1988 Toyota Celica Reviews, Pricing & Specs
What owners say
"Overall, owners of the 1988 Toyota Celica convey a strong appreciation for its performance, particularly its fun driving experience and turbocharged power. Many drivers love the handling, especially during cornering, and value the car's sporty styling. However, some common dislikes include issues with maintenance and parts availability, as well as the cramped back seat space."
I have owned my Celica GT4 for many years and it has always brought me joy. Its one of the legendary cars made by Toyota that very few have seen. Its styling is beautiful and powerful at the same time and it has every option and then some. Toyota spared no expense when they made these. The car first and foremost is a road going rally car. It was not built or designed like a 4 door corolla or a Camry, so do not expect the same thing. It wasnt built to drive to the grocery store on sunday, it was built to be driven like a performance car and maintained as such. You dont buy a Corvette to drive to your job as a bathroom fixture salesman and then expect to pay for Chevy Aveo maintenance. This car should also not be compared to camry, corolla and tercel alltracs. They are utilitarian cars and as i said before this is a sports car.
May 31, 2013Performance: Power from the turbo engine is good but could be better as demonstrated by the second and third generations. Handling could also be better but was probably much better when new. Build Quality: Its a toyota enough said Appearance: one of the best looking cars from the period. The Alltrac body kit really completes the look. Interior is nice as long as you don't the red one. Cost of Ownership: fairly high since this is a fairly complex and rare vehicle but that is to be expected with a car of this type. Fun Factor: this car is alot of fun to drive. when the turbo kicks in you are pushed back in your seat. A good set of rubber under the car allows it to use the AWD to handle more than you would think.
November 30, 2011I've had this car for almost 3 years now, and i've had very few major problems with it. The starter has gone out a couple times, and the alternator has gone out a couple times... but other than that, it's a great car. It gets great gas milage. The only major problem i have with it is that they should've made the back seat bigger, because when i ride in the car for 3 hours in the back seat, my legs hurt like no other.
March 30, 2007What owners say
I have owned my Celica GT4 for many years and it has always brought me joy. Its one of the legendary cars made by Toyota that very few have seen. Its styling is beautiful and powerful at the same time and it has every option and then some. Toyota spared no expense when they made these. The car first and foremost is a road going rally car. It was not built or designed like a 4 door corolla or a Camry, so do not expect the same thing. It wasnt built to drive to the grocery store on sunday, it was built to be driven like a performance car and maintained as such. You dont buy a Corvette to drive to your job as a bathroom fixture salesman and then expect to pay for Chevy Aveo maintenance. This car should also not be compared to camry, corolla and tercel alltracs. They are utilitarian cars and as i said before this is a sports car.
May 31, 2013Performance: Power from the turbo engine is good but could be better as demonstrated by the second and third generations. Handling could also be better but was probably much better when new. Build Quality: Its a toyota enough said Appearance: one of the best looking cars from the period. The Alltrac body kit really completes the look. Interior is nice as long as you don't the red one. Cost of Ownership: fairly high since this is a fairly complex and rare vehicle but that is to be expected with a car of this type. Fun Factor: this car is alot of fun to drive. when the turbo kicks in you are pushed back in your seat. A good set of rubber under the car allows it to use the AWD to handle more than you would think.
November 30, 2011I've had this car for almost 3 years now, and i've had very few major problems with it. The starter has gone out a couple times, and the alternator has gone out a couple times... but other than that, it's a great car. It gets great gas milage. The only major problem i have with it is that they should've made the back seat bigger, because when i ride in the car for 3 hours in the back seat, my legs hurt like no other.
March 30, 2007Performance ~ once you take the boost over 16psi then it becomes fast. Handling ~ 4wd drifting is cool, better than kitcars and as good as evo9 on point to point stuff. 0-80mph 1-1.5sec quicker than GTi-R. cant say no bad things about performance for a almost standard car. handling get coilovers on them. bigger wheels i had 17in. strip the insides bare bone. 100mile trip costs £5 more than a NA Supra. As its an old car service every part to check bearings. rear diff swoop to st205. rebuild turbo. swoop bolts in most places or clean up. On this car rust on outer sill, rear wheel arches, under driver foot well are realy the only issue. Me i love the car, but would keep it for club meets or special moments. id have 185 as striped lighter, got that nice look in rally clothes, rust not a problem on body. fuel pipes is a must check on both models as rust is a problem.
September 8, 2008My first 4WD and turbo car, it equipped with a 3SGTE 2.0 L engine with CT26 turbo charger. This GT4 is running a water intercooler which is unique compare to most other turbo 4WD using air intercooler, the handling is exceptional, acceleration is good but not fast compare to other 4WD turbo during that era due to heavy weight. The build quality is good (usual Toyota standard), exterior styling is very unique with two large fog light in the middle grille, interior is ok consider it is a 2 doors, the gas mileage is ok as it got turbo and 4WD. The car is very fun to drive, only draw back is the heavy weight. Really wanted to drive this car again!!!
December 6, 2011My first car and also what I learned MT on. All my friends loved this car. Despite having a good engine, it was in the shop all the time and was falling apart, but it was at the center of many adventures and good memories.
January 16, 2008Lots of fun to drive around corners. things really start moving when the turbo kicks in. It has a suprising amount of room and the lift back makes it easy to access the trunk. It has plenty of technology for being from 88
September 21, 2012I had it for 4 years or so and was very pleased to drive that car. This car had a great handling with original springs cutted 2 inches lower, damn it was stiff on the road but it was handling like a kart! (I cracked the frame too for that reason!)
November 26, 2007this car rocks in the snow why because its all wheel drive and turbo but it also shines on dry ground. Its an oldie but a goodie. Did i also mention it won a few wrc championships when the car was created yea i love it specifics 190 hp very solid not to boxy so it looks a bit sporty gas is fairly good maintenance is hard because parts are scarce super fun to drive if you have the money
December 10, 2009Even though the car was 17 years old when i bought it, it had no problems with it. yes it did have some rust problem but the engine and tranny where in exellent condition. there are many upgrades that can me done to the car to make it even faster.all in all it was a goodcar and worth every penny i paid for it
November 4, 2009
