Celica Mk VII 190 or 140

[PATTERNPART]

Hi

I usually restrict myself to the MX5 pages but a friend wants to buy one of these. I've read complimentary pieces here and there and they look great. Also, Toyota engines have a good reputation.

The 190 is a quick car. Is it a coincidence that two of these on Ebay have had replacement engines?! Is there something I should know?

Regards

[LordGrover]

Recently discussed here: click.
Hopefully someone more helpful will be along shortly.

[james_gt3rs]

PATTERNPART said:

The 190 is a quick car. Is it a coincidence that two of these on Ebay have had replacement engines?! Is there something I should know?

Regards

Yes! The Celica 140 shares the 1zz engine with the MR2. The pre facelift MR2s are made from 2000-2003, facelifts from 2003-2006. I assume that the Celica models are in line with the MR2s.

The 1zz engine before 2003 potentially have problems where oil is burned due to failing oil control rings. The facelift cars had revised engines which lessen the chances of this happening.

The 190 engine is the 2zz, and doesn't have any significant issues to my knowledge.

So I would recommend a 2003 onwards 140, or a 190 judging by the problems in the MR2.

[PATTERNPART]

Thank you. Hopefully looking at one on Saturday. Not sure about the test drive as the 190 is supposed to give a noticeable jump in urge at 6,500rpm! In Greenwich this will be interesting. Maybe across Blackheath.

[MikeM3Power]

Maybe consider the ST205 GT4 perhaps?

One of best pound for pound cars I have owned. 255hp 2.0 turbo. Does look a bit like a hooligan though.

[mnaylor]

My Uncle has a 190. Very nice car, had it for years now, it is on a 190k and still going strong. The surge at 6,500 rpm, is a bit like VTEC but not quite as good

[bogsausage]

I have a corolla t sport. Which has the same 2zzge engine and box as the celica. Theyre reliable as night and day.. just a side note lift is a more solid and adds a bigger kick than vtec. It is a better system.

[mnaylor]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but in my opinion and I think the vast majority of petrol heads would agree, VTEC is far superior.

Corolla T Sport. 0-60: 8.4 seconds BHP: 187 Engine Torque: 133 lbs/ft
Civic Type R EP3: 0-60: 6.6 seconds BHP: 197 Engine Torque: 145 lbs/ft

Those stats above show clearly that the Civic compares with the Corolla. By the way I don't own either car, so no bias from me, just facts.

[johnnyboy101]

mnaylor said:

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but in my opinion and I think the vast majority of petrol heads would agree, VTEC is far superior.

Corolla T Sport. 0-60: 8.4 seconds BHP: 187 Engine Torque: 133 lbs/ft
Civic Type R EP3: 0-60: 6.6 seconds BHP: 197 Engine Torque: 145 lbs/ft

Those stats above show clearly that the Civic compares with the Corolla. By the way I don't own either car, so no bias from me, just facts.

It's a known fact that the corolla T sport will do 0-60 far faster than that - more like 7 seconds and in the wet it has superior traction to the civic so will be faster. Just letting you know...

[Adam190]

The 190 has a more noticeable kick than Vtec but that's only because Toyota designed a flat area of power just before the 'Lift' point.

Vtec is definitely a superior system but that's not saying VVTL-i is anyway poor.

A 2004 T Sport can be had for around 3.5-4k now which makes it a great bargain as an all round 'fun' car that looks good!

[Riknos]

Slightly off topic but:

bogsausage said:

I have a corolla t sport. Which has the same 2zzge engine and box as the celica. Theyre reliable as night and day.. just a side note lift is a more solid and adds a bigger kick than vtec. It is a better system.

mnaylor said:

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but in my opinion and I think the vast majority of petrol heads would agree, VTEC is far superior.

Corolla T Sport. 0-60: 8.4 seconds BHP: 187 Engine Torque: 133 lbs/ft
Civic Type R EP3: 0-60: 6.6 seconds BHP: 197 Engine Torque: 145 lbs/ft

Those stats above show clearly that the Civic compares with the Corolla. By the way I don't own either car, so no bias from me, just facts.

Mnaylor - don't worry, bogsausage likes to through this forum flying the flag for his Corolla - you get used to it

[mnaylor]

Gaz. said:

That doesn't suggest VTEC is superior at all, but that the Civic is a faster car, regardless of it's came phasing arrangement. They both have roughly 72lbs.ft per litre and the Corrolla has a slightly higher power per litre.

You have a point, but which car would you rather have if it is performance you are after? I am a Toyota and Honda fan but know which car the majority of petrol heads would go for.

I do like the Toyota's as well