2001 Toyota Celica Consumer Reviews
Most Helpful Reviews
Positive Review
2000 Celica GT. I bought this car new, drove it off the lot in 2000 with approximately 100 miles on it. Today, it has 201700 miles on it. Other than allowing my dad to drive it for 5 miles, I am literally the only person that has sat in the drivers seat. After 10 years and 200k miles I decided to report my findings. Pros: 1) Maintenance costs. I have replaced: Tires, Air filter, front wiper blades, Spark plugs (twice), Brake pads, Headlights, Fog lamps, battery 2x, MAF (mass airflow sensor - probably didn't need replaced just cleaned or tweaked but my friend/mechanic didn't know any better. The MAF was only causing some lag in the revs, others might not notice it but since I put so many miles behind the wheel, I knew something was a bit off, IIRC paid ~$115 including parts and labor) Note I still have the original rear wiper blade on this car. Also my first set of brake pads got over 75k on them. I have never replaced the clutch. 2) Room / Comfort - At 6'1" I find this car to be very comfortable. Also my friend is 6'6" and has commented on how comfortable the passenger seat is. The hatch has a lot of usable space. 3) MPG - This is a commuter car, seeing city, suburbia and highway. I will frequently get as high as 33.5mpg but always above 28mpg. On average I would approximate 32mpg. I have calc'd this after every tank of gas. 4) Handling. Low center of gravity and nice weight distribution. While it may get beat off the line, it will make it up in the corners. 5) Pickup - this car is light. It doesn't take much to get it going. Lets be honest though, if you like to get people off the line... pick yor battles wisely. 6) Paint - the paint on this car still looks incredible after a good wash and wax. 10 years of all climates, from northeast snow to southwest summers. 7) Electronics - Everything works as it should. The switches, buttons, gadgets everything still in good working condition. (except driver side power lock, see also cons below) Cons: 1) The rear hatch won't stay up when its cold outside, but if you flip up the plastic hatch cover behind the rear seat it will prop up the rear hatch. 2) You will have this car forever. I would love to have a convertible, but I simply cannot rationalize getting a second car or selling this one. 3) Pickup, also listed as a pro, but in the last 10 years cars have generally gotten more HP. I like fast cars. If you keep the revs high this car will move very well. No, its not a Porsche. 4) This is a two-seater car. The rear seat is ok for pets, little kids, or possibly a few drunk girls if you're a DD that night, otherwise forget it is there. As my (guy) friend put it "I feel like I'm in the first space shuttle back here." 5) Electronics - The driver's side door lock doesn't always lock electronically, so when I get out I always manually flip it. This started to occur after I left it at the mechanic's shop to fix the MAF. I think he slammed the door too hard, too many times. Also the CD player occassionally stopped spinning CDs at about 140k miles, I replaced the stereo. Conclusion: Buy one. At 200k+ miles I don't see this car giving out in the foreseeable future and haven't had a single large repair.
VS
Critical Review
this car has been nothing but a nightmare. apparently if you get one that doesn't have the oil consumption problem it's a decent car. I wasn't so lucky,and this car isn't cheap to work on,and with alot of the major problems has to be brought to the shop. I didn't beat on this car and have owned stick shifts in the past including my S2000 present and i've put a new engine in the celica 2 clutch problems,and a laundry list of other problems ranging from their cheap wiring to the hatch shocks failing in the winter....avoid a possible headache and get something else...
2001 Celica Reviews
Showing 8 of 487 reviews.
Excellent value!
Tiny interior
This car is perfection. Gas mileage, power, high quality construction, and exceptional handling. I've been in Toyotas that felt cheap, like they were made of tin foil, and lagged while accelerating if the A/C was on ~ this is a completely different experience. I've driven all types of cars from state to state for delivery, from Audi R8 to Z4 BMW and everything between, and while there are some that are more fun to drive, they are all at least $50k higher in price and none are as reliable, inexpensive to fix, and long-lasting as my Toyota.
Starts in hot or cold weather
Clear coat peeling
I got this car from my son around 2015. He and his family lived on the East Coast and was being shipped over seas with the Navy. I drove it home to Iowa and back to the East Coast before driving it out to Tucson and on to Washington in a big circle and back to Georgia in 2024 with 150.000 miles. I was never concerned that it might not make the trip. The only problem I have had with this car is from the East Coast salt water has caused the clear coat to peal off but it has no rust and everything still works great. This would also include the engine starting even when Iowa had negative double digit winters and our Chevy took a week or two off until it warmed up and when it hit 100* in the summertime in Iowa. I am very happy with my car.
Quiet, solid, good highway car.
Lack of difference between a standard celica and one with the Action body package, keyless entry, fog lights, upgraded speakers, etc, etc., plus mileage below the market average causes concern. I would not sell it for your range of values. Plus maintained in good mechanical condition.
Extremely reliable
Cramped interior, but otherwise very stylish
I bought my 05' Celica GT brand new and it now has 291,000 miles! and STILL going strong!!. I changed the oil every 3,000 miles, plus injector cleaner with every oil change and I've had '0' problems with the engine. I only changed the spark plugs once (OEMs), changed the valve gasket cover once, had a leaking trans axel seal done and a new alternator, other than that no.. other.. problems..
Very reliable
I've had a 2000 Toyota celica gt for a few years now. The one I got is all original and all stock. It has impressed me through the summer and winter. I did a little bit of racing (on a track) with it to see how it handles and it sits very comfortably at 170km/h. I plan on building this car up and seeing what I can add to it. Toyota did a great job with the manufacturing of the celica
Classic looks, the interior almost like new.
Missing front bumper.
I’ve clocked 121,365 miles on this wonderful car. I have loved every minute. It has been in no accidents and the tires are brand new. It has great styling with a moon roof. I’ll be sorry to sell it. But I’m paying insurance and licensing on two cars so having two cars mounts up.
It is my car and I am keeping my car just want to know what it is worth
Great on gas, excellent handling
Small, under powered engine
This is car is indestructible... Gas mileage is fantastic and styling is still up to date after 17 yrs. The one draw back is that its engine speed does not match its styling it is painfully unpowered but makes up for it in performance when it comes to handling, ride quality and even acceleration when passing on hwy. Just don't expect to win any quarter mile races with it despite it looking like it was designed to. ive owned mines for 2.5yrs and it has only been in shop once and it did not break down when put in shop just started noticing a slight fluctuation in temp gauge (Original Water Pump which last 180K)
