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Sporty/performance car; Built in Japan
  • 2-door coupe
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $3,600 – $8,800*


2000 Toyota Celica GT-S


2000 Toyota Celica GT-S


2000 Toyota Celica interior


2000 Toyota Celica GT


2000 Toyota Celica TDR

Pros:
  • Acceleration (GT-S 6-speed)
  • Handling/roadholding
Cons:
  • Acceleration (GT w/automatic)
  • Entry/exit
  • Noise
  • Passenger room

Though capable and fun to drive, the Celica is noisy and lacks the low-end torque for decent acceleration with an automatic transmission. An Acura Integra offers similar high-rpm responses from a smoother 4-cylinder engine. Mitsubishi’s Eclipse has a V6 option. Adventurous styling and Toyota’s reputation for reliability help Celica appeal to the younger crowd, but prices are high.

Overview

Now in its seventh generation, Toyota’s redesigned front-drive 2-door hatchback coupe came in GT and sportier GT-S trim. No convertible was offered. Wheelbase grew by 2.4 inches, but the new coupe was about 4 inches shorter overall, half an inch narrower, and about as tall as its predecessor. Basic engine in the GT was a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder, making 140 horsepower. For the GT-S, that engine incorporated Toyota’s VVT-i variable-valve-timing system and developed 180 bhp. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard in the GT, but the GT-S got Celica’s first 6-speed. Either model could have an optional 4-speed automatic transmission. The automatic in the GT-S included a provision for manual gear selection, using four steering-wheel buttons. Side-impact airbags for front seats were optional for the first time, along with antilock braking. Standard equipment included air conditioning, power mirrors, tilt steering, and a CD stereo. The GT-S could get 16-inch alloy wheels instead of steel 15-inchers, and could be fitted with leather upholstery. Both models could have an optional external-sliding power moonroof.

Yearly Updates

2001 Celica
No significant change was evident in the 2001 models.
2002 Celica
Available on both models for 2002, the new Action Package option included an adjustable rear spoiler and unique lower-body addenda.
2003 Celica
All Celicas got revised front- and rear-end appearance, new-look gauges, and altered hues for dashboard, seat fabrics, and headliner. Also, Celica’s premium audio was a new JBL system; it’s standard for GT-S and optional for GT and includes a power antenna to replace a fixed-mast type. Hi-intensity headlamps joined the option list.
2004 Celica
The only change in 2004 is the availability of high-intensity headlamps on both the GT and the GT-S.
2005 Celica
The Celica is virtually unchanged for 2005, which Toyota says will be their final model year.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Separate but related engines went into the GT and GT-S editions. The GT got a 140-horsepower 1.8-liter dual-overhead-cam 4-cylinder, teamed with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. A 180-bhp 1.8-liter four with VVT-i variable-valve timing went into the GT-S, driving a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 1.8/109
Engine HP 140
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 125
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic 		31/43
31/49 		30.3
dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 1.8/110
Engine HP 180
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 133
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed manual
4-speed automatic 		27/42
28/39 		24.2

Road Test

Agile handling and grippy cornering are the big Celica bonuses, augmented by sharp, responsive steering. The penalty is engines that must rev madly to achieve top performance. That requires a heavy throttle foot with automatic, or a lot of manual shifting–a pleasant task with the short-throw gearbox. Even so, only the 6-speed GT-S comes close to being lively when pushing on the gas pedal. A GT coupe with automatic is sluggish on long upgrades, if adequate otherwise. A manual-shift GT-S averaged 24.2 mpg, but demands premium fuel. High rpm translates to plenty of noise except in gentle cruising, and the sounds aren’t that pleasing. Wind rush is noticeable, and tire roar occurs on many pavements. As in most sporty cars, the ride is firm and rather “busy” on most surfaces. Braking is excellent if the Celica is equipped with ABS. Race car-type styling and shrinking of some exterior dimensions means the Celica’s cabin is short on space. Even moderately tall occupants have limited head and leg room–enough to cramp some drivers. As expected, the back seat isn’t really fit for people, and entry/exit is the crouch-and-crawl process typical in sporty coupes.

Drivers sit low, race car-style, and enjoy a good forward view as well as simple, handy controls and fine shifter/wheel/pedal spacing. Over-the-shoulder visibility is cluttered, due to the roofline, and the spoiler partly blocks traffic views at the rear. Gauges are legible, but the tachometer is not in the driver’s direct line of sight, and warning lights are scattered. Interior stowage and cargo space are marginal.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2001 Toyota Celica GT w/automatic

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 6
60%
Fuel Economy - 8
80%
Ride Quality - 4
40%
Steering/Handling - 7
70%
Quietness - 3
30%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Front - 3
30%
Room/Comfort Rear - 1
10%
Cargo Room - 5
50%

Other

Value - 4
40%

Total: 47

Specifications

2-door coupe
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
102.3 170.4 68.3 51.4
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
16.9 14.5 4
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.4 35.0 33.0 17.1
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2000 Celica 2-door coupe

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Front Passenger Injury - 4
80%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 3
60%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 168
Injury 139
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Climate control
Description: The knob for the heater-flow control may be hard to turn. A revised mechanism improves the feel. (2000)
Wheels
Description: The wheel covers on early production models clicked or squeaked and were being replaced under warranty. (2000)
Seatbelts/safety
Description: The button that prevents the retractable portion of the seatbelt from going too far comes off. New buttons are available to fix this. (2000-01)

Recall History

2000
Description: Rubber seal ring at end of master cylinder may be corroded, allowing brake fluid to leak or small amount of air to enter the braking system, which could lead to increased stopping distance.
2000-01
Description: Luminous intensity of daytime running lights may not meet requirements.
2002-03
Description: Faulty fuel-tank check valves were installed on certain vehicles, resulting in possible fire. Dealer will inspect and replace all affected parts.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 30, 2014.
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