Tips on buying 2000 Celica GT

[ssolitare]

Engine has 70k miles on it. Just replaced tranny has 62k miles.

This already sounds like bad news of course, But I still want to know how I can see if this is a good or bad Celica.

The Tranny has obviously been replaced with a used one by this seller which makes me scared for the engine, but more specifically the piston ring(s) and/or short block engine problem. The engine looks superior cosmetically.

The best way to avoid the piston ring problem is to not buy the car. But...I'm in love with the Celica and I don't have a car now because the tranny on my civic finally blew. How can I inspect the vehicle and be sure that it's good without asking to borrow it (obviously cant happen) and await the massive drain?

What other areas should I make sure to focus on? The Cat Converter sure, but how do I inspect it?

[CRBCelica]

Test drive. Beware of oil consumption problems.
id just look for a different celica.

[ssolitare]

Okay so basically I just gotta get them to let me borrow the car (make an agreement) or extensively test it themselves over a weekly period. That seems like it won't happen but I'll try that.

The engine sounds normal when I drive it btw, but I was just wondering if I can see if the cat converter will have a problem before it actually breaks.

These sellers are very reliable and I've told them about my concerns enough times already so we'll see what happens.

[CRBCelica]

im sure they wont let you borrow the car. I mean who would?
Why did the transmission have to be replaced? carfax? maintenance papers?
who did the transmission swap? I wouldn't worry about the cat. its an easy fix

[ssolitare]

Probably because the previous owner drove it hard as heck. A female owned the car, but the reason why she sold it was because of body damage and the repair costs according go the current owner. The body looks nice btw, they are great at exterior stuff.

I'm going to get the Vin number today so hopefully I can learn some more about the car and they did the tranny swap themselves.

Also my roommate is great friends with the guy and is currently trying to talk him into letting me use the car for the weekend for $500 down. I intended to buy the car but I want to make sure. If I don't like it then I'll just return it and get my cash back. The car will move fast in his area so I don't want anyone else to get it until I know for sure.

I spent a lot of time telling them about my precautions I hope that they care. They can move the car easily.


In the long-term the leak ordeal is no problem.
In the short-term if I keep filling the car with oil and constantly checking it, would the leakage problem increase more in the short-term leading me to a dead engine in the short-term.
If the Short-Term problem is sustainable in the long term then I'll just go ahead and buy the car.

Apparently I'm cautious so I just can't stop thinking about the short-term.

[Klint]

Right now you have approached a stop sign.


You have 3 options, one of which may burn a hole in your pocket.

1. Make two left turns
2. Make two right turns
3. Go straight ahead.

[CRBCelica]

automatic? have any pics? or links to the ad?

[ssolitare]

Private Seller.
Manual

I'll take pics of everything when I visit the guy today. Suggestions on what I should focus on?

[CRBCelica]

oil consumption.

[bionictony]

3 years ago i bought a 00 celica gt with 44K miles. i'm now at 109K miles and no oil consumption problems yet. i did a carfax and bought from the 1st owner.

[CeLestialGT]

You want my 02 cent? Dont buy it. I had a 01 gt was a pain in the ass since the first day. Oil problem. If your going to get a gt get 03 and up for many reason but maily for the engine that wont have the oil problem or buy a gt-s my friend!

[CeLestialGT]

they dont burn oil because they are beat up btw........ major problem for 00-01

[ssolitare]

Oh okay so the GTS versions don't have that oil problem Or buy 03 GT and up. This is so disappointing :/ and I guess that my favorite option will take a back seat. If I want to get an applicable Celica they all have very high mileage in my area.

The Vin number says that it has no history (or not enough). There is a story behind the car (massive body damage, been sitting a while, guy bought it for 1k) but it doesn't mean anything about the oil eating problem.

I still have pics if you want them.


------

So say I bought the Celica and I knew that it had this issue, could I do anything to permanently repair the issue? Would I be able to put in a 2003 Celica GT Short block or maybe 2003 piston rings into the car?

[reguile]

Tips on buying a celica.. don't.. and this car sounds sketchy. If she drove it hard, it was probably over a curb or into a wall. Invest in something better.. or if your heart is set on it, then.. find a better one

[CRBCelica]

yea youre better off with a different celica but sounds like you really want it so buy it and waste your money fixing it

[NoUse4aName]

My '00 GT with 200k on it only loses 1 quart every 4000 miles or so...which I frankly consider pretty normal for a car with 200k.

[Klint]

My '00 GT with 200k on it only loses 1 quart every 4000 miles or so...which I frankly consider pretty normal for a car with 200k.

You shouldn't be consuming any oil.. ever.

[creekboi7]

mine is fine with 215K. =]

[RTZCeli]

Search harder. It took me half a year to search for the Celica I wanted. But then even 6 months wasn't enough time. I wished I waited longer to pick me up a GT-S. I got desperate and went for the GT

But with gas prices now... Kinda glad I got the GT ^_^

In the end... You will love your car if you put in the money and time on it. It naturally becomes more valuable. Dishing out money to fix a car you bought in the first place is dumb.

Find a car that's perfectly fine. Don't buy something that will give you problems

[ssolitare]

Okay thanks for the advice everyone.

I decided to pass and borrow a car from my friend in the mean time. I don't have even 3 months to look for a car but you guys are right, I shouldn't stretch myself for this one.

I think I'll just go with an Accord unless I get lucky and find the Celica that I want relatively soon!

[CRBCelica]

look what i found for you..more celicas!

http://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/2344174921.html
http://greensboro.craigslist.org/ctd/2321300679.html
http://greensboro.craigslist.org/ctd/2301553021.html
http://greensboro.craigslist.org/ctd/2301394127.html

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchresults.action?stkTyp=U&tracktype=usedcc&mkId=20088&AmbMkId=20088&AmbMkNm=Toyota&AmbMdNm=Celica&mdId=20821&prMx=10000&rd=100&zc=27410&searchSource=QUICK_FORM&enableSeo=1

[CeLestialGT]

Woah the third one is pretty sick.... automatic but oh well...

[CRBCelica]

id go for the 3rd one as well

[Skooter]

Please hold off and wait for a manual GT-S, it will be worth the wait I promise you.

I spent a good 5 months searching before I drove over 200km just to test drive my GT-S. Bought it that day and haven't looked back since


Find a car that's perfectly fine. Don't buy something that will give you problems
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