I'm sorry to ashtray from topic; I was just wondering what's the difference
between engine designs that allows one car (Toyota) to survive a timing belt
damage and is disastrous to another ( Integra)?

What type of engine build up does the 92 civic dx have? If the timing belt
breaks, will there be any internal damage to the engine (bent valves, etc)?

Thanks!

"TeGGer®" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote in message
news:Xns963D5885A8988tegger@207.14.113.17...
> deleteme@posyrorer.mailshell.com (Rory Calhoun) wrote in
> news:fbc3b3be.0504181920.77fe9f53@posting.google.c om:
>
> > I need to make a decision quick between a 93 Acura Integra RS and a 96
> > Toyota Tercel (both about 188,000km on the odometer). I know they are
> > very different cars, and both have their appeal to me. I prefer the
> > comfort, performance and feeling of security (from accidents) you get
> > driving the Integra, but I like the economy (gas mileage) of the
> > Tercel. (I drove both around the block, and for what its worth, the
> > Tercel seems to have a very quiet engine and responsive steering). The
> > hanging question to help me decide is which car is more reliable, and
> > does one (ie. the Integra) cost far more than the other when it comes
> > to replacement parts?
> >
> > I've researched reliability ratings on both these cars on MSN Autos
> > (the Tercel has a better record), but I'm not sure that the stats of
> > one site can be the final word on reliability, and there's nothing
> > there about parts prices. Can anyone answer these questions for
> > certain, from either research or experience? Thanks!
>
>
>
> If you drove either car "around the block", you are not gettng the true
> feel of either one. They are definitely aimed at different people with
> different desires.
>
> We have both a '91 Integra and a '99 Tercel. I've owned the Integra since
> new, and it currently has almost 246K miles on it. My wife has had the
> Tercel for a year and a half. It has about 61K miles.
>
> The Integra is faster and has far better handling. Directional stability
> and steering are much crisper than the Tercel, even with worn bushings in
> the Integra. The Integra is a *much* more satisfying and entertaining car
> to drive on account of these things.
>
> The Integra's engine is somewhat coarse over 3,000rpm. The Tercel's is
> smooth at first, but can get very buzzy at high revs when the engine is
> worn, worse than the Integra.
>
> The Tercel is NOT a driver's car, unlike the Integra. It bobs and weaves
> and wallows at over 50mph, a consequence of its cheap suspension and
narrow
> tires. It requires constant steering correction on the highway. Since its
> intended market is looking for cheap motoring rather than entertainment,
> this is acceptable to Tercel buyers.
>
> Parts are about the same cost for both cars. Some are cheaper at Acura
> dealers, others are cheaper at Toyota dealers. Toyota is perhaps slightly
> less expensive overall. Either are much more expensive than domestics for
> parts, but with proper care, they last a long long time between breakages.
>
> The Integras brakes require *far* more maintenance than the Tercel's. If
> you live in a snowy area, you need to service your brakes at least twice
> per year, or else the rears especially will seize. The Tercel's can safely
> be serviced once per year in the same environment, and only the fronts at
> that, since the rears are drums and much more trouble-free.
>
> The Tercel's exhaust went to semi-stainless at one point (don't know what
> year), and those last forever. The mild-steel ones rust like any other.
The
> Integra will be more likely to have exhaust trouble from corrosion, since
> they never had semi-stainless.
>
> Both have timing belts that must be replaced after about 6 years. The
> Integra's engine will probably suffer valve damage if the belt breaks. The
> Tercel's engine is a different design, so will not. This means you MUST
> change the Integra's timing belt when the manufacturer says. The Tercel's
> you can leave until it breaks, as long as you don't mind needing a tow and
> not making it to work that day.
>
> Other than that, both cars are about equal in reliability and propensity
to
> rust, all other factors being the same.
>
> Under my driving, our Integra gets about 28mpg and the Tercel about 32mpg.
>
>
>
> --
> TeGGeR®
>
> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
> www.tegger.com/hondafaq/