Faults:

The car died due to a catastrophic oil leak which I did not notice (I hadn't driven the car for a few weeks prior) had happened.

The power steering belt was creating some noise during tight turns.

Sometimes the car would immediately die after it started, for unknown reasons.

The alternator went out shortly after I bought the car, though it was quite easy to replace.

The transmission was hard to shift into reverse, although not a major problem.

The tail lights kept on burning out for unknown reasons, and the license plate lights were out... though someone had used the wrong screws to install them, and were therefore impossible to replace again.

The front struts were worn out from day one, and the car would bottom out on even the slightest of dips.

General Comments:

The Celica was extremely sporty. It handled high-revving without a hitch, and felt like a true performance car.

Handling, even without the front struts, was excellent. It held corners like nothing else, and remained steady at speeds of over 100 MPH.

Gas mileage wasn't bad, considering the car that it was. The Celica is surprisingly economical for a little sports coupe.

The interior was extremely comfortable for the front two passengers, and rather cramped for those unlucky enough to find themselves in the back seat. However, the seats folded down to make quite a bit of extra cargo room.

The Celica was a pure joy to drive... it responded flawlessly, always had plenty of power, and was loaded with all the options, at a very reasonable price. Despite it dying on me, it was truly a great car, and I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

Faults:

The brakes were a constant problem. Rear discs replaced when I bought the car. Handbrake shoes were never much use, but it passed the MOT.

Drive shafts knocked on medium to sharp turns, but were cheap to replace the joints.

It liked to remove the tread from the front tyres, but this was my fault, rather lacking in mechanical sympathy then.

General Comments:

As it only cost £500 to buy, do the repairs for the MOT, tax and fill the tank, this was performance motoring on a budget.

It was rough round the edges, rusty wheel arches and a previous owner had a problem matching the silver/blue paint. The only thing that let it down was rot. The last owner was living right on the coast and the North Sea salt air had taken it toll on the underside.

It had all the toys inside that I wanted, electric windows, mirrors, aerial and sunroof. Air-con was used about 5 times. I saw 142mph on the speedo a couple of times. Argue over its real speed if you want.

Was sad to see it go, but it was disposable at £500. Still sitting in a field and starts first time, every time.

Faults:

Seat belt on passenger side is very sticky - fails to retract at times.

A power steering hose leaked at about 200,000 kms. Hose was re-built cheaply by a hydraulic hose company.

The constant velocity joints started to wear at 170,000kms. Cheap to replace with re-manufactured units which have been great.

Exhaust header cracked at about 100,000 which was then replaced with a set of sporty headers.

Thermostat was replaced at 280,000kms.

The starter goes click and may refuse to start if the car is driven long on a hot day. I usually push-start the car or sometimes I can select through all the gears a few times and it will then start. I also use a much bigger battery (480 CCA) to get it starting better.

The car has always used about a litre of oil every 1500km. I change the oil religously every 5000kms.

Second gear is very notchy now - if you time the changes its nice and smooth.

General Comments:

This car has been great to me.

I have driven it a very long distance and it has rarely let me down.

The car is quite quick and I have cruised at high speed 170km/h for long runs (over 400kms) with no problems. Top speed can get to over 210km/h.

There is no rust and the paintwork and interior are in great condition - no sun damage to the plastics etc...

The build quality is great and I love working on this car.