2000 GTS v. 2001 GT - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

pwm72 · 02-08-2011, 09:53 PM

Hello, I am looking to get a first car for my daughter. There are several in my area currently for sale. Two in particular are of interest and I will be going to see them on Saturday. Given a choice and assuming they are the same price...which woul dbe a better deal/more reliable/desirable.
There is a 2000 GTS/Auto with 158,000 miles, but in good shape and then there is a 2001 GT/Auto with 120,000 miles. Would the first being a GTS outweigh the year older and 38,000 add'l miles?
My daughter won't be driving far, just to HS and back and then to work and the mall mostly. I am however looking for something reliable that she could keep for a few years.
Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.
Paul
pwm72@comcast.net
Elkton, MD

***PhatRoyale*** · 02-08-2011, 10:02 PM

Both will be good choices, the GTS has more power but uses premium fuel.

In this case however, I would lean more towards the GT since it's newer and has less miles.

Bitter · 02-08-2011, 10:45 PM

00-02/03 1ZZ's (GT) may have extreme oil consumption issues.

pwm72 · 02-09-2011, 04:51 AM

What is considered extreme oil consumption? a qt a month/1000 miles? or are we talking more than that? Any way to check for that (aside from looking at the dipstick and hoping they haven't topped it off?)

Bitter · 02-09-2011, 08:15 AM

No easy check, 1qt/1000 isn't too bad...some go 1qt/500 or more and still run/drive OK. However that fouls out sensors and the cat converter on a regular schedule..which gets expensive. Not all were affected, but its a real crap shoot as to if yours is not/will not be. Check for a history of regular oil changes, that seemed to keep the problem away...but not always. The root of the cause was a piston design incompatible with high sulfur fuels...so if they've been using the cheapest gas around its possible you'll have a problem car even wit regular oil changes.

pwm72 · 02-09-2011, 08:48 PM

Wow, thanks for the replies and info. The GTS is from a private seller, the GT is for sale at a mechanics shop. I am sure neither of them have maintenance records. Are both of these motors generally good to 200k+ (assuming regular oil changes)?
The potential oil consumption of the GT is giving me pause.

RobMilkshakes · 02-09-2011, 09:44 PM

Most of the blown ZZ engines I've seen have been either from absolutely no maintenance or someone (usually a young guy) who beat the hell out of car and over revved. The only real issue with the 2ZZ I've seen is only with the manual trans, so nothing for you to worry about really.