2001 225 tt coupe 165k miles, it has started using some oil, about 1/2 quart every 5k miles. Is this normal?

 

Thats not really bad at all. You may also want to check under the intake manifold to make sure the pcv system is not bad and leaking oil vapors out and coating everything under there in oil grime.

 

will do, cincy. I actually have a mechanic I can trust, so I'll run this by him on my next oil change. By the way, if any of you are in the East Texas area, send me a PM and I'll hook you with my mechanic. Talented, honest.