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Toyota Celica (Hatchbacks / All Years)

1544 messages,  Last post on Jun 16, 2013 at 5:59 PM

You are in the Toyota Celica Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Celica, Coupe, Hatchback

Messages Page 144 of 156

#1423 of 1544 Re: Thinking about buying a GT [bottgers] by nippononly

Oct 25, 2006 (7:26 am)

Replying to: bottgers (Oct 21, 2006 5:21 am)
Well, I can tell you about my '02 GT that I had for not very long - I got a major case of "new car-itis" when the Matrix came out, and only ended up keeping the Celica 9 months and 17K miles. I also found it a little bit uncomfortable - the seats are sport seats and the car is low to the ground, as you know.
 
But OK: fuel economy? I averaged 31-32 mpg in commuting and around-town driving, maybe 35 out on the interstate driving to L.A., and even when I spent a good portion of the tank just driving for fun, it hardly ever dipped below 30. That was a 5-speed manual. I tend to drive in a way that maximizes fuel economy when I am just running errands and going back and forth to work, so YMMV!
 
Reliability? Mine was assembled poorly in one respect: the driver's window was misaligned, allowing cascades of water inside the car at the car wash. I had that fixed double-quick. After shaking out the initial build blues, however, it gave me no problems at all in the short time I had it.
 
Anything you should know? This car has PHENOMENALLY bad outward visibility - it is very low to the ground, the windows are slits, the C-pillars are HUGE, and that spoiler on the back end....well, all I can say is, try to get one without the spoiler.
Apart from that, it's not especially fast off the line, but has better handling than anything I have ever driven under $25K, except the Mini Cooper. That includes my RSX I had more recently. The downside is the car tends to be a bit jittery over bad pavement, especially at high speeds.
That fixed antenna is a PITA at car washes, has to be unscrewed and removed so it doesn't get broken. From what I remember when I had the car, a lot of people were trading the fixed mast for one of those short flexible antennas from the parts store. Alternatively, one person changed it out for the power antenna that Toyota put in the GTS beginning in 2003/4 (I forget which). I imagine that swap would be difficult.
 
It's a very likeable car with an engine that will very likely turn out to be one of Toyota's better ones in the last 20 years. Meaning I am sure that if you find one that has been well taken care of, it will probably go years and years without giving you any trouble.

#1424 of 1544 Re: 2000 Celica GT with huge oil consumption problem [rorr] by ann961

Oct 31, 2006 (12:38 am)

Replying to: rorr (Mar 09, 2006 12:31 pm)
I too have a 2000 Celica GT... I don't know if you have found your answer about your burning oil problem... or if you were able to get Toyota to help you. If you have gotten a resolution I'd love to hear it. My Toyota started burning oil around 60,000 miles. I never saw any leakage and couldn't tell if it was burning it. I've had to put a quart of oil in it every 600 to 1000 miles, which has gone down to every 600 to 700 or so miles. When I was able to afford Toyota to check it out... I was told it had bad valve seals. So, I could pay $2000 for new seals that would last 50,000 miles or $5800 for a new mini block. I then found out later that This was a manufacture defect that they never recalled. Toyota only fixed the problem for the newer Celicas. I love my car and I want to keep it.. I was planning on keeping it for at least 200,000 plus miles, since it's a Toyota I knew I had reliability on my side... I don't think I do now. My car has 135,000 miles on it now but I want to know what the long term affects are from the oil problem will cause to rest of car. So, please, I'd love to hear what you have to say and if you ended up with a resolution. I am trying to see how far I can go to see If I can get Toyota to fix it since it's their problem and I'm spending a lot of money on oil.

#1425 of 1544 Re: 2000 Celica GT with huge oil consumption problem [ann961] by rorr

Oct 31, 2006 (9:28 am)

Replying to: ann961 (Oct 31, 2006 12:38 am)
You have me confused with someone else.
 
I have a 2000 model GTS - with NO oil consumption problems (and with 140k on the odo).

#1426 of 1544 Re: Magical Oil Loss [ahiggs01] by ann961

Nov 01, 2006 (11:55 am)

Replying to: ahiggs01 (Apr 06, 2006 10:24 am)
I too have a 2000 Celica GT... I don't know if you have found your answer about your burning oil problem... or if you were able to get Toyota to help you. If you have gotten a resolution I'd love to hear it. My Toyota started burning oil around 60,000 miles. I never saw any leakage and couldn't tell if it was burning it. I've had to put a quart of oil in it every 600 to 1000 miles, which has gone down to every 600 to 700 or so miles. When I was able to afford Toyota to check it out... I was told it had bad valve seals. So, I could pay $2000 for new seals that would last 50,000 miles or $5800 for a new mini block. I then found out later that This was a manufacture defect that they never recalled. Toyota only fixed the problem for the newer Celicas. I love my car and I want to keep it.. I was planning on keeping it for at least 200,000 plus miles, since it's a Toyota I knew I had reliability on my side... I don't think I do now. My car has 135,000 miles on it now but I want to know what the long term affects are from the oil problem will cause to rest of car. So, please, I'd love to hear what you have to say and if you ended up with a resolution. I am trying to see how far I can go to see If I can get Toyota to fix it since it's their problem and I'm spending a lot of money on oil.
I would really like to know how to get ahold of the Toyota home office... I would love your help.

#1427 of 1544 Toyota Contact by guitarzan

Nov 02, 2006 (2:39 pm)

http://www.toyota.com/about/contact/index.html?s_van=GM_TN_CONTACT
 
This is easily found from Toyota.com/about toyota. Good luck.

#1428 of 1544 Re: rjsavino [nippononly] by teejay76

Nov 26, 2006 (2:47 pm)

Replying to: nippononly (May 09, 2005 5:16 pm)
Just to add additional testimony on the 2000 Celica GT oil consumption issue. I have an 00' celica that burns about 1.5 to 2 quarts between oil changes. Dealer recommends 5000 miles but I go about 4000-4500 miles. I brought this issue up to my dealer and they told me they couldn't find any leaks nor offer any explanations to what is happening to my oil.At 98,000 miles I had a CEL which they scoped and I was told that I had a bad mass air flow sensor.
     Now at 111,000 miles I had the water pump changed and had the car scoped again because of another "CEL" and they told me it was a warning that my Catalytic converter was failing.
   Coincedence or not I seem to share some of the same problems, but other than that my celica runs like new and these are the only problems I've ever had, surprisingly since I put on about 500 miles a week commuting to work.

#1429 of 1544 Looking for baby car seat that will fit !! celica 2003 by miah1mum

Jan 21, 2007 (2:53 pm)

Wondered if anyone knew where to find a baby car seat that actually fits properly in the back of a celica. Does anyone know of a list that tells you which ones are suitable.
Be grateful for any help.

#1430 of 1544 Re: 2000 Celica GT with huge oil consumption problem [ann961] by bill8557

Jan 24, 2007 (7:00 am)

Replying to: ann961 (Oct 31, 2006 12:38 am)
I too have this same Oil Consumption issue with my daughter's 2000 Toyota Celica GT. I purchased (Private Sale) the vehicle in May 2006 after the mechanic indicated he did not see any major problems. The oil was changed about three weeks after the purchase and six weeks later the check engine light was on due to oil level (required 4 qts of oil). The mechanic verified the oil was burning through the exhaust and the Toyota Dealer ruled out all minor issues that could be causing this. The Dealer indicated the engine would need to be rebuilt / replaced. I find it hard to believe that there is no law to protect you from this type of issue from a private sale since you are unable to know this problem exist until after the 30 day lemon law has expired if your mileage is low for the month; I am sure the prior owner was well aware of this problem but chose not to disclose it. It does not appear that I have any recourse at this point in time due to purchasing the vehicle "As Is".

#1431 of 1544 Mystery oil? by guitarzan

Jan 25, 2007 (3:48 pm)

If oil is seeping past the pistons, there should be black smoke coming out the exhaust. I do not understand: With this problem, why is there no indication of the problem except for the missing oil? Your story indicates that 2/3 of a quart every week is burning off. That is significant, especially for an engine with such tight tolerances as a Toyota engine. Yet there is no smell nor smoke coming from the car?
 
Should we all be worried? I see Teejay & Ann joined the town Hall in Oct/Nov, both with the oil burning, and now Bill is a new member with the same problem. Will we see our Celica engines start dropping like flies soon?????

#1432 of 1544 Re: Mystery oil? [guitarzan] by bill8557

Jan 25, 2007 (5:44 pm)

Replying to: guitarzan (Jan 25, 2007 3:48 pm)
You can see a difference in the color of the exhaust but it is not black as you indicated - The mechanic noticed it immediately. The oil level remains full for the 1st 4 weeks and then suddenly drops off the next 2 weeks at which point it requires 4 qts.
2000 Toyota Celica GT for sale - Excellent Condition!!
 

Messages Page 144 of 156

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