6th Gen Hater ?? Options

[Remy]

a 2.2 liter engine puttung out 135hp in a fwd car, pathetic from a performance standpoint (now and 10 years ago)

What I've read on another forum.

[creamed_corn]

How did we get started on Celica's not being able to handle?

The nice thing about the celica--and I haven't driven many other cars like this--is it's very predicatbale, controllable, and forgiving at its limits, and that's what makes it an excellent touring car. When you push most cars to their limits of handling, acceleration, braking, etc, they turn into wild, uncharacteristically mushy cars. I can pull through a 90 degree bend at +40mph and 4500 rpms and be utterly confident that I'll come out straight and hard in my celica. The only other cars I've had wheel time in that behave that well are the Mazda Miata and the second gen RX-7 (both RWD (hell, both Mazda's)). Say what you want, I've managed to stave off (and usually leave in the dust) Imprezas, Supras, Mini Cooper S's and Trans Ams on real world backroads (some of the cars were driven by self proclaimed "auto cross" diehards).

The 5S is reliable, has a great powerband for cornering, but otherwise it doesn't have much potential. Big Woop. You drive a civic; everyone thinks you're gay.

[Kwanza26]

How did we get started on Celica's not being able to handle?

The nice thing about the celica--and I haven't driven many other cars like this--is it's very predicatbale, controllable, and forgiving at its limits, and that's what makes it an excellent touring car. When you push most cars to their limits of handling, acceleration, braking, etc, they turn into wild, uncharacteristically mushy cars. I can pull through a 90 degree bend at +40mph and 4500 rpms and be utterly confident that I'll come out straight and hard in my celica. The only other cars I've had wheel time in that behave that well are the Mazda Miata and the second gen RX-7 (both RWD (hell, both Mazda's)). Say what you want, I've managed to stave off (and usually leave in the dust) Imprezas, Supras, Mini Cooper S's and Trans Ams on real world backroads (some of the cars were driven by self proclaimed "auto cross" diehards).

The 5S is reliable, has a great powerband for cornering, but otherwise it doesn't have much potential. Big Woop. You drive a civic; everyone thinks you're gay.

Bias... but hey... oh well. As far as I'm concerned... you're hardly at the 6g Celica's limit based on your example... =] It's a good handling car, but hardly comparable to cars with actual sport suspension (I'd hardly call 4 corner macphearson struts sporty)... and hardly comparable to a Civic's handling potential (even the new ones, which have been tuned down extremely). It's a good handling car with modest potential... but it's not winning the FWD racing classes like the Civics, Integras and RSX's have in the past.

never thought i'd meet a 6g celica owner (i think u r right?) who doesnt like the handling on the celica. whatever floats ur boat buddy...if the Si is ur cup o' tea then thats cool too smile.gif

Matter of opinion, matter of fact. You really have to have driven all sorts of different cars with different suspension set-ups to their limits in order form an opinion. It's no surprise to me MOST guys here would argue for the Celica... but that's mostly because MOST guys here haven't driven another car, another set-up to the extreme. Daily driving hardly measures a car's handling ability. The Celicas have always been good handling cars, but why would they have even sportier counterparts (Super Struts versions) if they were cheddar to start?

Power isn't everything... putting it to the ground and controlling it are two very different things.