1982 Toyota Corolla SR 5 1.8 litre

Summary:

Unbelievably Reliable

Faults:

All repairs due to old age and wear and tear.

No major repairs needed, I have only had to replace altenator, starter, belts and hoses.

The only down side is the rust factor

Had major rust through out body.

General Comments:

Good power

Excellent reliability

Very low maintenance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st July, 2003

13th Sep 2005, 14:05

Yes, rust was a severe problem with my SR5. I put a lot of Bondo and fiberglass into it to keep it looking half decent.

16th Feb 2008, 17:20

This is still my favorite car of all I've ever driven--good gas mileage, fun to drive, and reliable as anything. I had the usual minor stuff from wear and tear, but it was remarkably easy to work on--unlike any I've owned in the years since.

27th Mar 2008, 05:34

Toyota 1982 SR-5 1.8 3tc - now 2TG Twin Cam. I bought the car 20 years ago, and still have it, not a daily driver any more, but have lots of fun when I drive it. It is amazing how reliable and strong these cars are. Want to see it? http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2131008/1982-toyota-corolla

1982 Toyota Corolla DX 1.5L

Summary:

The most reliable for college years

Faults:

Rusted rear body at bumper line when I got it for FREE from my cousin's auto shop because one of my other cars keep breaking down (dodge ram mini pickup).

Drive shaft fell off in the middle of traffic at 130000miles. Embarrassing...

Radio busted since stone-age.

General Comments:

Still. This car made a permanent impression in me of how reliable car should be after it took all the beating and abusing of my years in college... like skipping oil lube schedule and water-for-coolant treatments... and never replaced air filter.

It ran and ran at the turn of the key EVERY time!

Then one cold morning after I climbed to San Francisco from San Jose... the engine gave up its first cylinder valves as it broke with springs and parts flying inside the head. I did not realize the weird noise and unstable idle speed when it happened at start up... as it was still a very cold morning in San Francisco.

I ran it home to San Jose anyway...and days to months later that I noticed one of the cylinder isn't firing. Opened up the head cover and discovered the exhaust vales and springs had broken to pieces inside the engine. I picked out the parts the best I could and covered up the engine and the car still kept on running muhahahaha... it was invincible! Then later when I got another car, I ditched it. The most incredible car that I've seen.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st February, 2003

1982 Toyota Corolla 2dr Hatchback Delux 1.8 3TC

Summary:

Reliable workhorse. Wish I could have kept it as a memento

Faults:

Exhaust, starter, battery, and alternator replaced ONCE each, but that is expected for a car with 20+ yrs of faithful service. It also gives you a warning if these items go.

Regular service items: air filter, oil and oil filter change, trans. oil change, tires.

Yes seats are badly wore now.

General Comments:

Sure it didn't have amenities like power windows or gobs of horsepower, but it always fires up when called upon. Had to donate it because I've moved on to a Nissan S13 and could not afford the insurance and taxes to keep 2 cars. However the Corolla will always be remembered as my first car that has taken me through high school and college. Was still running when I donated it. It was practical and can haul a sizable amount of cargo. Was sad to see it go.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th January, 2003

1982 Toyota Corolla Wagon 1.8 (3TC)

Summary:

Its cheaper than Anna Nicole Smith!

Faults:

I replaced the starter soon after I bought the car. It took 1.5 hours and cost less than $70. Installation time included removing and replacing the exhaust manifold... in the rain. It was a piece of cake and my girlfriend now thinks I'm a mechanical genius.

General Comments:

This is a very simple, reliable, cheap and fun vehicle. It hauls my 100 lb golden retriever every day, chirps a tire going into 2nd gear, and still gives me 31 mpg. Can you ask for more from a twenty year old economy car?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th August, 2002

11th Nov 2003, 23:04

I just recently bought an '82 Corolla two door sedan from a friend for $150... she seemed to think it was dying. We took it home and gave it a little tender loving care (not even a full tune up), and she's running pretty well! We're having alternator problems due to some rewiring done to the car before, but as soon as we can find the right plug and get the stock alternator back in, we'll tune her up and she'll be hopping and bopping all over my town. I bought this car for almost nothing and now it's made me happy!

6th Oct 2004, 00:24

My light blue 1982 four-door Toyota Corolla Hatch-back Station Wagon runs great after 22 years of good service. I have driven through college and law school and am thinking about keeping it even after I work in a fancy firm and make good money... the car just goes, and goes, and goes. Everything works in it and the occasional repairs are inexpensive and pretty simple.

26th Aug 2006, 14:22

First of all, I don't need help with my grammar and punctuation, let alone spelling. I, just yesterday, purchased a 1982 Corolla for a whopping $300.00. So far, it is working great and I enjoy reading all these customer reviews of the Corolla. I expect the same to occur here. I'm just disappointed that it was bought for my cousin. I just hope I'll be around long enough to get to drive it for the remainder of the miles. It only has 158K.

Thanks for the, all positive, remarks.

22nd Mar 2009, 19:30

Hey.

I have a great 82 Corolla (2 door)... It has kept me happy through college for four years and 2 years of high school..

However, I'm have alternator problems and I am wondering if you guys know what kind of alternator it has?? Does it have a regulator??