This car rules! Gorgeous styling, a well-sorted, rigid chassis and a superb engine come together in a package built with Toyota quality. The GT-S is a repeat Eight Great Rides winner, thanks to this combination. Plus, put it on a racetrack and it will hold its own with any other car on the list and do so in style, with perhaps the shapeliest body of the bunch. Leave it alone and it's a great car; start bolting on aftermarket goodies and it turns into a raging terror.
The GT-S's 2ZZGE engine is my favorite normally aspirated four-cylinder engine currently on the U.S. market. It makes 100 hp-per-liter, sounds absolutely awesome and has ballistic power delivery on the big cam. Slap on the right intake and exhaust and you'll see a respectable power gain and have even more impressive sound.
Our long-term project car is evidence of what can be done with only bolt-on parts to the Celica's capable engine and chassis combination. Pick the right suspension, wheels and tires for your Celica and you've got a recipe for huge grip and ridiculous cornering speeds. Building a realistic daily driver, which will double nicely as a weekend track car, is easy with this platform. Its hatchback body allows decent practicality while offering the shape of a slick sports coupe.
Head to the highway or to the racetrack in the Celica and you'll be impressed. On the road, its slippery body and tall sixth gear make cruising a breeze. Drop a few gears and mash the throttle and the Celica's racetrack mannerisms quickly show through, with screaming top-end power, quick turn-in and substantial grip. --Josh Jacquot