Honda Car Forum

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!

I can tell you that Honda parts are usually much cheaper than Toyotas. And
Tercels are pretty
much stripped. When I was looking for a new one back then, it didn't even
have a radio or rear speakers. A wheel cover was an option

Though, depending who owned the Integra, it can be in a very bad shape or in
very poor shape. If it was the sedan, you might get better deal, as it might
not be heavily modded or raced.




"Rory Calhoun" <deleteme@posyrorer.mailshell.com> wrote in message
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!

get an acura after 94, thats would be right decision.
even 93 is good too.

















"Rory Calhoun" <deleteme@posyrorer.mailshell.com> wrote in message
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!

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/

It goes to the initial design philosophy of the manufacturer. Honda
designs highly efficient engines that crater if the belt breaks, which
is a so-called "interference" design. The valves must move up out of
the way before the piston gets to the top, or they crash into each
other. The non-interference engine Toyota makes is perhaps a tad less
efficient, because there is more compromise in the shape of the
combustion space or other parameters. The manufacturer asks itself,
"Do we give them the maximum performance and efficiency that we know
how to give, or do we save the deadbeats from themselves?"

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/

If I am not mistaken, Hondas have a higher
compression ratio than Toyotas. That means less
space in the combustion chamber, making it much
more difficult or impossible to 'make the space'
for a non-interference design.

t

"John" <welcomehowcome@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:7bKdnc2fytmq1fjfRVn-qw@comcast.com:

> 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)?



This is one of the oldest of the FAQs.
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/faq.html#interference

The Integra, like almost all Hondas, is an "interference" design. The
Tercel, like almost all Toyotas, is NOT an "interference" design. Honda
likes to do things the hard way.


>
> What type of engine build up does the 92 civic dx have?


Interference.


> If the timing
> belt breaks, will there be any internal damage to the engine (bent
> valves, etc)?


The probability of damage is great, but not *certain*. You _can_ get lucky.
<dirtyharry>
Ya gotta ask yourself, do I feel lucky today?
</dirtyharry>

(That's a paraphrase, so no flames from cinemaphiles!)

--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Makes sense. I like the topics you discuss in your FAQ.

Good job and thanks!

John

"TeGGeR®" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote in message
news:Xns963DDD23FC834tegger@207.14.113.17...
> "John" <welcomehowcome@hotmail.com> wrote in
> news:7bKdnc2fytmq1fjfRVn-qw@comcast.com:
>
> > 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)?
>
>
>
> This is one of the oldest of the FAQs.
> http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/faq.html#interference
>
> The Integra, like almost all Hondas, is an "interference" design. The
> Tercel, like almost all Toyotas, is NOT an "interference" design. Honda
> likes to do things the hard way.
>
>
> >
> > What type of engine build up does the 92 civic dx have?
>
>
> Interference.
>
>
> > If the timing
> > belt breaks, will there be any internal damage to the engine (bent
> > valves, etc)?
>
>
> The probability of damage is great, but not *certain*. You _can_ get
lucky.
> <dirtyharry>
> Ya gotta ask yourself, do I feel lucky today?
> </dirtyharry>
>
> (That's a paraphrase, so no flames from cinemaphiles!)
>
> --
> TeGGeR®
>
> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
> www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Can you know that the timing belt needs replacement by looking at it
for signs of wear, or do you just replace it every so many miles even
if it looks in perfect condition? I was told by a mechanic to replace
the timing belt immediately after any car purchase, so that I could
have a receipt that showed the date and mileage when it was replaced,
so I could know when to replace it the next time. But it seems to me a
grand waste of money to replace it if it is still in perfect working
condition.



TeGGeR® wrote:
> "John" <welcomehowcome@hotmail.com> wrote in
> news:7bKdnc2fytmq1fjfRVn-qw@comcast.com:
>
> > 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)?
>
>
>
> This is one of the oldest of the FAQs.
> http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/faq.html#interference
>
> The Integra, like almost all Hondas, is an "interference" design. The

> Tercel, like almost all Toyotas, is NOT an "interference" design.
Honda
> likes to do things the hard way.
>
>
> >
> > What type of engine build up does the 92 civic dx have?
>
>
> Interference.
>
>
> > If the timing
> > belt breaks, will there be any internal damage to the engine (bent
> > valves, etc)?
>
>
> The probability of damage is great, but not *certain*. You _can_ get
lucky.
> <dirtyharry>
> Ya gotta ask yourself, do I feel lucky today?
> </dirtyharry>
>
> (That's a paraphrase, so no flames from cinemaphiles!)
>
> --
> TeGGeR®
>
> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
> www.tegger.com/hondafaq/