Celica Forums General Discussion General Can't decide on 2003-2004, GT or GTS, and automatic or manual

So I have been researching on and off for nearly a year now on purchasing a new car. I am a 22 year old from Michigan and have loved the look of Celicas and toyota for a few years. And as the title explains I cannot decide what I want to go for for my first Celica. I am looking at 2003-2005 model, in which I have read that 2004 is the better due to the 2003 and 2005 having a rev limiter. I am currently driving an automatic 1995 Buick Regal and I do not know how to drive manual but my dad does and could teach me. I know the GTS has 40 more horsepower and requires premium gas and would probably be a little bit more to insure but I don't really care. So would getting the GTS manual be okay for a first time manual driver? Or should I get the GT model manual? Or should I stick to automatic? My main constraints are that if I stick with a GT I would be okay with automatic or manual but if I go with GTS then I would want the action package and feel ashamed driving it non-manual lol. So what do you guys think? I am eager to join the Celica family and plan on doing so late this month or early September so any advice or help would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!

I think you should go manual either way, GT or GT-S. Automatic just kills the fun of driving these cars in general. If I were you, I'd get a GT with the action package. You will only feel the extra 40hp in the GT-S after 6k rpm. Up until that point, they are almost identical.

I actually had a 2002 automatic GT, with the action package. Its very sporty looking and i loved it, but you cant compete with anybody racing wise. I had stripes down the side, black rims, black hood, and alot of other stuff so it looked very racy and fast, but it wasnt. Im actually getting a 2003 manual celica gts in a day or 2. looking forward to being able to hit the gas and something happens, unlike my old automatic GT. So no matter what get a manual, Gt or GTS isnt as big of a deal. Just make sure its a manual, getting an automatic was a hugeeee mistake. (and dont worry about learning to drive a manual, within days of getting the car you will be comfortable behind the wheel)

I have a 2001 GTS and I love the "lift" you get at 6200rpm. I couldn't imagine driving a GT without that added lift. As far as being manual or not I always say if you plan on getting a sports car you might as well get it manual. Doesn't take long to learn and from all of the cars that I have driven, it's very simple to drive a manual celica. It's really a preference though of the driver. My opinion is GTS manual.