1981 Toyota Celica GT from North America - Comments

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.

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.

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.

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.

I have just recently purchased a 1981 Celica GT. I purchased it from a guy for 200$. It has 150 thousand clicks on it and you would think, because it is a Toyota, that it would be in good condition after only so few miles, but nooooooo, this guy must have bagged-it. First of all he parked it for 7 years -with a full tank of gas. The fuel line and carburator were so plugged-up that I had to take everything apart to clear the lines. And then there's the transmission; oeivay, the guy must have dropped-it into reverse by mistake or something -he must have torn a cog off. In all, this is how much dough I've had to put into her:(taxes included)

-70$ new muffler

-40$ rear shocks

-60$ front brake pads

-85$ battery

-220$ new tires

-50$ fluids

---------

total= 525$

Was it worth it?

-Yes, every single penny of it!

sincerely, your pal from good old Regina Saskatchewan.

I drive a 1981 Celica GT I got it for $200 real high miles the guy I got it from messed up the carb. but I straitened it out and now it really gos it even took my friends Eldorado at take off and that's got a V8.

Plus the Celica and the 1981 Stalet I have are vary reliable, but aren't all Toyota?

We just purchased a 1981 Toyota Celica gt with only 90,000 original miles. The body and interior are all original equipment. The only problem so far is no get up and go.. The carburetor was replaced prior to the buy and has had no additional miles since the replacement. Gas mileage is only aprox. 19 miles per gallon. Any ideas???

I just purchased the same car for 5 cents.

I can honestly say that I have never owned a car that was as reliable as my 81 celica gt 5 speed, and I've owned close to 50 cars, not counting the race cars during my 20's. Very comfortable for two, decent gas mileage (25mpg avg), peppy on the thruways even in 5th gear -- not a Ferrari at the stop lights, but quick enough to stay out of harms way, its only shortcoming was a "slippery" rear end in the rain, no matter what tires were tried. (Pirelli's seemed the best, but I always preferred dry weather!)

Bought for $400 4 years ago, I put 100K miles on her above the 100K original miles (still the original clutch) and replaced front pads and rear shoes once, water pump and alternator once, spark plugs twice and a few bulbs, which brings up a story. stopped by the local police for only one directional light (has two per side) I found it to be just a a little corrosion on the bulb, but in looking at the bulbs I discovered they were the ORIGINAL Japanese bulbs from when the car was new (this was 23 years later!)

EVERYTHING on the car has performed as well as the bulbs except for the body, alas, and I'm now searching for a florida or california Celica to replace my old faithful.

I really wish they made new ones!

Mike parker.

I bought my 1981 Celica GT coupe in April 1982 - it had ~9,000 miles on it. It has 238,000 miles on it and is still running great, though the body has some rust and requires bondo every few years to pass state inspection. The engine and automatic transmission (w/electric overdrive) are original and have not had anything done to them, but regular maintenance. Still has good power and gets 27 mpg on highway and ~22 mpg overall for the driving I typically do. The only mechanical problem has been a leaky exhaust manifold that needs the nuts on the studs re-tightened every few years. with rear wheel drive this car is even good in the snow with studded tires and a bag of sand (~80 lbs) in the trunk.

I have a 81 Celica GT 5 speed. It's probably the best car you can buy. Cheap, reliable, and lasts forever.

Mine has 300k miles on it and the engine is still pretty strong. The engine is very tunable and parts are easy to find. LC Engineering has great stuff, but are expensive.

The only real down fall is body parts are hard to find. I broke a tail light and can't find a replacement. If you are willing to spend the money, I have $400 in ignition parts from MSD and Bosch 4506 spark plugs, and the car runs better than ever.

They don't make 'em like they used to. I've had my 81 celica for about 10 years now. I was in an accident a few years back. Some girl made a left into me. I spun out through three lanes. Her car was completely totalled. Mine looked fine. I drove it home. It needed some work. But looking at it, you could hardly tell I was in accident.

I have a 81 GT and love the little car. I looking for a few parts. Side lights front and rear. The guy that selling the MSD can email me at jagcompany@aol.com. May like to buy the whole setup.