Faults:

Upper rad hose replaced as soon as I bought the car, coolant and transmission fluid replaced, and spark plugs.

General Comments:

This car is a very good buy. Reliable, easy to work on and lots of parts available, this car is a tank. Not too flashy and not full of complicated gizmos, a Celebrity is probably the most underrated car on the used car market. I put a stereo and a pair of foglights on it, as well as smoked licence plate covers, and the car looks mean. Oh, and the 2.8 and 4-speed automatic provides lots more pick-up than my 4-banger Mustang.

Faults:

Other than the general required maintenance the engine has been the most reliable of any.

However the transmission will not shift anymore. I am getting it rebuilt.

Also, the paint is almost completely burned off.

General Comments:

This car (until the transmission quit) has been the most reliable of any. It will start on the first crank every time. Even when it is 20 degrees below zero.

The gas mileage has always been excellent (between 29 to 39 M.P.G. on the expressway).

The only thing that I would change about this vehicle would be the transmission. The automatic overdrive has always been a problem.

Faults:

When I first bought the car ($100!),it needed timing-gears to get it running.

The top "dog-bone" motor mount bushings wore out. This is common but easy and cheap to fix. If left unchanged, the engine will rock excessively, cracking the exhaust manifold.

The exhaust pipe that runs from the cat-converter to the muffler needed replacement at about 115,000. The muffler was replaced also.

The alternator, which was a rebuilt unit, quit at 130,000. They usually quit at about 60,000 miles on GM cars anyway, right?

The common GM sagging headliner happened at about 110,000. It costs about $150 to fix.

The tilt steering column was loose at mid-point from the previous owner tugging on the wheel when he exited/entered the car.

The electric cooling fan quit at about 140,000. They are common in junkyards, and cheap too.

It's computer started acting erratically at about 145,000. I got one for $20 in a junkyard. It takes 5 min to replace.

General Comments:

This car has been great in every way. It is not too big or small. The car also gets excellent gas-mileage.

These cars can be simple to repair with a good manual and a little car repair know-how.

The Heavy Duty Brakes option is a must otherwise these cars will have a squishy brake pedal. The option tag is on the spare-tire cover. Check for JA2. You don't want JA1.

Faults:

I purchased as a winter beater knowing this was a fairly reliable model with excellent power, handling and traction. Installed four snow tires.

Original paint was badly faded.

Interior headliner droops.

Windshield leaks at top.

Alternator and battery was replaced just before I bought it.

Coil-pack failed causing misfire. Replaced along with full tuneup and new fuel pump.

Rad cooling fan not working due to computer problem. Installed manual toggle switch.

Replaced rear shocks and front brakes.

Trans is now slipping in 2nd gear.

General Comments:

I knew it was a beater so expected problems. Body was excellent, no rust just poor quality paint.

Planning to replace with a better one, lower mileage, same model.

Fun to drive, very good acceleration.

Simple design, easy to work on.

Comfortable seats, big trunk, good visibility.

Light body that handles well.

Cheap to buy ($500) and operate.

Euro-sport option has attractive styling and heavy duty brakes.

Faults:

The alternator gave out randomly right after I bought it in the middle of a 6 lane highway, but miraculously, a tow truck driver and his hitch-hiker friend saved the day.

The cigarette lighter never worked.

The air conditioning isn't charged.

It seemed possessed for a month, changing radio stations on its own, and shutting off when I hit the brakes... weird stuff. It turned out to be a short in the starter.

The radiator sprung a leak.

The outside is a little rusty and has a few character flaws.

General Comments:

This car is my dream.

I bought it for $250! Free snow tires.

It is a comfy girl.

Very powerful.

I still win with her at a red light.

30 miles to the gallon.