Used 2001 Toyota Celica Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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Celicas Are So Fun To Drive
I have nothing but great things to say about Celicas. I love mine and haven't had any problems with it! So many people tell me how nice my car is. It is the best looking sporty car that gets such good gas mileage! It's got a lot of horse power for a 4 cylinder. I plan to keep my Celica for years to come!
The most fun I've ever had in a car
My 01 turns 15 years old this January. It has almost 180k on the odo and has had all maintenance Toyota suggested; all done at dealerships or buy a certified Toyota/Lexus mechanic. I have recently decided to mod into a show car. This car runs like new has minor rock chips and leather wear. At 15 as it sits, it's an A+ ride. The handling is outstanding, braking excellent, and acceleration is exillerating. This is by far the most fun I have ever had driving a car.
LOVE my Celica!! So sad I have to give her away :(
I bought from a private seller in 2005 and I could not be any happier with it. It had 27,000 miles then and has 117,000 miles now with absolutely no mechanical issues whatsoever. The only money spent on this car is oil changes, tires, and the fuel gage detector (wasn't expensive). Gets amazing gas mileage but definitely struggles to get up to speed and up hills which is to be expected from a 4-cylinder. Handling is perfect, could turn a U-turn on a dime, and super fun to drive. There is definitely a lack of space if you want to fit more than 2.5 people in there. I am 6' tall though and have had no issues besides ducking down due to it being so close to the ground. Great car!!!
Ten Years Old...Going Strong
Bought this car three months ago for a commuter to and from work. It had 107,000 at time of purchase and now has 110,000. This car is amazing. It runs great, has plenty of power and everything works. Plus I'm getting 32 mpg! How many American made cars are still on the road after 10 years and look and run as good as this one?
Awesome!
I got this as my first car. Love the styling! Very beautiful car. The styling is great but this car is quite slow. It is not very fast in a straight line at all, but when you get to some corners it really comes alive! This car handles extremely well! For me it makes up in handling for what it lacks in power. Great first car for anyone. Get the manual! Great gas milage. I love this car very much.
Reliable, Light-Weight, Easily Tuned
Extremely reliable. In 7 years, I've changed the battery once, and at 141,000 kms, the front brakes finally needed service. Back brakes they tell me have half the original material. I wanted a firmer suspension and a bit more hp, so I gave it a light tuning: AEM cold air intake, TRD cat-back system, shocks, lowering springs, and sway bars. The car ride extremely firm, but: a) never bottoms-out; b) it's much safer with a terrific grip (Toyota claims 0.90 with my set up) and lane change capability (+5 mi/h). I've no use for a back seat except to reduce insurance costs and carry my laptop. At 6'1", I can lie flat in the front. I've also carried a 78" x 30" sheet of acrylic in the back.
love this car
I first tried this car brand-new. Hated the headlights back then, so I bought a Honda Civic. Big mistake. Bought this car used a few years ago. I love it. Drives well, perfect for me. Looks awesome. No problems whatsoever with it. I even bought extra warranty, now I know that was a waste of money. Just take care of it, change the oil, change the tires, and it will take care of you. I am soooo sad I will have to sell it, but I just had a baby and getting a car seat in/out is a bear.
01 Toyota Celica GT-S 1.8L Auto.
There isn't enough space to say how much I love this car. Bought used with 43000 miles on it, it still felt brand new. After 7 years and pushing 170000 miles, it still has kick in the horsepower dept. and handling is stiff and reliable. If it weren't for my daughter and the lack of space in the back seat I would definitely by an '05. Why would they discontinue this sporty, affordable, and I think beautiful and originally styled car? After 7 years, I'm still in love with it.
Great car - Great GT-S
I bought this car in August 2003 with 11k on it. Its almost two years later and it has 27k. No major problems, every once in a while when its real damp out I'll have a belt chirp until the vehicle warms up. Gas mileage is always in the low to mid 30's, does require premium gas. Car handles great, accelerates nicely especially over 5800 RPM when she really gets going. So far, haven't received any tickets, thats because I've been lucky. This car is recommended for anyone who would to really enjoy to drive.
One of the best cars I have ever owned
I bought my 2001 Celica GTS back in 2004 or 05, cant remember. I bought it from the Toyota Dealership as a certified used car and had roughly 50K miles on it. Had the car for about 5 years. I always changed the oil at regular intervals as well as other routine maintenance. I used to drive over 100 miles a day to and from work for over 3 years. Also weekly trips for 4 years to visit my girlfriend on the weekends who lived over 100 miles each way. In the summer of 2010 the car was in an accident and totaled. I had over 240K miles on it and it still had the same power as the day i bought it. Only thing I ever had to do was replace the clutch at 185K miles but that happens on any manual.
Disappointed in Toyota engine issues
I also have a 2001 Toyota celica --- with only 70k mileage - has had regular servicing. Oil changes etc. Now I have an engine noise in the transmission, new transmission is needed $3500.00 with a clutch as a bonus. I am so disappointed in Toyota. I used to love my Toyota until today
Love This Car!
I got my 2001 Toyota Celica from my uncle with 180,000 miles on it. It now has 2,000 more miles since, and still runs the same as when I bought it, aside from a slight leak that started in one tire. There's a slight delay in the accelerator, the 'check engine' light is always on, and the left door doesn't lock automatically. Despite this, it starts perfectly in -15 F weather and has not had any engine problems since I got it. I love this car and, with a little TLC, it will continue to be reliable for years to come.
2002 Toyota Celica Malfunctions!
My toyota celica has many probs that seem to be common with celicas of different yrs. My belt needs replacing, my lights always burn out simultaneously (no way they could die at exact same time!), just got into an accident last night and my seatbelt never locked and my airbags never deployed! Now I am suffering from injury from bouncing off my steering wheel that could've and should've been prevented. Wanted ppl to know in case they are considering purchasing a celica or if anyone knows of legal action I should persue. Thank You.
love this car
I love this, car i think that it ts one of the best cars that Toyota has built. It is small so you can fit almost anywhere on the rode, and it is a nice looking affordable car. I think that Toyota idi a great job in building this car.
best car for such a great price!
I've driven so many cars in my day, but the Celica I must say is the best car in its class. It comes with a great stereo system, has good acceleration, a reliable engine, and terrific handling. I would never recommend any other car.
2001 Toyota Celica GT
250,000 miles. Going strong..the bodywork deteriorates with time...door handle disintergrating lolol. Gas tank flip cover hinges corroded n cover fell off..but car is going STRONG
- Performance
- Comfort
Fun Until...
My Dad and I split funds and once bought a 2001 Toyota Celica. We thought it was an incredible deal, as this one wasn't just cheap, but it also had an aftermarket exhaust, aftermarket seats and an upgraded stereo system. The car was very fun to drive, with tight turning and an exciting exhaust note due to the aftermarket exhaust that was installed. The low seat position made me feel like I was driving a true performance car. It was fun until about 3 weeks in, the car started making a weird sound on our way to work (My dad and I carpool to work). It was lawnmower-like, and a sound I had never heard before. On our way home from work the sound gradually got louder and louder, until it was nearly deafening, them BOOM...The engine went out. I got it towed back home, and immediately called the dealership I got the car from. They did nothing about it, and I didn't have the money to replace the engine. I was devastated. I had a long grudge with Toyota as a result, which I'm slowly getting over. I'm 99% convinced my Celica was a lemon, so maybe one day I'll get another one.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great starter car
This was my first car. Bought it when I was 19. Affordable, easy to drive and sporty looking. Small car could easily fit in small parking spaces. Great for commuting since it is excellent on gas. Great for me and my dog!
Great in the beginning
I bought this car brand new in 2001. I loved it when I first bought it but after a while the car started acting up. One problem after another and there's a long list of problems but some of them are: trunk started rattling, the brake caliper on the rear driver side kept putting too much pressure on the pads and it would wear out more than the others. The DRL sensor also messed up. They also had a recall on the headlights. I'm not an aggressive driver or anything but I've put about 86,000 miles on it and the engine block cracked. I quickly trashed this car after that because I really hated it. So much for Toyota's reliability
Buy it...if you can fix it.
This vehicle looks and performs pretty well. But its a huge money pit. Big thumbs down. So much for the reliability for toyota. I bought mine brand new and before i had even hit 100k i had already replaced the clutch twice, tension pulley, water pump, and the sunroof leaks TERRIBLY. and i only drive it about 400 miles a month. I would never buy this car again.
Can't tell a book by its cover
I fell in love with this model from the first day I saw it. With Toyota's reputation for reliability I bought it but have ended up deeply disappointed. My last vehicle, a Nissan, went 225,000 miles with no repairs. In 4 months the a/c quit, the new front tires had to be replaced & realigned and the oil leaks in the engine cost $650.00 to correct. You cannot see anything out back with the spoiler & small windows. Getting in and out is always a struggle with the steering wheel jammed in its lowest position and the Toyota dealer says he can't fix it. You cannot read the speedometer either with the steering wheel so low. The car has not been in an accident... it is an accident!
Oh what a feeling! (NOT)
Bought an '01 GT as a Toyota Certified Vehicle. Three weeks out, found that it burns oil at about 1600 mile to a quart - complained to Toyota and went to arbitration, but they won't warranty until it's burning a quart every 1200. Last month the catalytic converter died (warrantied by Toyota) and last week the manual transmission died at 82K miles - just had it repaired for $3500, since Toyota would not cover it, though it was a Certified Vehicle and used carefully. Think twice about buying a Toyota Certified Vehicle - worst car I've EVER owned, and I've bought 8 Toyotas since a 1971 Crown, and several that I drove 200+K miles.
great
This is the best car that i have driven in my whole life. The feel when i speed up and drive is amazing. I love this car.
OIL ISSUES ON THIS CAR
I bought this car off a used car dealer. I had it 30 days. NO engine light ever came on, but the oil was dry and the engine is blown because of it. I checked on recalls and even though this seems to be a common problem (on the boards) there are not any recalls. I checked with the seller and they said I bought it as is, which I did. I am stuck with a loan for this car and the engine is blown. I'm very dissapointed and upset. I would never buy this car .....ever!
4th celica
This is my 4th Celica. The quickest and best cornering. 1st was a 1977, then a 1985 GTS, and then a 1992 AWD Turbo. I have had this one 2 months and enjoy the 6 sp, the cornering, braking, styling, quickness, and fuel economy (~30mpg). Visibility is poor (blind spots), tight entrance in/out of car. Reliability questionable so far, although all covered by Toyota platimum certified program: cigarette lighter power unit, front speaker, fan belt tensioner, idle startup vacuum - have all needed repair. But the car is a blast to drive and with 6 gears there is always a sweet spot. Have not found the need to rev over 5000rpm -plenty of power below and the engine gets quite noisy.
Cherry!
I have now had my red fully loaded Celica GT 2001 for a little over a year and a half. This is my first NEW car and I love it! Not only do I look good, but so does the car. The mileage is great. I've only looked under the hood twice. (Once when I bought it and once to show someone). The car is a little slow at the start, but look out once it gets going.
my toy
I bought this car after owning 1990 Celica for 11 yrs. I had test drove the Solara, but I just fell in love with the style and handling of the 2001 Celica. It's a great car to drive, if you're small. It does ride like a sports car and can feel rough on the road.
Happy driver
Besides having an appealing look the Toyota Celica has been reliable and affordable. I wanted a new car in order to avoid major repair costs and problems of a used car as most everyone else. With gas prices and car parts as high as they are I feel I made a wise decision.
Quick and nimble
I have owned this car for almost a year now and it has been the most reliable car I've ever owned. It is very quick and has excellent gas mileage. It can turn on a dime and can hang around a turn faster than most cars due to its sporty suspension. There are also a ton of aftermarket parts out there to make these cars the coolest and fastest on the road.
This Just Might be the Perfect Car
I bought this car with 29K and so far I am very impressed. The same stopping distance from 60 MPH as a Porsche GT3 a $99K car. Very quick and corners like it's on rails. 34 MPG is great. It's a Toyota so it is going to be reliable.
Toyota GT
I had an old 82 VW Rabbit which lasted me a very very long time. I traded it in for a 2001 Toyota Celica GT. WOW despite all the reviews. I love this car it is great if your single looking for something sporty. Handles corners on a dime. Turns eyes it looks better than a chevy calvier or pontiac Sunfire. Enough room for my stuff and a friend. I would not recommend if you have a family. The interior is fine for me very sharp. I am very happy and no problems with it at all. After reading that some people do not like the GT-S. The GT no problems great car and I bought it from an a American Dealership.
No Title
A fun car for commuting, and Solo2 racing. Handles well, but the steering is really loose and the gear box is clunky. Once you get used to those problems, they are no longer problems.
2001 Toyota Celica
It has been a great car and it is a pleasure to drive.
Fun Little Commuter Car
I bought the car used to commute 40 miles a day. I loved the sporty looks on the exterior and the inside is a little cramped but good for one or two passengers. It is lousy as far as backseat space is concerned but it wasn't built to be a family car. The cockpit is nicely laid out. I had to have the transmission worked on after about 100k miles but I would write that off to normal wear and tear. Overall I'd give it high marks and it is a lot of fun to drive.
Great Concept Car
This is my second car. It blows my old honda civic away with is sleek style and power. The interior is very sporty though the back seat is, well not meant for people. But that is what you get for buying a small concept car.
Honestly
I owned my car for a little bit less than a year. I had a celica gt-s. This car is very rev happy, and at high rpm fun to drive, but acceleration is terrible. I have never owned a car this small that accelerated so poorly. The style is great, many compliments on the car, and the inside of the car reminds me of a cockpit. however I hydroplaned and flipped my celica. No airbags deployed, but I walked away unhurt. So from my injury aspect the car must be fairly safe, but it may worry you that the airbags are almost impossible to to deploy? If you are wanting a car that you are planning on racing.. this isn't the car for you, but if you just want a fun sleek car, you have found what your want
Fun Car for less
This is a nice car....I ahve had this for over 6 months and haven't had any problems whatsoever.
Fun to drive and can't beat the price
I have had my Celica for a year now and still love it. It's great with mileage and it's fun to drive. I'm only 5'2" and I have some problems with the size but it's what I wanted. I have had no problems with it, except for a couple of speeding tickets.
Transmission Problem
I bought my 2001 Celica 5 speed with 34 miles on it. I have never ragged on it. At 60,000 miles my transmission went out. Love the car, other than that, but you should not have to get a new transmission before you have to get a new clutch.
Great car, but not perfect
This is my 4th Toyota that I have owned, and it is my 2nd Celica. My first Celica was a 1989, and the memory of it was somewhat responsible for me going back to a Celica. This model is much more stylish in my opinion. It performs and handles much better than it's predecesor as well. I guess my major complaint about this model is the lack of comfort on longer road trips. After about an hour in this car, my back is in noticable pain and I cannot wait for my drive to be completed. Mechanically, I expect this car to be as good as my earlier version, which is exceptional. The price was right for what you get on this model, I just wish that Toyota had put more thought into seat comfort.
Great car
I bought my 2001 Celica GT off of eBay in October, 2004. It's been a great car. Only thing I wish it had was a 6th gear, other than that it is an amazingly fun reliable little car. I would definitely recomend it if that's what you're looking for.
Fun little car-
I bought this as my second car when my '95 Nissan Altima proved to be too much of a lemon. Love the seats and stereo. I have gotten many glances in this car, and the dark blue looks great at night. The engine could use a little more low end torque, and I would have enjoyed having a manumatic option on the transmission, as I could not get my hands on a decen manual.
Gonna get me a new one!
I bought my '01 GT a few years ago and I know what everyone is talking about when they said it's a head turner. Mine was a preowned car so there are a lot of aftermarket things that were already on the car. I originally wanted a gts but for the options on this one and the price, I couldn't go wrong. I am now thinking i'm going to upgrade a year or whatever and get a GTS. There's a great one I'm looking at with the whole body kit! I'm hugely disappointed that they will no longer be making Celicas here in the states!
Love my Celica!
Since I bought my GT in 2001, it has never needed anything more than oil changes and tire rotations. It's sporty, but the hatchback makes it very practical, especially when you fold down the back seats for a large item. This is a great car and it's a lot of fun to drive.
Best Car for College
This is by far the best car for a college student. Sure you wont be able to fit 5 people in there, but thats about the only downside. 4 is no problem. 30mpg combined, cheap regular gas, looks good, and the most reliable car I've owned. Good handling, good steering. Headlights are bright. Good hatch space, was able to fit a 32" TV (tube, not flat panel) in there. Try that in your coupe or sedan!
Generally a nice car
All around this is a fun car to own. Sometimes it's hard to find the right gear when shifting and there is not enough inside lighting on the control panels on the dashboard. There is no lighting in the trunk and it is impossible to find things at night. This is definitely a safety hazard (personally). At night with a flat I had a frightening experience .
2001 Toyota Celica GT-S
Since I have had this car it has been nothing but problems. It has been in the shop for about half the time that I owned it but with the time that it has been out of the shop it has been great. This car has out performed all the cars that I have had in the past with great gas economy.
Nimble Driving
The 2001 Toyota Celica GT is a fun to drive, stylish, and fuel effecient vehicle. It has great fuel economy which makes a long commute easier on your wallet, but with sleek styling that doesn't tell others that your driving the vehicle to cushion your savings account. It handles extremely well in navigating sharp turns, and dealing with the various obstacles inherent in city driving.
airbags do not work!!!
I rearended someone in my toyota celica and totaled the front end of my car. I had passenger and driver airbags and neither one of them came out. This car is very dangerous if you rely on your airbags as protection.
MY GTS
I bought this vehicle used, it had 11500 miles on it. Its a GREAT CAR to drive and to own. Fuel economy is around 33 MPG combined city and highway.