Considering 7th gen - any common problems?

**Staypuft** · 01-17-2005, 07:37 PM

Ahoy all,

I'm in the market to buy a new car, and strongly considering a Celica GT-S. I'm just wondering how reliable these cars are, if there are any common major problems, etc. One of the reasons I favor this car is the strong reputation of Toyotas in terms of reliability, but still figured that it would be good to get some actual feedback from the owners. Any input you guys might have would help a lot, and thanks in advance!

**Burrcold** · 01-17-2005, 09:04 PM

very reliable...just be weary of premature wearing and possible broken lift bolts. Other then that you have nothing to worry about.

**Staypuft** · 01-17-2005, 09:32 PM

By "broken lift botls" I assume that you are reffering to some portion of the variable valve timing system?

Are you also referring to this same situation when mentioning "premature wearing?"

CONTROL ONE · 01-17-2005, 10:36 PM

tell me what year you are looking at and i'll tell you which problems to look out for

the major ones are lift bolts wearing through in 00-02s (they changed the design in 03)

lift bolts control 'lift' which is toyota's version of vtec

also, 00-02 gt-s's were prone to very high oil consumption so check ur oil regularily

besides that, only minor things. lots of squeeks and rattles. sunroof peeling, etc.

other than that, it's a great car that should last yrs to come

**Burrcold** · 01-17-2005, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CONTROL ONE

tell me what year you are looking at and i'll tell you which problems to look out for

the major ones are lift bolts wearing through in 00-02s (they changed the design in 03)

lift bolts control 'lift' which is toyota's version of vtec

also, 00-02 gt-s's were prone to very high oil consumption so check ur oil regularily

besides that, only minor things. lots of squeeks and rattles. sunroof peeling, etc.

other than that, it's a great car that should last yrs to come

I dont think the lift bolts have ever been totaly addressed and the GT had major problems with oil burning as well so just becareful and get it looked at very well.

**Staypuft** · 01-17-2005, 10:44 PM

Sounds like I should just look at 03 and newer. Sorry if I sound a bit picky, but I don't want to buy a 3 year old car and deal with dumping oil in every week because my engine is burning it. I can do that with my 14 year old Integra. Thanks a lot for the info guys.

**Burrcold** · 01-17-2005, 10:53 PM

the 03 has a nicer interior anyways...go for it.

**Sergio** · 01-17-2005, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burrcold

the 03 has a nicer interior anyways...go for it.

darker, looks alot better than previous years.

**racergirl** · 01-18-2005, 01:17 AM

welcome :)

**s2kdarren** · 01-18-2005, 10:53 AM

welcome

CONTROL ONE · 01-18-2005, 07:54 PM

the only thing i don't like about the 03 GT-S is the Drive-by-wire system. there is no physical throttle cable, it's all controlled electronically

**Staypuft** · 01-19-2005, 02:21 PM

I've read about drive-by wire systems before. My understanding is that the con is that enthusiasts don't get the same feel of the road (

) and the pros are reduced weight and increased space in the engine bay (or smaller engine bay needed). Is this correct?

It might be kind of fun to drive one of those. Seems like it might give a weird floating feeling at first.

CONTROL ONE · 01-19-2005, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Staypuft

I've read about drive-by wire systems before. My understanding is that the con is that enthusiasts don't get the same feel of the road (

) and the pros are reduced weight and increased space in the engine bay (or smaller engine bay needed). Is this correct?

It might be kind of fun to drive one of those. Seems like it might give a weird floating feeling at first.

my 2zz i put in my GT was originally a 2003. i wouldn't stand for the DBW crap so i converted it to the regular cable linkage

weight, umm, maybe 2lbs? a cable doesn't weigh all that much...

increased space - toss up. no more cable but now you have a huge electronic box on the TB

**Staypuft** · 01-19-2005, 08:21 PM

Oops! My bad. It's DBW steering that would eliminate lots of hydraulics. Suddenly I find myself wondering why they would do it. It's hard to believe that the electric system is more reliable than a cable.

**Sergio** · 01-19-2005, 08:27 PM

i find the steering to be more percise with the dbw. sharp turning as well.

**Sir Lancealot** · 02-01-2005, 09:32 AM

I bought a 7th Gen Celica from new in 2000 and am not too impressed with reliability. The auxillary belt (fan belt) needed replacing at 30K miles which was very expensive 'cos they change the pretensioner at the same time. Also the alloys tend to corrode if you live in a part of the world where they salt the roads. I have concluded that this is because the standard alloys are made in Italy and anything made in Italy corrodes. Celicas with Dynamics wheels do not corrode though 'cos they are made in the States. As far oil consumption goes I have the 140 bhp version (without lift) and I have NEVER had to top the engine up with oil - so if you don't drive like a nutter this shouldn't be a problem. As far as driving experience goes - its easily the best car I've ever driven. Mine has 6 gears instead of 5 which makes it very quiet when crusing.

CONTROL ONE · 02-01-2005, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sergio

i find the steering to be more percise with the dbw. sharp turning as well.

actually, the DBW has NOTHING to do with the steering.

**Pineapple** · 02-01-2005, 12:14 PM

Its just for tranny, right?

01-17-2005, 07:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Staypuft Location: Hancock, MI Posts: 6 Join Date: Jan 2005 Last On: 03-31-2005 04:46 PM	Considering 7th gen - any common problems? Ahoy all, I'm in the market to buy a new car, and strongly considering a Celica GT-S. I'm just wondering how reliable these cars are, if there are any common major problems, etc. One of the reasons I favor this car is the strong reputation of Toyotas in terms of reliability, but still figured that it would be good to get some actual feedback from the owners. Any input you guys might have would help a lot, and thanks in advance!

01-17-2005, 09:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
Burrcold Location: Toronto Posts: 6,422 Join Date: Oct 2003 Last On: Today 09:10 PM Vehicle: 08 Lexus IS250 2nd Vehicle: 08 Acura CSX	very reliable...just be weary of premature wearing and possible broken lift bolts. Other then that you have nothing to worry about. __________________ Sold: 2004 Infiniti G35C

01-17-2005, 10:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
Burrcold Location: Toronto Posts: 6,422 Join Date: Oct 2003 Last On: Today 09:10 PM Vehicle: 08 Lexus IS250 2nd Vehicle: 08 Acura CSX	the 03 has a nicer interior anyways...go for it. __________________ Sold: 2004 Infiniti G35C

01-18-2005, 01:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
racergirl Location: Las Vegas Posts: 206 Join Date: Oct 2004 Last On: 05-29-2005 02:48 AM	welcome :) __________________ -silly boys racing is for girls-

01-18-2005, 10:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
s2kdarren Location: Thornhill Posts: 3,808 Join Date: Jul 2004 Last On: 11-11-2008 01:52 PM Vehicle: 2000 S2000	welcome __________________ Golan Driving School 416-410-4646

01-17-2005, 09:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Staypuft Location: Hancock, MI Posts: 6 Join Date: Jan 2005 Last On: 03-31-2005 04:46 PM	By "broken lift botls" I assume that you are reffering to some portion of the variable valve timing system? Are you also referring to this same situation when mentioning "premature wearing?"

01-17-2005, 10:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
CONTROL ONE Banned Location: Toronto Posts: 3,113 Join Date: Sep 2003 Last On: 05-31-2006 11:05 AM	tell me what year you are looking at and i'll tell you which problems to look out for the major ones are lift bolts wearing through in 00-02s (they changed the design in 03) lift bolts control 'lift' which is toyota's version of vtec also, 00-02 gt-s's were prone to very high oil consumption so check ur oil regularily besides that, only minor things. lots of squeeks and rattles. sunroof peeling, etc. other than that, it's a great car that should last yrs to come

01-17-2005, 10:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
Staypuft Location: Hancock, MI Posts: 6 Join Date: Jan 2005 Last On: 03-31-2005 04:46 PM	Sounds like I should just look at 03 and newer. Sorry if I sound a bit picky, but I don't want to buy a 3 year old car and deal with dumping oil in every week because my engine is burning it. I can do that with my 14 year old Integra. Thanks a lot for the info guys.

01-18-2005, 07:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
CONTROL ONE Banned Location: Toronto Posts: 3,113 Join Date: Sep 2003 Last On: 05-31-2006 11:05 AM	the only thing i don't like about the 03 GT-S is the Drive-by-wire system. there is no physical throttle cable, it's all controlled electronically

01-19-2005, 02:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
Staypuft Location: Hancock, MI Posts: 6 Join Date: Jan 2005 Last On: 03-31-2005 04:46 PM	I've read about drive-by wire systems before. My understanding is that the con is that enthusiasts don't get the same feel of the road ( ) and the pros are reduced weight and increased space in the engine bay (or smaller engine bay needed). Is this correct? It might be kind of fun to drive one of those. Seems like it might give a weird floating feeling at first.

01-19-2005, 08:21 PM	#14 (permalink)
Staypuft Location: Hancock, MI Posts: 6 Join Date: Jan 2005 Last On: 03-31-2005 04:46 PM	Oops! My bad. It's DBW steering that would eliminate lots of hydraulics. Suddenly I find myself wondering why they would do it. It's hard to believe that the electric system is more reliable than a cable.

01-19-2005, 08:27 PM	#15 (permalink)
Sergio Location: tor Posts: 3,191 Join Date: Oct 2003 Last On: Today 08:36 PM	i find the steering to be more percise with the dbw. sharp turning as well.

02-01-2005, 09:32 AM	#16 (permalink)
Sir Lancealot Posts: 5 Join Date: Jan 2005 Last On: 02-04-2005 05:26 AM	I bought a 7th Gen Celica from new in 2000 and am not too impressed with reliability. The auxillary belt (fan belt) needed replacing at 30K miles which was very expensive 'cos they change the pretensioner at the same time. Also the alloys tend to corrode if you live in a part of the world where they salt the roads. I have concluded that this is because the standard alloys are made in Italy and anything made in Italy corrodes. Celicas with Dynamics wheels do not corrode though 'cos they are made in the States. As far oil consumption goes I have the 140 bhp version (without lift) and I have NEVER had to top the engine up with oil - so if you don't drive like a nutter this shouldn't be a problem. As far as driving experience goes - its easily the best car I've ever driven. Mine has 6 gears instead of 5 which makes it very quiet when crusing.

02-01-2005, 12:14 PM	#18 (permalink)
Pineapple Location: Toronto Posts: 4,296 Join Date: Jan 2004 Last On: Today 06:47 PM	Its just for tranny, right? __________________ http://photos.yahoo.com/fredericklaw http://members.rankmyride.com/pineapplelaw

02-01-2005, 12:31 PM	#19 (permalink)
Sergio Location: tor Posts: 3,191 Join Date: Oct 2003 Last On: Today 08:36 PM