MR2 vs CELICA vs Levin/Trueno

[ZxJUNxZ]

**I LIVE IN NEW ZEALAND, NEAR AUSTRAILIA BOTTOM OF DA WORLD.
SO IT MIGHT B A BIT DIFFERENT FROM U.S**

Hey, how u doin fellaz?! I have been fustrated about what car i should buy and i came down to these three cars. I am only a student and dont have much money and Im choosing my first car.

~Toyota MR2,Celica and Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno (1991-1994)~
MR2(non-turbo,I want a n/a engine),Celica SS-II(3SGE), Levin/Trueno (4AGE) AE101. but from here I cant decided and I need some informations and opinion on these cars from you to help me decide thoughtfully.

I will tell you what I know about the car and what I think,correct me if I'm wrong and do explain to me in easy language that I can understand.

#I want a MR2 because it is an Midship car with rwd and I think it will have most advantage comin in and goin out at corners.I dunt know what exact engine it has but i think it has 4age?!? And also apparantly it's fast but how fast?

#I like the Celica because from what I know it's the most powerful out of the car from my choice. Celica SS-II with 3SGE engine, stock power of 132kw/7000 and 191/4800nm. I dunt know if it's possible but is it possible to convert SS-II to a GT4?

GT4 is 4WD but SS-II is fwd and I dunt know if it's possible and if so... to put in 3SGTE to the SS-II is that also possible?

#Finally my old favourite, levin/Trueno...
I like this car because it only take lil petrol 1.6cc and can show great performance. It's cheap to run and cheaper to buy than Celica and MR2.

Anyway could you please answer some questions that I have?
(Please ONLY answer if u r sure, I do not want random guess but facts)

1. What car has the most power from their stock engine?
2. Is it possible to convert Celica SS-II into a GT4 and have the 4wd?
3. Is it better to have GT4 engine in SS-II and not have the 4wd because doesnt it take more power to use all wheels?
4. If these car are all in factory condition and were to go in a circuit race what would be the ranking?
5 .What is cheaper? Getting a Celica or getting a Levin/trueno and since it's only 1.6cc save money with the petrol and modify so it can be faster than celica SS-II?
6. What car is great for a first car? (Rank them plz)

PLZ do answer my questions if u know, and any other question that I might have asked above,talkin about what i know about those cars.
Do correct me if I am wrong.
THANK U!!! AND TELL ME EVERYTHING THAT U KNOW ABOUT THESE CARS. I WILL APRRECIATE ALL UR OPINIONS.

[Moppie]

Another Kiwi!

Despite its slight american bais, we actualy run and control this bourd


Forget the Celica. about 90% of the Celicas on our roads are Jap imports. They are all heavy, underpowered and use pillows for suspension. Make a great car for your grandmother and thats about it.

A GT4 is a little differnt, has the body and some interior parts in common and thats about it.
Lots of hp, lots of grip, a very fast car. The early ones are lighter and more nimble than the later ones, but most will have been well thrashed, and will require lots of on-going maintiance.
The later models are heavier, but have more hp and will be more reliable. They make nice fast touring cars though.


Which MR2 are you refering two?
There are two major models, the MK1 and MK (they changed models about 91-92)
Again 90% will be used imports, but the Japanese got all the best versions of the MR2.
The MK1 has two models commonly avliable here in NZ, both are now getting old, and like all cars from the 80s will need regular maintiance. Both use the Twin Cam 1600cc 4age engine, but one is supercharged and one isnt. The Super charged car is obviously the fastest, and the model to look for if your after performance. The non S/C model use softer suspension, smaller brakes etc, and although nice, is more of a poser car, than true performer. Just one note, avoid the automatic versions.
Parts are also very hard to find, and can be very expensive. There is also a single cam engined version, but they are VERY rare, and also rather slow, but some what sort after by purists.

The MKII came in a variety of forms and generations, and differnt spec levels. The Turbo cars are of course the fastest, and in in-experianced hands will easily kill you. The non-turbo models are however still very fast, but much easier to control. Both versions use the 3sge, same engine thats in the Celica. Again, avoid any automatics.


The Levin/Trueno are an interesting car. They are basicly Corrolas with a differnt body, and come in such a wide variety of forms and spec levels you have to be careful if you want to buy one.
Avoid anything with drum brakes on the back.
Avoid anything with single cam engine, or that is not fuel injected.
The performance versions all came with some version of the twin cam 4age (same as the MK1 MR2).
The 20valve engines are claimed to make 160+hp, but the reality is more like 150 on a good day on a good engine, 145 being more realistic.
The Super Charged engines are developed versions of what was in the MK1 MR2, and do have closer to a true 160hp (150-160).
Then there are a variety of spec levels of just twin cam 4age engines, with anything from 120-135hp.

There also twin cam fe engined cars, but they are recognisable by a rocker cover that looks like it only has one cam underneath. I don't recomend one, as its the standard corrola engine, and while it will be efficant its not terriably powerful.


Being your a student I would recomend either the N/A MKII MR2, or the Levin/Sprinter Trueno (making sure its a 20valve, or Twin Cam).
The MR2 will be more fun, but is a lot less practicle, its strickly a two seater and has limited visablity (not fun on the motorway if your in auckland) and will cost more to get serviced and put tyres on etc.
They are also more expensive to fix should it break down.

The Levin/Sprinter Trueno while a two door has a useable set of rear seats, and being more tradtional in its design is a little easier to drive. Its a lot more forgiving, at the cost of being more boring, but will be cheaper to run and repair etc.

[ZxJUNxZ]

Thanks so much for ur fully clearly explained advice and options.
I appreciate it and hope I can convience u to use MSN messenger..hehe
add me [email protected]

Download Msn messenger

[91 Celica St]

the celia gt and gts have the same exact engine 5sfe as the 91+ mr2's non-turbo and there lighter than mr2's, but the mid engine on the mr2s keep the awsome weight ratio to a near 50/50 and rear wheel drive make it a little faster, so basically the same speed. the celica all track has the same engine as the mr2 turbo (3s-gte) but has all wheel drive making it great off the line... i dont knwo much about the trueno but if ur looking for a car just to drive around get that... if ur looking for performance then get a mr2 or all trac/gt4 celica but i dont know hard hard or expensive the parts would be over there..so... id listen to Moppie cuz it seems like he is also a "kiwi" or is affiliated with them

[91 Celica St]

oh and btw...if its ur first car dont forget you can always buy a car and sel it to upgrade to the car you really want you dont jsut have to go for the best thing right off the bat, i chose a celica st but am saving money for an all track