In 1988, Toyota introduced the Celica All-Trac (all-wheel drive) to the lineup. Nicknamed the "Ultimate Celica," the car also included many high-end amenities such as a power driver's seat, sunroof, ten-speaker sound system, and leather interior.
The 1988 Celica offered a few different engine choices, depending on the trim levels. ST and GT coupe, the GT hatchback, and the GT convertible got a 116-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The GT-S coupe and hatchback had a 135 horsepower engine with 2.0 liters. The turbo-charged All-Trac got a 190 horsepower engine, which was the most powerful four-cylinder engine in the US at that time. Fuel economy was about 25 to 32 mpg, depending on the engine and transmission.
The 1988 All-Trac was very popular with drivers, who loved that they could get Toyota reliability, Celica style, and sports car power all in one package. Rally-car aficionados who like to add their own custom modifications also appreciate the 1988 Celica.
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I have owned my Celica GT4 for many years and it has always brought me joy. Its one of the legendary cars made by Toyota that very few have seen. Its styling is beautiful and powerful at the same time and it has every option and then some. Toyota spared no expense when they made these. The car first and foremost is a road going rally car. It was not built or designed like a 4 door corolla or a Camry, so do not expect the same thing. It wasnt built to drive to the grocery store on sunday, it was built to be driven like a performance car and maintained as such. You dont buy a Corvette to drive to your job as a bathroom fixture salesman and then expect to pay for Chevy Aveo maintenance. This car should also not be compared to camry, corolla and tercel alltracs. They are utilitarian cars and as i said before this is a sports car.May 31, 2013
by Keegan M
Sep 21, 2012
Lots of fun to drive around corners. things really start moving when the turbo kicks in. It has a suprising amount of room and the lift back makes it easy to access the trunk. It has plenty of technology for being from 88 Sep 21, 2012
by Rawxy F
Aug 03, 2012
all wheel drive turbo. she has a 3sgte engine (MR2) the only hin that is wrong with
her is the oil feed line has cracked. Have not driven her For a while.But she will be
out on the road soon enough.Aug 03, 2012
User rating:
by Anonymous
May 31, 2013
I have owned my Celica GT4 for many years and it has always brought me joy. Its one of the legendary cars made by Toyota that very few have seen. Its styling is beautiful and powerful at the same time and it has every option and then some. Toyota spared no expense when they made these. The car first and foremost is a road going rally car. It was not built or designed like a 4 door corolla or a Camry, so do not expect the same thing. It wasnt built to drive to the grocery store on sunday, it was built to be driven like a performance car and maintained as such. You dont buy a Corvette to drive to your job as a bathroom fixture salesman and then expect to pay for Chevy Aveo maintenance. This car should also not be compared to camry, corolla and tercel alltracs. They are utilitarian cars and as i said before this is a sports car.May 31, 2013
by Keegan M
Sep 21, 2012
Lots of fun to drive around corners. things really start moving when the turbo kicks in. It has a suprising amount of room and the lift back makes it easy to access the trunk. It has plenty of technology for being from 88 Sep 21, 2012
by Rawxy F
Aug 03, 2012
all wheel drive turbo. she has a 3sgte engine (MR2) the only hin that is wrong with
her is the oil feed line has cracked. Have not driven her For a while.But she will be
out on the road soon enough.Aug 03, 2012
by Kevin C
Dec 06, 2011
My first 4WD and turbo car, it equipped with a 3SGTE 2.0 L engine with CT26
turbo charger. This GT4 is running a water intercooler which is unique compare
to most other turbo 4WD using air intercooler, the handling is exceptional,
acceleration is good but not fast compare to other 4WD turbo during that era
due to heavy weight. The build quality is good (usual Toyota standard),
exterior styling is very unique with two large fog light in the middle grille,
interior is ok consider it is a 2 doors, the gas mileage is ok as it got turbo and
4WD. The car is very fun to drive, only draw back is the heavy weight. Really
wanted to drive this car again!!!Dec 06, 2011
by Brian T
Nov 30, 2011
Performance: Power from the turbo engine is good but could be better as
demonstrated by the second and third generations. Handling could also be
better but was probably much better when new.
Build Quality: Its a toyota enough said
Appearance: one of the best looking cars from the period. The Alltrac body kit
really completes the look. Interior is nice as long as you don't the red one.
Cost of Ownership: fairly high since this is a fairly complex and rare vehicle but
that is to be expected with a car of this type.
Fun Factor: this car is alot of fun to drive. when the turbo kicks in you are
pushed back in your seat. A good set of rubber under the car allows it to use
the AWD to handle more than you would think.Nov 30, 2011
by Daniel R
Dec 10, 2009
this car rocks in the snow why because its all wheel drive and turbo but it also shines on dry ground. Its an oldie but a goodie. Did i also mention it won a few wrc championships when the car was created yea i love it specifics 190 hp very solid not to boxy so it looks a bit sporty gas is fairly good maintenance is hard because parts are scarce super fun to drive if you have the money Dec 10, 2009
by Matthew F
Nov 04, 2009
Even though the car was 17 years old when i bought it, it had no problems with it. yes it did have some rust problem but the engine and tranny where in exellent condition. there are many upgrades that can me done to the car to make it even faster.all in all it was a goodcar and worth every penny i paid for itNov 04, 2009
by David I
Aug 28, 2009
it got stolen!! but i have nothing bad to say about this car ..its was fast,allwheel drive,turbo, and it hade one hell of a good look..in side and out.. so all in all I would buy it agian if i could find oneAug 28, 2009
by Payton B
Aug 17, 2009
I actually have a mental block about this car. I had owned a
1979 Celica GT, so when I ran across this car at a very
reasonable price I jumped all over it hoping that the engine
problems I experienced with the 1979 Celica were just an
anomaly. Unfortunately this car was just as bad, and it's not
as handsome as the 1979 Celica.Aug 17, 2009
by Jordan T
Jul 20, 2009
Another great, cheap car I got. I bought it as a winterbeater, and realized it was worthy of much more. The 4 cylinder had a prehistoric version of VVT. It had about 190,00 mile on it, went through no oil, went to red line with no problem. Cool, hard car to find, and cheap. Money well spentJul 20, 2009
by Anonymous
Sep 08, 2008
Performance ~ once you take the boost over 16psi then it becomes fast.
Handling ~ 4wd drifting is cool, better than kitcars and as good as evo9 on point to point stuff. 0-80mph 1-1.5sec quicker than GTi-R.
cant say no bad things about performance for a almost standard car.
handling get coilovers on them.
bigger wheels i had 17in. strip the insides bare bone.
100mile trip costs £5 more than a NA Supra.
As its an old car service every part to check bearings. rear diff swoop to st205. rebuild turbo. swoop bolts in most places or clean up.
On this car rust on outer sill, rear wheel arches, under driver foot well are realy the only issue.
Me i love the car, but would keep it for club meets or special moments. id have 185 as striped lighter, got that nice look in rally clothes, rust not a problem on body. fuel pipes is a must check on both models as rust is a problem.
Sep 08, 2008
by Anonymous
Jul 06, 2008
good car needs a rear diffJul 06, 2008
by Ian M
Jul 02, 2008
I really enjoy working on mine, its a great experience, and i can't to see
how it does at lap days/autcrossJul 02, 2008
by Graham Y
Apr 26, 2008
was the finest car i've ever owned, had to stiffen an lower the suspension for better handling thoApr 26, 2008
by Tyler R
Apr 08, 2008
a long lists of modifications still not completeApr 08, 2008
by Matthew S
Mar 20, 2008
the car has a 2000 twin cam engine standerd so it is ment 4 speed.Mar 20, 2008
by Aaron M
Feb 05, 2008
My car is actually a JDM 1987 Toyota Celica GT Four, but I couldn't choose that from the pull down menus...so '88 Alltrac it is. Although this car isn't cheap to maintain, it's always fun to drive! It's also my favorite Celica body style. The turbo makes it difficult to keep this car within the speed limits and the all wheel drive keeps the car stuck to the ground and in corners!Feb 05, 2008
by Michael J
Jan 16, 2008
My first car and also what I learned MT on. All my friends loved this car. Despite having a good engine, it was in the shop all the time and was falling apart, but it was at the center of many adventures and good memories. Jan 16, 2008
by Pierre G
Dec 30, 2007
like the tercel, bullet proof, Dec 30, 2007
by Dominic L
Nov 26, 2007
I had it for 4 years or so and was very pleased to drive that car.
This car had a great handling with original springs cutted 2 inches lower, damn it was stiff on the road but it was handling like a kart! (I cracked the frame too for that reason!)Nov 26, 2007
by Anonymous
Mar 30, 2007
I've had this car for almost 3 years now, and i've had very few major problems with it. The starter has gone out a couple times, and the alternator has gone out a couple times... but other than that, it's a great car. It gets great gas milage. The only major problem i have with it is that they should've made the back seat bigger, because when i ride in the car for 3 hours in the back seat, my legs hurt like no other.Mar 30, 2007
by Anonymous
Nov 18, 2006
Since Ive owned my celica I have been extremely impressed with it. If you can find an extremely curvy road to push it to the limit with one of these cars, I suggest nothing but keep the rpms high and lay on it. The handling is suberb when sliding and braking is no problem with quad disc brakes. The 2 litre 3SGTE is what I have in mine and that motor has pep in the high ranges of about 4500 to 7000, you could say it is in powerban. Plus off the line it will beat any other four cylinder or small sixes and when in mid driving V8s are just in front of you. Ive raced brand new tdis, ludes, civics, even chargers, vettes and supras and theyve all given me a smile or a thumbs up by the next light. Ive only catbacked the exhaust, opened up the intake and put some nice tires on it. Also ive taken it rallying offroad and it will slide nicely on gravel as well and ive taken it through wash-out mountain roads in bc and took it a two foot drop on and had it on three wheels and scraped the mudflaps. So that is what I have to say about this amazing car and what it has done for me. I will be upgrading alot more to make this car more suberb then it already is. So my advice is if you like to have a reliable, fun, fast when you need it kind of car i suggest you buy it. If not the all-trac turbo version if you like a bit of fast bushwhackin( rally style). Thanks for reading this and happy celica driving.Nov 18, 2006
The car had been sitting outdoors for the last 5 years, It has 142K miles on it. I checked the fluids, gave it gas and a battery and she runs, she made it home. I gave it a new air filter already. It has a hard time starting. It seems like i can turn the key and run the starter for multiple seconds and it won't start. but it starts on the second or third try. It also has a bit of vibration in the steering wheel, i think may be from old tires. tonight i plan to do a Oil change, Oil filter, Wire-Set. and coolant flush. I have no idea what the history of the car is. anything else i should replace or check?
I have a 1988 Toyota Celica I'm putting on 205 50 R17 but the shocks rub in the back is there anything to do as far as modifying or a different type of shock to put on that will work please help
auto tranny, replaced the starter. still nothing happens when i turn the key. thinking it might be the neutral safety switch, can that be bypassed? and how? thanks
