Looking into Celicas

[Aetebet]

Hi all,

I currently own a 2001 Camry 4cyl and I've enjoyed it over the years but I'm starting to get a little hung up on it's lack of (don't tell anyone on the Camry forums), sportiness. I've kept it in good shape, recently SeaFoamed, put in new plugs and wires, Bridgestone Potenza tires and well. It's just not what I want it to be anymore.

So I'm looking into a Celica. I'd like to buy one from the last generation (7th?). I've found some great looking cars for ~$6,000 with 90K-140K miles. I'm looking for an automatic because driving around in the stop and go traffic here would be too much trouble for manual.

What should I look out for? Any specific issues that should be checked out when inspecting cars? I'm not purchasing immediately but I'm dead set on buying a Celica sometime in the next six months or so.

Thanks guys,

Alex

[RobMilkshakes]

Well the 7th generation will definitely feel sportier than your camry. With the auto models the only issue that I would be aware of is before 2003, some 1ZZ-FE engines (the engine that came in the GT model between 00-06) had oil consumption issues, in 2003 Toyota redesigned the piston rings to solve the problem. Some of the eariler engines have this problem while others dont.

[Aetebet]

Originally Posted by RobMilkshakes

Well the 7th generation will definitely feel sportier than your camry. With the auto models the only issue that I would be aware of is before 2003, some 1ZZ-FE engines (the engine that came in the GT model between 00-06) had oil consumption issues, in 2003 Toyota redesigned the piston rings to solve the problem. Some of the eariler engines have this problem while others dont.

Yeah I know the 1ZZ-FE doesn't put out much more power than the 5S-FE but the Celica is so much lighter which is I guess where the sportier feel comes from!

Was the consumption problem common for the 00-02 models? Most of the Celicas I'm looking at are 2000 and 2001 models. After about 2002 the price nearly doubles since the later models are increasingly rare.

Also, is the 1ZZ-FE easy to maintain? I've really only worked on the 5S-FE which is about as straightforward as it comes.

[Ace2424]

If you're firmiliar with the 5S, why not get a 5th or 6th gen? (IMO they're more manly to....)

The 6th gen has the best feel of any Celica I've ever driven. You can tell what your car is doing through your hands and your ass. You feel the car. It's an incredible feeling. They're fun to modify too.

[Aetebet]

Originally Posted by Ace2424

If you're firmiliar with the 5S, why not get a 5th or 6th gen? (IMO they're more manly to....)

The 6th gen has the best feel of any Celica I've ever driven. You can tell what your car is doing through your hands and your ass. You feel the car. It's an incredible feeling. They're fun to modify too.

I can't drive a car with four lights in the front. Besides, the seventh gens are just flat out sexy.

Ok maybe they aren't the manliest cars out there... but I'm still going for one

[jlspec]

Look for the GT-S version, no point in getting the GT if your looking for power performance.