1983 Toyota Corolla FX 1.6 from North America

Summary:

Great car; really bad dealer service. Don't buy Toyota

Faults:

The heater control went nuts.

Alternator eventually failed.

General Comments:

Decades after we bought an FX, Click and Clack, on their famous USA radio program on cars, commented that the Toyota 4A engine that was in the FX was the best car engine ever made.

Incredibly good gas mileage for its time.

Highly reliable -- the heater control unit failed within the warranty period & was replaced under warranty. 20 years later, the alternator failed, but that was it for mechanical problems.

Comfortable seats. Lots of storage room. Easy to park because it was so small.

Bottom line: the best car we ever owned until our 2002 Prizm. However, our local incompetent dealer persuaded us to never again buy a Toyota. Now we drive a Chevy & a Honda.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th October, 2014

28th Oct 2014, 18:35

Change dealerships. Goodness me, you find the perfect car and decide not to purchase it because of the dealer support. Go find an independent mechanic if you have no alternative dealers. Would you rather find a good dealer selling cars that broke down all the time?

1983 Toyota Corolla AE72 1.6 4a-c Carb from North America

Summary:

Not a car for the vain

Faults:

Minor repairs like alternator, voltage regulator, and water pump.

Rebuilt the engine shortly after I purchased it.

Rebuilt the carburetor twice.

Minor rust on the rear quarters and rocker panels.

General Comments:

Not your super fast car, but does very well for its class.

Interior is what is to be expected of a 27 year old car.

The body is a work of art, it's squared off nicely.

Definitely a unique car to drive daily.

It's not the car for everyone, but with TLC it can be a very nice car.

All the suspension components are swappable with the increasingly popular AE86 body design, which allows for a lot of customization.

This car went on a 4000 mile road trip non stop in sub zero weather with no issues. Coming from a climate that almost never gets below 30 degrees F.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th November, 2010

1983 Toyota Corolla KE70 Wagon 1.4L 4 from North America

Summary:

A tough car, that'll do whatever you need it to

Faults:

For such and old car, and considering how much abuse I put it through, nothing that went wrong with the car is surprising.

It had an oil leak when I first got it at 180,000 miles. But seeing as how I wasn't the first owner I can't say when this first happened.

There were a couple times when it overheated due to lack of oil, and it wouldn't start for awhile, but I gave her some time and she would start right up.

The gears were starting to slip at about 185,000 miles, and that would have needed fixing very soon.

The bearings finally went at 186,000 miles do to lack of oil, this could have been fixed, but I had run this car 'till it died and I was fine with that.

General Comments:

This car was one of the toughest vehicles ever made.

Aside from being incredibly ugly, it wasn't uncomfortable, at least not in the front seats, there wasn't much room in the back.

It went wherever I needed it to go, it handled fine on the countless gravel roads I had to take it on, and even through old trails, it did well.

This car started whenever I need it to. It never left me stranded, not once, and considering everything I did to it, that is incredible.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st February, 2008

1983 Toyota Corolla CS 1.3 carby from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Absolutely insane drifter!!!

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

This car is a drift weapon; it has the best chassis and just drifts superbly in the wet, dry, or gravel.

It's great fun and the engine is superb; it revs up fast, never dies and goes very well.

I give this poor little car an absolute thrashing and it just keeps going happily every day.

I will be out at Mallala soon showing some Nissans up. Please buy one if you find one, you will love it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th March, 2007