ASNG
04-02-2000, 02:26 PM
Sorry, it's supposed to be "VVTL-i"!
OK guys/gals,
I just test drove the new 2000 Celica GT-S.
First off, the car has a huge label hanging off the dash telling you that "this is a high performance vehicle", and that you should be between 2000-4000 rpm for the first 1000 miles. Since I'm not into killing cars during break-in, especially if it is going to be someone else's, I had to request the managers "demo" car, because it was the only one with over 1000 miles on it, and I was not going to waste my time unless I could drive the car to it's limits....though that's not exactly what I said to the dealer...he-he!
So there I had it, high output VVTi engine, 6-speed manual, and NO sales-person for the ride!!...Whoo-hoo!!
The 1.8 VVTi in the Celica seamed to have pretty decent low and mid range, i.e. in non-VVTi mode, when compared to a similar V-TEC Honda power plant. In addition, when switching to VVTi mode, at 6000 rpm, the transition is less dramatic than with V-TEC, and not only because of the better low end.
At WOT, wide-open-throttle, in both VVTi and non-VVTi mode, the engine makes a relatively loud "intake" sound. It reminded me of a Prelude or an Integra GS-R with an intake kit, but to my supprise it was a less "refined" sound, especially coming from a stock setup. Although it is something that I could defintely live with!
The stronger low end certainly helped off-the-line acceleration, but it still seemed to take it's time getting up to that magical 6000 rpm mark, but was not as strong as an RS!
Unlike some reviews that have described a sort of abrupt transition, I did not feel any power "cut-off" when going to VVTi mode. I think they may have confused it with a slower throttle response, that results in a kind of "jerk" when shifting, since the engine does not get up to speed before you release the clutch. I just had to adjust my shifting style and no more "jerking", that was it!
Above 6000 it pulls nicely, but again, with a less dramatic transition than a V-TEC, although it still has no V8 or Eclipse Turbo feel to it. But with a V-TEC enigne atleast, power comes on around 5000 rpm, wich gives you 50% more usable "high-power" range than the VVTi kicking in at 6000 rpm.
Even with the 6-speed and boucing of the 8000+ rpm rev limiter, I still found it kind of hard to keep it above 6000 when shifting through a few tight and twisties. I would like to see that VVTi mode drop to at least 5500 rpm to make the setup a little more user friendly!
General road feel is awesom! Tight steering, firm suspension and minimal body roll. Going through fast and smooth "sweepers" it felt solid and neutral.
Excellent brakes!!...oh please let there be a newly designed brake system on the new Impreza, that is atleast half as good as the ones on the new Celica!!!....
However, and I mean a HUGE "however", when things are not very smooth and "sweepy", the inherent characteristics of a stiff FWD setup start to show, i.e., I realised, again, why I love my RS so much!!
As part of my daily "commute", there is a 1 mile section, that starts with a 2nd gear "right" and "left" off of a main road from 5th gear, opening up to a 3rd and 4th straight, followed by a 3 "right" 2 "left" "S", opening and tightening to a 2 right, followed by a "big-jump" over RRX in 4th.
Anyways, the only place better to "test" would be a race track.
So, pushing the Celica through this "course", I found that it was quite composed when entering hard and tight turns, but powering out was disappointing with all kinds of inside wheel spin and heavy plowing understeer when exiting under full throttle. Not to mention when the pavement gets rough, putting power down and composure becomes an issue, a problem only compounded by the narrow power band above 6000 rpm!
I would smoke any Celica on roads like this with my RS, and not just because I know the road.
The dash is probably a love-hate situation. I tend to like it. At 6'5" the "cockpit" was borderline for me! I could find an OK position but my head was slightly tilted into the sunroof cut-out, and the excessively laid back position was definitely not my style.
General visability was also a concern, with rear visability being quite poor. Mind you I haven't been in many cars that had better visability than the RS, even with the rear wing!
All and all it's a nice car, but if this is the best Toyota has to offer in performace in the year 2000 with a redesigned car, they better start running back to their drawing boards!! The Celica maybe marginally better than it's competition NOW, but in a year or two??...and I wasn't even thinking of the next generation Impreza...he-he!!
Bottom line,
I was very happy to get back into my RS after the test drive. And re-driving my "route" made me forget any thought I may have had of trading my Scooby!!
[This message has been edited by ASNG (edited April 02, 2000).]
OK guys/gals,
I just test drove the new 2000 Celica GT-S.
First off, the car has a huge label hanging off the dash telling you that "this is a high performance vehicle", and that you should be between 2000-4000 rpm for the first 1000 miles. Since I'm not into killing cars during break-in, especially if it is going to be someone else's, I had to request the managers "demo" car, because it was the only one with over 1000 miles on it, and I was not going to waste my time unless I could drive the car to it's limits....though that's not exactly what I said to the dealer...he-he!
So there I had it, high output VVTi engine, 6-speed manual, and NO sales-person for the ride!!...Whoo-hoo!!
The 1.8 VVTi in the Celica seamed to have pretty decent low and mid range, i.e. in non-VVTi mode, when compared to a similar V-TEC Honda power plant. In addition, when switching to VVTi mode, at 6000 rpm, the transition is less dramatic than with V-TEC, and not only because of the better low end.
At WOT, wide-open-throttle, in both VVTi and non-VVTi mode, the engine makes a relatively loud "intake" sound. It reminded me of a Prelude or an Integra GS-R with an intake kit, but to my supprise it was a less "refined" sound, especially coming from a stock setup. Although it is something that I could defintely live with!
The stronger low end certainly helped off-the-line acceleration, but it still seemed to take it's time getting up to that magical 6000 rpm mark, but was not as strong as an RS!
Unlike some reviews that have described a sort of abrupt transition, I did not feel any power "cut-off" when going to VVTi mode. I think they may have confused it with a slower throttle response, that results in a kind of "jerk" when shifting, since the engine does not get up to speed before you release the clutch. I just had to adjust my shifting style and no more "jerking", that was it!
Above 6000 it pulls nicely, but again, with a less dramatic transition than a V-TEC, although it still has no V8 or Eclipse Turbo feel to it. But with a V-TEC enigne atleast, power comes on around 5000 rpm, wich gives you 50% more usable "high-power" range than the VVTi kicking in at 6000 rpm.
Even with the 6-speed and boucing of the 8000+ rpm rev limiter, I still found it kind of hard to keep it above 6000 when shifting through a few tight and twisties. I would like to see that VVTi mode drop to at least 5500 rpm to make the setup a little more user friendly!
General road feel is awesom! Tight steering, firm suspension and minimal body roll. Going through fast and smooth "sweepers" it felt solid and neutral.
Excellent brakes!!...oh please let there be a newly designed brake system on the new Impreza, that is atleast half as good as the ones on the new Celica!!!....
However, and I mean a HUGE "however", when things are not very smooth and "sweepy", the inherent characteristics of a stiff FWD setup start to show, i.e., I realised, again, why I love my RS so much!!
As part of my daily "commute", there is a 1 mile section, that starts with a 2nd gear "right" and "left" off of a main road from 5th gear, opening up to a 3rd and 4th straight, followed by a 3 "right" 2 "left" "S", opening and tightening to a 2 right, followed by a "big-jump" over RRX in 4th.
Anyways, the only place better to "test" would be a race track.
So, pushing the Celica through this "course", I found that it was quite composed when entering hard and tight turns, but powering out was disappointing with all kinds of inside wheel spin and heavy plowing understeer when exiting under full throttle. Not to mention when the pavement gets rough, putting power down and composure becomes an issue, a problem only compounded by the narrow power band above 6000 rpm!
I would smoke any Celica on roads like this with my RS, and not just because I know the road.
The dash is probably a love-hate situation. I tend to like it. At 6'5" the "cockpit" was borderline for me! I could find an OK position but my head was slightly tilted into the sunroof cut-out, and the excessively laid back position was definitely not my style.
General visability was also a concern, with rear visability being quite poor. Mind you I haven't been in many cars that had better visability than the RS, even with the rear wing!
All and all it's a nice car, but if this is the best Toyota has to offer in performace in the year 2000 with a redesigned car, they better start running back to their drawing boards!! The Celica maybe marginally better than it's competition NOW, but in a year or two??...and I wasn't even thinking of the next generation Impreza...he-he!!
Bottom line,
I was very happy to get back into my RS after the test drive. And re-driving my "route" made me forget any thought I may have had of trading my Scooby!!
[This message has been edited by ASNG (edited April 02, 2000).]