Infamous C&D Article Online

[msilvia]

The article being discussed in a previous thread is online. Something that isn't immediately obvious on C&Ds ****ty web site. Anyway, here's the link.

Four Wedges & A Bubble (http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/comparisontests/2002/may/200205_comparo_sportcoupes.xml)

Turbo S is still just a beetle, not a sports coupe. Tiburon shows lots of Hyundai cheapness and lack of overall performance quality. Celica ties with the Bishi for 2nd. Rev limiter kicks in early. RSX-S wins it. But we knew all that. Notable exerpts:

[I]"Also packing a six-speed is the eye-catching Toyota Celica, provided you order the GT-S model. Toyota really cranked the fun into this seventh-generation Celica. If there's a more athletic chassis in this class, we'd love to find it. In past tests, the GT-S always impressed us with its quick reflexes and tenacious grip."

"If you've got clout with your congressional rep

[t2000gts]

haha i love that quote:

"Of course, maybe F-15s rattle, too, and nobody cares."

makes me almost wanna forgive all the rattles/squeaks i get from my car too. keyword: ALMOST. :D

[scapamouche]

Ummmm...... They do. So do F-14s (a much BETTER plane, BTW ;) )

[t2000gts]

navy bias :)

it's ok, i like the F14 better too :D

[Da Kine Guy]

damn, I so wish they woulda taken my car out for the test instead of that '02 model :(

[Keyshawn]

It puzzles me that the low rev-limit is called a "glitch", yet the mags and Toyota don't mind publishing the performance numbers from that faulty test car. That's like if Car and Driver tested the Focus SVT and the rear wheels fell off (a legit concern, according to this: http://www.thewgalchannel.com/sh/automotive/stories/automotive-134210120020401-170433.html ). I doubt C&D would say, "There was a glitch with our test Focus, but we'll go with the performance numbers we got with it anyway." Why didn't Toyota simply try to replace the faulty test car? It's just strange.

[yakkosmurf]

Originally posted by msilvia
"We were also disappointed by the buzzes and sheetmetal dingling noises coming up from all directions. In paring weight to only 2580, less than the next-heavier Acura by 200 pounds, Toyota seems to have left behind some of its famous quality.
"
This is very un-Toyota-like.

[autxr]

Rattles are very un-Toyota like. Of course so is makeing a light car. They seemed to forget how to do that 20 years ago...

Even my '73 Celica weigs in at about 2400 pounds.

Scott

[daSchtick]

Originally posted by yakkosmurf

This is very un-Toyota-like.

Maybe it's a part of their new "is this Toyota" ad campaign.

[t2000gts]

that ~2500lb. curb weight pretty much makes the car. it's lighter than a civic. so they probably used lighter materials and cheaped out on a few things to achieve that.

i'm glad they at least knew what's up to make it light, not with all these new cars coming out with attractive engien numbers, but with 3000lb weights...

the McLaren F1 weighs 2500lbs too. i wonder if it rattles :D

[t2000gts]

also, a 6-speed GT-S spraying a 75 shot off the line will have almost the same amount of torque at the wheels in first gear as a McLaren F1! except the McLaren is RWD and has 315/45-17 tires in back while the GT-S is FWD with 205/50-16 tires in front.

also the F1's first gear probably goes a bit farther than 40mph.

EDIT: HOLY ****, that first gear goes to 80mph at fuel cutoff almost, WtF