Road Tests: Long-Term Test

Video highlights of this vehicle

Think back to when the Toyota Celica was cool, and we're talking large-scale coolness here, not the All-Trac Turbos from the late '80s and early '90s. The last cool Celica was produced in 1985, the year the wedge-shaped, flared-fender hatchback and coupe disappeared in favor of a featureless ellipsoid tin can on wheels. Suddenly, Celica was a "secretary's car," according to detractors, and during the following 15 years sales slipped from more than 100,000 units per year to a paltry 4,290 in 1999.

So, for 2000, a new sports coupe was conceived to attract younger buyers who might otherwise shop at Honda, Acura or Volkswagen dealerships when looking for cheap thrills. The result is the wedgy new Celica, available in GT or GT-S trim and sporting up to 180 horsepower made at a lofty 7,600 rpm.

We decided the Celica was a natural for our long-term test program, in part because we're preparing to wrap up two years with an Integra GS-R, in part because, at least in Southern California where our offices are located, the Celica is selling faster than Backstreet Boys CDs, and in part because we like to have fun.

We picked a Spectra Blue Mica GT-S with a six-speed manual transmission and leather upholstery. Added to the bill were antilock brakes, 16-inch alloy wheels that came shod with P205/50R16 tires, a power sunroof, a rear spoiler, and floor mats.

Our first driver, Road Test Editor and former Probe GT owner Dan Gardner, instantly fell in love with the Celica GT-S. "It took only a few brief tugs at the six-speed, leather-wrapped, Supra-esque shifter to know that I was meant for this car and it was meant for me." Gardner cited precise steering, lovely drilled aluminum pedals, easy heel-and-toe shifting, responsive steering, and a perfect driving position as the reasons for his admiration of our newest long-term vehicle. "The new Eclipse has grown up," he scribbled in our logbook. "What a shame. Maybe Mitsubishi will have second thoughts when they see that you can play on the jungle gym and still sell cars." Right. Uh-huh.

Next up were Associate Editor Liz Kim and Editor-in-Chief Christian Wardlaw, who spent a day gallivanting around in the Los Padres National Forest with our new Toyota. Kim did not enjoy the closely spaced gates of the Celica's gearbox, often finding fifth instead of third, and fourth instead of second. After one gear-grinding session the smell of clutch permeated the cabin and Wardlaw took the wheel.

Several hundred miles and hours later, Wardlaw had mixed feelings about the Celica. "If only you could yank out the powerplant and transmission and install the Integra's GS-R's more pleasing drivetrain, you'd have an unbeatable package." Specifically, he complained about engine noise, vibration and harshness. "Beyond 6,000 rpm, the Celica's GT-S's variable valve timing and lift system, with intelligence, mind you (VVTL-i), produces prodigious power and thrust. But getting to that threshold can be an arduous wait, and I found myself shifting gears well before the power started flowing just so I could continue conversing with my passenger."

Wardlaw also finds the gearbox tricky to operate, requiring plenty of attention during shifting, especially when driving hard. And the location of the dashboard power point is ludicrous, in his opinion. With a Valentine One radar detector hooked up, he continued to smash his ring finger between the adapter and the gearshift knob when selecting fifth, until he modified his behavior in a decidedly Pavlovian manner.

But, he agreed with Gardner's assessment of the rest of the package. Comfortable for two adults and a great deal of their belongings, and equipped with razor-sharp steering and handling, better-than-expected ride quality, and astounding brakes, the Celica GT-S is indeed a true performance car. Attention-grabbing looks, unusual for a Toyota product, don't hurt either. It should be a fun 24 months.

Current Odometer: 1,175
Best Fuel Economy: 29.5 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 24.9 mpg
Running Average Over Life of Vehicle: 26.4 mpg
Maintenance Costs: None
Body Repair Costs: None.
Problems: None.