Grudge Match: GTP Celebrity Edition

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GTP Celebrity Edition - YOU CHOOSE

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    47
YSSMAN

YSSMAN

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So I was flipping through Google Books earlier this evening, and I came across a rather interesting article.

Popular Science, December 1994: Formula Fun

Well, it got me thinking...

Grudge Match: GTP Celebrity Edition - Sponsored by LAGear Tennis Shoes.

lagear1.jpg


Kareem wears them... Do you?




The Competitors​


Acura Integra GS-R
okfqF.jpg

Remember back when Honda was in F1? The Integra GS-R was the trickle-down effect of that, before the S2000, before the Integra Type-R, and so on. The Integra was a screamer for the time, it's VTEC engine and tighter-than-some-strange-metaphor suspension ran the business. You might even say they are fast, and furious. Even that one rapper guy had one. You know, that one. Plus, stickers add 30 BHP.

Specifications:
1.8L I4 - 170 BHP
Curb Weight - 2640 lbs
0-60 MPH - 6.9 seconds


Mazda MX-3 GS
1992_MX3_V6_24V.jpg

- As owned/driven by Famine -

Holding the title of using the smallest V6 in any production car, the MX-3 is one strange ride. It is small, it is nimble, and will likely outhandle your mother. Although it was not as much of a bruiser as some of the other cars in this comparison, it's agility was hard to argue against. Rare in America, and elsewhere, they're almost like unicorns. Just, without the pointy bits.

Specifications:
1.8L V6 - 130 BHP
Curb Weight - 2580 lbs
0-60 MPH - 8.8 Seconds


Toyota Celica GT
800px-AC1999ToyotaCelica.jpg

- As owned/driven by YSSMAN -

The Celica has been around for quite a long time. This Celica is one of a few that were around the longest. Taking styling cues from the Supra, because it was super, was nifty in the '90s. Toyota stripped the GT-FOUR model from the American market of the time, and instead jammed the Camry's 2.2L I4 under the hood, and tuned up the suspension a bit. Turns out, they made a car that was good at everything, but best at nothing. Unless you planned on losing kidneys and not fitting anyone in the back seat. Then, the Celica is perfect!

Specifications:
2.2L I4 - 135 BHP
Curb Weight - 2680 lbs
0-60 MPH - 8.6 seconds


Honda Del Sol VTEC
2XdpL.jpg

- As owned/driven by Keef -

Remember when Honda made crazy cars? The Del Sol was one of them. As a successor to the CR-X, it was... A successor to the CR-X. It didn't quite replace it, but it did set the hairdressers hair on fire. Using that fancy VTEC I4 that came down from it's sister Integra, the Del Sol had the goods in the handling the department, and if the operator was in the building, he might give you the power necessary to get the job done. But only when VTEC kicked in, yo.

Specifications:
1.6L I4 - 160 BHP
Curb Weight - 2560 lbs
0-60 MPH - 7.8 Seconds


Eagle Talon TSi
800px-Eagle_Talon_TSi_2G.jpg


Hey, remember the '90s? There used to be a lot of really weird automotive brands hanging around, Eagle included. Nevertheless, it was an Americanized version of the well-loved Mitsubishi Eclipse, and this one had guts. Tubo powwwah was the name of the game, and the rest was history. Well, until Eagle shut its doors and Mitsubishi decided to castrate the Eclipse a few years later. But yeah, history!

Specifications:
2.0L Turbocharged I4 - 210 BHP
Curb Weight - 3020 lbs
0-60 MPH - 7.0 seconds
 
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Went with the Celica. Fantastic little car that.

So are we going to compare different GTP members' rides?

Cause I kinda like that idea!
 
We could do that. However, most of us don't own vehicles that are directly competitive with one another. It was just a little strange reading this article and seeing three cars that members have/had owned, figured it'd be worth a bit of fun.

Also, people who vote for the Celica get a free hug. Thank you for validating me and my vehicle.
 
Doesn't Slicks have an Eagle? Anyway I voted the MX-3. I think looks like a pretty nimble sports car.
 
Acura Integra GS-R
-My choice. One of the only cars on this list that isn't embarrassing to drive around in. It's also quite sporty.

Mazda MX-3 GS
-Only saw one in the UK, wasn't terribly impressed by the looks of it. Other than that I don't really know it well.

Toyota Celica GT
Stuck between this and the Integra. I chose the Integra because it looks better.

Honda Del Sol VTEC
Had the potential to be a good sports car, but was ruined by all those ricers I saw from San Jose.

Eagle Talon TSi
Although it tried to mix Japanese sportiness and American style,
this car got no respect from fans of American cars nor Japanese cars.
 
There are actually choices besides the Eagle Talon? :lol:

No Nissan love? No B13 SE-R?
 
I'll have to go with the only one I have any experience of, the MX-3. I'm unsure as to whether it was the car or whether it was the driver, but it could go at a fair rate of knots, and usually did, as well as being roomy and comfortable.
 
Screw it. Eagle...for two reasons:

1: It was built by a close family friend (who worked at the Mitsubishi plant in Normal on the line, then,) and...
2: That turbo motor was, and is...simply insane to play around with.

GSR? Del Slow? Well, Keef keeps trashing his Del Sol in his posts, and the 'teggy is overshadowed by the Type R that finally made it here.
Famine confuses me half the time, so the MX3 likely will, too. Besides...it's not THAT much faster than my 200SX...SE. In fact...Why didn't you throw THAT one in there, YSSMAN? At least...the SE-R.
and the Celica? Probably the sceptical review of it. again, it's not horridly terrible, but it's not a standout.

Which leaves Turbo Boost, possible Crank Walk, and optional AWD, all assembled in the middle of a cornfield, right next to a grain elevator just outside Normal, Illinois.

Don't believe me? Zoom in on the northwest corner of the lot.
 
GS-R. The TSi would've been a nice pick, but since I've only seen one ever that actually ran worth a damn, I'll pass. GS-R has a nice suspension setup, huge after market, and some room in it.

The MX-3 is always a neat car, more so because you can swap a lot of it with a Ford Escort GT. Honestly, a boosted BP in that chassis would probably be insanity fun. Plus it just looks quirky as hell.
 
Integra was a good car, but since the Type R came out, it really lives in its shadow. 👎

The MX-3 was a joke. The engine was a joke, the styling said "hey ladies, make your husbands buy me for you, I'm cute!" and everyone in my area that owns one is pretty much considered a douche. 👎

The Celica almost got my vote, but due to the lack of a decent North American model, the vote would really be for the GT-FOUR and not this exact car. 👎

The Del Sol was an alright car, with a decent engine and lots going for it with the fun factor (top off, screaming rpms) but since they made it as a replacement for the CRX (which it wasn't) and failed horribly, its hard to give it my vote. Plus, its really considered more of a womans ride, as most men would rather be seen in the Civic Coupe or Hatchback of that time. 👎

Vote went to the TSi. Its styling is almost timeless, and it really was the first car that proved to people that a 4 banger could hang with the V8's, changing a lot of peoples perception of imports (as it really was considered an import made by Mitsubishi and sold under the Chrysler owned Eagle name) and their performance. Great looks, great performance, and fun factor through the roof makes this one the top choice. 👍
 
SRV2LOW4ME
Vote went to the TSi. Its styling is almost timeless, and it really was the first car that proved to people that a 4 banger could hang with the V8's, changing a lot of peoples perception of imports (as it really was considered an import made by Mitsubishi and sold under the Chrysler owned Eagle name) and their performance. Great looks, great performance, and fun factor through the roof makes this one the top choice. 👍
Click to expand...

An Import...made in Illinois. XD
 
SRV2LOW4ME
The MX-3 was a joke. The engine was a joke, the styling said "hey ladies, make your husbands buy me for you, I'm cute!" and everyone in my area that owns one is pretty much considered a douche. 👎
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V6 model. Still woefully "underpowered" next to the other stuff here but that can be fixed with another $500 spent on a Probe GT automatic with a bad trans.

I voted MX-3 for exactly the above reason. It's small, light, V6 powered. What more do you need? Though it's tempting to try a "2.3" (2345cc) based on the 2.5 with a 1.8/2.0 crank... Moonrevs get.
 
The GS-R gets my vote, although I've driven a couple of MX-3s and loved them.
 
The Celica was still using the arguably underpowered 2.2l after its competitors had increased their power rating from smaller displacements. The 2.2 is a rock solid engine but very underwhelming. Its really no wonder you don't see very many ST202s.
 
None of these. The only early or mid-90's choice is an SE-R:

94809131990112-480.jpg


Specifications:
2.0L I4 - 140 BHP 132 TQ
Curb Weight - 2,266 lbs
0-60 MPH - 7.6 seconds (claimed, it is actually a ½ sec faster)

I owned a '98 200SX SE-R and it was a hoot for sure, one of the best cars I've owned. They are quite good at being flung around and the acceleration is quite good from 20-70mph. The only weakness (if you can call it that) is the 5-spd transmission. Would of liked the synchros not to be so weak.
 
SRV2LOW4ME
The MX-3 was a joke. The engine was a joke, the styling said "hey ladies, make your husbands buy me for you, I'm cute!" and everyone in my area that owns one is pretty much considered a douche. 👎
Click to expand...

*douches on past, having been bought for someone's husband*

Incidentally, GTP Supermod AMG. also owned an MX-3 V6.
 
Went for the MX-3. That and the Del Sol are the only ones I've given consideration to owning. The Talon means absolutely nothing in the UK, the only Celica really worth getting is the GT-Four and the only Integra worth getting is the Type R, neither of which are being polled.
 
^^^^ +1



astrosdude91
So are we going to compare different GTP members' rides?

Cause I kinda like that idea!
Click to expand...

The only thing my Rodeo Sport will win is a drinking contest, gallons per mile.
 
astrosdude91
You've never met my Tundra.:sly:
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I have a carbureted V8. I think I've got this title :D. I've been in the single digits when I was liberal in the throttle use around town.
 
I altered some of the photos at Keef's demand. I guess they were wrong after all...


If you read the article I linked in the OP, it is pretty interesting to see what the standards of performance were in 1994 versus 2011. Technology changed pretty quickly right around there, and the next generation of each of those vehicles went above and beyond what most would expect from a small, FWD sport coupe.

I obviously chose my own car here, despite knowing the shortcomings of the vehicle quite well. Honestly, all Toyota needed was a different engine in the Celica. That 5S-FE is a strong performer in a Camry, but not in a Celica. Or, just not in the right way.
 
Jim Prower
Which leaves Turbo Boost, possible Crank Walk, and optional AWD, all assembled in the middle of a cornfield, right next to a grain elevator just outside Normal, Illinois.
Click to expand...

Fixed.

JCE
Would of liked the synchros not to be so weak.
Click to expand...

SE-Rs have synchros? Always thought they just slid cardboard discs between the gears and called it a day. :lol:

Seriously, though... with the potential of the SR20, some tuners go through entire gearboxes like the rest of us go through clutches. :lol:
 
Del Sol for me. It is slightly girly but 160hp in a car that weighs under a tonne.

Integra's a close second. The Eunos 30X is also slightly interesting in terms of its engine but Mazda's own 323 Astina with the 2.0L V6 trumps it; Celica's tempting but I think it's outclassed by the Integra; and we never got the Eclipse or the Talon, and I never really liked either of those cars to begin with.
 
I voted Integra. Of all those cars I think it is the most complete package. That, and the fact that I was once blessed with a Del Sol which has since been gotten rid of. The roof leaked, come on!
 
I went with the Celica, but only because Punknoodle owns a GT-Four.
 

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