Great college car!
No A/C.
Very smooth running car that is quiet ad reliable. Toyota just makes them better and better!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th May, 2006
Never quits, extremely reliable
Water Pump failed a day after I bought the car.
Great great car. It was high mileage when I got it in Seattle and I did a lot of driving in it. The only times that it didn't start was when I left the lights on. A wagon is the best way to go for sure, I used the car for everything. Camping, moving, commuting, whatever. Gas mileage wasn't great, only about 20 miles to the gallon compared to cars these days, but extremely reliable for an old car. I would definitely buy another.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 16th April, 2006
Can't kill this thing
It has needed 2 water pumps, an alternator, radiator fan, front brake rotors. The last 3 were all over the 300,000 mile mark.
The drivers door handle needed repair as it wore out from use.
The seats are wearing out, but that is not unexpected with a car of this age.
There are a few rust spots that have surfaced recently.
We bought this car in 87 from the original owner, and about 10 years ago gave it to my grandmother who has been using it ever since.
Performance and handling is lacking, but it did in almost every car around that time. It will get up to highway speeds if you're patient... things don't come instantly in any '82. I believe this car in particular is 84 horsepower.
It gets about 30 MPG in mixed driving and the AC still blows ice cold on its original coolant charge.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 14th February, 2006
Great for a 1st car
Needed new exhaust (previous owner took it out) Body rust, needs new battery. had to replace spark plugs and head gasket. Has no stereo.
This car is older than I am and is surprisingly reliable!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th November, 2005
Best car I ever owned..
Great car!
Just general maintenance. No problems with transmission, engine, or body.
Best car I ever owned, but I had to trade it in. A big SUV t-boned the passenger side, and the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The wife said it was time...
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 15th October, 2005
Awesome little, classy car
New alternator, new e-brake cable, new starter, new radiator, new left tie rod end.
Best car you could want. It's over 22 years old and shows no signs of quitting. And I drive it everyday for hours. Best car in the world. For a 1.8L engine it moves. I've had it doing 170km/h+ with minor mods.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th July, 2005
Awesome
Nothing ever went wrong with the car due to manufacturing. The seats were worn through due to age, the trunk rusted out because the seal around it wore out and water pooled in the rear quarter panels. I drilled holes in the quarter panels to drain it. Headliner fell down and I ripped it out while doing 70 on the interstate. No big deal.
Awesome car. I wish I had never gotten rid of it and I would buy another in a heartbeat. The car was absolutely no frills.. but it never let me down and I never worried about driving it 1000 miles round trip. I purchased the car from my aunt while in college for 800 dollars.. best money I ever spent. I had no worries about transportation. The little engine was spunky with the 4 speed (wish I had had a 5sp) and the interior was rugged. The car was very responsive on the road and the most mechanically sound car I have ever owned. Maintain the oil and water and never think about it. It raced up mountains and around curves.. would make a great rally car. I sure miss that little car. I wish Toyota would make some of them and that the US government would allow importation of them without meeting the safety standards of today. If you get one, don't let her go. Take good care of her.. most reliable car ever made.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 22nd July, 2005
I also fully agree with the poster as well. Up until about 10 years ago, I had an '81 Corolla SR-5, and its engine was virtually bulletproof. Transmission destroyed itself when the input shaft bearing grenaded one day, but no big deal, I went to the wreckers and got a nice 5-speed trany for $75 and bolted it in there. The car drove awesome until its body rusted itself into the grave. If it weren't for the rusting problems, this car would have been the absolute ultimate vehicle. I drove it all along the Trans-Canada highway, and never had a breakdown at all. Yes, I also agree, for myself as well, I really miss that car. Best car I've ever owned.
I pulled a 1980 Corolla lift-back out of a junkyard in 1984 (bent frame), rebuilt it, and drove it for a number of years. I still wish I had that car today. The 1.8 liter engine and auto trans were great and very responsive. I've had a number of other Toyota's since and I still wish that one was in my drive. It did everything I asked of it, and still gave more.
Please explain how you drove a '91 for 22 years. It is now 2009 unless I have fallen into a time warp.
28th Nov 2005, 16:20
Read your article, and fully agree. I once had an 91 Toyota Sr-5 liftback, and sold it, now I miss it. Was a great car. Had it for 22 years! I hauled stuff in that car, cruised in it. I went everywhere. Not a lot of torque, but a great little engine, very little maintenance.