want the gts

[Untouchable]

Hey all,
Well, I've been drooling at the new celicas, and I think that I'm ready to go out and get one for myself! Was going to get a 2nd generation eclipse... but then I saw the celica with the "agressive" kit, and LOVED IT! I'm caught with a big choice though... I can't decide on the 6spd or the 4spd sportshift transmission. I definately like the idea of the 6spd... and I am definately what you would call the "agressive" driver... Commonly found racing people off the line at street lights ;) Where I live at, traffic isn't too big of a problem; however, I may be getting this job in the city... in which case, I can count on traffic. I hear a lot of people complain on manual transmissions when there's a lot of stop-and-go traffic. And that would be a reason to get the 4spd sportshift.
I was wondering if any of you guys had the 4spd sportshift transmission, how much you like it... and if you had it to do all over again, would you keep the sportshift, or go for the 6spd... Really, the difference in cost is no problem for me.
Thanks guys! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[bLaH1031]

wow.. me and u r almost in the same boat.. i too was gonna get a 97 gsx.. but man the problems that can happen r soooo expensive.. crankwalk is what im talking about.. i dont know if yer familiar with that.. anyways.. i just got my gt-s saturday and i have the sportshift.. the reason i got was almost the same as yers.. i wanted the 6 speed.. but i go to school downtown chicago.. and i thought stick would be too much of a hassle.. but the sportshift is alot of fun.. it does give u alot more involvment with the car than a regular auto.. which is cool.. but thats my personal opinion... best thing to do is test drive both.. see what your patience level is.. i have none so stick would be annoying.. lol

[Blastofo]

I think most will agree, if you need to get an automatic tranny, you might as well save a few grand and just get the GT model. The automatic gt-s is not very fast at all, so it does not make sense to buy the higher end model when the performance is not even as good as a 5 speed GT.

Personally, I live driving a stick in traffic. I have something to pay attention to, and it keeps me from falling asleep at the wheel :)

[HilfigerCelica]

If I had to do it all over, I'd go for the 6speed this time. Sure I love my auto, but with a high revving car like the Celica, you need to get a manual. Most guys who have auto Celicas on this board regret getting the auto. Manual trannys don't sap as much hp's from the engine as autos. If we were to dyno two cars that were the same except for the tranny the manual will always put down more hp's. If you must get an auto, I say go for something with torque. Personally if I HAD to get an auto, I'd look into a Solara, Accord, or Camry.

Just look at Chao007 or z9joker6, they both had GT autos and now they are in manual tranny cars. Don't make the mistake so many of us have made. Get a manual

[2001REDCELICAGTS]

I have afully loaded Auto GT-S and I love it... I am not a racer.If you are planning on racing then you should get the 6 speed or you will regret it. I have had my car for almost a year I could count the amount of times on one hand when I have used the sportshift. The Auto mode is good enough for me but its good knowing than I can shift manually if I want to. Its the perfect car for me.

[maztur]

I would not drive an automatic transmission unless I had no other choice. I have driven in very bad traffic in very bad weather. I live in Milwaukee and I've been to Chicago numerous times.

It's neither hard nor tiring to drive in traffic. I work downtown @ 8pm and then I come home for a 30 min drive at 3-4am, sometimes 7am. I am shlt tired, but I can precisely shift and maneuver the car. Sometimes I even race home since it's so quiet on the streets.

Don't deny yourself this satisfaction. You're buying a sport compact car which implies "DRIVE ME HARD, BITCH" It's like buying a Corvette with an automatic transmission ...

[The Game]

Get the 6-spd, its cheaper than the auto and faster. If youre lazy then get the auto:D

[Untouchable]

wow... Talk about quick reply's! You all seem to be very friendly... and I'll probably actually check in on this board quite often... as a matter of fact... just added it to my favorites ;) hehe. I think I will probably go with the 6 spd... I do want the gt-s... that's for sure! gotta have the extra 40 horses!
I don't plan on racing the car out at the track... but I do want to be able to beet the 16 year old punks in there little civic hatchbacks... reving there engines with the glass packs :D Nothing against glass packs... if you like them, then you like them... I just can't stand the things. I'm driving a cougar right now... and I can beat most anyone who's tried to race me... I want to get the celica... but I was just trying to be sure that I wouldn't be loosing performance...
Just wondering... does anyone know the actual stats... as far as how much faster the celica is with the 6spd instead of the sportshifter?

[2001REDCELICAGTS]

It would be nice if the mainstream car mags actually tested ALL Celica models. After all these years they have only tested the 6 speed. Never a GT or sportshift model. Now you have to take people's word for what those models actually run.

[Maelfyn]

Originally posted by Untouchable
Just wondering... does anyone know the actual stats... as far as how much faster the celica is with the 6spd instead of the sportshifter?

You sounds interested. Therefore get the 6spd GT-S. You won't have any regrets. I also suggest getting a cold air intake like Injen since they react so very well to this mod. The 6 spd is at least 2 seconds faster than an auto in the quarter mile. Even the 5spd is a few bus lengths quicker than an auto GT-S.