2000 Toyota Celica GT-S TRD from North America - Comments

Nothing major.

A door seal came loose in one area which was easily pushed back in.

Dealer sucked, but then again they're not the car.

This is a smart and practical car as well as a serious driving machine. Be prepared to be surprised in many ways, most of which will be enjoyable.

I bought mine new and fully loaded (except VIP alarm) including a dealer installed TRD package, (it has the smaller rear spoiler, not the goofy large one) and have very little complaints about the car itself, the dealer on the other hand is a different story.

It's a shame that Northtown (Buffalo, NY) lacks a competent and caring staff. I have had better service at a McDonalds drive through, they are a detriment to Toyota and have turned my first time buyer experience into a nightmare. I'm dreading the day I have to return to the dealer to have the car serviced, luckily my father is one (of an army) of Northtown's attornies because anyone else would need a good lawyer to deal with them.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the car is the engine, the GT-S with VVTL-I is from another planet, it's true that lacks a little low end torque, but it gets scary fast very quickly. The engine runs from silky smooth to screaming fast in a short time and sounds awesome from 0 to 9000 rpms thanks to the TRD exhaust (adds 14 hp as well). I have yet to really open it up because the car is so fast off the line and nimble to boot, I've had it up to 100 MPH (with little effort) on the highway and the handling was rock solid and very responsive. The only thing that will remind you that this car is a 4 cylinder is the excellent gas mileage and low insurance rates.

This is a true sports car and like most sports cars there are trade offs in the area of performance versus comfort. First of all it's a track car with plenty of road feel and a little road noise. The streets of Buffalo, NY are not the best, which make the ride here harsh at times, but on good roads this car is excellent (TRD springs) and the handling is very precise with a little oversteer in hard corners. Occasionally there are weird anomalies under hard acceleration and cornering which I equate to just plain old getting used to the car.

One thing which will not take any getting used to is the braking, the ABS 4 wheel discs are stunning and perhaps the best non traction control braking system on the market.

Inside the car it's spartan and uncluttered, most everything is where it should be, however there seem to be a few inconstancies and trade offs, but they are easily forgivable. Most notable is the plastic space age dash (a slight mismatch to leather seats, easily fixed with carbon fiber or after-market kits) and the drink holder placement, but then again I couldn't imagine where else they could have put them (I can say the same for any Lexus as well), besides you should be driving not eating your lunch.

The driver's position is comfortable and logical, but may take some getting used to, don't expect your back seat passengers to be too happy.

The six speed transmission takes a bit of getting used to as well, I have had the car for about a month and have only started to get the right feel for the shifter/clutch/gas equation. This is no surprise because I had to drive my parents Porsche 911 for years until I really got used to it.

The trunk is surprisingly big and very practical with the cargo tray, bag hooks, and tie down hooks just right and the 50/50 rear seats pushing functionality into the magical realm. The only thing really missing is a hatch release.

The 8 speaker JBL infused CD/Tape/FM sounds excellent, the speakers are matched nicely with the amperage, bass response is just enough for a little punch in the gut even at low volume levels, mid's and high are just as good. I wish they would have made the LCD amber instead of green (from a Lexus?) so it would have matched the driver gauges. Real car audiophiles will want to add better rear speakers and a little 8' sub amp/crossover combo for the back, but as a stock units go it's remarkably adequate and functionally operative.

Looking at the body of the car is a true pleasure. The design is remarkable, complex sight lines and the geo-mechanical form make this car absolutely beautiful and unique. It's hard to believe that this is a car from Japan, but then again the exterior was designed in California. My only complaint is that the box like fenders make the 205/50/15 tires appear slim.

Lastly, get a very good alarm for this car, it will get noticed real fast, it's a head turner, especially with the TRD ground effects, worry about it when it's parked because somebody is going to be always looking at it, touching it, and most likely planning to steal it. Toyota's have a remarkably high resale value as a whole car and even more so when chopped and sold for parts.

Combined with Toyota's penchant for perfection and reliably and the Celica's un-worldly design and performance specs, there is no other car like it. You can argue Acura and Honda all you want, but there is no comparison when their designs are so dated. Mention Eclipse or Mustang and look at how many of them there are on the road, but actually in the shop most of the time. If you're considering other belly button cars like a Camaro, Firebird, or Trans-Am, there is no hope for you. One might also consider a GTI, but over the years they have become fat, old and slow. The new Celica's have the looks (and exhaust note) of a Lambo or Ferrari, the brute strength and agility of a Porsche and refined mechanical perfection of a Lexus. Find yourself a good, honest, and friendly dealer and be prepared for a truly remarkable car buying experience.

Hi, I'm from the UK and my wife has just ordered a Celica VVTL-I 190 which I think is the equivelent of the Celica GT-S in the US. Could you tell me, how does the car perform at lower revs as I understand that the power does not kick-in until around 6200rpm?

With regard to the previous comment, I have a Celica 190 and am pleased to reassure you that the car is at no point `sluggish', and that it leaves most cars at the lights (when they're not racing) without going over 4000rpm.

However, once you reach 6200rpm the engine takes on a whole new character; the engine roar turns to a scream and your neck is snapped-back as you tighten your grip on the wheel. In comparison to this, most cars are sluggish.

I own a GT-S since 2000. The best thing about this car is its handling and lateral acceleration. On curvy roads, I leave many cars far behind me.

I have owned my Celica 190 now for just over a year it is a 2000 registered car which I purchased from Toyota in the UK as a used car. Both the car and the dealer have been fantastic. The car still makes me smile, when you get it above 6200 rev's everything seems to get a lot nearer a lot quicker. Although the most fun is to be had along country roads the car handles the bends so well it begs for more.

The only thing I have found is both my wife and 10 year old daughter seem to get car sick in it quite quickly. I have put this down to the hard ride and the road noise you get.

However it has never effected me so I'm afraid they have to live with it. All in all the car excellent fun.

To whomever wants to read this,

I just bought a 2000 Celica GT-S and let me say this, I LOVE the sound the motor makes around 6000-7750rpm. The handling of this car is excellent, but the ride isn't the best if your on one of those "special" roads. The shifting however is a something I will argue over. It has an aftermarket B&M short shifter and it can be a S.O.B to get into first and second, but third & fourth are OK, and its the same for fifth and six. Few problems with those gears, but nothing like the first two. At times it is fine shifting to those two gears. I don't know if its the aftermartket short shift that causes it to be stubborn or if its something to do with the linkage. All-in-all, I love this car. I owned a 93 Celica GT for 5 1/2 years and it was an excellent car. Had problems from time-to-time, but for 12+ years old, what car wouldn't.

I'm from New Zealand and I picked up a 2000 Celica GTS for $7000 and 100000 kms on the clock..

Both inside and out are mint. I got a bargain as these cars are still selling for around 9-10k NZ..

The motors mint. I brought it with the intent to on sell it and make a few dollars but after driving her a few months. I've become attached to it and wouldn't and couldn't sell her even if I was offered 10k..

This puppy puts a smile on my face every time I drive her. Don't know why, but when I take off from the lights and look in my rear vision mirror, the cars behind me seem to be left in the far off distance..

I find she starts to purrrr around 5000 rpm, but as has been said, when she hits 6000rpm and above, this puppy becomes a roaring rock wheeler...

I love this car more than any I've owned, and I've owned some way higher spec cars than this in my time..

I see many years of happy motoring ahead.