Celica GTS vs. RSX Type-S

[YellowGTS9]

Next May when i come back from my freshman year of college i'm getting a new car most hopefully. I'm deciding between either the Celica GTS or the RSX-S. either one i get i'm goin to have custom painted in Yellow. so i need some opinions on which i should do.. and how do they compare to each other in all aspects.. thanx.

[bme107]

Welcome :) Try the http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid21/pb2e5cdd0536d558d462c5fbba80523c1/fdb65ed1.gif

http://www.newcelica.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22613&highlight=Celica+GTS+vs+RSX+TypeS
http://www.newcelica.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23586&highlight=Celica+GTS+vs+RSX+TypeS
http://www.newcelica.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21405&highlight=Celica+GTS+vs+RSX+TypeS
http://www.newcelica.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3813&highlight=Celica+GTS+vs+RSX+TypeS
http://www.newcelica.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14269&highlight=Celica+GTS+vs+RSX+TypeS

[2002GT_Celica]

Ease up man, the guy is only a newbie, that's why he is posting on the newbie board. Anyways, both cars are about evenly matched in straight line performance. But, as you probably can already guess, the RSX is going to have a lot more aftermarket support.

[bme107]

Originally posted by 2002GT_Celica
Ease up man, the guy is only a newbie, that's why he is posting on the newbie board.
That's why I used the smiley, said "welcome," and did it for him/her.

Hopefully the search will provide hours of reading on topics that he/she cares to learn about. :)

[NoCones]

As a former GT-S owner who test drove a Type S...

It would be hard to pick 2 cars more evenly matched.

In a straight line, you'd never know the difference, except for the distinct burst that "lift" gives you in lower gears on the GT-S. I'd also say the GT-S sounds better (and louder), at least in stock form.

Shift feel is very different between the 2. The RSX is the lightest shifter I've ever felt...unbelievably buttery and smooth...almost too smooth, leaving me wondering if I had actually gotten into a gear...but I didn't mis-shift at all and I'm sure (as with any car) you'd get used to it pretty quick. The GT-S shifter throws are a little longer and stiffer/more direct feeling. I seem to remember that the RSX clutch felt a lot lighter too (which isn't inherently better or worse).

Handling is comparable. I would bet you'd only feel the difference on an autox course or a track...in which case, I'd be the Celica is a little better.

I favor the Celica's exterior (esp in yellow :thumbup: ), but I think the RSX's interior is nicer.

I seem to remember (at least at that time...about a year ago) that the RSX seemed like a little better value...a hell of a lot of features for a comparable (or even lower?) price.

As stated above, the Honda products seem to have greater aftermarket support.

So, I'd say this is one that truly comes down to your opinion and what's valuable to you...which one "feels" right? which one do you walk away from and keep stopping to look back? etc...

[jimhk1011]

Nocones has some excellent opinions there, especially for newbie(such as me), i like the seats in the RSX particularly, they r more of the "bucket" feel yet very comfortable, gauge color on RSX also seems more uniform, specifically the silver gauge face, now i'm just babbling some of my thoughts

[po9i]

both cars come down to the driver performance wise.....im biased for the celi tho....looks 10x better

[ottomonster]

Test drove both RSX-S and Celica GT-S. Ended up picking up the Celica GT-S.

The RSX-S is a slightly better value - it comes out about $1000 cheaper than Celica GT-S + options. RSX-S comes fully loaded and w/o options at its price. However, it seems easier to negotiate better price with Celica.

Motors feel similar except Celica GT-S is a bit more responsive. The RSX-S does has more HP, but it's hard to tell. I actually think the GT-S feels better on the low-end even though ppl say it has no low-end torque. I didn't like the way the RSX-S felt in the midrange RPM area right before the V-TEC kicked it. It felt sluggish (maybe the demo car was badly broken-in or particularly slow)

RSX-S has better seats (best ever), though the Celica GT-S seats aren't bad either.

Handling, ride, steering IMHO are MUCH MUCH MUCH better on the Celica GT-S. The Celica GT-S is more balanced while powering out of turns and it is easily tossable b/c it is so light. It almost has a RWD quality to it. The Celica's steering feel is perfect, though the RSX-S's steering isn't bad either. The Celica handling reminds me a lot of the Honda CR-X. The RSX-S is less composed over bad or rough roads compared to the Celica GT-S.

Celica GT-S brakes stop you much faster - probably b/c it is lighter car.

I don't know how Car and Driver rated brakes and handling as equal between the 2 cars. Honda probably bribed them.

Basically, the RSX-S tends to isolate you from the driving experience - it almost drives itself (which can be nice sometimes). The GT-S, on the other hand demands attention because it is much more sensitive to inputs. It requires you to drive it.

Think of the RSX-S as a almost-luxury sports coupe, and the Celica as a FWD sports car.

One more thing, the Celica GT-S shifter is funky - it's a bit notchy and requires more effort. I am still learning how to use it right. The RSX-S shifter is Honda - which means it almost perfect. Still, the Celica shifter is nowhere as bad as 2G Eclipses, Camaros, or Vettes.