Hi all,
I have a 2000 Celica GT that's been my baby since I bought her in 2002. I'm not a hardcore hobbyist like many of you here, or at all mechanically knowledgeable, but this site has been a great resource for me in keeping her running and comfortable for so much longer than I ever expected. (So thank you!) About 10 years ago now (holy crap, time flies), she broke down and I was faced with the prospect of replacing her motor entirely or rebuilding the half that had the issue. Since I was poor at the time, I went with the cheaper option, knowing it was a gamble and might not fix the problem. Well, it got her running again, but in the process of rebuilding, she was left with broken piston rings and she's been burning oil ever since (gets great gas mileage, though!
). Since I didn't have the funds to pay for half a rebuild then also a new engine, I didn't fix it and just made sure to keep her oiled up. Obviously, burning oil isn't great for the environment or the catalytic converter, so the check engine light has been on permanently for 10 years. I figured I'd drive her till she died, but 10 years on, she doesn't seem to want to give up the ghost. I change her spark plugs myself when she starts to get sluggish, and she actually still feels strong (again, I'm no expert). She's been a great city car, and if I don't drive her at a high RPM for very long, she really doesn't burn that much oil.
Recently, my mom bought a new car and gave me her old one, so now I've got a car that can leave town, and it's clearly time to let her go since I don't have the time, expertise or disposable income to do what in my heart of hearts I'd want to do: rebuild her. Completely unrealistic. She needs a new motor, catalytic converter and recently the AC crapped out. I'm wrecked for purely sentimental reasons, so I wanted to put it to the forum because I think I'd feel better about knowing she's an organ donor or maybe a project for someone than her potentially winding up in the scrap heap. My next stop is carmax to see if I could get anything for her, but (if you've made it this far) I'd love to hear your thoughts, even if it's just emotional advice for the upcoming goodbye!
Thanks all!
Vali
