1984 Toyota Celica GT review from North America

Replaced Alternator, Starter, exhaust from the cat back, clutch slave and master cylinders, brake master cylinder, and heater fan. About $300 of work all done by myself.

Replaced Original Clutch at 245,000 Miles, although it wasn't a problem yet.

After doing some long awaited work to the car (replace clutch, seals, timing chain, shocks, etc) about a week later, my radiator blew out (the original) which was 88 dollar replacement. Turns out the thermostat went out (which had been replaced when I did the timing chain 6mts before) A 20$ 160 Degree failsafe thermostat cured the problem.

This is my second Celica to drive as an everyday driver. My first was an 82 GT Hatchback (Similar to my current one) but had the carbureted 22R engine and front end damage (as it was my first car, and lets face it, a 16 year old will wreck his first car, several times even) but junkyard parts and TLC kept her going though the thick and thin.

I stumbled across my 84 GT Hatchback one day while driving to my friends house. I stopped and asked a guy mowing his lawn if any of his Celicas were for sale. He had one. Turns out it was his sons, and he was only the second owner. The car needed brakes, exhaust, and a tuneup. The familar rust in the fender wells and on the hatch, but overall was in good shape, with a straight body and good tires. It started right up and drove great except for the very low brake petal. I talked him down and purchased the car for $700.

A week later, I drove the car all the way to the beach in North Carolina and back (about 1400 miles total) not knowing if she would make it. She did :) And ever since, shes been going strong. In the past year, I have put over 20,000 miles on the poor thing, but she keeps taking it.

The engine has only been removed once by muah, and had too many orig. parts for comfort, but it let me know it hadn't been messed with. The parts include:

Shocks

Fuel Filter

Clutch

Engine

Exhaust

Radiator

Heater Hoses

Thermostat.

BUT: The car does not burn ANY oil what-so-ever, and has never had a rebuild.

I love this car and intend to keep it for ever and one day restore it back to complete and beyond factory :) But until then, I baby her, yet abuse her, and she still keeps on tickin.