Trade-in, go with 2004 GT or Base S/C?

[savedbyzero]

My wife and I are throwing around the idea of trading in the GT, come summer time. I'm pondering on going with the Base monotone 5 spd w/ the S/C. By this time, I will have my new wheels/tires and can remove my Sportlines to swap on the new vehicle.However, I have a few questions. The S/C seems to be the way to go as far as engine performance in daily driving goes. The 2004 GTs have been detuned to 173hp, and are more difficult to apply mods to, in specific, CAI. The S/C will make approx. the same hp, but with loads more torque. But, can the S/C be installed before you pick up the vehicle and also be added to the overall cost to be fiananced?It would mostly likely be more affordable, considering I wouldn't have to purchase the bigger wheel package(go with the 15's and hubcaps, good winter tire!) Although, I will be losing the rear disc brakes.The S/C does sound appealing, but, boy, would I miss "lift"! Anyone have answers/opinions for me?When's that dang GXP gonna be out!

[Larry]

I have a SC 2003 Matrix with an auto. I've driven and been in both a XRS and an XR SC 5-speed manual. I do think the SC is better for daily driving, but not so much better that I'd trade in a GT/XRS for one. When in lift, the GT/XRS is quicker than a stock SC model. It's much easier to mod the SC model to get "peak" numbers equaling the GT's numbers making it quicker and much better for daily driving. Still, I don't think it's worth the loss you will probably take by selling or trading in your GT model. If it was me, I wouldn't even consider it.

[FusionVGT]

If I'm reading this right you already have an 03 GT. Have you driven an 04 GT yet? If not, do that and see if you feel a difference in midrange torque. To say the 04 car was "detuned to 173hp" isn't right. The 04 VGT and XRS (Matrix and Corolla) cars now use a different tune that gives more midrange torque at the expense of some top end. There's a limit to how much of each you can have, even with VVTLi

[joatmon]

If you get a new GT, then you can still have the extra 2000 or so rpms with the higher redline in the GT. Supposedly the base is speed limited to 115 mph, the GT top speed is higher.The press releases on the SC say that you can buy a new vibe with the SC already installed so that you can finance the cost and get a brand new car with SC installed. Not sure if that's true yet.The SC base would have the 5-speed, and that might be a good thing given the reported GT/XRS clutch problems.Both would take premium fuel. gas mileage would probably be comparable.I have the base, and the rear drums work fine. There was thread here somewhere that indicated that the parking brake works better on the rear drum base than on the rear disc GT.Can you add a CAI to an 04 GT or an SC base?