA22, TA23, RA23, RA28 etc is exactly that. You just dont seem them on the road very often and i had mine for about a year, i got stares all the time, even the lady at the servo would talk to me for ages about it while i tried to slowly back away lol.
Obviously the downside is it is old, so finding a decent one to start with can be difficult and they dont come with factory air con...
So i'm assuming thats too old for you as you are interested in the 2000 models, with a bit more comfort, power, and fuel injection lol (like me, hence the sale).
Have you had a look at the 94 - 99 models? I just bought a 96 ZR the other day, you can get them for around 8-10k, but dont bother with an SX, go for a ZR as it is the upper model with cruise, elec sunroof, mags, cd player etc etc. They shit all over the 91-93 models which just look plain gay.
I'm really not a fan for cars all riced up with body kits but side skirts on these celicas actually look good and not lame.
Of course being Toyota you get a shitty colour range, IMO white and black look best.
In 2 years a '00 model will be 11 years old u would get one for cheaper than 25k for sure.
Celicas were designed without caring for your backseat passengers, hence its a 4 seater with little to no leg room in the back, along with poor head room for certain models. But to be in the front its awesome, very comfortable with the side bolsters and low.
In conclusion, buy a Torana.