well if you are looking for a 2000 or 2001 (has the best performance and capability), they have shorter gates and the shifting is very close. BUT in 2002 they did recall and changed the gates and I think 3rd and 1st were spread further apart. Any celica 2002 and up have that new shift gate. I have 2000 GTS with a short shifter, brass bushings, and solid shifter base bushings. I had to learn in my car, so it was a rough experience. The shifting is notchy, yet smooth. Each gear has its own feel so when you start getting in the groove you won't mis shift because you'll know right off the bat which gear your in by the feel. Then again, this may just be me, There are decent of cases where people have mishifted from 2nd to 1st and blown their engines.