Toyota Celica Gts Vs. Acura Integra Gsr Essay, Research Paper

GTS vs. GSR

Toyotas and Acuras have been known for their quality, reliability, and not to mention durability. These two manufacturers have outperformed many of its competitors in the automobile industry. With Toyota introducing its new and improved 2000 Celica GTS, Acura has met its competition. Acura, launching its first Integra GSR in 1994 with the V-TEC engine, have been dominating the compact sports car in its class for the past five years. Ever since the early 90s, Toyota Celicas have not matched up to the Acura Integras. Now, with a big change in body, style, engine, and performance, the 2000 Toyota Celica GTS, has finally outperformed the Acura Integra GSR. With the same technology used in the Integra GSR, and same engine set up, Toyota has built a car that closely matches up with the Integra GSR. Through Dyno-Testing, it has been proven that the Toyota Celica GTS is better and faster than the Integra GSR. Being that one is a Toyota and the other an Acura, you would think that these two cars are very different, but in comparison, the Celica GTS and the Integra GSR share many of the same qualities.

By looking at the 2000 models of the Toyota Celica GTS and the Acura Integra GSR, it is hard to determine the similarities, and yet, both of the cars are very similar. As for the prices, both cars range around the same price, which is in the low 20,000s. Both the Celica GTS and the Integra GSR are categorized under compact sports cars. They are indeed sporty looking and have an appeal to many of the young drivers. Both cars carry a 4-cylinder, 1.8 Liter engine and have Dual Overhead Camshafts with 16-valves. Not to mention, the engine blocks in each car are made out of aluminum alloy, which helps reduce engine weight and deters heat. In fact, both the Celica GTS and the Integra GSR, have engines that possess an unbelievable power drawn by a new technology in its engines called the Variable Valve Timing and Lift system. This system enables both cars to produce high lift valve function for enhanced power at high RPMs. This explains why a 4-cylinder car can generate so much horsepower. Both are front engine, front-wheel drive cars. The Celica GTS and Integra GSR both come standard with alloy wheels and rear spoilers. They also have 4-wheel disk brakes with the 4-wheel anti-lock brake system. Also, not to forget that both cars are 3-door hatchbacks, or liftbacks. Even the interiors are similar in many ways because both cars have power windows, power locks, power side mirrors, and power sliding moonroof. Cruise control is also standard with the two cars along with a compact disk player. The Celica GTS and the Integra GSR both have power-assisted, rack-and-pinion steering for easy maneuvering. Also, front bucket seats with a 50/50 split, fold-down rear seats come in standard for that sporty, yet comfortable enough compact sports car. As far as safety, both the Celica GTS and the Integra GSR have dual front air bags and dual side-impact door beams. Not to mention the crumple zones that the two cars have which are zones in the front and back of the cars that helps absorb the shocks from impact. In contrast, the Toyota Celica GTS and the Acura Integra GSR share many differences besides the manufacturers.

First of all, the body style and looks of both the Celica GTS and the Integra GSR are completely different. The Celica GTS looks more aggressive and bulkier, while the Integra GSR looks low and simple. They both appear sporty but seem nothing alike. Another difference is that both Toyota and Acura have different names and stages for the valve system in their engines. Toyota calls their system Variable Valve Timing and Lift with Intelligence, or VVTL-i for short, while Acura calls their system Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control, or V-TEC for short. Both systems share the same function but Toyota’s system works at variable stages while Acura only works in two stages. Toyota’s system is actually better, and that’s why the Celica GTS produces more horsepower (at 180 horsepower) than the Integra GSR (at 170 horsepower). The Celica GTS is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, or a 4-speed automatic with sportshift, while the Integra GSR comes in only a 5-speed manual transmission. Both cars have alloy wheels but with the Celica GTS, you have the option of getting a 16″ aluminum alloy wheel while the Integra GSR only comes in a 15″ aluminum alloy wheel. The Celica GTS only comes with a whip antenna that can easily bend, while the Integra GSR comes with power antenna that comes down when the radio is turned off. Another difference is that the Celica GTS only comes in 2-door coupes and will soon come out with a convertible, while the Integra GSR comes in a 2-door coupe as well as a 4-door sedan. As far as interiors, the Celica GTS has a more impressive interior than the Integra GSR because of the race-inspired interior, which gives it a feeling of actually being in a race car. Not to mention the race car seats, which comfortably snug you in, and the racing pedals that come standard in the Celica GTS. With the sound system, both the Celica GTS and the Integra GSR come with an AM/ FM radio with a compact disc player, but the Celica GTS also has a tape player with the AM/ FM radio and compact disc player. It also comes standard with eight speakers and a built-in, 240-watt amplifier where as the Integra GSR comes with six speakers and no amplifier. As far as safety, the Celica GTS has an added safety feature, which is the side air bags that is built-in on the side of the seats. Finally, the Celica GTS comes with a longer warranty than the Integra GSR. With all the extra features for comfort, styling, performance, and safety, the Toyota Celica GTS has taken over the compact sports car in its class.

Based on my analysis, I recommend that the Toyota Celica GTS is a better buy than the Acura Integra GSR because you get almost everything that the Integra GSR have to offer and more, including a better warranty. Since the Acura Integra have dominated the compact sports car class for five years and have been the number one selling car, there are a large number of people who owns an Integra. With the Toyota Celicas, since it is new in the market, not that many people have this car so you can be among the few people who own a 2000 Celica. Backed by reputation of reliability, the 2000 Toyota Celicas will last a long time with no problems. Not to mention the high resale values that Toyotas possess, getting every penny’s worth will not be a problem.