Im so torn on the Celica GT-S

"Trunk Impaired 318" (matteocscaptura)
02/10/2015 at 23:31 • Filed to: None

So Ive been looking for a new DD thats slightly more robust than the MR2 but is still good fun to drive and somewhat quick. Now Ive been stuck on the idea of the Celica GT-S because, well its a Toyota thats significantly younger than the MR2 so Im happy with the robust/reliability aspect of it. Plus, after autocrossing in GS for the past 3 years Ive come to know that, well at least until the FoST and FiST came along and Ford made a shady deal with the SCCA, that the GT-S was pretty much the car to have in GS so therefore it qualifies for the fun to drive and somewhat quick aspect.

BUT, and the but here is a big one, almost everytime I see a Celica, its usually got a fart can on it and can generally be classified as rice. Now Toyota didnt really help here as they gave the Celica some pretty agressive looks and wings that the car really didnt deserve, thus making the wannabe boy racers love it. Now I know that its a pretty capable car but I just dont know how I feel about getting myself into this particular set of owners, such as the ones that do this sort of thing.

Plus, the Celica forums are a very scary place to visit after the MR2 and 318ti forums. Gah. Then on the plus side again, its got a 6 speed, revs to the moon, is small, light, reasonably practical, has nice seats and comes in yellow. WHY MUST THIS BE SO HARD?!

DISCUSSION (44)

Brian Silvestro > Trunk Impaired 318
02/10/2015 at 23:37

Get a FiST

My citroen won't start > Trunk Impaired 318
02/10/2015 at 23:38

Get a SVX

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > Trunk Impaired 318
02/10/2015 at 23:39

MR-S? It's a Celica, with the engine behind you...

GhostZ > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
02/10/2015 at 23:43

Exactly what I was thinking. RWD too.

GhostZ > Trunk Impaired 318
02/10/2015 at 23:44

Most celicas I've seen are beat to shit. Why not get a 3rd gen MR2 / MR-S?

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Trunk Impaired 318
02/10/2015 at 23:44

get an SW20, and keep the AW11, and then get a ZZW30

TheHondaBro > Trunk Impaired 318
02/10/2015 at 23:44

Get an ST205.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > TheHondaBro
02/10/2015 at 23:48

no, ST215 , import laws be damned.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Trunk Impaired 318
02/10/2015 at 23:49

SO you want a fun reliable FWD liftback? The answer to this question is RSX.

Kinja'd!!!

Trunk Impaired 318 > Brian Silvestro
02/10/2015 at 23:49

Id get an Abarth if I went that route but Im really only looking at having whatever I get for maybe 3 years before I start making boatloads of money that I wont know what to do with

TheHondaBro > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
02/10/2015 at 23:49

That's it. I'm fucking moving to Japan.

Wanna come with?

Trunk Impaired 318 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
02/10/2015 at 23:51

The RSX is basically tied IMO with the GT-S and shares pretty much all the same strengths and weaknesses I said, albeit with a bit better quality

Trunk Impaired 318 > TheHondaBro
02/10/2015 at 23:51

Id love to but finding a good one.......

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > TheHondaBro
02/10/2015 at 23:52

I'm hopefully going over later in the year anyway..

New Zealand is just as good, only the cost of living is lower and you won't have to learn Japanese.

I saw about a million Caldinas when I was there a month ago.

Trunk Impaired 318 > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
02/10/2015 at 23:53

I see what you did there. But the AW11 is being kept regardless, its just being retired to winter duty and not full year DD

Trunk Impaired 318 > GhostZ
02/10/2015 at 23:54

Cant really justify a convertible, Ive seen first hand guys in Philly cutting through a top to steal either the car or whatever was in it

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Trunk Impaired 318
02/10/2015 at 23:54

oh, time to buy shares in rust repellent I suppose :P

Steve in Manhattan > Trunk Impaired 318
02/10/2015 at 23:55

What country? We haven't had a Celica here in US America for ... 15, 20 years?

Trunk Impaired 318 > My citroen won't start
02/10/2015 at 23:56

Finding a good one is tough and I dont really want to have to work on whatever car Im going to get. Im going to most likley DD it for 2-3 years then dump it when I start working as a pharmacist.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Trunk Impaired 318
02/10/2015 at 23:57

Or you can get the more bland Scion version of the Celica... the Scion tC.

Or get a Scion xD if you want a more practical hatchback style.

If you want the Celica GT-S powertrain in a different body style, you can also get a Matrix XRS or a Pontiac Vibe GT.

JasonStern911 > Trunk Impaired 318
02/10/2015 at 23:57

I'm going to presume by Celica, you mean:

Kinja'd!!!

Awesome choice.

Trunk Impaired 318 > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
02/10/2015 at 23:57

The MR2 has been driven year round in upstate NY its whole life and has surprisingly done very well to not rust away, theres some scaly surface stuff underneath but nothing real bad and the typical rear wheel arch spots.

ly2v8-Brian > Trunk Impaired 318
02/10/2015 at 23:58

The problem with this car and other similar vehicles, is just what you touched on. The amount of rice is too damn high! It can be difficult to find an unmodded desirable model like the GTS.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > My citroen won't start
02/10/2015 at 23:58

Or an XT6!!!

Trunk Impaired 318 > Steve in Manhattan
02/10/2015 at 23:58

US and its really only 10-15 years for the 7th gen

Trunk Impaired 318 > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/11/2015 at 00:00

I like the "practicality" of the liftback because I can get everything I need into it except people which exempts me from being a chauffeur to my "friends"

Trunk Impaired 318 > JasonStern911
02/11/2015 at 00:01

I wish. I actually see these a lot for sale and it takes all my strength and will power to tell myself that I cant have 2 pre 90s Toyotas

Trunk Impaired 318 > ly2v8-Brian
02/11/2015 at 00:02

Ive actaully got my eye on a couple that arent too bad but for every 1 of them there are 5 that are trashed.

JasonStern911 > Trunk Impaired 318
02/11/2015 at 00:04

Lucky you. I never see the old Celicas for sale anymore. And when I do, they're all either overpriced or project cars that would be difficult to find parts for. Even the 80s Toyotas are starting to get rare, hence my impulse buy of an AE86 last year.

Steve in Manhattan > Trunk Impaired 318
02/11/2015 at 00:04

I always liked the Celica. The 2nd gen MR2 was always too noisy for me. Still regret not buying a Supra Twin Turbo when I had the money. Life goes on.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Trunk Impaired 318
02/11/2015 at 00:20

for me it boils down to looks and brand loyalty. I would take the RSX over the Celica.

Also it's funny that when i was 12 or 13 I had DUB models of both of these cars.

GhostZ > Trunk Impaired 318
02/11/2015 at 00:23

Are you dead set on Toyota? Because "6 speed, revs to the moon, is small, light, reasonably practical, has nice seats and comes in yellow" describes a lot of Nissans...

Well, minus the yellow thing. Really rare paint color.

Trunk Impaired 318 > GhostZ
02/11/2015 at 00:25

Not by any means but in terms of actually finding one in good shape for a reasonable price, Toyota is by far the most available.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Trunk Impaired 318
02/11/2015 at 00:34

That's pretty good, while I don't think they rust any more than any other car they're at that sort of age where it becomes a concern.

Trunk Impaired 318 > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
02/11/2015 at 00:38

Eh, they're pretty susceptible, pretty thin metal and lots of places for salt and water to collect

Mitchell > Trunk Impaired 318
02/11/2015 at 05:17

The first time you feel those front wheels pull wide under power you will remember why great sports cars are rear wheel drive.

Street Surgeon > Trunk Impaired 318
02/11/2015 at 09:07

As a car enthusiast with no ties to either Acura or Toyota, I would argue that the RSX is a pretty big step up from the Celica GT-S in looks (subjective), performance, interior, aftermarket support, etc. Those K series motors are probably some of the best NA four bangers around.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Trunk Impaired 318
02/11/2015 at 09:31

A GTS with good suspension/tires will be fantastic at autocross. Also, because it basically has Toyota VTEC, you can get computery bits that let you control the engagement of the VVTL-i in a similar fashion.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Trunk Impaired 318
02/11/2015 at 09:42

Search low and high to find an All Trac!

Kinja'd!!!

They are tough to come across, but the deals are out there.

I nearly bought an ST185 in pristine condition, one owner (old lady), w/ 80k miles on the clock for only $7k. I let my dad talk me out of it. One of my biggest regrets to date.

ly2v8-Brian > Trunk Impaired 318
02/11/2015 at 22:03

It's really a shame. The S-chassis is the one that is really depressing. Good luck finding one that hasn't been ruined.

Trunk Impaired 318 > ly2v8-Brian
02/11/2015 at 23:36

My dads actually going to look at one for me this weekend. Looks promising IMO

http://binghamton.craigslist.org/cto/4886077309…

ly2v8-Brian > Trunk Impaired 318
02/11/2015 at 23:38

Only mods are bolt-ons with the stock parts with the car

Kinja'd!!!

Trunk Impaired 318 > ly2v8-Brian
02/11/2015 at 23:42

My thoughts exactly. Plus two sets of wheels with proper rubber and a reasonable price, definitely worth checking out.

ly2v8-Brian > Trunk Impaired 318
02/11/2015 at 23:46

Well good luck to you then!