Moving From Alfa

[autorazzo]

Hello all

I like the look, reliability etc etc of the Celicas and seems to be a very good car for the money.

Before i take the plunge and travel for a test drive (120 miles) i thought i should ask here first. I am moving from a 150(ish)bhp Alfa 2.0ti 0-60 8.5 sec

How do the 2.0 twinspark engines compare to the gt engine?

I have read the the celica gt lacks torque low down which is similar too the alfa as the twinspark have the variable valve timing that kicks in after 3000rpm. Before i travel i am hoping someone can tell me what to expect compared to the Alfa. :D

Nice site by the way

[GTForbes]

i take it you are looking at getting a gen 7 celica, you kinda need to narrow it down a bit on here as the celicas stretch back way into the 80's.

i'm no expert on them as it's the gen 5 i prefer but since i have a T-Sport Corolla (same 190 bhp engine as the celica GT) i can say that it does lack alot of torque down low, alot of people say that it can be undrivable below 4K RPM, that just depends on your driving style, for spirited driving keeping it above 4K is easy since it revs to 8K, you should feel a strong pick up in the power once you hit 6200 RPM as this is where the lift kicks in, this is the real power zone and for spirited driving on the 6 speed box it's easy to keep the rpm up there.

is there no 190 bhp celica's or corolla T-Sports closer to home to let you see what the driving style is like? obviously the celica would be better to try to compare the handling etc but to compare the power delivery the 'rolla T-Sport delivers the same.

[GT Driver]

i take it you are looking at getting a gen 7 celica, you kinda need to narrow it down a bit on here as the celicas stretch back way into the 80's.

i'm no expert on them as it's the gen 5 i prefer but since i have a T-Sport Corolla (same 190 bhp engine as the celica GT) i can say that it does lack alot of torque down low, alot of people say that it can be undrivable below 4K RPM, that just depends on your driving style, for spirited driving keeping it above 4K is easy since it revs to 8K, you should feel a strong pick up in the power once you hit 6200 RPM as this is where the lift kicks in, this is the real power zone and for spirited driving on the 6 speed box it's easy to keep the rpm up there.

is there no 190 bhp celica's or corolla T-Sports closer to home to let you see what the driving style is like? obviously the celica would be better to try to compare the handling etc but to compare the power delivery the 'rolla T-Sport delivers the same.

I drive a Gen 6 GT... not quite sure if you were considering these.

These lack torque below 3k BUT i wouldn't say its an abnormal characteristic, nor would i say that this makes the car undrivable. I can quite happily plode around town and never go over 2k. Obviously if i want some excitement i need to drop into the lower gears and rev above 3k.

The engine was 170bhp (new ofcourse) so is relativley pockey above 3k.

Hope this helps

[autorazzo]

Sorry for not being specific, i was looking at gen 6 GT (1998)

Are the gen 6 GT engines better low down the rev range than the T-Sport Corolla?

Has anyone driven an Alfa that can compare?

Even if it is bad low down, i still think it's the best bang for the buck and with great reliability and stunning looks i would be choosing with my heart and head whereas you choose Alfa with the heart and then expect it to breakdown.

[cabcurtains]

I think you will find they are pretty similiar with the Celica being a bit quicker if you drive to the red line in each gear. The 1.8 TS engine is flat as a fart and is much worse than the Celica 2.0 GT for low down torque, i can say this having owned both. As for the Alfa its been a few years but i dont remember it being much different to the Celica.

The celica will be about 100kgs lighter than the Alfa minimum.

[autorazzo]

I think you will find they are pretty similiar with the Celica being a bit quicker if you drive to the red line in each gear. The 1.8 TS engine is flat as a !Removed! and is much worse than the Celica 2.0 GT for low down torque, i can say this having owned both. As for the Alfa its been a few years but i dont remember it being much different to the Celica.

The celica will be about 100kgs lighter than the Alfa minimum.

Thank you cabcurtains that's just what i wanted to hear, as you maybe know the 1.8 Alfa is very similar to the 2.0 to drive with the 2.0 having a slighlty better top end. Is the power delivery the same as the alfa with regards to the variable valve timing at 3400rpm or does the gt give a better kick all the way to the red line.

[cabcurtains]

I think you will find they are pretty similiar with the Celica being a bit quicker if you drive to the red line in each gear. The 1.8 TS engine is flat as a fart and is much worse than the Celica 2.0 GT for low down torque, i can say this having owned both. As for the Alfa its been a few years but i dont remember it being much different to the Celica.

The celica will be about 100kgs lighter than the Alfa minimum.

Thank you cabcurtains that's just what i wanted to hear, as you maybe know the 1.8 Alfa is very similar to the 2.0 to drive with the 2.0 having a slighlty better top end. Is the power delivery the same as the alfa with regards to the variable valve timing at 3400rpm or does the gt give a better kick all the way to the red line.

To clarify TS=T-Sport not Twin Spark

Oh, your asking me a tricky one now its been a few years! As i remember it the 2.0 GT pulled nicely until 4,500 RPM and she would go again until the redline. The test will answer all your questions, just to add though, is the car your looking at a UK one with a manual box?

[autorazzo]

Yes UK Manual, just thought i would ask as it is a long way for a test drive and to find out it felt slower than my Alfa.