1985 Celica GT: 200 miles later

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck) 03/30/2016 at 23:23 • Filed to: Celica

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I’ve been trying to drive the Celica as often as possible to see whatever quirks and surprises that may pop up that the previous owner may have omittted. But most of all, for pleasure. I love this car. So here’s my update on what this car really is, in the form of a Q&A.

Q: What’s the best part about the interior?

A: It has to be this hilariously oversized Camry steering wheel they decided to put in. Feels like I’m at the helm of a ship, not in the seat of sporty liftback.

Land ho! Also, brown brown brown brown

Q: Is the backseat useable?

A: Amazingly, yes! Plenty of leg- and head-room, though a first glance had me thinking no adult would fit back there. I’ve already loaded the car twice and all parties were quite comfy. Puts more former Integra to shame on that item.

Q: Is it an easy car to drive?

A: To cruise? You bet. To shift? No (see below). The clutch petal are way close to each other. Still not quite used to it. On all my other Toyotas, the brake pedal has been comfortably away from the clutch. But hey Mmm so sporty!

Also, the gaites are not like other old Toyotas. It’s pretty much likes only one spot on each gear. If you shift 5 degrees off into third, you’re in neutral and embarassed. The shifter is all, “No. Nope. NYAHH. Ohhh so close. No. YES! Dumbass.”

Q: How does it ride?

A: Like a sexy, sexy cloud.

Q: Is it fun?

A: I ask myself this rhetorical: Why did I not buy a RWD car sooner? It’s a completely different experience from any of my other vehicles. Feels like God is giving me a gentle nudge around corners.

Q: Is it fast?

A: 114 horsepower, 140 ft-lbs... Meaning no :)

Q: Any problems this far?

A: Why, yes! A week after purchase, one day it would not go into gear willingly. I would have to rev-match — haha nono, I suck at that. I would just use some elbow grease, which the transmission accepted once in gear, and the car would behave as intended.

Before you panic, this is the third Toyota R-series motor I’ve owned. This was a very familiar feeling to me. Sure enough, after popping da hood, I find an empty master slave cylinder. So I top it off and whatnot.

Now today, it gave me a fits trying to reverse out of a spot at a local park, where the puppy behaved mmmuhhhehhhh okay. I pumped the clutch for a few seconds, after which it would go into reverse, and then shifted fine afterwards. This is the second time today I had to do this. Furthermore, at times the petal can be a little sticky, taking it’s sweet time to return up after release from depression.

So basically there’s something goofy with the clutch. Shenanigans, I daresay! Dare!!!

Q: Oh mah Gawd! What will you do?

A: Hey, for 31 years old, it’s basically a perfect car [grinds shifting into reverse] ... Smooooth!

Q: Your best car ever?

A: The competition is scarce, but yes! No, my wife’s Pontiac does not count.

jkm7680 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/30/2016 at 23:27

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Is that the brake pedal from an automatic one?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > jkm7680 03/30/2016 at 23:29

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Oh you are very astute. It is!

Chariotoflove > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/30/2016 at 23:39

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Wait, you bought a Celica? Why didn’t you say something earlier?!

Chariotoflove > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/30/2016 at 23:40

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Srsly tho, good post.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Chariotoflove 03/30/2016 at 23:43

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Yeah I’ll shut the hell up soon, I am still in the honeymoon phase. I’ve also never bought a car that I could actually *drive* right away. Every other car has needed something immediately to be roadworthy. A stubborn clutch? Child’s play.

Berang > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/30/2016 at 23:44

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Needs a turbo and some centerline wheels.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Berang 03/30/2016 at 23:45

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Slow and steady loses the race consistently!

MarquetteLa > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/30/2016 at 23:46

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Swapping the steering wheel for something smaller will make this thing feel so awesome I bet. No airbag, right?

Do you know when the last time the transmission fluid was changed?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > MarquetteLa 03/30/2016 at 23:52

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No idea. I assume whenever he put this clutch in maybe (three or so years ago, allegedly. ALLEGEDLY).

As for the steering wheel, I’m sure you’re right, but I kind of love how ridiculous the car is. “Sporty” on the outside, sensible commuter on the inside. I don’t think that photo accurately shows how huge it really is.

Chariotoflove > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/30/2016 at 23:53

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Nah, it's good. Posts like this are what make Oppo cool. Keep talking.

TheHondaBro > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/31/2016 at 00:02

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No. I forbid you from shutting the hell up. Keep Oppo Celica!

Berang > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/31/2016 at 00:02

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If it doesn’t have power steering, keep the big wheel for sure.

Steve in Manhattan > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/31/2016 at 00:03

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I had an ‘88 Camry wagon 5M - the pedals were well placed and the transmission was pretty direct. Just out of warranty it dropped 2nd gear, and that turned out to be an issue for those transmissions. After a month of negotiations and demonstrating to the service manager that I could drive a stick and the bad tranny wasn’t my fault, Toyota split the cost of a rebuild with me. That was a very useful little car.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/31/2016 at 00:20

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need to bleed the clutch. probably your issue or it might be leaking causing air to get into system

MarquetteLa > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/31/2016 at 00:26

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I’d look into replacing that transmission fluid before doing any further worrying.

My GTX came with a ridiculously oversized stock steering wheel much like yours. I replaced it with a 360mm Nardi and it made a world of difference. A+ recommend, no regrets.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/31/2016 at 00:32

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That brake pedal is suspiciously a little too wide to be a manual transmission brake pedal.... And if you ever get a set of wheels, make sure they are period correct!

BayAreaMiataBoi > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/31/2016 at 00:32

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OK, the wants be hurting. I’ll take one with blueprinted engine, a triple-DCOE setup, and good header + exhaust. Instant throttle response, more room for passengers than my Miata, and almost as much fun at any legal speed. But +more smoother+.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 03/31/2016 at 00:33

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I will give it it whirl, thanks

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 03/31/2016 at 00:34

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That is correct - the brake pedal is in fact from an automatic.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/31/2016 at 00:36

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Was this converted some time in its life? Might explain the campyness of the clutch....

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 03/31/2016 at 00:38

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It was! The auto grenaded three years ago and he put in a manual.

My bird IS the word > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/31/2016 at 00:49

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Just do the old car dance. Everytime something breaks, upgrade the hell out of it. Eventually, you have a fully built car!

also automatic brake pedal lol. wish I could afford the swap in my car, but tremec TKOs and custom olds parts aint cheap

Illegitimus Prime > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/31/2016 at 04:23

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What TheD0k said. I had the same issue in my Cavalier, track it down or it will haunt you with regular clutch bleeding.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/31/2016 at 08:40

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The back seats of this generation Celica/Supra really can’t be talked about enough. They’re capable of comfortably fitting two normal sized adults comfortably, which is not something you ever see in a sports car or many two doors at all for that matter.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 03/31/2016 at 08:40

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Makes it easier to heel-toe

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/31/2016 at 08:42

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With the shorter front end and less weight over the nose, is it better than a MKII Supra? Thinking about putting a Supra diff and rear suspension in it for IRS?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Berang 03/31/2016 at 08:46

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Needs a 4A conversion.

Danger > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/31/2016 at 09:05

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I had several old manual Toyotas. There was literally less than an inch between pedals. I could eventually drive them with my snowboarding boots on when going up to the mountain, but it took a long time to master.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 03/31/2016 at 09:14

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NO

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 03/31/2016 at 09:16

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You could get the GT-S with IRS, but alas, I have the pleb GT trim.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/31/2016 at 09:25

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Cool! Did not know that! Sounds like you need to find a wrecked GTS ;)

Milky > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/31/2016 at 09:55

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Uggh, I almost bought a “drift car” one of these. Consider me jealous. Needs that amazing spoiler though!

And just because I wanted to see it again, heres a shit video of said car.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 04/01/2016 at 21:18

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Loving the updates on this car, keep ‘em coming! :)