Opinions of 2000-2004 celicas for daily commuting - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

vtsuckah · 11-30-2005, 11:27 AM

Well the time has come to buy a more practical commuting vehicle. I commute 104 miles round trip everyday to work (in south east DC) and the fuel usage/cost for a 94 cherokee Lmt'd is rediculous. Granted that I'm still getting 19-21 mpg with mixed city and highway driving, it would be nice to get 30+ like my mkII NA.

I'm not willing to sacrifice my mr2 with the potholes, countless flying rocks, and not to mention mileage, that I would get by driving her on I66, I495 and I395 everyday. What can I say? she was my first car.

I've already done some research, but I just wanted to get everyone's opinions/experiences with 2000-2004 celica GT/GTS. I'm also considering a 1997-2002 Honda Prelude SI/SH. I pretty much want something that is reliable, sporty and gets good gas mileage. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

~Nate

chrwof8217 · 11-30-2005, 01:52 PM

Any small Toyota or Honda is gonna get around 30 mpg. With your driving conditions you may even want to consider a hybrid, if it purely for gas milage. But if you also want a decent car that runs good and is reliable, the 200-2004 celica is probbaly best. That's just my opinion, Hondas are good n all but their drivers have a bad rep, haha. Keep it in the family man (toyota family that is; I am not a redneck from West Virginia).

vtsuckah · 12-01-2005, 05:35 AM

Don't believe everything you say about hybrids. I'll leave it at that so I don't sidetrack this thread

indianboy7 · 12-03-2005, 01:53 AM

If you get a celica, get a GT...I have a 2000 GTS and get around 25 mpg on the highway.....around 22 in the city......I've heard that the GT's get better mileage...

Crazy Al · 12-03-2005, 09:34 PM

By the sounds of it a GT would suit u fine.
The GT-S is a bit harder on gas.
As for a car for everyday driving they are gr8! I drive about 60/70 miles a day in my GT-S and i cant fault it

Kevs Toy · 12-03-2005, 09:56 PM

I say get the gts. Toyota makes the better car. Prelude has more torque but is about 500 lbs heavier than a gts, plus bit more costyl to maintain and I know of a few people who've had issues with them, usually with trannies and such. BTW, dont know what your guys driving habits are, but my dad gets 32 mpg in his 00 gts 6 speeed, so they do get good milage. And on the highway he does cruise around 70-80 in 6th, so its realistic.

Crazy Al · 12-03-2005, 10:08 PM

no point getting a GT-S if your gona keep it under 6200rpm and worry about mpg

Kevs Toy · 12-04-2005, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Al

no point getting a GT-S if your gona keep it under 6200rpm and worry about mpg

Just consider it Jekyl and Hyde. Can be docile when you want and when you want the power just rev it up a bit.

Celery GT-5 · 12-05-2005, 10:54 AM

i have a 2000 gt-s. I would recomend this car for your commute, except for the fact that its loud on the highway. lots of road noise from the tires. I have trd exhaust so that probably makes it a bit worse. The prelude would be a better way to go as far as relaxed commuting, its quieter and more planted on the highway also the celica revs very high (3900rpm @ 80mph). The problem with the lude is its rated for 26mpg hwy. the GT-S is rated for 32 and if you are nice to it you can do better then that(I got 33.5 on a 250 mile trip going 55-70mph and I know a guy who was on a long road trip and got 40mpg on his GT-S!). As far as the GT being better on gas, if u don't use the top of the rev range in the GT-S it will get GT gas mileage(just on 93 octane). As far as city mpg i get 22ish if i beat on it and 26-27 if i drive slower..29-31 in mixed driving.

If you care about power and don't mind buying premium I'd go with the GT-S, as long as it has stock exhaust and you get some quiet tires you should be fine. gas mileage and power will be comparable if u dont rev past 6200. If u go with the GT ull be giving up rear disc brakes, larger front brakes (10.8" vs 10.0") lower profile tires on 16 inch wheels (205/50-16 vs 195/60-15...though some GT-S's do have 205/55-15s on the same 15 inch wheels that are on the GT, but it's rare being that the 16s were only a $60 option or something..snow tires in my sig are on the 15s) also u will have 6 speeds, 40 more hp (if u are willing to rev it to 8350).

If you really don't care about performance then go with the GT it will save u some money and its not that slow if you get a 5 speed...just whatever you do don't get an automatic GT-S the GT-S powerband combined with 4 speed auto is a terrible idea

edit: one other reason to get the GT over the GT-S is that the 2zz-ge(gt-s motor) has issues with lift bolts breaking and belts squealing..its a tad less reliable

vtsuckah · 12-05-2005, 12:02 PM

ah very helpful. thanks a lot

Celery GT-5 · 12-05-2005, 12:03 PM

if u have any other questions u can IM me on AIM sn: so many mods <--lol dont ask why

EasyC · 12-05-2005, 12:09 PM

I own 2 2000 Celica GT-S's (both for sale). I average around 28-29 mpg in the city and 33-35 on the highway. I love these cars. If it weren't for the insurance spike here and my financial situation, I'd keep them. I'm selling one for 7000 and the other for 11500. If you'd like to know more hit me up. My aim is GIHDChris during business hours and Fuzzman56 during after business hours.

They are great cars and won't let you down.