you can check out the gossip on www.celica.net
generally the people who are perpetuating the rumors actually work for Toyota. there is a link off the main page to a thread on the topic but if you look on their boards there are tons of threads about it.
ever since the car has come out ive heard people complaining about the gears. i think Toyota has just started listening and is going to try to do something about it. just my opinion.