Eclipse GST or Celica GTS

if you had a choice what would you rather have and reasons why.. purely hypothetical question here..

00 Celica GTS 6spd - approx 18,000
99 Eclipse GST or GSX - approx 16-19,000

im lookin for good conversation, bone headed replies are not needed..

[vvtlikick]

Celica.

'Cause it looks better and it's more reliable.

[Bling]

The Eclipse GST if it hasn't been modded already. Does the eclipse handle as well in the turns as the Celica?

the Eclipse is heavier than the Celica and it doesnt feel like you can toss it around as easy.. but the torque advantage is definitly there once that turbo spools up.. My Celica has tons of suspension work done to it so I couldnt really judge anymore what a stock Celica feels like..

looks is all a matter of opinion..stock for stock or modded vs modded..

as for performance.. we stock for stock about even, and even with the intakes its about even.. but boost controller and exhaust on the Eclipse put it into a different league..

[jlevy]

I thought about the Eclipses a couple of years back when I bought the MR-2. Admittedly I don't currently own a Celica, but would take the Celica over the Eclipse for several reasons:

1. IMO, Toyota builds a better car than Mitsubishi.
2. The GS-T is over 400 lbs heavier than the Celica and I'm sure the GS-X is even a couple hundred more. Personally, I like the way lighter cars drive.
3. The turbo is one thing the Eclispse has in it's favor. I've seen the posts on possible turbo kits for the Celica, but the Eclipse comes with one stock and turbo motors are easy to get power out of.

-my dos centavos

[RexPokinghorn]

The GST might have some good speed because it has a turbo stock. The GST might have a lot of aftermarket support.

I still prefer the GTS - 6 speed, looks like a work of art, and in my case the car has been very reliable. Also, I autocross, and the 2,500lbs is very nice... unlike the portly GST.

But the Evo 7... now there's something else.

[Bling]

If I only planned to use it for drag racing it would definitely be the GST. I think the Celica will be too costly to get lots of power from.

[HilfigerCelica]

I have always been a big fan of the Eclipse. I was planning on getting a GST, but in 2000 they made that ugly POS. That's why I got the Celica.

The only thing that I dislike about the Eclipse is reliability. Eclipsegstacy had a '99 GST and he told me that it crankwalked a few times and there were some more problems w/ it. But I think that the car looks great, even to this day. Plus it's easier to get an Eclipse running in the 13s than a Celica. If you add an intake, bigger FMIC and bigger downpipe, I think you could get a Celica by a car length w/ both drivers being good.

Reliability vs Speed. That's a hard question.

[Maelfyn]

I'd get the GS-T. Stock turbo? pls thx! GS-T is a beast and has actual aftermarket support! WOW! GSX and GSTs are potent beasts at the drag strip. It's a sweet looking car and did I mention turbo!? :)

Celica GT-S aftermarket will suck for a long time. It has been two years and we are still ****ing around with 200 different intakes and exhausts.

The only downside is that Mitsubishi is somewhat questionable quality. Not that bad though...

[RexPokinghorn]

Originally posted by HilfigerCelica
I have always been a big fan of the Eclipse. I was planning on getting a GST, but in 2000 they made that ugly POS. That's why I got the Celica.

The only thing that I dislike about the Eclipse is reliability. Eclipsegstacy had a '99 GST and he told me that it crankwalked a few times and there were some more problems w/ it. But I think that the car looks great, even to this day. Plus it's easier to get an Eclipse running in the 13s than a Celica. If you add an intake, bigger FMIC and bigger downpipe, I think you could get a Celica by a car length w/ both drivers being good.

Reliability vs Speed. That's a hard question.

I had no idea Mitsu made a 2000 version GST... :confused:

Did the GST come with a FMIC or a side mount? Either way, in my experience with turbos and intercoolers... it's not always better to get a bigger intercooler. Sometimes it degrades performance. For example stock twins on a Supra w/ an HKS Type-S actually lowered performance because the intercooler was too much.

no GST in 00.. only 90-99.. 00 was RS GS and GT..

as for the FMIC. the GST didnt come stock with the FMIC, it is a side mount.. and upgrading to a FMIC without upgrading the turbo would be pointless.. something like a 16g and FMIC would be nice though.. 20G and large fmic is even better :)

[RexPokinghorn]

My thoughts exactly Larry

[Takeoff]

My first choice was a GST/GSX but the mitsu dealers wanted so much for it. I got the celi at a better price.. They wanted to sell me a 98 GSX for 23,000 when I got my 00' celi for 18888. I think I got a decent deal. My trade in was really good too.

[RCKid]

I would choose the Eclipse, although I am slightly biased since I own one. :) I do not own a Celica, but I will tell you my honest thoughts. So here are some things to look at and think about if choosing.

1. Exterior. Both cars have a very nice design. As stock, I think the Eclipse is a nicer looking car. Unfortunately, IMHO, no body kits look good on the Eclipse, although that could be a good thing, meaning the designers got it rigt the first time. The Celica looks a little plain stock, however, looks sweet with the "Action Package" and also has a couple other body kits that look real nice on it and livens the looks up. So, looks can be a toss up, depending on personal preferences. I would choose the Eclipse.

2. Interior. Both have excellent interior, although the Eclipse has a bunch of stupidly placed buttons and switches, the cigarette lighter is in a f-ed up spot and the ashtray is also poorly located. other than that, the interior is failry nice. I have never driven a Celica so I cannot comment for little stuff like that, but I liked the look of the interior when I sat in one and all seemed to be in good standings. Both have comfortable seats as well. Again, depends on personal preference. I choose the Eclipse.

3. Handling. Stock v stock... no contest. The Celica has the Eclipse in the handling department. The Eclipse is too heavy, feels like it lumbers around turns, and although it has the AWD advantage (GSX model only), it doesn't power it past a Celica in the twisties. Now a modified suspension on the Eclipse improves this greatly, surpassing the Celica. Modified, the Eclipse handles like a champ and can be a real terror on the road course. One problem. You can modify the Celica's suspension too. Advantage here goes to the Celica.

4. Performance. Stock v stock, it is a close one, with the Eclipse ever so slightly edging out the Celica (no flames, just telling the truth). However, once we go to modifications, the Eclipse is all over the Celica. It is too easy to modify an Eclipse and no aftermarket support for a Celica. While the Celica is stuck in 14 second territory (13s with nitrous), the Eclipse is easy and relatively cheap to get into the 12s. Advantage goes to the Eclipse.

5. Reliability. This is open to debate. People throw the word crankwalk around way too often. Others have a tendency to grenade the transmission and blame it on design. Creaks, rattles, crash tests etc etc. the list goes on. Now this is my opinion only so no one take offense please. Both cars are reliable, daily drivers. Grenaded transmissions from misshifting is not a design flaw. ANYONE can misshift. It happens. Crankwalk can happen to any car. It just so happens that it happens to 2G DSMs more. Why? I think it is something to do with quality, but more to do with maintenance and the people that own DSMs, but we will not go too deep into that. Email me offline if you want to talk. Now if you want peace of mind, the Celica, I feel, has a slight edge over the Eclipse in reliability, but not by much. It is all open to debate. Let's just say the Celica wins the reliability war.

6. Driving pleasure. Again... very close. The Eclipse has turbo, handles decent, accelerates nice, and is very close to a nuetral feel if in the AWD model. The Celica has "lift" (I have yet to experience it, but you guys talk like it must be equivalent to a crack wh0re getting her fix after going without for weeks), handles beautifully, accelerates nice (lacking power down low though due to no torque), and probably tends to understeer thanks to FWD. Modified though, the Eclipse would bring more excitement thanks to crisper and faster acceleration. And again, a close call, but I think the Eclipse edges out on top.

7. Final Thoughts. the Celica is a great car when kept stock or lightly modified. It handles great, can be made fairly quick, has a nice look to it, and can be loads of fun. the Eclipse however is my final pick. It is a fun car stock, with good handling and acceleration. It has the looks to go with the "go". But open up that modification genie lamp and the fun does not end. It can be made to be anything from a quick car that is lightly modified to a terror on th roads that makes even the supercars tremble.

[craven_moorehead]

Well Larry I have been looking at GS-T's for a while now and wouldn't mind picking one up but all the ones around here are Spyders. I would definitely want a hard top. Wouldn't the 'vert have more body roll (don't know that's why i'm asking)? As for the factory turbo that's definitely a plus and the aftermarket for those things is as big as Honda and Acura. I just think that everyone that picked the celi just got tired of seeing the same old s hi t running around and decided to be different and that I can definitely respect. I personally would like to see you keep the celi(hypothetically speaking) ;)

[RexPokinghorn]

Originally posted by craven_moorehead
Well Larry I have been looking at GS-T's for a while now and wouldn't mind picking one up but all the ones around here are Spyders. I would definitely want a hard top. Wouldn't the 'vert have more body roll (don't know that's why i'm asking)? As for the factory turbo that's definitely a plus and the aftermarket for those things is as big as Honda and Acura. I just think that everyone that picked the celi just got tired of seeing the same old s hi t running around and decided to be different and that I can definitely respect. I personally would like to see you keep the celi(hypothetically speaking) ;)

Not necessarliy more body roll, but more flex.

[Bryan H]

as for handling, stock for stock the gts would win
as for go power and aftermarket, the gs-t wins this hands down

as for aftermarket handling add ons. the gs-t will stomp it if it is set up right


if it was a gsx. id say handling and power was this one.

{remember kids i have had both cars}

the archer brothers up in minnesota haven't been kicking everyones ass int eh past years with dsm's just because they were cool. they can be made to handle on rails. and then some

i like the interior of the dsm better. feels roomier

then again if modded right and babied the car can be reliable. pretty much any car

[RexPokinghorn]

Originally posted by Bryan H
95 gsx eclipse 5spd
slow..and forsale

Not that your quote isn't contradicting... :rolleyes:

:D

[Brett]

Larry - I got the perfect GST for you too buy. 18,000, its a STEAL... I love it. I would purchuse it in a heart beat if I could... anyways heres some pics:
http://www.turbo.freehomepage.com/images/nu3.jpg
http://www.turbo.freehomepage.com/images/turbo1.jpg

Its bad ass. Its a 1999 Eclipse GST with 31k miles, TONS of stuff on it already, named brand top of the line ****. FAST.. check it out at...

http://www.turbo.freehomepage.com
or
http://www.thepartstrader.com/single_ad.cfm?CFID=1153100&CFTOKEN=57274699&car_num=12&adnum=218394

[LaW]

sure great deal, however what's the fun in buying something with everything on it already??? :) ya know

[Brett]

Its a helllllluva alot cheaper. thats for sure. plus that car is super clean. top notch mods. low mileage. Expensive rims. etc etc. I would buy it just cause it would save me roughly 10 grand...if not even MORE

[RexPokinghorn]

Not bad... I know of faster cars, but this is a pretty clean setup. Not to mention, it seems to be very stable. Too bad he didn't rebuild the tranny or upgrade... it would be a nice whole setup then. And worth $18,000. There are a lot of cars that are way faster, but it's worth the price.

[Brett]

a 1999 Eclipse GST stock could prolly sell for 18,000. thats why that is one helluva price. IMO. I bet that thing hauls too..

[Drew]

It depends on which one is more water resistant ;)

I all seriousness, if you want reliability and a high revving, great handling car, the GT-S is a great choice.

Then again, I've always drooled over the prospect of getting a GS-T...I still think they look great and the turbo rush you get!!!!!!!!!!!! But there is a reliability issue with them, so I'm told. Either one is a great car. Then again, you could always use the money you'd outlay for either car (if you were looking for just a car to mod) and buy an older Integra or Civic and drop a Type R engine in there...sure everyone has one (meaning Honda) but there is a ton of sh!t out there for them.

yeah it is really a toss up.. the other thing is the price that dealers are asking for Celicas now is absolutely rediculous.. 20,000 for 2000 GTS with 20k on it... hell my car was only 21,600 when I bought it brand new in 11/99.. but that smae car if it was traded in would only get 15,000..dealers kill me man..

as for the Eclipse.. kinda hard to find a dealership thats not smoking crack as well.. last week there was one selling a 98 GSX with 45k on it... they said it was on special for 22000..hahah..RIGHT..

so i think it is a toss up right now.. thanks for the intelligent replies..i apprecaite that..

[Brett]

Your looking in the wrong places for a GSX Larry. I am assuming you went to a Mitsubishi lot. big no no... Goto a Used car lot. Lotta eclipses there. And fairly priced. My brother got a 97 GST with 18k miles 5 speed, for 14,3000 almost 2 years ago. So you just gotta look. they are plenty to find. And not expensive, 14-16, some 18.

[Bryan H]

i'll be more then happy to sell you my gsx larry
well after i get it back out of the shop

[SupraDawg]

Hey Larry D....If you are interested in a cheap Eclipse GST automatic, I have the car for you. It is a black 96GST with 50K on it, bone stock with every option except for leather......for 10K out the door. Had one fender bender but no frame damage and I can prove that. It is my girlfriends car, so it hasnt been raced or anything. If anyone else is interested, let me know.

[SlasherX]

my friend owns a 2G dsm turbo, cept his is awd. but basically he explained the crankwalk like this..the early 95 models didnt have it, then from 95.5 til the 99 model year they had it..in 99 mitsu finally go the crank bearings right and the problems were solved. if your car develops it however, mitsu will replace your bearings witht eh right ones..but its not cheap.

99's a safe year in other words.

now on to the GS-T...well...its a BITCH to launch larry..you have massive torque steer and traction is an issue. but the aftermarket is def. there, gary marsh from wrightouch years back got his 1G fwd turbo into the 10's, so it is possible to drag.

mitsu quality isn't that bad..i wouldn't rank it any worse than my ford..which has been bulletproof in 30k of racing. you just gotta take care of the turbo..let it cool down, warm up, etc.

in the end i think youll be more than happy with teh dsm over your gt-s..and won't have to take the car into the dealer anymore either :)

[X-EVIL-X]

huh Auto:rolleyes:
just seems like the car with an engine like that is just a waste with an auto.

[SlasherX]

Originally posted by X-EVIL-X
huh Auto:rolleyes:
just seems like the car with an engine like that is just a waste with an auto.

to an extent....if he;s looking for strictly a drag car then the auto wil be tough to beat for consistency...but i think for larry..a manual would be the better choice...correct me if im wrong but i dont think anyone of the top dsmer's runs a mitsu automatic..

[yakkosmurf]

Originally posted by larryd
if you had a choice what would you rather have and reasons why.. purely hypothetical question here..

00 Celica GTS 6spd - approx 18,000
99 Eclipse GST or GSX - approx 16-19,000

im lookin for good conversation, bone headed replies are not needed..
I'm not real fond of either car, but I'd probably take the Celica. I've never been able to get past how poorly and cheaply the Eclipses are constructed. I hate working on those cars.

[carbon00gts]

WRX!!!!:D thats me this celica i have is just too much trouble
not that I dont like the car it just has to many problems i dont have time to deal with im mean i been in a rental longer than my celi!!!! Ive had it my new years resolution is WRX!!!!

[sneakychaos]

GST :D

[Blk00SS]

GSX! :D

Only because i couldn't handle the Non existant Aftermarket for the Celica

[Bryan H]

davey. 99's can get it as well

i don't think this should scare anyone away from getting a dsm. or the fact that you cna rebuild a motor for next to nothing and be able to run 10's on stock mitsu parts.