7th Gen Celica....which year is best? Is GTS not worth the extra $$$?

[CelicaLuvver]

Hey Celica fans, I'm posting this and running a poll because I'm driving myself nuts.

I have a '91 Celica GTS, was original owner, now looking for a newer Celica.
So have two questions for poll:

1. I have read that the absolute best Celica between 2000-2005 was the
2004 GTS, i.e. some years had lowered rpm/torque. Does anyone know if this is true?
If not, which are best years to buy? (please specify if GT or GTS).

2. If I go from my '91 GTS to a 7th gen GT, will I notice much difference?
I see a lot of 7th GT's on the road, but rarely a GTS. Perhaps these owners felt that the
GTS engine/extras weren't worth the extra bucks?
So I don't know whether to stick with a GTS (7th gen), or save some $$$ and get a GT?

Please reply to poll so I can make a decision...LOL...thanks!

[Bdub215]

5th gen GTS 135hp
7th gen GTS 180hp
7th gen GT 140hp

there's more gt's then gts' for the same reason there are more rsx's then rsx type s. performance costs and you gotta pay to play.

[CelicaLuvver]

Hey Bdub, thanks for the input. I didn't realize my '91 was 5th gen, not 6th (doh).

So basically, if I buy a 7th gen GT, I'm going from 135hp to 140hp for less money?

I test drove a 2004 GTS and the owner said it ONLY takes premium gas...so with gas prices they way
they are, I'm wondering if that's a major factor why so many bought GTs and not GTS's?

Was the 7th gen GTS worth the money, at the end of the day? If yes/no, please explain, thanks!

[Bdub215]

Originally Posted by CelicaLuvver

Hey Bdub, thanks for the input. I didn't realize my '91 was 5th gen, not 6th (doh).

So basically, if I buy a 7th gen GT, I'm going from 135hp to 140hp for less money?

I test drove a 2004 GTS and the owner said it ONLY takes premium gas...so with gas prices they way
they are, I'm wondering if that's a major factor why so many bought GTs and not GTS's?

Was the 7th gen GTS worth the money, at the end of the day? If yes/no, please explain, thanks!

the reason why there are more gt's out there is that they can run on 87. the gts run on 91 or higher (no big deal if you ask me) the gts will does good in its class (rsx-s,) its no slouch. and unlike older celicas with the camry engine (5s) the 2zz (gts) has a resonable amount of aftermarket support. go on youtube and do some searching.

You Tube

You Tube

a good example

[Smaay]

yes the GT-S is worth every cent. just make sure you get a 6 speed and not an auto. the best years are 00-02. in 03 they went to a DBW throttle and its not as mod friendly. however in 00-02 the shift gates are very close and an in-experienced driver will be prone to misshift and blow up the engine. they also had weaker syncros in 3rd and 4th gear. the 03's corrected this. but the earlier can be rebuilt with 03 parts. its all depending on what you want to do