• Variable-assist power steering increased the amount of power assist at lower speeds.slow down image by Stephen VanHorn from Fotolia.com
  
  The Toyota Celica had been a well-established vehicle for some time. The first Celica was sold in 1971, but 1986 was a year of major redesigns for the Celica. This fourth generation Celica had new styling, a new engine and dramatic changes to the drivetrain. The two GT-S models were Toyota's top-of-the-line Celicas.
  
  

Trim Levels

• The 1986 Celica GT-S is available in a sporty two-door coupe, as well as is available in a two-door hatchback. The specifications of both models are very similar, except that the hatchback model provides much more cargo space.
  
  

Dimensions

• The hatchback GT-S is 171.9 inches long, while the coupe is slightly longer at 173.6 inches. Interestingly, the shorter model weighs 2,714 lbs.; 35 lbs. less than the longer coupe. Both models share an identical wheelbase of 99.4 inches.
  
  

Engine

• The 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, electronically fuel-injected engine produces 135 horsepower. It has an EPA-rated gas mileage of 23 mpg in city driving and 29 mpg on the highway.
  
  

Transmission

• The hatchback and coupe are equipped with five-speed manual transmissions as standard equipment. A four-speed automatic transmission is also available for the coupe, but the hatchback is limited to its manual gearbox. Toyota also made a major change to the drivetrain in 1986, changing the Celica to front-wheel drive for the first time.
  
  

Handling

• Variable-assist power steering gives the driver more assistance with steering at lower speeds. Both GT-S models are also equipped with four-wheel independent suspension.
  
  

Comfort

• Both the hatchback and coupe offer the driver and passenger bucket seats with the option to have them upholstered in leather.
  
  

Price

• The coupe and hatchback base models were similarly priced in 1986. The coupe listed at around $13,700, and the hatchback sold for $13,300.