For those who owned both GT and GTS

[Sausage25ca]

OK - going to buy soon...I really would like to get the GTS, but of course I would save a bit of cash on the GT which I would then spend on some wheels and a kit.

Basically, for all of you have owned both a GT and a GTS is the GTS worth the extra dough performance wise?? Not necessarily speed wise, but fun wise is it that much better?

[MarkyMark]

this goes back to the old comment, if you want performance, get the highest trim of the car :)

[NoCones]

I have owned both. I bought a 00 GT-S new in Sep of 00. I just traded it for a used 00 GT in Feb of 02. My switch was for autocross reasons. On most autocross courses, the GT-S has no significant advantage over the GT, yet it runs in a "faster" class.

Acceleration-wise, you're really only going to be able to appreciate the difference when you can go 10/10ths in a straight line. That's when you can make use of those extra 40 horses. If you think you'll drive 10/10ths a lot of the time and/or you really value 0-60 and 1/4 mi times, then maybe it's worth the dough. The thing is, while 180 vs. 140 sounds like a massive hp difference...look at where the peak for each occurs. And the small peak torque advantage of the GT-S also occurs at a loftier rpm than the GT. You have to really keep the GT-S wound up to make us of it...just look at how unimpressive the acceleration numbers were for the GT-S's recently tested in SCC and C&D. If you shifted both at 6800 rpm, it's probably a dead heat.

Handling-wise, the cars are basically identical. The oem tire on the GT-S is going to perform better; the GT probably weighs a little less.

Braking-wise, yeah the GT has rear drums...you'll never know the difference.

And then there's non-performance stuff like leather, upgraded stereo, and a badge.

Up to you whether the diff is worth the $$$...since I only have a 3 mile commute and I autocross a lot, the GT made good sense.

[Hepnotic]

If you can afford the gt-s than get the gt-s.

The price difference is worth it. You get what you pay for, simple as that. More performance, more standard features.. it's all there.

[GeeTeeEss]

I bought a 00' GT and it was ok... But it ALWAYS bugged me that I didn't buy a GTS. On day I couldn't take it anymore... I traded my GT in after only 5 months for a GTS. I paid out the ass too... My advice, buy a GTS...! Don't make the same mistake I did...!

[YOshi31]

just dont pay more than like 25500 for a gt-s and 22000 for a gt thats just the extreme prices like a gt could go for 19 fully loaded and dont get ripped off like my friend soooo stupid he said that got a good deal till i bought my car he a auto gt with actionpakage kit silver and those 14" gt rims thats it no abs no sunroof and stuff and he PAID $28935 out the door... thats for a 2002.... i was telling him he got ripped but he was like noooo its a good price then i got my fully loaded gt-s 6spd for 25200 so yeah dont get ripped and dont buy from Steven's Creek toyota in sanjose!

[NoCones]

Originally posted by YOshi31
i got my fully loaded gt-s 6spd for 25200

Good god, don't even pay close to that much...shoot for 2-3% over invoice.

[Austinbrtndr]

good gawd guys... you all make me feel a lot better about paying $15050 for my 01 GT last month... guess i got a hella deal!!!

[vegeta irie]

Hey I had an 00 auto GT. Traded it in for a 00 GT-S 6 speed and believe me it was worth a thousand times over!! But be careful w/insurance though. My payments skyrocketed. But in my opinion the GT-S is really worth it.

[gregRowe]

For me the GT was the way to go. I am not into racing or performance though.

1. GT doesn't need premium gas, big BIG money saver.
2. GT gets better gas mileage
3. Insurance is less on a GT. My insurance company told me that they rate cars on a scale from 1 to 27. The GT is a 17, and the GTS is a 21. That number determines what you pay.
4. Lower sticker cost.

...It just depends on what you are looking for in the car.

[Chris25NJ]

I bought a 00 GT and 2 months later a tree fell on it and squashed it. Then I went and got a 00 GTS....

best thing that ever happened to me. :)

[migs]

Its all about LIFT!!!

[CarbonBlue[GT]]

I've never had a gts, but my friend does. Its really not a big deal. If you want show GT is perfect, but performance dont even bother. You should narrow down on Show or Speed. No point payin so much for a 180hp car when you can get somethin better. If its for show Celica is the best lookin car to begin with(my opinion). For speed get another car. I'm not sayin gts is slow its just that there are faster cars. Get the WRX, SE-R is cheaper, etc. It really depends on what your going for. I focused on looks so i got the GT. If i want speed i would go with somethin like WRX!!!!

[m0rgue]

I paid $17,300 before delivery, etc. all that other b/s for my 5-speed GT. I did NOT get the alloy wheels, ABS, or a sunroof. I didn't care. I got what I wanted. I got the spoiler, I got the fog lights, I got the alarm/keyless entry, and I got all the power goodies. Rims, I can get. Sunroof I can do without and ABS...I know how to pump my brakes.

[Fourgig]

Originally posted by NoCones


Good god, don't even pay close to that much...shoot for 2-3% over invoice.

Welcome to the Bay Area...where nothing is retail price, it's a lot more.