Celica GT worth modding?

**ShinsenTuner** · 04-15-2006, 04:39 PM

I'm new to Toyota Celicas and such and my family is looking to buying a new car for me and my sister to share

oh well, i just need something that works. Anyway, I found a 2001 GT with 70k miles on it for $8,999 in my city. Since it IS the GT model it comes with 140HP correct? It's an automatic with tiptronic(cool feature IMO).

Now... what questions I hold in myself right now is the fact that I come from a Honda past(into civics... sad i know) will the GT model engine be considered an engine that is... how you say "the torqueless wonder" such as the B16A2 from the 6th Gen Honda Civic Si? We can't afford a GT-S around here(too expensive, way past the 10k range and all 6-speeds) so I guess a GT is a good all around car.

Also... since I come from Civics.. they have that "clean JDM" look fad going. I was wondering what lipkits are availible and where I could buy them from.

**02CelicaAngel** · 04-15-2006, 09:43 PM

I recently bought a 2002 Celica GT 5spd with about 60Kmi on it. As far as being worthwhile, I can't answer that. But I can tell you that I have a similar history. My first car was an 89 Civic Si, and yeah that was a fun car. I've had Hondas my whole car driving life. And my Celica is more fun than all three of those cars combined. It's more comfortable, more sporty, better looking, more stylish, and all around better than any Honda. I live in an area with a lot of ricers, and my new favorite pastime is chasing their sorry butts down. I've noticed a lot of people want to race me, a lot of Honda owners will look at my car and start revving their engines. I'm not real big on irresponsible street racing, but once you blow past a Civic with relative ease, you'll know. My boyfriend has a Nissan 300ZX and he is impressed with my car. I am looking for various mods of my own, and realize that a lot of the parts from the GT-S will fit on the GT. I hope this helps.

**Burrcold** · 04-15-2006, 11:01 PM

First of all if the car you were looking at was an automatic with "tiptronic" then you were looking at a GT-S. The auto GT did not come with the tiptronic mode.

As far as performance just leave it as be. You are not going to get anything from it that is worth the cash you will spend. It's a fun car to drive so just stick with that and enjoy it.

For looks, wings west has a simple and nice looking kit that is great quality and fitment. Not agressive at all but adds some spice.

I would stick to that. Maybe some nicer rims and a good set of springs and shocks and just leave it.

**ShinsenTuner** · 04-16-2006, 02:25 AM

hmm... thats interesting. The car we're looking at is put as having "TipTronic" and is a GT model. Interesting...

I wasn't planning on doing extensive mods, more of a "usual I/H/E" type of ordeal. Maybe some nicer leather seats and maybe dumpage on 16's. I've heard that WingsWest has closed... ?

**Burrcold** · 04-16-2006, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinsenTuner

hmm... thats interesting. The car we're looking at is put as having "TipTronic" and is a GT model. Interesting...

I wasn't planning on doing extensive mods, more of a "usual I/H/E" type of ordeal. Maybe some nicer leather seats and maybe dumpage on 16's. I've heard that WingsWest has closed... ?

"nicer leather seats"? if it is a 2001 with leather then it is 100% a GT-S. Just to point out though that the auto GT-S is actually slower then the auto GT.

**ShinsenTuner** · 04-16-2006, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burrcold

"nicer leather seats"? if it is a 2001 with leather then it is 100% a GT-S. Just to point out though that the auto GT-S is actually slower then the auto GT.

It's a 2001 with cloth. So i'm guessing spending more for a GT-S model wouldn't be that much worth it? There's one around here for 10,995(Black GT-S, more miles than the GT we found)...

Still keeping my options open.

has anyone have experience with the Knockoff Carbon Fiber wingswest knockoff lip that is found on eBay?

**Burrcold** · 04-16-2006, 05:57 PM

If you are buying an auto I wouldnt worry too much about whether it's a GT or GT-S they are both slow as shit. HOwever, with the GT-S you will get more standard features.

**ShinsenTuner** · 04-16-2006, 06:13 PM

The only features I really need are power windows/locks, power steering, A/C and auto tranny. Thanks for the help, i think we'll just get the Silver GT.

Actually, one more thing. I've heard that the 7th Gen Celica's have transponders in their keys? Is this true? If so, would installing an Alarm/Starter on it be a hassle? We installed an Alarm/Starter on my moms Pilot and it was a bitch.

**Burrcold** · 04-16-2006, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinsenTuner

The only features I really need are power windows/locks, power steering, A/C and auto tranny. Thanks for the help, i think we'll just get the Silver GT.

Actually, one more thing. I've heard that the 7th Gen Celica's have transponders in their keys? Is this true? If so, would installing an Alarm/Starter on it be a hassle? We installed an Alarm/Starter on my moms Pilot and it was a bitch.

they do not have a transponder in the key. You will have no issues installing an alarm or starter on the car.

**ShinsenTuner** · 04-16-2006, 09:29 PM

sweeeet. Thanks for the mucho help

**2double01** · 04-20-2006, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burrcold

"nicer leather seats"? if it is a 2001 with leather then it is 100% a GT-S. Just to point out though that the auto GT-S is actually slower then the auto GT.

i have a 01 GT and it has leather seats and doors...???

**Burrcold** · 04-20-2006, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2double01

i have a 01 GT and it has leather seats and doors...???

This was most likely a dealer added option then not factory option. Also did you buy used or new? If you bought used then a lot of people upgraded to leather from the GT-S.

**00celica** · 04-20-2006, 11:26 AM

yea i have a gt with pretty much everything the gts has cept the horsepower

**91EclipseGS** · 04-20-2006, 03:10 PM

^^ ur car doesn't have leather seats...it has cloth mess seats with leather trim around...so esstianally u do...and her car was bought from an orginal owner who got the car from the dealer

**Burrcold** · 04-20-2006, 03:29 PM

leather trim?

**91EclipseGS** · 04-20-2006, 03:43 PM

the handles and certain things have leather...its weird i know

**2double01** · 04-20-2006, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burrcold

This was most likely a dealer added option then not factory option. Also did you buy used or new? If you bought used then a lot of people upgraded to leather from the GT-S.

got it new from star toyota, it came with everything leather except the steering wheel and shift knob

**Burrcold** · 04-20-2006, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2double01

got it new from star toyota, it came with everything leather except the steering wheel and shift knob

That is the type of upgrade your dealer would have done...not from the factory. Leather as an actual "toyota factory option" on the GT only began in 2003.

04-15-2006, 04:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
ShinsenTuner Location: Massachusetts Posts: 5 Join Date: Apr 2006 Last On: 04-18-2006 01:39 PM	Celica GT worth modding? I'm new to Toyota Celicas and such and my family is looking to buying a new car for me and my sister to share oh well, i just need something that works. Anyway, I found a 2001 GT with 70k miles on it for $8,999 in my city. Since it IS the GT model it comes with 140HP correct? It's an automatic with tiptronic(cool feature IMO). Now... what questions I hold in myself right now is the fact that I come from a Honda past(into civics... sad i know) will the GT model engine be considered an engine that is... how you say "the torqueless wonder" such as the B16A2 from the 6th Gen Honda Civic Si? We can't afford a GT-S around here(too expensive, way past the 10k range and all 6-speeds) so I guess a GT is a good all around car. Also... since I come from Civics.. they have that "clean JDM" look fad going. I was wondering what lipkits are availible and where I could buy them from.

04-15-2006, 11:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
Burrcold Location: Toronto Posts: 6,424 Join Date: Oct 2003 Last On: Yesterday 11:53 PM Vehicle: 08 Lexus IS250 2nd Vehicle: 08 Acura CSX	First of all if the car you were looking at was an automatic with "tiptronic" then you were looking at a GT-S. The auto GT did not come with the tiptronic mode. As far as performance just leave it as be. You are not going to get anything from it that is worth the cash you will spend. It's a fun car to drive so just stick with that and enjoy it. For looks, wings west has a simple and nice looking kit that is great quality and fitment. Not agressive at all but adds some spice. I would stick to that. Maybe some nicer rims and a good set of springs and shocks and just leave it. __________________ Sold: 2004 Infiniti G35C

04-16-2006, 05:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
Burrcold Location: Toronto Posts: 6,424 Join Date: Oct 2003 Last On: Yesterday 11:53 PM Vehicle: 08 Lexus IS250 2nd Vehicle: 08 Acura CSX	If you are buying an auto I wouldnt worry too much about whether it's a GT or GT-S they are both slow as shit. HOwever, with the GT-S you will get more standard features. __________________ Sold: 2004 Infiniti G35C

04-16-2006, 09:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
ShinsenTuner Location: Massachusetts Posts: 5 Join Date: Apr 2006 Last On: 04-18-2006 01:39 PM	sweeeet. Thanks for the mucho help __________________

04-20-2006, 03:29 PM	#15 (permalink)
Burrcold Location: Toronto Posts: 6,424 Join Date: Oct 2003 Last On: Yesterday 11:53 PM Vehicle: 08 Lexus IS250 2nd Vehicle: 08 Acura CSX	leather trim? __________________ Sold: 2004 Infiniti G35C

04-15-2006, 09:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
02CelicaAngel Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 13 Join Date: Apr 2006 Last On: 10-21-2006 12:41 PM	I recently bought a 2002 Celica GT 5spd with about 60Kmi on it. As far as being worthwhile, I can't answer that. But I can tell you that I have a similar history. My first car was an 89 Civic Si, and yeah that was a fun car. I've had Hondas my whole car driving life. And my Celica is more fun than all three of those cars combined. It's more comfortable, more sporty, better looking, more stylish, and all around better than any Honda. I live in an area with a lot of ricers, and my new favorite pastime is chasing their sorry butts down. I've noticed a lot of people want to race me, a lot of Honda owners will look at my car and start revving their engines. I'm not real big on irresponsible street racing, but once you blow past a Civic with relative ease, you'll know. My boyfriend has a Nissan 300ZX and he is impressed with my car. I am looking for various mods of my own, and realize that a lot of the parts from the GT-S will fit on the GT. I hope this helps.

04-16-2006, 02:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
ShinsenTuner Location: Massachusetts Posts: 5 Join Date: Apr 2006 Last On: 04-18-2006 01:39 PM	hmm... thats interesting. The car we're looking at is put as having "TipTronic" and is a GT model. Interesting... I wasn't planning on doing extensive mods, more of a "usual I/H/E" type of ordeal. Maybe some nicer leather seats and maybe dumpage on 16's. I've heard that WingsWest has closed... ?

04-16-2006, 06:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
ShinsenTuner Location: Massachusetts Posts: 5 Join Date: Apr 2006 Last On: 04-18-2006 01:39 PM	The only features I really need are power windows/locks, power steering, A/C and auto tranny. Thanks for the help, i think we'll just get the Silver GT. Actually, one more thing. I've heard that the 7th Gen Celica's have transponders in their keys? Is this true? If so, would installing an Alarm/Starter on it be a hassle? We installed an Alarm/Starter on my moms Pilot and it was a bitch.

04-20-2006, 11:26 AM	#13 (permalink)
00celica Location: new york Posts: 69 Join Date: Mar 2006 Last On: 03-13-2007 07:02 PM	yea i have a gt with pretty much everything the gts has cept the horsepower

04-20-2006, 03:10 PM	#14 (permalink)
91EclipseGS Location: New York Posts: 71 Join Date: Feb 2006 Last On: 04-15-2007 10:14 PM	^^ ur car doesn't have leather seats...it has cloth mess seats with leather trim around...so esstianally u do...and her car was bought from an orginal owner who got the car from the dealer

04-20-2006, 03:43 PM	#16 (permalink)
91EclipseGS Location: New York Posts: 71 Join Date: Feb 2006 Last On: 04-15-2007 10:14 PM	the handles and certain things have leather...its weird i know