Celica or MR2 Spyder?

MRS or CELICA?  Celica GT or GTS?

We have had so many inquiries about which car we would buy….the 2000 Celica or MRS.  Basically if you have a choice, 4 seat or 2 seat- the choice is definitely MRS.  Although not equipped with the more potent Celica GTS engine- the MRS is engineered with a better chassis set-up.  The MRS, even with just the 1ZZFE engine- is the sportier Toyota.  Then if you later upgrade with the 2ZZGE GTS engine (an easy bolt-on)- it will be really quick and potent.  Think about a modified 2ZZGE with 230 HP and you know it will be very, very quick.  Add a turbo and you are talking a nice fast sports car.  In a circuit multi car, multi-lap race (held in Japan) the MRS even beat the 99 SW20 MR2 NA (with the latest 4^th generation SW20 suspension). 

The MRS suspension is so highly engineered that stock for stock- it is one of the best suspensions Toyota ever produced, of course the very rigid body helps a lot too.  Wheels and tires are marginal, but those are easily upgraded.  Any suspension modification may undo the balance, much like the original AW11…so suspension tuning must be done with known combinations and components only.

What hurt the original AW11 MR2 sales was the insurance premium being charged for 2 seaters at that time.  With the proliferation of the Miata, Boxster, SLK, Z3- the insurance rates are now more reasonable.  Go ahead and get one.  We have the engines, suspensions, and upgrades waiting.

If you need a 4 seater- the Celica is the only other performance Toyota available in the U.S.  It is well supported with TRD sports parts and Toysport has engine packages in development.  The Celica had bad reviews by the Japanese press, calling it inferior to the current Integra R  (an “older car” due for replacement).  But it is a Toyota- and some tuning will allow it to go ahead in its class.  If you want the best showroom stock vehicle in this class, Celica is not it, but has the potential to be one.

Celica GTS or GT?  With TRD USA’s success in supercharging, a kit for the GT is imminent.  Why the GT not the GTS?  With the same kit- all the MRS, Corollas will benefit also!  The GTS with the G (sports head) is a natural for turbo, like the 3SGTE MR2 turbo engine.  How about the 3SGTE in the 2000 Celica?  A possibility, but the chassis will probably suffer.

So 2 or 4 seater- Toyota has you covered now.  The MRS redelivers the purity of the original MR2; the Celica is back to recover the original spirit as Toyota’s sporty model line.  But yes we still miss the Supra and turbocharged MR2s.