1981 Toyota Celica GT 24R from North America

Summary:

Excellent reliability!

Faults:

Fuses work on and off sometimes.

General Comments:

This car is excellent, and a great daily driver! It gets excellent city and highway mileage, and it handles like a sports car is supposed to.

These car were known to rust, and that's what I am dealing with now. It's an eyesore with sunburned red original paint. Has the rear shade vent, which is pretty cool. It looks like a muscle car from the 80's. You wouldn't know it was a Toyota unless you looked at the emblems.

The interior is PERFECT! No rips, cracks, or tears anywhere. For a small car, it's very comfortable. I'm 6'0" 250 and I fit comfortably. It sits a bit low when getting out though.

Overall, a great car that I will keep forever.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th November, 2010

1981 Toyota Celica LT 2000 2.0L from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A reliable classic

Faults:

Bad front passenger side wobble whilst driving at about 60km/h. Thought it was major, turned out it just needed a wheel balance.

Brake light came on recently, brake pads probably need replacing.

Clutch is wearing away, have to press it right to the floor. Will be getting brakes and clutch done together.

One of the exterior gaskets in the engine is leaking. However, it's a very slow leak and I just refill the oil every month.

Fuel sensor gauge is bust, can't tell how much petrol I've got in the tank.

General Comments:

I've had this car for half a year now and have been very pleased with its reliability. It's practically bulletproof; the old 18RC is a very hardy engine and the gearbox is very solid. Also, due to the simplicity of the engine, self tuning and servicing is a breeze and I save quite a bit of money doing it myself.

The car has broken down twice, but this was because I ran out of petrol. Apart from this, there have been no mechanical faults and the car runs smoothly every time I drive it.

Economy is OK, getting just under 10L/100km. I happily pay this for the reliability I receive in return.

The car handles very well even without power steering and driving is a pleasure for an old car. There's not too much power available, but it's more than adequate for daily driving and the engine's strong enough to go hard if needed. Rear wheel drive makes driving in wet weather fun ;)

The body is sturdy like the rest of the car; it doesn't feel like a tin can. Sits very low to the ground and has a very sporty appearance. Mine was garage-kept for 20 years, the body is mint and it has the original rims so it is a very good-looking little car. The interior is also very functional, with a nice woodgrain dash giving an old-school feel.

I would highly recommend this model for anyone looking for a small, reliable car with a classic touch.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd August, 2005

10th Apr 2006, 00:56

Well I finally got my 1981 Toyota celica LT2000, it's an awesome car to drive, handles well on the road, and VERY comfortable to drive, although the rust removal is not going to be easy! and why on earth did they have to make it yellow??

10th May 2006, 03:56

Well, the 1980 LT2000 Liftback is not only a sound car to drive and work on. The only disappointment I had, was the fact I wanted to install a body kit and put in 2 Sony 6x9 speakers somewhere, and being a very compact sports car, there's no real room for them, except in the boot in speaker boxes, and dammit, it's still yellow! Maybe once I figure out how to add pic's to this, I'll show you up to date pic's on whats happening with it! Also its rareity of parts makes it slightly harder to work on too!

1981 Toyota Celica GT 2.4 22R from North America

Summary:

A reliable, cheap to run car

Faults:

The only thing I have had to replace on the car was the heater fan. I have never touched the motor or anything else. The body is starting to get pretty rough though.

General Comments:

This car is very reliable, but has absolutely no balls. It will take anything of the line until about 20 MPH. my buddy has an 1989 Cavalier Z24, I wasted it until 20, then he passed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th February, 2003

20th May 2003, 14:22

I don't know what you're talking about. I wasted a 2000 jeta, and with ease. this car has more power than you think if you learn how to drive it properly. my car is standard so maybe that's why.

17th Aug 2003, 22:12

I don't have my license, yet I own a 1981 Toyota Celica. I bought it off a friend for 100$. It has 336 000km. All it need to be put back on the road is a set of struts and a windshield. The drive train is excellent, as is the norm with Toyota's. Already I am amazed at the power that comes from a 2.4L engine with a 2barrel carb. I dunno what you guys are talking about this having no balls, just think my old man's truck with a fuel injected 22r had only 90hp.