At 90000km's and after 19 years with an older driver the clutch had worn down to the springs, needed to be replaced.
At speeds above 60 km/h a "rubbing" noise would become apparent at the rear. This is due to right side rear wheel bearing, replaced and removed noise.
Right hand rear brake cylinder was leaking, needed to be replaced.
Heat resistant rubber pipe that leads from the top of the engine to the air filter assembly became hard and brittle, needed to be replaced.
Car is a pleasure to drive.
Excellent availability of parts as parts are interchangeable with the Mazda 626.
Accelerates nicely off the line with good low end torque for day to day driving and good high rpm power when needed. Suffers badly in first gear at high rpm, although 2nd gear and higher produce nice results when given more acceleration then normal.
Only problems with the car is soft rear suspension. Will not take 3 adults in the back without a constant ticking noise from the right hand wheel. Prone to rust, especially on the rear wheel arches.
Car is very succeptible to understeer, easy to slide in wet weather so caution should be used when driving in the wet.
Writer of the article Update:
Car has since blown a head gasket, still goes hard, but chews through fuel. Rust continues to get worse as the paint is knackered (grey metallic paint). Tachometer fails regularly, this may be due to a faulty connection. Car has an AS engine in a AR body, sometimes unsure of correct parts. Cold starts have become worse, notice sometimes a sudden drop in power when going along. Hopefully a replace of the spark plugs should fix it.
I've had a an 84 telstar for 2 years now and the it's a great little car.
My other car is a 96 toyota supra so its impractical for daily driving so I got the telstar. I've driven a few skylines and v8 holdens so I know a quick car, but for what the telstar is it can really pull for an 80's 4 cylinder, considering its carby fed too.
Car is very reliable, but as has been mentioned its common fault is rust, especially with the boot.
If your after a reliable little runabout don't go past an 80's testar, theyre great!
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