Buying a used 2000 GT-S Celica [Archive]

Cogen2821

05-12-2002, 08:25 PM

Hey, I am new to the board.....but i got a question to ask some of you guys....
I just turned 16 and I have been looking at cars for sometime now. But I think I might have found the right car for me. It is a used 2000 Celica GTS (6-Speed Manual) with about 24000 miles on it. Not prior problems to anything with the car. I was just wondering if you all think this is a good car for me to have, and if I was capable of putting any mods on it without breaking the factory warranty. The car is at the Lexus used car lot, so I feel that I can trust the car pretty well, and it is gonna cost me bout 17000....is it worth it....it is fully loaded with leather and CD and everything.

So do you all think it is worth it for me....thanks for the responses!

-AL
"I'd rather be broke together than rich alone

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Posts: 1 | From: Omaha, NE | Registered: May 2002 | IP: Logged

EzRidA

05-12-2002, 08:36 PM

It's a good car if it's what you want. Most important thing to check is that it has never been misshifted. You stated no prior problems so I'm guessing nothing has happened then. You can mod the car, but no matter what car you buy it will void the warranty to some extent. If you engine were to blow and you have an intake Toyota would have to prove the intake was the cause of the failure. Hope I helped.

Cogen2821

05-12-2002, 08:44 PM

Can you guys describe what you mean by misshifting....is it basically going from 3rd.....to 2nd if you meant to go to 4th....cuz one of the things i found is that the shift gate was a little to close. If i was to add a short-shifter would this help out that problem at all?

EzRidA

05-12-2002, 08:56 PM

When we say misshift we're talking about going into the wrong gear into way too high into the rpms. The car begins to bend valves in the head at 9500rpm. The gears are definitely close and you shouldn't try racing the car until you are completely comfortable with it. Also is this your first stick car? Some say it's not good to learn on, but I disagree. I've taught my self and my girlfriend on this car.

Cogen2821

05-12-2002, 09:27 PM

Yeah, this is my first stick car. So it is a decent car to learn on I have hear. Are there any things you guys should tell me what kind of things to watch out for. I have also gotten mixed responses on what type of gas the car takes....I am pretty sure it takes regular. But i am buyin the car from a Lexus dealership, so don't you all think that I should feel pretty comfortable?

Cogen2821

05-12-2002, 09:30 PM

also....would me buying a 100$ short shifterhelp me out with shifting correctly, i would think so, what do you think??

EzRidA

05-12-2002, 09:32 PM

SS is all a matter of opinion and taste. I have one and personally love it. It gives you a tighter feel of the gears and I like that notchiness to it. As for the gas the GT-S only takes Premium gas. Not regular and not plus.

RJAY

05-12-2002, 09:34 PM

The GTS only takes PREMIUM gas.

gts24

05-12-2002, 10:07 PM

Dunno where the fudge you heard this is a good car to learn how to drive stick ..... well you heard wrong.

This car is a short throw, close gate, fun and gun shifter. Not intended for beginners.

I"m not tryin to be a prick about this, but man did you ever hear wrong.

Half of that mentality is what caused the downfall of the 02 celica.
The U.S. happens to be the place where the 02 comes with wider gates, longer throws and the lower rev limit.

I'm not trying to discourage you from getting this car but if you do get it, the most important thing is to TAKE IT FREAKKKING SLOW!.

Please just take it slow, REMEMBER THIS RULE WHEN YOU DOWNSHIFT AND YOU WILL NEVER EVER EVER MISSHIFT

#1 rule. --- Let the shifter/shiftbox do the work for you. Do not SHOVE the stick into a lower gear when you are downshifting from a high speed.

The shifter rests in between 3---4. When you want either of these gears while being in 5or6 simply pop the car out of gear and let the SHIFTER DO THE WORK. It will go right in between 3 and 4, now select the gear you want and push up or down

I'M STRESSING THIS HERE. Do not SHOVE the stick over and down or over and up. Just let the thing do the work for you.

Heed my words now and you will not misshift and be on this board in a month complaining that Toyota screwed you over.

Finnyin

05-13-2002, 07:29 AM

definately heard wrong about the shifting. I still miss a gear every now and then when I don't pay attention. I bought a used 00 GT-S also. I love mine. If you ask me, find out the age of the previous owner. That will help you determine how hard it's been driven. Also, ask if the tensioner has been replaced cause if it hasn't, you'll more than likely be getting this done. almost all of us have went thru it.

Personafied

05-13-2002, 08:29 AM

Another thing you might want to check into is how much insurance its gonna cost. 16 year old + (assuming) male + sprots car = $$$$$ for insurance companies. You might get a good deal on the car but insurance is gonna be up the wazoo.

Cogen2821

05-13-2002, 09:21 AM

Yeah, I checked the insurance a while back. I have all the discounts (good grades, drivers ed, and everything), and for the past few months I have been driving a Lexus RX300. the insurance was costing me about $210 a month. This is gonna cost me about $250 a month. Which I thought was pretty reasonable, considering that I am a white/male/16. I have to pay for everything (cuz my parents wont)... So i am straight on cash. I just want to make sure that it is the right car for me(since i am spending this kind of money, i dont think its bad for someone like me)....I actually might sign for it, this evening.

Thanks,
AL

Dave vdK

05-13-2002, 09:59 AM

17000$? Jesus... the more I read the more I realize how friggin lucky I was to find mine... I picked up my 00' GTS, Fully loaded (except leather) with 23000 miles for 13500$ US (21600$ CAN) from a buddy who has access to the auctions.

At 16 the insurance is going to kill you man. Shifter gets time to get used to, just don't go crazy on the stick at the beginning. Not the easiest car to learn on either.

For warranty, nothing will actually kill your warranty unless they can prove the aftermarket part caused the problem.

If you have the money to pay for it, and it will be expensive, you surely wouldn't regret it.

bLaH1031

05-13-2002, 10:17 AM

This thread kind goes for me too since I'm getting the 6 speed soon and it'll also be my first stick car. And you guys have given alot of good tips. I know one thing I'm going to look for when I start shopping is if there was any of the front wheel well cut out cause then obviously it had an intake and was driven hard.

But if it all looks good I assume it'll be easier to tell how the car was driven just by the condition of the clutch and so forth. Unless it was replaced but does Toyota do that under warranty?

Dave vdK

05-13-2002, 10:22 AM

Toyota will not replace the clutch under warranty unless something caused it to go bad. I just had my clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearrings replaced because the bearrings were defective. Anything that is wear, i.e shocks, pads, clutch are not usually covered under warranty.

bLaH1031

05-13-2002, 10:27 AM

gts24

05-13-2002, 11:12 AM

Originally posted by bLaH1031
This thread kind goes for me too since I'm getting the 6 speed soon and it'll also be my first stick car. And you guys have given alot of good tips. I know one thing I'm going to look for when I start shopping is if there was any of the front wheel well cut out cause then obviously it had an intake and was driven hard.

But if it all looks good I assume it'll be easier to tell how the car was driven just by the condition of the clutch and so forth. Unless it was replaced but does Toyota do that under warranty?

Clutch is a "wear item" and thus is not replacable under warranty. I have yet to see a warranty that doesn't mention that somewhere in the text or fine print.

I just recently had my clutch and flywheel replaced. Wow, lots of difference. Don't worry about the clutch until you absolutely have to.

If you test drive a car, make sure you downshift into 3rd and 4th from 5th and 6th.... to check for abnormal synchro wear.

Also, downshift into 2nd (from lower speed please....) and make sure it goes in like butter and doesn't grind or anything.

ALSO AGAIN. Get the freakin extended warranty. I was TOTALLLY misinformed when I got my car. I was told I could upgrade to the extended warranty during any point while I own my car BZZZTTT WRONG. You can only extend the warranty during the 3/36k period. So get it done quick if you get an 00. It'll be worth it if down the road you are at 60,111 miles and you need a synchro fix or something like that.

daSchtick

05-13-2002, 12:03 PM

Originally posted by Cogen2821
This is gonna cost me about $250 a month

$250 a MONTH for insurance? I don't even pay that for 6 months! Unless you have a lot of excess cash, the Celica is definitely not worth paying $3000 a year for insurance alone. I understand that being a young male driver causes high rates, but that is way too much money to throw away every month. Drive a cheap car so you don't need to carry collision, so you can throw your money away on other things.

Personafied

05-13-2002, 12:15 PM

I agree $3k for insurance is way to much. That is a lot of money for a year of insurance. I am 26 and only pay $700 a year and i still think that is to much. By the time you get the car paid off you would have paid the same amount on insurance.

Chris25NJ

05-13-2002, 12:55 PM

It all depends on where you live and how old you are. Man...on my 95 TSI AWD I was paying $600 a month, that's $3600 for a 6 month policy in NJ through Allstate. Recently I was paying $424 a month, 5K per year on my 00 GTS, but I just recently turned 25, and got NJM which is dirt cheap and I pay 221 per month for my GTS. Which is about the cheapest insurance I've ever had.

All this is which no points on my insurance/license.

Chris25NJ

05-13-2002, 12:57 PM

Oh and Cogen...I say go for it. Just take it easy like everyone says, till you get the hang of it. You'll love it just like we all do. And if you get the SS, i'm sure it'll help out with preventing mis-shifts. I just ordered the TWM for $95....i haven't heard anything bad about it, and lots and lots of people are getting it, see if you can still get in the group buy.

6SPDGTS

05-13-2002, 02:46 PM

Ya i have 0 points and I am 23 with a GTS i pay 218 a month. NJ SUX.

bLaH1031

05-13-2002, 02:54 PM

I've heard of someone buying the 2002 shift gates and putting them on his 00-01 to really get the chances of misshifting down to a minimum. Even though its my first stick car, to be honest I'm not too worried about misshifting only because I'm really going to take my time with this. But since I heard this, now I'm wondering if this is going to eventually become a common mod among the 00-01 6 speed owners. What do you guys think?

gts24

05-13-2002, 03:02 PM

Originally posted by bLaH1031
I've heard of someone buying the 2002 shift gates and putting them on his 00-01 to really get the chances of misshifting down to a minimum. Even though its my first stick car, to be honest I'm not too worried about misshifting only because I'm really going to take my time with this. But since I heard this, now I'm wondering if this is going to eventually become a common mod among the 00-01 6 speed owners. What do you guys think?

NOt a freaking chance.
I love how this thing feels. NO way, I will fight 'em back with a stick.

I love how tight and short everything about this thing feels.

bLaH1031

05-13-2002, 03:06 PM

Originally posted by gts24
NOt a freaking chance.
I love how this thing feels. NO way, I will fight 'em back with a stick.

I love how tight and short everything about this thing feels.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

So I'm taking that as a no??

gts24

05-13-2002, 03:15 PM

Originally posted by bLaH1031

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

So I'm taking that as a no??

yeah i suppose so :)

It's all good man. I mean really, I do love how it feels, but If I was forced to have an 02 I'd take it just as well. It really is whatever you get used to.

If I ever just "blow" my tranny, and it's proven that the 02 has sturdier synchro's I'd try to find a wrecked 02... to lute and pillage

YOshi31

05-13-2002, 04:03 PM

Sheat i have 2 points i'm 19 and i have a 02 6spd! and i pay $150 a month on insurance heee heee thankz dad! for taking the car in your name! hahah well yeah and i wish for a shorter shifter but i'm happy with my stock shifter cuz its helping me get used to the car! yeah cuz i drove my friends and i would killed his car if i werent for his bad 2nd gear sycros thats just normal driving not tring to race sooo yeah be carefull and everything will be alright and as for new stick/first stick car/driver the clutch will play games on you! yeah and all you guys know sometimes its cool and sometimes its mean to you like releasing it with gas you'll peel or go smooth depends on the time of day and with out gas the car will move and sometimes stall you know what i mean when you first got the cars it prob doesnt happen anymore but it did a little in the begining and yeah let the car warm up for at least 5 mins before moving it! i dont know if thats a must but i do it so the car doesnt grumble at me! well laters

lnux-rhat

05-13-2002, 10:13 PM

i think 17,000 is OK, but i'd look around.
Keep in mind that the delaers give only 14,000 for a 2000 GTS, if you try to trade this car in.

I just sold mine with 15,000 miles for 16,800.

I would let it go even for 15,800.

So, don't hurry, take your time and look for a good deal.

Try carsoup.com and similar websites. I just picked up a TT Supra from carsoup.com for a bargain price! ;)

Good luck, and try to talk the dealer down to a lower price. I am sure the dealer got this car for 15k max.

Willis5050

05-13-2002, 11:06 PM

17K is worth it only if you have complete records and know this car's complete history. Also, who knows how much of a selection of GTS 6-speeds you are going to get in Omaha. Two weeks ago the Nissan dealer near me offered me 15,900 for mine because they wanted to turn it around quickly (I have 17,000 miles on mine). However, I did buy it for less than that a couple months ago.

If you do get the car, don't try to be Billy Badass and drive your car hard for a few months until you are used to it. There is little room for error for a novice. Not to mention you are a new driver to the roads. Just be careful.

gts24

05-14-2002, 05:27 AM

I found my car on www.autotrader.com

www.cars.com is good too

Cogen2821

05-15-2002, 09:00 PM

Hey guys,

I picked up the Celica GT-S yesterday, and all I can say is damn. I picked up learning how to drive a stick real quickly. I think that it is kind of boring to drive an automatic now. I am never gonna buy another auto ever again....lol. But i worked the price down to aou 16,5. The original sticker was like 19. But this is so much fun to drive, I have been all over, I've already been to 4NSPEED and Big Bang (Car Stores). And just checkin out what I want on the cars. I am just taking the whole thing slow though, just so I can really get a feel for it....you know. Well, I think I'm gonna go out, thanks guys for all the help.

Thanks again,
AL