GT or GTS?

[Badmana]

Hey folks,

After reading a lot of material about the Celica I wanted to get general impressions on the GT vs the GTS. I'm buying a GTS 2002 very soon and since my GF is going wild about me driving a GTS I wanted to know if it would be better and cheaper to get a GT and mod it up to a GTS (I like the fogs and sunroof of the GTS but I don't know if I want to always shell out for 92 octane fuel (I do a lot of longer distance FAST driving).

Is it worth just getting a GTS fully loaded? Or do people 'round here like the idea of upgrading a GT to an almost GTS? (I know I can't get the better engine and brakes but I ain't going to be racing here).

Also, although I know I'm going to go through a fairly early clutch job, since I don't know how to drive standard - yet, how hard is the GT/S in terms of forgiving clutches? Should I try to bang up the test drive car first? Or get lessions (I know no self respecting male is going to go in for lessions, but I'd rather learn the right way than have my friend try to tell me what HE thinks how a manual should be driven...this is from a guy who, like all normal humans, drives an auto).

Although reading the fairly modest returns from the polls "Would you get another Celica" were fairly negative I figure I'm only young once and since I've been driving domestics all my young life (hey, I never had a choice!) I wanted something fast, sporty and fairly safe for it's price.

Thanks for any replies!

Badmana

Looking at:
2002 GTS Celica fully loaded at 34000 (CAN)
With the action kit.

[daSchtick]

I usually would recommend the GT-S if you can afford the additional investment, and the insurance. But in your case, I'd have to say GT.

The reason is that you have not driven stick yet, and the GT-S 6-speed gating is extremely close, and has a poor record for being easily mis-shifted, especially by a beginner. The GT will drive very similar to the GT-S, except it will lack the 6000+ RPM rush of the GT-S.

Actually, here's another idea. Buy a $2000 Civic with a manual, learn how to NOT grind gears or kill the clutch for 6 months, sell the car, and get a GT-S. In 6 months you could be comfortably driving a brand new GT-S.

[Blastofo]

If your main issue is not knowing manual transmission. I say, find a friend who is willing to teach you. If you don't have one, take like a 2 day class, they should be pretty cheap, and you'll learn from pros. You can drive a manual decently in no time at all. And then get the GT-S.

If the main thing is money, than you might as well get the GT. If you are going to end up struggling making the car/insurance payments and filling up at the gas station, than it's not worth it. But if you can comfortably afford it, go for it.

[Badmana]

Yeah, I think I got mixed up a little when I talk about me not wanting to buy 92/94 octane gas. Since I've been driving boats for the past 7 years (92 Plymouth Voyager and then my own 88 Bonneville) I think I was talking more about paying $50 (CAN) every fill-up which, for my current car, only takes me 3 days to use (I go through about $85/week in gas now, I'd hate to spend $150!).


I like the 6 speed idea, since unlike normal people, I spend 90% of my driving time on the highway, with no traffic, travelling 35 KMs one way (for Americans and other aliens about 23 miles) and doing a cool 80 mph (130 kph). Just this morning I went through an 1/8th of my gas getting here (this being a holiday I was doing higher than normal speeding :)

Is the GTS still a viable options for long distance fast driving? How about winter driving? Again, mostly it'll be on clear highways. I figure although it'll still cost me $50 to fill up (at about 75-80 cents per litre) I should be able to get through a whole week before I need more gas.

Cost ain't a huge issue, I just hate wasting money (unless it's worth it). I need my money for my other habits, like paintball!

=)

[HilfigerCelica]

Sounds like you're not really into speed so just go with the GT 5 speed. It'll save you $ plus it's just the right amt of performance for you. The GTS and GT should be pretty much the same in winter driving, it all depends on the tires. Do us all a favor and DON'T BUY AN AUTO.

If you can afford it, I think the GTS is worth the $. Have you seen how much it cost for rear disc brakes? 40 hp is should cost you a bundle too.

[chameleon]

I think that you should get a GTS. Both are really great cars, but one advantage to the GTS is the six speed transmition, which is a lot of fun to drive because there is a lot more shifting involved than with the five speed.

It sounds like you are at least some what into speed because you mentioned that you would modify a GT if you got one to perform as well as a GTS. If that is your goal, you would probably be a lot better off just getting a GTS outright because it will cost more money to make a GT as fast as a GTS that it would be to just buy the GTS.