1987 Toyota Corolla GT-S 1.6 Twin Cam 4A-GE

Summary:

The best lightweight car ever made

Faults:

Muffler hangers broke.

Needs a new clutch.

General Comments:

The GT-S Corolla is surely the most fun lightweight import ever made. It's RWD for those who didn't know, which makes the handling very neutral - turn-in response is very good and speed out of the corners is excellent.

The engine lacks torque but is a blast to wring out. Above 4500 the car is very quick.

These cars are tough as nails and parts are abundant - get one for those rainy days and enjoy!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th April, 2001

3rd Feb 2004, 14:11

Toyota Corolla GTS's are great cars. Very fun to drive in snowy/rainy weather. Very fast stock. Only problem is finding parts.

7th Sep 2004, 15:38

Still have the car? want to sell it?

Long_tran@hotmail.com.

30th Jan 2008, 06:53

Power sliding in the wet != drift.

1987 Toyota Corolla GTS 1.6 4 cylinder twin cam

Summary:

Would highly recommend the GTS

Faults:

Alternator went at 292,500.

Head gasket went at 406,000 (my husband says that it was because the animal safe antifreeze I was using ate through the head gasket).

First clutch lasted for 143,000 kms; second clutch lasted for 192,000 kms.

5 speed transmission was rebuilt by the dealership at 54,000 kms (we had no further problems after that).

Regular wear and tear type of repairs: brakes, tires, oil changes, timing belt.

Rear axle bearings and rear end were replaced in the mid-300,000 kms.

General Comments:

Overall the car was extremely reliable. We drove the car very hard from the day we bought it until the day it was rearended and written off.

When the head gasket went and we had the motor opened up the original cross-hatching marks on the cylinder walls were still there from the factory (the motor hadn't worn yet inside).

Until the day the car died the most oil it ever burned was 1/2 a litre per 8,000 kms (which is nothing for a 13 year old car).

We enjoyed the car so much that we bought a second one a year before this one was written off.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th February, 2001

16th Jun 2007, 14:30

My 1987 GTS Corolla has been maintained over the past 20 years. Of course I believe in dealership maintenance and my car runs like the day I drove it off the car lot. Yes, it is a high mileage car of 175,000 miles. I guess I was blessed with this vehicle with really no major problems, yet. The original water pump went bad at a 115,000 miles. The dealership was amazed. The car is used for weekend driving just to keep it running. There are little blemishes. My car runs great to be a l987 Corolla GTS.