Toyota Celica 1.8 Review

Overall Rating

Unique Futuristic Looks
Changing sound of engine throughout different rev-ranges
Sound of engine at high rev's
Acoustic deep sound of engine at low rev's on T Sport model
Quality Leather Interior
Reliability
Performance
VVTL-a kick in feels like an afterburner kicking in!

Bad on fuel if you are using higher rev range
You experience a lower satisfaction driving at normal speeds
You get addicted to nailing car in 3rd car at high speeds! lol
Burns oil a little

Firstly I would like to point out that before I owned my Toyota Celica 1.8 190 T Sport, I owned a standard 140 BHP model. There are a fewer T Sports on the road, therefore most 140 owners will critisise the 190 Model. Personally I think they should of only made the 190 T sport model, it's a proper sports car. The 140bhp model behaves similar to 2.0 family hatchback in terms of performance, like an Vectra SRI or Passat 1.8T not like a sports car.

The T sport I currently own is a lot different to the 140, firstly it has an Acoustic Sports Exhaust, it sounds totally different, at lower rev's you experience a deep growl, then at around 4000 it changes and makes an indescribable pleasing winding noise, then at 6000 RPM the fun begins, you get a sudden burst in power from 150 to 190 BHP and the engine note sounds like a true sports car right until 8500 RPM where it redlines. The engine gives a high revving noise like a motorbike but better.

To get the Performance you need to be a confident driver, as when I first bought it, the car would lose control round corners if you entered the lift zone, my T Sport does not carry Traction Control, can be a daunting experience. You can feel torque steer a little too with it being front wheel drive car. If you floor the car from a stop into the lift zone in first gear, it will wheel spin and continue to do the same even in 2nd gear!

Getting the performance from this vehicle requires a certain amount of skill, the 0-60 time of 7.0 seconds (same as a Porsche Boxster) can be beaten by doing the following: from a stand still in 1st, floor it until just before 6k and then change into 2nd as it will wheel spin at higher rev's, when in second floor all the way to 8200k and then change into 3rd, where you will find yourself still above 6000k. You will then find you are still in the sweet spot and continue to do so into 4th, 5th and even 6th. You simply remain in the power band. I have had great pleasure embarrassing people in other sports cars. BMW'S are my favourite. You can be at 100MPH+ in no time at all.

The engine utilises Variable Valve Timing and Lift (VVTL-I) whereby the engine uses high lift cams, the power is in 3 stages using 3 seats of cams, a low, middle and high lift cam. Basically the engine uses the high oil pressure at 6000k to activate to the high lift cam which gives pistons more capacity. The engine briefly optimises an equivalent of 2400cc rather then 1800cc. Other cars that use this technology include Honda S2000, Mitsubishi FTO Mivec, Honda Civic Type R and supercars which include Ferrari's and off course the Bugatti Veyron. Checking oil levels and using good quality oil is essential as the engine works very hard at high revs and uses oil pressure. Ive always used Super Unleaded Fuel like the new V - Power sheel provide, it does make a little difference, as it is a high revving car. The car also performs better in colder weather for some reason! The car has been designed to have a high weight - power ratio, the entire bodywork is made out of aluminium. The car is considerably light in weight, the car's performance is severely affected by additional weight, torque is lower than that off rival cars too and finally the engine is restricted to 6000k while the oil is cold from start up, you will not be able to race car until it's warmed up.

This engine must be the finest 1.8 engine in the world, even Lotus uses this engine in the Elise and the faster Exige. It proves it's not about size, better still you have economy that you don't get with other sports cars at lower rev's.

Ive even beaten a Renault Megane 225 Cup simply because it experienced turbo lag. I chose this car over a an Imprezza, Evo, Honda S2000 and even an VX 220, simply because it is a lot cheaper to run, better looking, more reliable and better to own and it is a 4 seater with a decent boot.

On a more negative side, fuel consumption is a lot different to the 140Bhp model, brakes could be a little better and the handling is a little unstable sometimes, the standard alloys on the T Sport could be better. Also the drinks placed in the holder get in way of gear stick too. The vehicle may not be suitable for bigger people and people with back problems. I must also add that I, maybe not everyone, tend to be addicted to flooring the vehicle a lot simply because of the engine note. Don't buy the 190BHP T Sport model if you don't like pushing vehicles hard like I do, there's no point in buying a fast car if you don't like driving fast! If you don't, then there's the 140bhp model for that, it's a great looking car and a good car to drive and very cheap to own. The 140 model I had was still a great car, the gear box is the best Ive used, it just snaps into gear nicely and the driving position gives a low down spread back position which you don't get in a non couple car, it makes you feel like your going faster than you are. Both Celica's Ive had have had the dynamic extras which include the front bumper extension, rear spoiler and 17" wheels which I think should of been standard!

Insurance is not too bad, most insurers don't require expensive tracker's fitted unlike other rivals. Parts and service are very cheap for a sports car. The service I get is excellent from Pentagon Toyota, they treat you very fairly.

In my opinion, there is no better car for the money, it looks great inside and outside, it's reliable and parts are not as expensive as that of BMW'S, Alfa's, RX8'S and Imprezza's. My friend owns a new 3 series and in my opinion, it's boring, dashboard looks cheap and they're expensive. The celica is unique. The only problem I have is finding a replacement car when I finally get board of driving it.

Members' Comments onRev306's Review

• t21ads on 30th Dec 2006

  There is no way the Toyota Celica 1.8 beat a 225 cup! If you did, the driver must have been useless! My 225 is totally standard and it eats Impreza's.