Toyota has long enjoyed a reputation for producing cars with great little twin-cam engines that punch above their weight. Its four-cylinder powerplants are particularly noteworthy because they have enjoyed success in many forms of motorsport, including the grueling World Rally Championship. Lessons learned in that arena have trickled down into its roadgoing models, resulting in some of the hardiest vehicles to emerge from Japan. This 1989 Celica ST is a perfect example of the breed, combining sleek styling and excellent performance in a practical package that could serve as a daily driver. After spending most of its life parked in the garage, the owner feels it needs a new home, listing it exclusively at Barn Finds Auctions.
Toyota introduced its Fifth Generation Celica in 1989, and our feature car is from the first production year. It has hibernated for several years, but doing so in a dry garage helped it remain rust-free. Its Super White paint is consistent across the vehicle, with no evidence of major flaws or defects. I believe that with a buff and polish, this little gem could present exceptionally well for its age. The panels are straight, and the gaps are as tight and consistent as expected from a Toyota. There is no evidence of warped or broken plastic, and the damage-prone hubcaps look excellent. The stripes are crisp, while there are no visible glass issues.
The defining characteristic of these little Toyotas is what is nestled under the hood. In this case, the buyer receives the 16-valve, DOHC 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing a healthy 138hp and 128 ft/lbs of torque. It finds its way to the road via a four-speed automatic transmission, allowing this classic to cope effortlessly with the cut-and-thrust of heavy commuter traffic and to happily cruise all day on the open road at 70mph. Having been parked for an extended period of time, the seller hasn’t attempted to start it, so they’ve listed this Celica as not currently running or driving, although the engine turns freely. Coaxing it back to life should not be difficult, and that’s when it could come into its own. It could serve its new owner well as a comfortable daily driver, and as a first car for a young person, it would be an excellent and safe candidate.
The Fifth Generation Celica features what many consider among the most comfortable and supportive front seats of any production car. They are part of a package the company produced with quality as a priority. This car’s interior presents well, with no evidence of abuse or mistreatment. The cloth and vinyl trim is free from wear, while the back seat looks excellent. The carpet is equally impressive, and a deep clean should have it presenting exceptionally well. There is no crumbling plastic and no signs of UV damage. It is also nicely equipped for a vehicle of this vintage. The original owner ordered this gem with air conditioning and an AM/FM radio/cassette player with four speakers. The driver monitors proceedings via a sports gauge cluster with a factory tachometer, while a tilt wheel helps to individually tailor the driving position.
This 1989 Celica ST is a great little car, and returning it to active service should not be difficult. Its natural home would seem to be as a commuter or daily driver, but these are exceptionally comfortable and fuel-efficient vehicles that are at home on the open road. Therefore, if the winning bidder wished to revive it and undertake a cross-country journey, it should do so without raising a sweat. If those options tick the boxes for you, submitting a bid would be the best way to make the idea a reality.
- Location: Sarasota, Florida
- Mileage: 59,680 Shown,
- Engine: 2.0-liter Four Cylinder
- Transmission: Automatic
- VIN: JT2S166CXK7339453
- Title Status: Clean
Bid On This Auction
FABIAN bid $4,000.00 2023-05-03 09:59:50
John VanGorder bid $3,600.00 2023-05-03 08:04:19- FABIAN bid $3,500.00 2023-05-03 06:14:32
- John VanGorder bid $3,300.00 2023-05-02 16:12:59
Bugeye01 bid $3,000.00 2023-05-02 00:04:00- John VanGorder bid $2,800.00 2023-05-01 10:21:03
- FABIAN bid $2,500.00 2023-05-01 06:36:49
- Bugeye01 bid $2,000.00 2023-04-30 15:06:15
Carfan bid $1,200.00 2023-04-29 09:36:33
DCK bid $1,100.00 2023-04-28 11:29:38- FABIAN bid $1,000.00 2023-04-26 10:52:55
derkey 1 bid $500.00 2023-04-26 10:25:21
Dontmindme85 bid $100.00 2023-04-25 10:16:36
is $250 charged no matter the bid price as an additional fee?
The buyer’s fee is 5% with a minimum of $250.
$250 even if the auction price is less than 5k?
Yes, the minimum fee is $250.
Recently the 7th Generation of Celicas has given me the itch. I’ve got two GTs, but would love to get my hands on a GTS and its 180 herspers.
This is a fourth generation Celica. Last year for 4th Gen. Nice ride.
My father had an 86 in Metallic brown, which I always thought was a strange color for a car like this. It had an endless supply of annoying problems (power antenna failed, radio would only work intermittently, leaking heater core) until it was stolen off the street in Lowell, MA never to be seen again.
Brown was still a popular color for Toyotas in the 80s . I worked at a Toyota dealership then . The only cars I can remember not coming in brown were the Tercel and the MR2 , but who knows, there may have been some !
Don, I had a Tercel, dark brown, tan interior. It might have been a 1988 model, not sure anymore. Great car by the way… if I knew then what I know now… I should have kept it.
Just bought a 2002 Prism (Corolla clone).
Its right at the mileage to change the timing belt and water pump but this thing will get to 400,000 miles easy if you’re looking for a nice commuter without all the stuff for today’s cars snatch this thing up. If this thing wasn’t 2800+ miles away I would be bidding, I know could fly down and drive it home but I would have to replace the tires and do the timing belt and water pump first and I don’t want to spend that much time in Florida
Plus it’s been parked for an “extended amount of time” so it may not even run without a new fuel pump and possibly tank. Which means even more time spent in “that’ state
A 1989 Celica st has 85 hp according to the google. That with a slush box does not bode for a spirited driving experience. My father had an 87 gt model with a 5 speed. That was a nice performer with either 115 or 125 hp. Rear seats are for contortionists only
The ’89 ST with the 2 liter 3S-FE had/has 115 hp with 124 lb ft torque.
The ’89 ST had the 2 liter 3S-FE, which had 115 hp.
This car seems to be a GT having the 2.0 engine, all the STs I ever saw had the 1.6 from the Corolla. My daughter had a 1990 GT with a 5 speed that she drove all through high school, great cars, sold it and saw it being driven for years in our home town.
The 1.6 in the Celica ST wasn’t until the 5th generation in 1990. All 4th gen Celicas in America had the 2.0 liter.
NOT a fifth gen but a 4th. 5th gen debuted in 1989 but as a 1990 model.
Would be hot on this car if it was a manual transmission. But the fun factor is just too low here.
Someone will love it, but with the automatic, it won’t be me!