1984 Toyota Celica Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Killer car.Just keeps going with little work.Over 200k miles on it.Too bad they don't build anything like this any more.Sorry folks,I know this is a subaru forum,but I am a professional repair tech(so called) and had to chime in with my 2c.Now its asking me for a review,so thats it.BTW I have repaired many subarus with all the problems you all describe.What a shame.Oct 24, 2014

The drivability with the 22re is driver friendly , steel crank forged pistons and Toyota reliability kicks that German engineering they thought up in the bathroom. snow and ice are no problem its heavy. I made a quick shifter, changed the steering wheel, bored the motor and made a cold air intake, save for a starter motor, fuel pump and crank seal in 10 years of drivingNov 26, 2011

The performance of this car has been great i previously had the 22 re engine in it until the rod snapped. We replaced it with a 22 r. Acceleration, handling and brakes have been flawless. i have had a bit of trouble recently decelerating, a bit of a stutter going from 3rd to 2nd. We have had the heater core replaced and there are a few leaks that need to be taken care of. the exterior is a little bit rusty but still looking good considering its an 84. interior is still intact and no real blemishes. Gas is super cheap i can go a month without filling. This has been one of the best cars that i have driven, so fun and picks up quickly. Oct 15, 2010

By the age of 23, I had spent most of my disposable income since beginning work on cars. With 3 already making my parent’s place look untidy, it was time, I felt, for a project car. So, relieving my pocket of the Princely sum of $350, I drove half-way across the State to pick up a 1984 Celica – the last of the rear-wheel drive models. Known for their bullet-proof 5 speed manual transmissions, Celica’s are often stripped by drag-racers just for the gearbox. I had a different thought – why not leave the gearbox in it, and stuff a bigger engine under the bonnet? First thoughts turned to the Audi 5 cylinder, but mating the two became an issue. Then a V8 Rover came my way. The engine needed rebuilding, but the V8 would fit nicely in the engine bay of the Celica. I drove my still-registered Celica home from Lilydale, and on the advice of the owner, was very careful. “It must have a crack in the head or something, as it tends to overheat on a long trip” said the now-previous owner. I responded by pulling around the corner, and with a mate following me should the Celica take a turn for the worse, I floored the throttle. All 20 years of built-up carbon deposits were launched out the exhaust like an old black-powder gun firing. For a few moments, I couldn’t see through the red cloud behind me. I proceeded to the first servo, put fuel in it, and checked the water – all looked fine, so we continued on. I drove it for another 6 months without having to touch it, and without a hiccup. I knew the engine would be scrap one day in any case, so I just thrashed it everywhere I went. It loved it! It didn’t want to die. One day, with my father driving it (ironically!) it did a head-gasket. A cirrus-cloud followed him home and we gave it its last rights. Being brave, I thought I would struggle on with it and drive it the 20 kms to my friend’s place – where he would pull the old engine out and shoe-horn in the freshly rebuilt Rover V8. I took the back roads, and she coughed and spluttered along at a snail’s pace, stopping every couple of kms (literally stopping!). It would grind to a halt, I would give it 2 minutes for the steam to dissipate from the spark plugs, and set off again. Then it came time to join highway traffic. I managed a couple of kilometres, then bottled-out as the engine started stalling. Pulling over into a servo, I let it sit for a few minutes. I decided it must have nearly used all its water, so filled it up. I also poured the litre or so of oil I had in the boot into the engine, and went on my way. Another few kilometres passed and she started coughing again. I couldn’t be bothered pulling over this time - dropped a few gears and nailed my foot to the floor. To my amazement, after a few hundred metres, the engine smoothed out and the temperature gauge dropped back to the ‘normal’ position. When I arrived at my mate’s place, grinning ear-to-ear at having made it – we surveyed the damage. Expecting to find water in the oil and vice-versa, I was amazed to see clean oil and green water. The first car to have fixed itself! The most likely explanation is that a piece of floating muck had lodged itself in the crack in the head and stopped the water getting through. I condemned it in any case, and it was torn out within hours. The story of disappointment as the Rover’s starter motor hit the Celica’s steering arm and caused an insolvable problem is too painful to repeat. I will simply say that the V8 went to another owner, and the Celica went to the caryard in the sky. (PS - In another rare twist, I sold the 5 speed gearbox for more than I paid for the car!) Jun 19, 2008

for what it is its pretty great, but just not enough power, 105 hp just doesnt cut it for me. 200 would be nice. handles like a charm, can still leave sunfires and cavs in the dust. looks nice enough not to complain, is pretty damn fuel efficient and reliable (when the motor isnt blown) all in all i will never get rid of this car cuz its special, lol.Dec 28, 2007