they are rated EXACTLY the same by consumer guides in every class making me believe consumer guides is faulted. Every category the same rating http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2003-toyota-celica-1.htm and http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2003-mitsubishi-eclipse-1.htm
with the eclipse also having rear seat room as a problem where celica does not.
SO I'd say its now down to which looks better to you !
when buying a car i look at reliability first and if thats the case i would pick the toyota celica. consumer reports rates toyota much higher than mitsubishi. in fact i believe scion is now the number one most reliable car according to consumer reports, which happens to be made by toyota.
first of all, how old are you, and how good is your income? i wouldn't get mitsubishi, so i would go with the celica. but just be warned, they both have high repair costs and they both burn holes in your pocket because of insurance cost.