a bit faster...

Jono8

Jono8

Jono8

Caporegime
Joined
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So I have had my Toyota Celica 140 for over 6 months now but i am already a little bored with the performance of it. I really regret not getting the 190 bhp/lift version now and im wondering whether it would worthwhile upgrading to one now? Has anyone done anything similar?

Are there any other cars below the £5000 mark that would quench my thirst for speed better? Well, I know there are but looks are quite important to me and i think the Celica is one of the best looking cars you can buy (i know many of you won't e.t.c.) so something with a modern look and decent styling would be a plus.

So, any ideas? I guess i just want something that will give me a bit more excitement :p

P.S. I can't afford something with a huge engine that is going to guzzle petrol
and insurance is a factor as well as i am 22.
 
[TW]Fox;16703275 said:
So obviously he's pretty sensitive to running costs. Which is fine, and makes the choice of a bulletproof 4 cylinder Japanese coupe very sensible.



So you suggest a 3 litre V6 Mondeo or an automatic 3 litre 3 Series? Seriously? Don't be ridiculous.

If he's worried about petrol costs it's going to be the least of his concerns when its time for new discs and pads all round an Inspection 2, hello thats £700 please, for example.

Stick with the Jap stuff in the OP's situation. I think trading for a 190 might be a sensible way forward - you get the speed you want without any real increase in running costs.
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This is what i am thinking. Price wise i could probably upgrade to a 190 version for not that much more money, if any at all and I can't imagine running costs being that much more than what i have already got.

Was just curious to see if anyone could suggest something that is similar in price and running costs but would offer a bit more speed.
 
danza said:
Well I was only clarifying, you weren't really wrong. The EK9 is about 180, the EP3 is more. I assumed the OP wants something newer, i.e. from a similar time to his Celica, and not an older car like the EK9. :)



Erm, while I'm here, EP3 CTR. :D
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Hm, just had a quick read up on them. Definitely could be an option :)
 
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Relentless81 said:
Old Honda's are, well old. I wouldnt go backwards and the EK9 is an import too, at 22 they are expensive to insure

The Celica 190 / T-Sport drives exactly the same as the 140 but with that magic cam profile change, I loved the drive of a Celica even more than the Integra Type-R which is a bit over hyped I reckon

If you like your car and want to stay with a revvy NA 4 cylinder engine then go drive a 190 / T-Sport, only thing is, insurance is fairly expensive
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This is sort of exactly how i feel. I think the older Honda's look a little dated (again, just my opinion) compared with the Celica. I mean, I love my car but i just find myself yearning for more power.

When the lift/cam profile change kicks in is it properly noticable? I know it might sound silly but a nice noticeable "boost" might just be what I need to add that bit of extra excitement that i'm looking for. I suppose i should just go out and test drive one myself really :p.
 
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Relentless81 said:
The little tickle you notice now is just the power band of engine. The kick in a 190 / T-Sport, DOHC VTEC Honda, is noticable, addictive and a lot of fun but like anything evetually you get used to it and get bored, thats when mods start :)
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Noticable and fun enough to warrant swapping a 140 version for one you reckon?
 
Relentless81 said:
Thats impossible for me to say as I dont know your situation, I wouldnt get in debt for it but theres a big difference, you need to drive one, I used to work at a Toyota dealership so I used to drive them all the time and I would like a Corolla T-Sport next coming from owning honda's for the past 6 years
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Oh no i wouldnt be getting in debt or anything for it. In fact if i did it wisely it looks like i could make a straight swap in terms of money (or at the most it would only cost me a couple of hundred quid). The only extra outlay would ofcourse be the insurance which looks to be £100 - £200 more for the 190 version.

It is only the hassle of swapping cars/finding a decent example of a vvtli/t sport e.t.c.
 
This is true. I appreciate the suggestions but I am not looking for a project car or a car that is going to take a lot of extra maintenance. I just want something that is a bit faster and more exciting to drive but still reasonable in running costs and every day driving. Judging from the views in this thread it looks like making the step to a 190/T sport version might be the thing to do.
 
Begbie said:
A friend of a friend had a 190, the engine went bang after 30k.

Not a big fan of the looks myself, and couldn't bare changing my car to well another one exactly the same with a power hike (albeit a far bit)
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Even if I (personally) love the looks and the car anyway? I would probably get a different colour just for a change :p
 
Defcon5 said:
Cupra-R? I think they are around that price range now, will feel a lot quicker than the Celica.

Do you specifically like a VTEC style power delivery though?
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I don't know. My car experience is somewhat limited. I had a 1.1 Saxo and a 1.4 peugoet 306 before the celica and i havent driven much else. I was looking at the Seat's but i am not hugely keen on the looks though.
 
danza said:
Okay, after looking at some figures it seems that the VVTi is about as quick as my Suzuki Swift Sport. The SSS feels quite nippy some times at least, but getting into my EP3 is almost night and day. The EP3 genuinely feels quick, and the extra hoof of the VTEC changeover is quite noticable. The Swift is, well, just slightly nippy.

I imagine the difference between the VVTi and VVTLi Celicas to be similar, if perhaps slightly less pronounced. Go and drive one, and see what you think.
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Yeh, i think thats the only thing i can do at this stage. Try one and see if i think it is worth it.

I mean my car is no slouch and it is lovely to drive at times, but i just would like that little bit more out of it. As you say, its nippy but not what you would call 'fast' or 'quick'.

Ofcourse if money wasnt so much of an issue i would love a Nissan 350z/ BMW Z4 but i think i shall have to wait till i'm a bit older until i start thinking about one of those :p

*looks jealously at 20 year old guy who has just bought a 350z in other thread*
 
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Hm, Looking more into the Seat Leon Cupra R i am a little tempted. Looks to be within my price range and sounds quite quick.

No where near as stylish or as nice looking as a celica but speed wise it looks like it might be what i am looking for.

What are peoples thoughts on them?
 
hm, Looks like it is the celica T sport or Cupra R then. I suppose it is a choice between faster or better looking. The interior of the Cupra looks very dated compared to that of the celicas in my opinion :(.

Love the sound of having a 200bhp + engine but of course that comes at a price as the Cupra will be even more to insure (group 17 vs group 15 for the Tsport).

Decisions decisions!
 
Looks like this might be a tough decision. Cupra R or Celica 190 :(.

Obviously the Cupra has more BHP but looking at it stats wise, they both get to 60mph at 7.2 seconds.

Cupra R's look quite hard to get hold of, well, more than celica 190's anyway.
 
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