celica VS RSX

[T2urtle]

looking for a daily with a hatch in the $5-6k ball park for the GF.

These two just are full on WIN for her. Loves the looks and function of everything. Both have similiar power and easy to care for. Parts should be everywhere. Drove both and we are at a standstill. So now its time to get all technical.

BOTH will be AUTO, i really wanted the GTS or Type S but no go. Ball park of 125k. FWD small hatches with 150hp or so. Can get her 30mpg on the highway if babied.


1zz VS K20 motor. Experiences with these motors? I know the K20 in the type S is one of the better ones. The Base RSX i dont know too much on.

Both are chain driven, offer sometype of VVT/ivtec. Should be solid motors and trans setups. I'm trying to find weak points, I really dont like plastic manifolds. 1zz in the celica has plastic manifolds and some cases of blowing a headgasket. So i know that K20A3 has a better odds when rolling the dice. This is assuming all things equal in terms of care and maintenance.


Both would be an overall stock car with maybe a in dash GPS, lowering springs and wheels. I dont want to put any extra money into it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I think the Celica looks better personally. Ultimately, I can't see there is enough of a difference to bother recommending one over the other. Just get the one with the lowest mileage and best service history.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

RSX all the way -

Why not a Focus ZX3 with the 2.3L Duratec?

 

[neocpp]

It's a shame you can't get the GTS. I had one in high school/college that I got for a decent price, and I thought it was awesome. I drove it a total of ~40,000 miles and had zero problems. I gave it to my sister when I moved, and she hasn't had any problems with it either. Sorry I don't have any technical advice, but it was super easy to take care of for the time I had it.

 

[Savij]

The RSX is pretty good overall. The only things that come to mind are the 2nd and 3rd gear shifts on the 6 speed manual (type s only) and the interior rattles and squeaks on both the base and the S.

Head over to clubrsx for more info. The forums there have a good knowledge base.

 

[T2urtle]

This is the first time my GF is really focused on two cars that she really wants. I know she wanted the celica when it first came out but she loved the RSX as much. She doesn't want a stick, she loved the idea at first but when i told her bring my turboed 200sx SER with a stage 2 clutch in traffic to come get me, he said screw this and never wanted a manual again.

I've wrenched on and driven a few type S. I like them for what they are little 200hp car that can go around town and not burn your pockets. But that's not the car in question. I didn't drive either one yet, i wont until we find the one we would buy.

Seems there are more RSX owners then celicas, both are/should be very solid. The best part of these two cars is that i would have to touch them much other then the oil change and yearly inspection for damages. I want the yellow celica or burnt orange RSX, but its going to be a white/silver on black.

I was wondering about the digital like gauge on the celica if that could give out.


EDIT... OH OH !!!! found out some GTS are AUTO! but now MPG might play a role. Plus a GTS is a high rev motor, with a auto it must suck, almost a waste for her.

 

[Pens1566]

Wife had an '02 Celica GT. They had a problem with turning oil into sludge. Car was dealer serviced at recommended intervals. Engine replaced at 53k. Toyota knew about it and didn't bat an eye when it happened. got rid of it shortly after that.

I'd take the Acura.

 

[amdhunter]

RSX. One of my dream cars. Saw a supercharged one just yesterday completely blacked out. Sounded beautiful.

 

[superccs]

I personally have driven both a GTS and S manual tranny models and think that the celica was a funner car to drive but the RSX is a little more practical as far as internal amenities and space.

Both are very CRX-like in a good way

 

[vshah]

RSX. One of my dream cars. Saw a supercharged one just yesterday completely blacked out. Sounded beautiful.

heh, might have been m0risan on this board.

i'd take the RSX as well OP

 

[ballmode]

RSX for the interior, even the base one.

TORQUE, 20lbs means alot in this class

 

[yottabit]

I like my Mazda3 s hatch and that's in that price range

 

[TC91]

I went through a similar decision last year, ended up buying a manual GT (only had about 45,000 kms on it, and was the rare tsunami edition!) over the base/premium RSX last year as IMO its more fun to drive than the RSX, I prefer its exterior looks, also interior IMO looks way more modern (but is a little more plasticky than the RSX), driving position is also lower in the Celica if that matters.

If you are going auto with the Celica, get the GT because it will get better fuel economy (regular vs. premium as well), is actually a little quicker than the auto GTS (100lbs lighter and the tall gearing on the 4spd auto will take the GTS out of lift, or the ideal rev range, during shifts, and the 2ZZ makes a little less torque than the 1ZZ below 6000RPM, so it's pretty much pointless in auto, except for amenities like leather, upgraded stock stereo, etc). Also, if you get a GT, try to find an '03+ as the '00-02 1ZZ had issues with burning oil and I'm pretty it was a TSB ('03+ also has the black interior dash which IMO looks way better than the grey on the '00-'02).

The GT and base RSX are pretty close in terms of straightline speed as while the RSX has a bit more HP and TQ, it is also about 300lbs heavier in comparison. If autocrossing is something that she might do, the Celica has a better chassis and suspension setup. If mods (say bolt ons) are any consideration, the K20 responds way better to mods and has a much better aftermarket support. Reliability wise, they both should be pretty solid, I don't know all that much for the RSX's reliability, but if you get a GT, just try to make sure its an '03+.

 

[T2urtle]

Thanks for that.

No racing. This is just a daily driver and maybe a travel car as well if we only go by ourselves. My current g35 is getting like 22 all highway miles on Prem. So if we trust the new car I'll gladly take a 30 MPG car.

Bolt on parts might be in the future, I read that 1zz pre cats are just bad design so maybe I'll do that job and minor things. But its her car, so she needs to hear how it could sound. She doesn't like the extra noise my HFC added

Do u know what years or trims have the color seats? Not a fan, would want to avoid all together the blue,red trimmed seats and have all black.

 

[Arkaign]

I'd honestly go with the 2.0L RSX as it's a lot more drivable at low rpm range than the 1.8 Celicas (important with an auto, not nearly as big a deal with a manual). Those Toyota 1.8s are really stringy down low, they don't remotely come to life until closer to 4 grand.

 

[m0r1san]

heh, might have been m0risan on this board.

Yeah, supercharged RSX is a ton of fun

For practicality I'd go with the RSX. The utility is outstanding for a small car - I have 2 bikes in the hatch right now no problem. The engine also lasts a very long time if taken care of. My car is doing well at almost 10yrs old. It's just over 100k miles, and I plan to run it to the ground.. at least a few more years left in it.

That said, I've never driven a Celica.

 

[thomsbrain]

They are both very good cars. I think whichever one your GF feels best sitting in is going to be the best car for her.

 

[Nightrainsrt4]

If she doesn't pick, she's likely to complain and say you picked the wrong one when / if something goes wrong. Then again, it could just as easily go the other way and she could say you didn't help her pick the right one, lol.

They are similar enough cars that I would just have her pick. Seems easier in the end.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

the celica gts has a beautiful engine.

9000 red line, has "lift" which is basically vtec-ish for toyota. It screams loud.

 

[TC91]

Thanks for that.

No racing. This is just a daily driver and maybe a travel car as well if we only go by ourselves. My current g35 is getting like 22 all highway miles on Prem. So if we trust the new car I'll gladly take a 30 MPG car.

Bolt on parts might be in the future, I read that 1zz pre cats are just bad design so maybe I'll do that job and minor things. But its her car, so she needs to hear how it could sound. She doesn't like the extra noise my HFC added

Do u know what years or trims have the color seats? Not a fan, would want to avoid all together the blue,red trimmed seats and have all black.

You would want either a GT-S with the cloth seats, or any trim with the leather seats (which are black). The GT's will mostly have some sort of color seats if you do go with one that has cloth seats.