Up until 2 hours ago, I used to own a 2001 Celica GT-S. I loved that little car. Then modding time came and all that was out there were rice mods. You know what a rice mod is right? Body kit, after body kit. That is the only modification I could find on a damn Celica. Sure, you could go out and get a air intake and an exhaust!!! Oh my God my heart is beating too hard now. I mean a whole extra 15 horse power and an even worse low end torque curve, where the hell do I sign up?

I know I could have went out and got a $6,000 Blitz SC or a Turbo set up from TXS. But, the transmission would have blown up or a flaming hot piston would go through my chest. Even better yet a 50 shot wet kit. Yeah, explain that mysterious coating on the burnt pistons to the Toyota warranty monitor.

So, in desperation I went out to test-drive some cars because Toyota let me down. It was between the WRX, Mustang, and SRT4. The Mustang made me thing of a POS. It only needed baby oil and dirty diapers in it to be a real white trash mobile. I mean the interior was two words GRAY PLASTIC. I felt as if I was in a freaking minivan. It was just missing the scent of a dirty **** diaper along with french fry grease over everything. I was wondering if it came with a set of concrete blocks to park on in my front yard. Oh and the back seat? A damn Vette has more of a back seat (only some will catch that). Oh and the engine, it is nice to know it is the same engine out of a Crown Vic with a cam job. What is the shifter a T-5? Oh damn in 20 years they could not improve it? All in all a low class fast two door box from Ford. Uhg I hope the 2005 redesign is better than that!

The SRT 4 is like this: Sure stock for stock it will beat a WRX. It was a fast ride, I give Dodge that. But, no AWD and it is built by Dodge. Let me show you the “breakdown” schedule:

15,000 oil leak if not sooner
20,000 air conditioning failure
21,000 drivers side door lock breaks
25,000 dash cracks
25,102 Throw a rod
25,102 ˝ Paint fades and chips
25,103 Time for a trade!
27,502 Turbo melts like the wicked witch of the west

Other than a straight line, it has nothing. The seats made me go to my chiropractor. The smell of the cheap plastic interior made me vomit. Try driving that POS in the rain!!! Even with LSD, it would suck. All in all not bad for $20,000 (being honest), but if we read the past it will still be a Neon and act like a Neon. If the thought of ever owning a Neon has crossed your mind then read car reviews on the web and they will sober you up big time. I read one recently where a SRT 4 was already leaking oil within 200 miles of use! This is only a sign of things to come. It would be cheaper to buy a motorcycle if speed is all you want, because other than that there is no reason why a human being would buy such a POS! I know an Impreza is an Impreza. But, damn it is built to a way better standard.

Here is a question!!!! Name the first vehicle that comes to your mind that is the worst POS and it is not a GEO Metro!!!! I bet you just thought NEON! See, how could you do that to yourself.

Anyhow, I got a Silver 2004 WRX 5 spd for 25,000 out the door with turbo gauge, shifter, shifter ****, arm rest and bla, bla, bla. I am happy. Say hello to VISHNU STAGE 1 in 3 months! No bodykits to worry about and its not a Neon.

I am happy to have graduated to the WRX. I am also drunk right now. And I thank all of you for this web site. Finally some sort of things called torque.

 

congratulations man

 

hehe another disgruntled toyota-phile are you? i owned an '87 celica gt and still own a '91 mr2. i've driven toyotas my whole life and was honestly in the market for a 2003 celica gts.

i loved the celica's super sensitive steering. leather was surprisingly nice. i went to subaru really on a whim after trying out an rsx. well, long story short, the test drive blew me away. the rex's power was just so evident.

well, the TRD'er in me hopes that toyota comes up with something with a bit more muscle soon. otherwise, i think i'll stick with scoobies for awhile.

 

Yeah man, you know what I am talking about. TRD was spreading rumors of a SC for the thing that never surfaced. Toyota is only going for looks now. Their new Scion line is a joke. Do they really think that the F&F crowd is going to go for underpowered boxes? I guess if mommy and daddy buys the car. I don't think they will hit their market in the 16-24 male range. They might hit the 18-24 girl range though. Where is the GT4????????????? Where Toyota????

Anyhow, I am more happy with the WRX after 3 days of ownership than I have ever been with the Celica. The Celica was not a bad car and I never had a problem, but after taking ownership of the Rex, screw the Celica.

 

My father has had 3 Celicas over the years, and I learned to drive stick on one. The driving position (seat vs. wheel vs. shifter) always seemed perfect on the Celica. When I test drove a WRX, even when I lowered the seat height above the floor to the lowest setting, I still had to reach way down to shift (basically lean forward). Does anyone else have this problem and how have you adjusted to shifting the WRX vs. the Celica? The most perfect seating position I've ever come across is the Acura RSX, but I live in Syracuse (180 inches of snow per year), so the WRX is a better choice, but I'm not sure I can get used to how low the shifter (the entire center console) is in relation to the seats.
-Paul

 

show us a picture

 

i agree. the driving position in the celica and rsx is much better than in the rex.

you have to try the previous mr2, man. the position is exquisite: the shifter is about level with the wheel; you can rest your right elbow on the tranny housing and your left elbow on the inside door paneling.

thus, i did find the driving position in the wrx annoying, at first. my solution was kind of weird. at first i lowered the seat like you did. but it still didn't feel right. then i actually raised the seat a little bit, lowered the steering wheel, moved the seat in two notches and reclined it back about 15 degrees.

i'm a lot more comfortable now. i think the key is the distance your right hand travels from shift to wheel and back. play with the wheel and you'll get used to it.

 

that's exactly the problem with toyota: they follow markets. the median age of a toyota buyer is frickin 47.

you're right when you say they won't hit the 16-24 male range. but sadly, they don't need to. they're making billions off of suv's, midsize sedans and grocery getters. that's the primo market here in the US.

it's sad. but they lost money on the 1991-1995 mr2 turbo, and didn't make that much off the supra tt. until those bean counters think they can make money in the performance segment, we won't see a gt-4 or 4000gt or new supra anytime soon.

 

money talks bull**** walks.....

 

Actually, I like the driving position in the WRX better IMHO than the Celica. I am 6'3 255#s. I know sports cars or cars that "LOOK FAST" generally have blind spots. When I sit behind the wheel of the WRX, I day dream a little and pretend that some dude is screaming German at me "long straight, turn left 100 meters!". I guess too much time watching Speed Vision. In order for me to feel comfortable in the Celica I had to have the seat back all the way and my arms stretched out in a yoga fashion. I like to sit up a little bit even if it sacrifices the center of gravity. I’ll just get the sway bars. The WRX was not out when I bought the Celica.

Anyhow there is a list of new things on the 2004 WRX for those stuck between a 03 and a 04. Here is what I noticed:

1. Antenna in rear window.
2. Electronic brake distribution
3. Gauges (look better at night with the red needles)
4. Yeah the front and rear (the high beams are pretty bright)
5. Red Momo Emblem in steering wheel (yeah big thing there)
6. Stereo is black instead of silver
7. Projection road lights (I like the other ones better. I could swear the road lights switch off when the high beams are on)
8. Something with the shocks (I could not tell the difference myself)
9. Seats are racing style with a mesh on them and they look nice. I have noticed that they indent easily. If you have a wallet in your back pocket it will make the mesh stretch in that area. It pops back, but makes me wonder if I should not keep my wallet in my back pocket.
10. Alarm has a cool digital arming noise and not a horn honk. It is a great touch.
11. I think for 2004 it has collapsible pedals for accidents.
12. Larger hood scoop for a-holes to throw trash in.

I could not notice any speed difference between the two.