GS Celica

not mine yada yada yada ....

this isn't Challenge priced, but it is a very competitive National level GS car

http://www.etrscca.org/etrsccaforum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7950

We've had this discussion here at the office: Those Celicas are probably the least expensive/easiest way to score an SCCA national Solo title.

4/6 place from this last year......I am still disappointed nobody has made a nationals run with a ion redline in GS.

I do chuckle at this guy being a hoosiers or die type though....

David S. Wallens wrote: We've had this discussion here at the office: Those Celicas are probably the least expensive/easiest way to score an SCCA national Solo title.

I've been trying to decide on whether I would be better off just getting one of these Celicas, or trying to freshen up my '97 Celica ST for Auto-X duty.. I've seen these newer ones go for $4500 on CL with high miles. What's ya'lls take on it?

t25torx wrote:

David S. Wallens wrote: We've had this discussion here at the office: Those Celicas are probably the least expensive/easiest way to score an SCCA national Solo title.

I've been trying to decide on whether I would be better off just getting one of these Celicas, or trying to freshen up my '97 Celica ST for Auto-X duty.. I've seen these newer ones go for $4500 on CL with high miles. What's ya'lls take on it?

GRM actually had a 6th gen ST project car back in the day that did pretty well in autox despite being woefully underprepped.

I think end game, the 7th gen will probably make more power than the 6th gen, depending on target class. I do not think handling potential is clearly tipped in either direction.

Weight is more similar than most people would think, ASSuming yours is a coupe. (Really can't remember if all 6th gen STs were coupes.)

If it were me and i wasn't chasing a National trophy, i'd stick with the 6th gen. If you MUST have a Nationals Trophy, then the easiest route is always the route already traveled. (Lemming Route.)

In reply to Swank Force One:

Just remember the tire shakeup for stock classes......which is why this is being sold from the sounds of it.

Swank Force One wrote: GRM actually had a 6th gen ST project car back in the day that did pretty well in autox despite being woefully underprepped. I think end game, the 7th gen will probably make more power than the 6th gen, depending on target class. I do not think handling potential is clearly tipped in either direction. Weight is more similar than most people would think, ASSuming yours is a coupe. (Really can't remember if all 6th gen STs were coupes.) If it were me and i wasn't chasing a National trophy, i'd stick with the 6th gen. If you MUST have a Nationals Trophy, then the easiest route is always the route already traveled. (Lemming Route.)

Yeah I was just reading up on all those articles this morning and was wondering about the under powered aspect of it. I'm not going national, so I'm guess it wouldn't be too big of a deal. I will have to go the GRM route though and rebuild the motor, it goes through oil at about 3 quarts a month as my DD.

yamaha wrote: 4/6 place from this last year......I am still disappointed nobody has made a nationals run with a ion redline in GS. I do chuckle at this guy being a hoosiers or die type though....

he's a great guy ... just very passionate about his car/sport ... really doesn't think he would like to run on street tires ... why selling now I don't know ..since he has at least 2 yrs before the sky falls and the world, as we know it, ends

yamaha wrote: In reply to Swank Force One: Just remember the tire shakeup for stock classes......which is why this is being sold from the sounds of it.

Not trying to stir up a hornet nest, but "tire shakeup" is an oversimplification.

I'd rock that little car as a DD, too.

Gimp wrote: Not trying to stir up a hornet nest, but "tire shakeup" is an oversimplification.

It is, but the die hard r-comp guys are the only ones really against it.....either way, this car should be pretty good on proper road tires.

he's sold it to the original owner

I test drove one of these years ago. Without a helmet my head nearly touched the sunroof surround. Any thoughts?

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: I test drove one of these years ago. Without a helmet my head nearly touched the sunroof surround. Any thoughts?

You're too tall?

t25torx wrote:

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: I test drove one of these years ago. Without a helmet my head nearly touched the sunroof surround. Any thoughts?

You're too tall?

I'm only 6 foot 1. I was asking more if this was common or just a problem with sunroof cars. This was many years ago, so my memory is not so detailed.

yamaha wrote: 4/6 place from this last year......I am still disappointed nobody has made a nationals run with a ion redline in GS. I do chuckle at this guy being a hoosiers or die type though....

Pilson has been running on Hoosiers since the mid-80's when he was competing with a DSP Scirocco.

Laugh all you want, but it's going to be a while before street tires equal the grip and performance of r-comps. Yeah, they're getting closer but they aren't there yet and they're still a step or two back.

David S. Wallens wrote: We've had this discussion here at the office: Those Celicas are probably the least expensive/easiest way to score an SCCA national Solo title.

I 100% agree... except that I think the 2006+ Civic Si might be better. I'm not sure if you'd want the 2012+ or the 2006-11, but the window is closing. When the dust settles from the "Street Tires in Stock" bomb who knows what the landscape will look like.