Summary:
Still going, best first car you will come across
Faults:
Whats wrong wrong with the car? Nothing y the end of this weekend. The car has a rusty rear left door and a little around the boot and rear fenders, but its due for the final paint touch up if the weather holds up.
The seats are a bit hard, but they soften up with some seat covers.
Steering is VERY heavy, but I can't say I've driven many other cars without power steering.
It has some guts, but I seem to be flooring it a lot to keep up with the traffic resulting in large fuel consumption.
The sun visor has been disposed of and replaced.
The carpet has ripped and coming out the sides of the floor and front door meeting points.
Sits very high from the ground, not good for those quick cornering situations.
General Comments:
The paint work, even when unwashed, is still glossy with relatively solid sides and bumpers.
The interior is perfect not a crack in the dash or split in the seats.
Nice little idea of the radio molded into the dash though to keep up with todays trend a CD player was added and new rear speakers (front ones were removed after the blew).
In 19 years this little beast is still running well with no modifications and the 1.3l gives a bit of grunt considering the cars weight to engine size ratio.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 9th August, 2002
13th Aug 2002, 05:32
I'd have to agree. I have an 83 Toyota corolla, rear wheel drive as well, fun in the wet.
It's a little work horse, just keeps going and going.
Although rust is a bit of a problem in my car as well, I can't complain, it would probably keep going and going if I didn't take it drifting in the wet and off-road rallying.
To tell you the truth I'd say it probably will last.
7th Nov 2009, 19:52
I have a Toyota Corolla 83 CS as well, best little car ever I have to say.. Needs a new battery, but that's alright.
I don't have any issues with paint, dust is the only problem I have. When we got it, we thought it was yellow until we washed it; turns out it's white.
I am going to replace the radio because it hardly works any more. About the only station I can get is 2CA :/ LOL
Anyway, I recommend this car for anyone, whether it be a first car, a car to take to work, a paddock basher, or just a car for fun; it will serve you well. :)