looking for opinions/reviews. I looking into a 2003 GT-S right now and want to see what other people think. I might test drive one tommorow

 

They're good cars. Toyota's quality hangs around near the top rungs in the industry.

I drove a friend's modded 2000 model back when they first came out. I drove it stock, and I also drove it with some bolt ons. It responds really well to breathing mods, much like Honda VTEC motors do, and it pulls pretty nicely up top. still gets good gas mileage around town, and the interiors are pretty nice as far as fit and finish and feel of the seats goes. i dont remember much else. styling grew on me too.

only thing i can maybe think of is i know in '02 or 03 they (i believe) changed the rev limiter DOWN to like 7 grand something from the 8k it was at (or 83-8400 i forget), apparently due to either a design flaw or people were just idiots and bounced on the rev limiter and blew up motors. i dont know the whole story, but apparently they made up for it somehow with the lower rev limiters.

all i know is that with like a cold air intake, pullies, and some other small things, the car was a blast to drive, after 6000rpm it definately came alive (and personally i feel it kicks harder than a STOCK vtec motor). they handle good too.

good luck on picking one. just dont get that weaksauce action package with the giant wing lol.

 

i actually like the wing. these things are pretty hard to come across also, and i'm having a real hard time finding a red gts

 

you dont need any more vtech ....

 

I owned a 2001 GT-S and loved the VVTL-I but it still has an aftermarket scene to be reckoned with... they have it but its expensive... its high compression so boosting is hard (but has been done)

That Rev-Limit thing.. im not sure of but without those extra revs the car would be slow most of the power is right when vvtl-i kicks on. i had exhaust and intake and was running some good times in its class... the car is a good turn car and i compare it to a type-r (in that class) but its still not an acura.

People swap that engine into the Scions etc... thats about all i know

 

Look at it this way, how many other cars are out there now with the GTS motor pushing them. The Matrix XRS, Corolla XRS, and who can forget the notorious Lotus Elise. It's pretty stout from the factory and enjoys mods as long as they're chosen well and properly maintained. I have a blast driving mine around.

You can also check out other celica forums to see other peoples opinions and find out more specifics about the car if you're really interested: newcelica.org, celispeed.com, celica.net, toyotacelicas.com, toyotanation.com, teamcelica.com and the list just keeps on going.

 

I agree with you man, the car was a blast and sure got alot of looks. i remember them having some tranny issues with the 6-speed but it was very rare and 100% due to driver error.

The GT motor and GTS motor is used in so many cars now and is like you said a stout motor that can be compared to the B series (do i dare go there?)

 

I cannot find a red gt-s with the action package anywhere

This car is like really hard to get a hold of.

 

its a shame they stopped making celicas. i read that an all-wheel drive turbo corolla (code name:255L) is in the works as well as an all-wheel drive supra (code name:270L) and toyota may team up with honda to use the awd system in the acura RL for the supra to save on time and money in R & D. that would be pretty wild. if anyone is interested in that check out speed magazine jul/aug 05 (road&track).

 

I saw that article, but you bet your ass no Toyota car will EVER have SH-AWD. Toyota already has a buttload of AWD cars in Japan...hell you could buy an AWD 2JZ wagon or two over there.

AWD turbo Corolla is cool, but I doubt it. They'd probably do that for the Matrix; I can see them making a Matrix GT-4, as they have a "Caldina GT-4" over there in Japan and its the equivilent of our Matrix and even has a 3S-GTE!