Celica has always been better overseas, nealry all gens. had more performance Options

[saleeka]

it just dawned on me tonight after looking at older celi's online that North American celicas have ALWAYS been the underperformers in comparison to their Japaese and European counterparts... The only true "exception" is the 7th gen, but euro and JDM models have a less restrictive exaust system, and they have 9 more HP then ours...

First and second gen. JDMs had many more engine choices, including 2 twincam fours, tops a 2.0 that put out up to 140 hp... US versions got stuck with an R-series motor that was always around 85-100 hp tops... 3rd gen JDM was available with the twincams still, and the 3T-GTEU turbo that put out about 160 hp. Our best model was still an R-series, but with fuel injection, and ready for this, 116 hp... 4th gen. JDM's had the same 3SGE as us but with 20 more HP,and the 4AGE was available. 5th gens in japan had 165 hp 3SGE's, and their 3S-GTE made 25 more hp... As we all know 6th gens had Gt-Fours and their 3SGE now made 177-200 hp... Whats up with all that? the 4th gen i'd say was the best attempt at the US being close to the JDM's for older models, but seriously...

[Newbie]

I think it's because of the emissions standards... But that's me.

[Consynx]

and demand here, toyota during our time had the supra and mr2 which was all it needed...
so the celica was sold mainly for appearance...for women

[macavely]

hey over seas they get more powerfull Ford Foucs .... we can't even get the good stuff or our own countries make..

[Uppitycracker]

I think its demand more then anything, from what I heard Japanese vehicles still have good emmisions despite not having the same emmission control devices. Is this true? Besides that it doesnt seem to hard to incorperate these devices, they did it on the mr2 and so on.

This post has been edited by Uppitycracker: Dec 15, 2004 - 3:12 AM

[SilverGT]

Emmisions is one part of the reason, but the main part is the crappy gas you get to run your cars on. The engines have to be detuned (mainly lower compression ratio) to run on the stuff.

[Uppitycracker]

I think the main and most likely only reason is we don't have the market here for Japanese sports cars. People would rather buy some throw away camaro then a celica. Im sure the car companies figured this out coming out of the 80's early 90's. But Imports are becoming increasingly "acceptable" to own so I think we'll see a new age of Japanese hot rods in america some time soon.

[JazViper]

for long time it was mystery to me.. i knew my celi was different to US models
some parts were different and engine specs too

as i have ST it has +6 horsies to US 7afe
and if i remember right, best torque were on lower RPM's (4800)
not to forget i have higher compresion ratio...
also Euro GT's have 3sge engine ~175hp

even this is off topic i show here some differences...

my mirrors are black, in states those seem to be chassis color always


my door handles are black, again in states those are chassis color


my headlights can be washed... i havent seen those in US models but i'm not 100% sure


My console looks different.. that part below radio


My blinkers are behind wheel, some US models have like this but not all.


i also have OEM JDM part on hood, in US those are only seen in GT-FOUR (unless you buy that separately