1991 Toyota Celica GT Convertible 2.2 from North America
Summary:
16 years old - Drives good and still looks good
Faults:
In July 03 I bought this car from a Chevy used car lot for $2100. The white car had been hit on the passenger side, both at the quarter panel & lower front fender. I could tell from the repair job & respray (nothing outrageous - just typical "whip it through" work).
Here's what I've done to it since:
July 03 - Had Treadquarters 4 wheel align it, installed re-manufactured left/right half-shafts; $326.
July 03 - Purchased (optional) new wheels & tires; $500.
July 03 - I replaced distributor cap & rotor, spark plugs, power steering & alternator belts, radiator flush; $50.
August 03 - Replaced leaking high pressure power steering hose; $37.
September 03 - Replaced rear brake shoes; $9.
October 03 - Rebuilt my distributor with $10 worth of seals & bearing to cure oil leak.
September 04 - Replaced worn alternator; $168.
October 04 - Replaced original front brake pads; $13.
December 04 - Replaced front seal beams with Sylvania Performance; $27.
October 05 - Replaced timing belt (preventative maintenance) with NAPA (Gates) belt. 110k. Also replaced leaking (for a while) front cam seal; $36.
January 06 - Replaced upper & lower radiator hoses (preventative); $23.
April 06 - Replaced worn out (leaking) 117k OEM radiator with new, aftermarket (made in China) aluminum one; $261.
General Comments:
Still on the original water pump, clutch, struts, and convertible top.
27-30 mpg city. 31-39 mpg highway.
Passenger side re-manufactured half-shaft starting to leak grease at inner C/V. I'll milk it as long as possible, & replace it myself with another re-manufactured half-shaft for $55-80. Driver's side half-shaft still going strong. Just passed inspection.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 11th May, 2006
17th Aug 2009, 19:15
I figured I'd add on to my review since it's '09 now. The 91 Celica Convertible now has 149k. I've had it for 6 years now. The top is hanging in there (I can't prove it, but I think it's the original) although it looks somewhat weatherbeaten when compared to new Solaras. The car has never left me stranded nor failed to start. It still has a couple of leaks since the day I bought it. The clutch, water pump, & complete exhaust sys. (which I find amazing) are the original pieces. More later...
12th May 2006, 15:56
I have two other reviews on this car listed as a 91. But in actuality... The Toyota sticker shows it being a Celica in Japan-Sep 90. And ASC's decal showing a convertible is made in California-Oct 90. Sold as a 91. Somewhere around $17,000.