1988 Toyota Corolla DX 16 V ohc from North America

Summary:

See above

Faults:

Trans at 82K. Got newer 90 trans and made all the difference in the world, in acceleration, at stops and higher speeds.

Apparently had a new rebuilt motor, but could have been owner fault like no oil because I can't see this car going bad even if you didn't change the oil regularly. I live in Hawaii on the Big Island, so we don't have very many lights and travel pretty far for every thing. I get a little over 20 mpg average and that's fine considering I only paid 1200.00 for it and 300.00 for the trans.

GLC Great Little Car, it is a wagon too, and has racks for surfboards which I use for just about every thing. It can carry lots plywood sheets, and my 3 boys have grown into men in the back seat of this car, and it is no worse for wear.

Thank You Toyota, this has to be as good of a car as your trucks have been.

Sandi McKinlay.

General Comments:

See above.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th April, 2007

1988 Toyota Corolla AE82 GT Twincam 1.6 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

But make sure you bring yourself a helmet!!! LOL

General Comments:

This car is the 2nd AE82 I have owned, and I love them.

These cars pull very nicely, and are known to be "wolves in sheep's clothing"... However they're very rare.

I used to have a D reg, and now own a E reg, and don't think I'll ever sell this one, because it's one of the last ones in the country. And also, I have spent £2500 pounds on it LOL.

Well those who haven't owned these cars, need to track one down and ask the owner to take you in it!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th January, 2007

1988 Toyota Corolla wagon 1.6 4A-F from North America

Summary:

Only had it a few days but I see why people love them so much!

Faults:

Well, I bought it only a few days ago, but I'll list off what I've noticed so far:

Rear struts are completely shot.

Handbrake doesn't hold too well.

Slight exhaust leak from the flex pipe.

Front tires are worn.

Plastic bumper covers are hanging off.

Body is rough.

Couple rust holes need repairing.

Interior is dirty and smells like a dog.

I don't much like carburetors.

Clutch pedal feels funny, but seems to work fine.

Rear wiper doesn't work.

Occasionally the starter grinds on the flywheel. I just put it in 5th and roll the car in gear a bit then hit the starter again and it works.

Temperature gauge doesn't work. Cooling fan comes on when it should though.

One door doesn't open.

The heater control is stuck on vent and floor, moving the lever doesn't change it. Makes defogging the windshield tough.

The horn sounds funny.

General Comments:

I just bought the car on Saturday October 7th 2006. I sold my 96 Sunfire to my brother because he needed a car to get back and forth to work in. I just wanted a cheap running winter beater, didn't really care what it looked like.

The car has 231000 miles (373000 kms) on it, but it still runs good. This is my 2nd old, high mileage Toyota (oddly enough, they were both 88's) and mileage or age doesn't seem to affect them.

It's a little slow getting up to highway speed, but once it's up there, the little car will hold speed quite easily. It surprised me how peppy on the highway it is, I knew it only had 90hp and I was expecting it to be a complete dog, but it picks up speed quickly and does well on hills. It's pretty good around town too. I have the 5 speed so maybe that helps things.

I find the car drives nice on the highway. It isn't overly noisy, steering is light and it doesn't vibrate or shake. The driving position seems to suit me quite well.

The body does need some work. I know the car is 18 years old and I did only pay 350 bucks for it so I knew there would be some problems. A dent on the fender, plastic bumper covers are hanging off, 2 small holes in the door frame, but really that's the extent of needed body work that I've seen so far.

Air filters for the 4A-F are shockingly expensive. $21.73 at Canadian Tire!! Luckily, this week Canadian Tire had a promotion, which is good til the 18th of the month. You buy a jug of Castrol GTX oil at $12.99 (a savings of 4 bucks) and you get ANY air filter free!! I didn't need an extra jug of oil as I have oil at home, but I took advantage of that deal, so basically I saved 9 bucks on the air filter and got the oil for free. I love deals like that.

I'm probably only going to drive this car a year and then I'll likely sell it for parts. I'm sure even then the motor will still be running just as well as it is now.

Information on the 6th generation Corollas seems to be hard to find. Most of the info I find deals with 93 and up Corollas. If someone can find 6th gen specific info, please send an email to jason.bright@gmail.com.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th October, 2006

12th Oct 2006, 00:04

The car is actually an 88, not an 87. Sorry for that mistake.

3rd Nov 2006, 20:25

Well, as far as I can tell by Googling, you have the 4A-C engine.