1989 Toyota Celica SX from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Nothing too major, new alternator at 120,000km.

New clutch at 140,000km.

New front CV joints at 120,000km.

It's amazing what Toyota could do in 1989 that it can't do now. This car was the last Celica (until the recent 1.8 VVTi model), that could rightfully claim to be a genuine sports car and not a hairdresser mobile.

While it might be a bit soft in the handling now, the 2.0 Twin Cam still hunts...I'm looking to buy a new car, and I'm having trouble finding something with similar performance for less than $AU30K!

Since I own an 89' Celica I can tell you that the previous comments are all true if not an understatement. Before I owned it my car had been driven so hard that the timing belt broke. But to my surprise the valves were not damaged. In fact there was absolutely no damage except for the broken belt. And in all of its wonderful 140,000 miles, it has had only one major repair that required it to be taken to a mehcanic, and that was a new fuel pump.

Well that is just a little story about my Celica to prove to you that Toyota really knew what they where doing when they made the 89' Celica. If you are considering buying one of these I suggest you do no matter what condition it is in, because it is a car with too much soul to see put in a junk yard.

I purchased my 89 Toyota Celica st about 4 years ago. I was reluctant at first because it had 110,000 miles on the odometer. I had never owned a car with that many miles on it, but this car was so clean and obviously well taken care of I bought it. I travel a lot (job related) and needed a second car to keep from wearing out my other vehicles. This car has proven to be so reliable that I drive it as my main car. I currently have 276,000 miles on the odometer, and it shows no sign of giving up. I replaced the alternator, distributor cap,plug wires, and timing belt (preventive maintenance) and that is about it. This is truly the most dependable car I have owned, and I have owned many.

I have had my 98 Celica now for two years and wow. Being that I am still younger I do drive that car hard and for the 120,000km that I have added to the car it has been awesome. I have done the spark plug wires, distributor and front drive axles. Total of $500. That's pretty good for an older car I say. This has to be given best car of the 80/90's.