I <3 My RA65 Celica

Long story, but this car deserves it:

About a year ago I took the Datsun off the road to swap in a manual rack and replace all the suspension bushings and I started DD'ing my '85 Celica GT as a replacement. I bought the car about 3 years ago as a temporary DD for my girlfriend when she moved to Atlanta (before she got the RX-8), and I paid $600 for it. It needed the fuel system cleaned/restored, new inner tie rods and a few brake parts replaced (it sat in a field for about a decade before I bought it).

I never really thought of the car as much more than a necessary purchase and a utility vehicle (it has the 22RE truck engine, a solid rear axle and isn't fast or particularly fun). However, over the year I've been driving it, I've probably considered a dozen different really cool cars as a replacement for it, but nothing else stacks up. The car has been super reliable, it's about the easiest thing to work on out of all the cars I've owned, gets good mileage (~20 mpg doing the worst stop-and go 3 mile commute ever, and 32-35 on the highway), I don't mind if it gets banged up, I don't care about driving over speed bumps at 25 mph, it hauls all 4 RX-8 tires (275/30R18s) plus a jack comfortably in the hatch, I use it to push/flat tow my other project cars, I've thrown dirty engines, transmissions, kitchen tables, pressure washers etc in the hatch with no worries, it has super cold AC, I drove it to NY through a 32-hour-long non-stop endurance blizzard with no problems, and I drift it around in the rain/snow when I want to have a little fun. The car has just been able to meet all my needs pretty much perfectly.

This last weekend I decided it had really proven itself and I decided to take it to my 1st Rally-X event (since none of my Subarus are up and running at the moment). It was a 140 mile trip each way out to Alabama and I decided to trust the car and just "run what I brung". I showed up, raced the car all day over some unbelievably rough, rutted and bumpy terrain, and drove it home. Not a single problem, even with what I'm sure is a 20 year old suspension, 2 drivers, and over 20 runs at the event.

So, in light of this, I figured I just had to put up a thread about how pleased I've been with this car. For something that I bought at a temporary crap-can, I've really come to appreciate what a great all-around vehicle this is.

With that, some pics for your enjoyment:

Tug-boat mode:

Rally-X yesterday:

I love the looks of that car, if your ever interested in getting rid of it let me know, haha I'd take the drive down to it.

In reply to D_Howard:

Thanks. Yeah the styling has really grown on me over the years.

I'll almost certainly have to sell the car when I finish my PhD in a year and a half or so. I'll post it here when the time comes.

That thing looks way too clean to be considered a beater!! I'd buy one in that shape locally in a heartbeat if they were available!

I haven't seen one of those in ages. Great looking.

In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac:

Looks better in pictures. The paint is pretty faded and there's a little rust between the hatch and the bumper in the back. Also, the engine is pretty tired. It really needs a rebuild. But yeah, for what started as a beater it's worked out really well.

I REALLY love stories where people try a car they werent crazy about and realize how different their real needs (even 'emotional/subconscious') are from what they imagine.

Honestly, the internet has made it possible for anyone with enough money to pretty easily build a 5, 6, 700hp super-ish car, and imo a lot of people get jaded and close themselves off from 90% of the fun thats out there to be had in clunky old low-power cars.

Great post, makes me happy! I also agree with half-trac, it doesnt look half bad in the first place!

Super clean! How many miles/owners?

love me some 80s Jap steel. Thanks for the pix!

In reply to smog7:

It's coming up on 200,000. I think it's got 194,XXX on the clock right now.

JohnyHachi6 wrote: In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac: Looks better in pictures. The paint is pretty faded and there's a little rust between the hatch and the bumper in the back.

Understand: even here in the Mason-Dixon line states, I've seen those things with rust holes in the roof. Well, I did 10 years ago, which is probably the last time I saw one in the wild. Yours is nearly pristine in comparison!

Oh, and I agree with Vigo.

over on the Classified boards:

high miles, but super clean RWD Celica http://daytona.craigslist.org/cto/3149736092.html

Duke wrote: Understand: even here in the Mason-Dixon line states, I've seen those things with rust holes in the roof. Well, I did 10 years ago, which is probably the last time I saw one in the wild. Yours is nearly pristine in comparison! Oh, and I agree with Vigo.

I just did a quick check for any Celicas and Supras in our area and came up with one well used car with 180k+. Damn tin worm.

I actually looked at a few '83 Celicas in 1985, and they already had rust through the rear hatch. It was a common problem. So common in fact that I'm astonished that there are any left.

I've got myself 3 1980s Toyotas.... love them all, and they all work!

I've got a serious hankering for a 85 supra, but I can't find one that is worth the money people are asking for em.

Spinout007 wrote: I've got a serious hankering for a 85 supra, but I can't find one that is worth the money people are asking for em.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/200x-classifieds/1985-supra-1100-li-ny/52303/page1/

Thanks woody......add that to Paul's SVX'S and I think that would end my marriage. not that I don't appreciate it.