1983 Toyota Celica GT Liftback review from North America

* Had to replace battery (easy) ~ $60.

* Had to replace alternator (easy do-it-yourself job) ~ $70.

* A/C clutch was scraping when disengaged, had to pull it and add a shim (not so easy) ~ 22 cents.

* Thermostat stuck open, so it took forever to warm up ~ $3.50 for new thermostat and $3 for new thermostat gasket (easy).

* Speedo was a little shaky, so pulled and lubricated speedo cable. Very easy to do, but cable pulls from the bottom of the car, so it's a little messy when you push it back up into its sleeve.

* Passenger-side electric mirror does not work. Took it apart and found the little plungers that push and pull it had broken off. Glued it and called it good (still doesn't work very well).

* A few small rust spots around the fuel-filler door.

I needed a new (used car) to replace an aging 1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme that was killing my wallet at only 8-10 MPG and needing constant repair. I came across this 1-owner beauty that was purchased new in Dec. 1982 and had to be sold when it's grandmother owner could no longer drive.

I was specifically hunting for an 80's car, because I like their angular designs that are so much more interesting than the a-amorphous blob of a design that modern cars have. I also knew that 80's Toyota's are rock solid, because my parents had a 1984 Toyota Van-Wagon that ran happily to 380,000 miles.

This car has been nothing short of amazing. It's fun to drive, especially on windy roads, as it corners well. It runs on the freeway happily at 75-80 MPH and has made several trips between Sacramento and LA (~350 miles one way) without any problems.

Even after 25 years, all the mechanicals are smooth and all the electrics work (including the power windows, power door locks, and tilt-forward headlights).

It only has 105 HP and 137 ft-lbs of torque, which is not a lot by today's standards, but it's enough to get it quickly up to speed when merging onto the freeway and enough to beat a few cars off the line :)

It's a very easy car to work on and the shop manual is a must-have (easy to find on e-bay).

It gets a lot of looks because of it's unusual trapezoidal design.

Most of all, I only paid $1,800 for it, put ~$177 in repairs and 2 oil changes, and after a year of ownership, am still below the NADA pricing for this car -- which appears to be going up in value :) Buy a new car, and after a year of car payments you'll be up to nearly $1,800 in interest alone, not to mention the depreciation hit you'd take.

I only have 2 complaints: The oil filter is a pain to get to. The seats and driving position are not too comfortable for long trips.