Celicas major problem?

[Jordan]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to buy a Toyota Celica, either 2000, 2001 or 2002. I consider 2003 and up too expensive for now. I registered on this forum because before buying, I would like to be fix on few rumors. I heard that Celica produced before 2003 had engines troubles, as excessive oil consumption and that the engine, no matter if it's GT ou GT-S frequently blow off because of a trouble with cylinders or someting like that. Is this true? If it is, should I look up for a 2000-02 with a new engine or wait till the 2003-2005 prices drop so that I can afford it?

Thank you all!

(Sorry for the mistakes, I'm from Quebec, Canada (french) and there's no Celica forum over here!!)

[akley88]

i have on 02 gt that has not burned any oil in almost 12000 miles in haven owned it. while there was problems with oil burning i dont think that they are as common as people are led to believe. as long as the engine is taken care of oil burning shouldnt be an issue. when you ared looking to buy try and get one with all of the service records and all the other background info you can get.

[idrivefry02]

I have had a 2002 GT and a 2000 GTS and neither of them had any oil problems. The only downfall that I've found is the tranny. Both had a weak tranny. My 2002 had to have 5th gear and all synchros replaced and my 2000 is going in soon for a whole tranny rebuild.

Like ak said, get one with all the service records and a Carfax (does canada have carfax??) report. And I would HIGHLY recommend getting an extended warranty if you get the car from a dealership. When my 2002 had to have the fifth gear replaced, it was a $1500 job and it was covered 100% because of the extended warranty.

Other than that, it is a great little car. There's a reason I bought a second one.

[subspec]

It all depends on how the previous owner drove the car. If they drove it like a race car then it def will have problems

[JUNKyardHOE]

I have a 2000 gts and it holds oil like brand new... doesn't lose a drop between my 5000 mile oil changes... but I have as well had tranny problems, 4th gear syncro wore out

[dirtking]

Am I lucky or is AK on the money with his oil issue comments of:

"i don’t think that they are as common as people are led to believe"?

I own a 2000 GT 5 speed @ 110K miles and the only thing I have had to do was a cat converter, that’s it. It runs, handles and brakes fantastic. No oil issues at all. Very fun to drive. It’s much like a big go-cart on the road,, lots of fun. So the answer to this question I think is: AK on the money with: "i don’t think that they are as common as people are led to believe".

If the car is in good shape you will love it. Only 2 draw backs to this car. 1) Back seat WILL NOT accommodate anyone over 5 feet tall. & 2) Rear view is a little sucky when backing up cuz of the sporty hi rear body style. Everything else is really great!


Mook

[sic]

i'd have to agree about the rear view sucking, it takes some getting used to. but dirt, i've had issues with fittin anyone in the back. including the midgets i kidnap on thursdays.

[akley88]

i had 5 people in my car at one point all of us where full grown adults.

[Jordan]

Ok thank you all.

If I understand you well, theres no problem with oil consumption but transmission are pretty weak. So if I buy it I'll pay a special attention to it. I'm not really surprised however since the Celica I have tried from a used cars dealer 2 weeks ago was reaaly hard to downshift in 1st and 2nd, as if the bushings were getting tired!

And has anyone heard about the engines frequent blow off before 2003? Is this just a rumor? Can anyone confirm/deny that please! :)

Thanks.

[JUNKyardHOE]

I don't know what you mean by blow off... if you are talking about the head gasket, then I haven't heard of any problems

[sic]

5 people. that must have been comfortable ak. lol. i pull 4 total sometimes and feel like kickin people out.

[akley88]

it was me in the front my brother and his gf in the back plus my gf then another friend in the front. it was kinda funny to watch 3 adults get out of the back of a celica.

[gotlag1789]

Originally Posted by subspec

It all depends on how the previous owner drove the car. If they drove it like a race car then it def will have problems

I bought my celica real pumped. its a really good looking car, and if it ran top notch i would love it even more. but as Sub said, i think the owner previous to me drove it like that...

i have an oil burning problem
lift problem
and syncro problem..

I have only had the car for 3.4k miles... and this has all been slowly but surely popping up.
and i mean yeah it sucks. but the guy before me obviously didnt treat or drive it right kinda sucks but... i still love it none the less.

but yes unfortunately its all true. its how you drive it.

hope that helps, if you do get it take care of it!!!!!

welcome to the forum man

[gotlag1789]

discouraged... lol *sigh*

[Jordan]

Ok cool,
so I'll consider there's no problem with the engine! I'll pay special attention to the tranny!
Thanks

[Storm]

Originally Posted by Jordan

Ok cool,
so I'll consider there's no problem with the engine! I'll pay special attention to the tranny!
Thanks

To some it up:

2000-02 Celica GT

Some, not all, have oil consumption issues. The oil will burn, this doesn't usually happen if it is lower mileage, but you would need to check the oil level regularly and add oil if it's low.

2000-02 Celica GTS

Lift bolts will wear out quicker than future years. The key word is "quicker", what you would do is buy newer style (03 up) lift bolts and replace them. Do this around every 60k depending on how much you use Lift.

2000 GTS Manual

Narrow shifting so go easy with it until your comfortable. Opens up in 01 up years.

And carfax it and if you're not a mechanic have one check it out. Good luck!

[sic]

curious... i have a gt, what is the LIFT on the gts??? is it kind of like vtec on hondas???

[JUNKyardHOE]

from what I understand VVT-i which is what your GT has is like vtec... VVTL-i (L = lift) is a change in the cam profile at higher RPMs to make it more efficient at those RPMs and in turn gives extra HP... there is a thread somewhere that has a little video thing that describes it in more depth

[idrivefry02]

Originally Posted by JUNKyardHOE

from what I understand VVT-i which is what your GT has is like vtec... VVTL-i (L = lift) is a change in the cam profile at higher RPMs to make it more efficient at those RPMs and in turn gives extra HP... there is a thread somewhere that has a little video thing that describes it in more depth

Toyota - VVTL-i (Variable Valve Timing and Lift with intelligence)
^^Greatest flash activity I have ever come across. HTH

[JUNKyardHOE]

there you go lol... thank you fry