Toyota Celica Gen 7 - GT / TSPORT / VVTLI???

[CivicLover2016]

Hi All,

Looking at buying a gen 7 celica this year, I have been looking for a while and can't seem to find any info on what the model differences are between the VVTLI / GT / TSPORT.

Does anyone know what the spec or feature differences are between each model?

Cheers!

[Angpozzuto]

The t sport and the vvtli are the same thing. The t sport spec car has a 2zz vvtli engine

[JapToy]

Theres 4 types of Gen 7 Celica as far as I know
VVTi - 140bhp 1ZZ Engine
T-Sport (VVTLi) - 190bhp 2ZZ Engine
GT (VVTLi) - 190bhp 2ZZ Engine
Sports M - 190bhp 2ZZ Engine

The 140hp cars are quite common (outsold the 190bhp cars almost 10/1 i think). If you do want a 140hp, check the owners forums for things to look for
The T-Sport is the higher power/higher revving variant,and was produced from 2002-2006. Prefacelift 2ZZ cars were called VVTI-190 or VVTLi
GT was the 'final edition' of the Celica name which had the same engine as the T-Sport, but different bodykit, different wheels/interior and lowering springs
Sports-M is the holy grail of Gen7 Celica. Only 1200 were made and all sold in Japan only. All are MY00 cars and were modified by TRD to create a more race ready car

[CivicLover2016]

JapToy said:

Theres 4 types of Gen 7 Celica as far as I know
VVTi - 140bhp 1ZZ Engine
T-Sport (VVTLi) - 190bhp 2ZZ Engine
GT (VVTLi) - 190bhp 2ZZ Engine
Sports M - 190bhp 2ZZ Engine

The 140hp cars are quite common (outsold the 190bhp cars almost 10/1 i think). If you do want a 140hp, check the owners forums for things to look for
The T-Sport is the higher power/higher revving variant,and was produced from 2002-2006. Prefacelift 2ZZ cars were called VVTI-190 or VVTLi
GT was the 'final edition' of the Celica name which had the same engine as the T-Sport, but different bodykit, different wheels/interior and lowering springs
Sports-M is the holy grail of Gen7 Celica. Only 1200 were made and all sold in Japan only. All are MY00 cars and were modified by TRD to create a more race ready car

Wow thanks for all the info!
I wasn't even aware of the sports M model, it will definitely be the tsport or GT for me in that case.

It's so weird how people opted for the 140bhp model over the 190, I have heard that their are some common faults with the engine oil in the 140s as well.

Cheers for all your help on this.

[BuzzBravado]

The 140 model was the only version available for a good few years, the 190 came later and is a better engine. The 140's were prone to oil pressure problems due to cylinders going oval shaped and resulted in knocking bottom ends. This is how mines and many others met their end. Go 190.

[Save Ferris]

BuzzBravado said:

The 140 model was the only version available for a good few years, the 190 came later and is a better engine. The 140's were prone to oil pressure problems due to cylinders going oval shaped and resulted in knocking bottom ends. This is how mines and many others met their end. Go 190.

I'm sure the 190 (later badged T-sport) ran all the way through with the 140's

[Save Ferris]

CivicLover2016 said:

It's so weird how people opted for the 140bhp model over the 190

It was mainly due the buyers at the time being fairly 'mature' and had little interest in the actual performance of the Celica, just that it looked sporty.

[Andy665]

I had a 190 T-Sport. Bought with about 110k on it, sold with another 15k.

Great car, used no oil or water, very economical, handling was superb, at least as good as the Clio 182that followed it

Only negative was poor sound insulation, combined with low gearing a motorway journey was pretty nosiy

Great car that I would happily buy again

[ZX10R NIN]

Did they put the supercharged engine in these the same as they did the Corolla.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Toyoda]

No. Only the run out models of the Corolla got the TTE Supercharger. I gather it wasn't particularly planned, but TTE had a load of unsold supercharger kits on the shelf, so made the Corolla Compressor happen.

[forzaminardi]

The VVTLi is typically older, I think they were effectively replaced by the T-Sport which came along with a mild refresh of the whole range. The TSport had climate control, leather seats, bigger and nicer wheels and a spoiler, which were options on the VVTLi, but otherwise they are the same.

I had a VVTLi and loved it, and later had a TSport. Both absolutely reliable, pretty cheap to run, and good fun to drive. Pocket money cars now, and great value in my opinion. The only negative I'd say for them is they are pretty noisy and rattly compared to modern machinery.

[CivicLover2016]

They do look like great cars, I was going to get an ep3 but they are too difficult to find with low mileage these days.

I'm looking at celica 190'S with less than 60k miles for 6k, does that sound about right?

[Toyoda]

No it doesn't. 190s are the early edition. The facelift is easiest distinguishable by the front grille. I wouldn't spend more than say 3k on one. 6k is too high. Don't get hung up on mileage.

[Deep Thought]

CivicLover2016 said:

It's so weird how people opted for the 140bhp model over the 190, I have heard that their are some common faults with the engine oil in the 140s as well.

My wife bought a 140 model brand new and in its day it was quick enough. She went for a silver one with an upgrade pack on it with the 17s and the boot spoiler. The leather seat option only got you leather facing front seats - the backs were vinyl and all of the back seats were vinyl too from memory.

From memory the 190 model was significantly more expensive and discounts werent as forthcoming. Also you had to rev the nuts off it to get the benefit of the extra BHP.

The faults with the engines didnt manifest themselves for some years so it wasnt a consideration when buying new at the time.

If i was buying now, i'd go for a facelift car rather than an early one. If price wasnt a big differential i'd go for the 190BHP variant.

Edited by Deep Thought on Friday 20th July 22:38