Faults:

I revved the engine super hard multiple times (like an idiot) and this caused the sensor for the oil dummy light to leak, causing a massive oil leak!

Alternator.. (not me but previous owner, you can tell it has a new alternator on it). These cars tend to go through alternators, but sometimes that can just be because of who built the alternator.

General Comments:

The 2.8 liter is almost impossible to kill! One of the most reliable cars you can get. And you can get them anywhere from $350-$1500 on craigslist. I paid $1,000 for this one, and that was from a dealer. Not bad though for a car that never needs work (except when I do stupid stunts, as always).

Today is August 2009, and this is a 1988 car. I burnt up a valve in my Mitsubishi Eclipse (Eagle Talon), and I needed a cheap car to drive while I repair the other one. I owned one of these Celebrities before when I was younger. I found it IMPOSSIBLE TO KILL!

The last one I had before, I used to never maintain it, I drove it in the snow and snow got packed into the cooling fan blades and made it so it burnt up the fan. Well I never changed it. I drove that thing and even over-heated it in rush hour traffic in the summer to where the engine stopped. Let it cool off about 3 minutes, started right back up! And I mean I was pushing it that time, let me tell you! Still ran for years after that, and I sold it still running for $500! I had driven it off the road delivering pizza, and someone once backed into me at a parking lot at burger king (small dent totaled it out and I got a check for $1400! And I bought the car back from the insurance company for $150! LOL).

It's the only car that PAYS you to own it! Still gets you to work ON TIME (because you can go fast in it if you need to).

So yeah, these cars are a very tough car, you get a lot of bang for your buck. I am talking about the 2.8 liter V6, NOT the 4 cylinder version, which is not quite as reliable (plastic timing gears on the 4 banger).

The car has enough pickup to get up to 100 MPH if you want it to. It's not super fast, but it IS fast enough. If you are low on cash, or just not wanting to spend much money because you have other priorities for your money, this is the car to own! A/C is blowing nice and cold, heater works, everything works! Even the cruise control, rear defroster, intermittent wiper, etc!

Here's the deal; on the 2nd one of this I own (right now), I revved the heck out of the engine multiple times in traffic out of frustration (Bellevue, WA commute is awful). Well that cause an oil leak (which I fixed, it was that sensor for the oil light), well I ran it low on oil SEVERAL TIMES. Fixed the leak, changed my oil to the factory spec of 5w30, and it just keeps going! There is a slight groan/vibration sound that you can only hear intermittently at idle, with the radio off. When I changed the oil, there was some metal particles in the bottom of the pan. You'd think I'd need a new car. Nope, this thing really doesn't care what you do to it! Overheat it, run it out of oil, it don't matter (as long as you get some in there reasonably soon LOL).

I love this Chevy Celebrity!

PS I love that on the back of the cat, it says Celebrity on the left, and on the right it says CL, for Craigslist which is where I bought it! Classic!

Faults:

Bought in 2004 for $1000.00. Engine had been rebuilt and body had been repainted so I thought it was a good value. Overall in good shape. Matching seat covers had been installed. Station wagons are a nostalgic throwback to my childhood, especially ones with the third seat, which this has. So I couldn't resist.

Replaced interior door handles, headliner came off so I just painted it with a matching latex paint. Looks OK. Needed some minor other parts.

A/C cycles between defrost and front panel, but I live with it.

Radio has finally died, but easily replaced.

Heater isn't hot enough but could use a backflush.

Hatchback needs new struts.

A 2011 Update:

The car is still going strong. Replaced hatch back supports and had brakes redone, and now they don't grab in wet weather. Took off matching seat covers and found original upholstery was in original condition! Replaced radio with cheap aftermarket. Working on a little body work now, nothing serious.

Just love driving it! It's light, quick and nimble. Wish I had the 3.1 six that was available in later years. I'd be driving in and out of everyone!

General Comments:

A reliable workhorse that has good visibility and easy to handle and good in snow. I like driving it better than my 03 Taurus, which seems heavy and stodgy compared to my nimble 88 Celebrity. I also like the body style and always have since they came out in the 80's.