2001 TOYO GT Celica Automatic approx.. 222,000 miles   

I LOVE MY CAR!  ‘Til death do us part.’ My car is my best friend.

I need a recommendation: reputable/trustworthy/affordable TOYO mechanic who can order and install an engine for her. We live in NorCal/Central Valley, CA. I'm looking for the same engine that is in my car, the good one!  It is not the Yamaha one.

Awhile ago, the check engine light would go on randomly. No, I felt nor heard anything weird. I had my brother-in-law an experienced mechanic, bring his reader home. I’m sorry, I don’t remember the codes but, it looked like an easy fix at the time. I have changed out the sparkplugs twice in one year & the coils twice in the same year, < 4 years ago I replaced the the Catalytic Converter so she would pass the CA Smog Certification. As always, I continue every month putting in oil up to 3 qts. I’ve got two new axles, tires, brakes and so on. I know --- she is a lot like a “trophy wife”. Always needing something expensive. LOL. She gets her normal service and I use Chevron gasoline ALWAYS.

Last year, just as I was about to get her smogged, the check engine light came on again… Oh boy! So, my brother-in-law told me what to do so she would pass. So I drove her quickly to get smogged. She passed. In the same breath, my family has told me that she will need to be replaced for a new car. Currently, she is misfiring at take-off (from a stop sign). After 4 blocks into my commute, she acts like she is about to turn off/low RPM’s/loss of power. But, she kicks butt the rest of my commute.

Recently, the check engine light came on so I went to the nearest O’Reilly’s to have them “check” it. She is now coding P0304 with a P0300. Rushing to the library computer to look it up. It looks like she is in severe trouble. I called the TOYO in my area & rushed her over there for diagnosis. They showed me a photo of the top part of the engine. To look at the bottom of the engine would take even more time. She has the BIG ‘C’. She does not have much time. I don’t want to lose her/give up on her.

TOYO in my area, says that I need a new engine ('used' due to age/car is discontinued) if they find one it would take two days to install it. They warned me that it may cost $5K engine and installation. Hey, compared to the cost of buying a new car, $5k is affordable. I've nearly replaced all the worn out parts anyways. I’ve called and checked with the adviser if he found one. At the moment, he said that he has not found one. So I am casting a wide net to get information as to getting the things she needs.

So, Mr. Kilmer -- we both love our Celica's. Any information you could tell me, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thank you and God Bless!