Faults:

Rust, mostly under exterior plastic trim, and on lower corners of side panels. (Plastic trim was a mistake)

Front quarter panels filling with debris (e.g. leaves) falling in from openings at the base of windshield - it is hard to remove this debris.

Air heater control lever got stuck and broke.

Most major parts replaced were the clutch master cylinder at 150,000 and a rusty oil pan.

Just normal old car stuff.

General Comments:

Was a very zippy highway car at 130,000 miles, but lost most of its zip soon after.

Still a tight runner. Doesn't use much oil. Has enough speed and power to comfortably compete with urban traffic. 30-40 mpg, depending on usage.

A lot of room in a small car - I'll never understand why hatchbacks went out of fashion.

Faults:

Fan belt snapped at about 200.000km, but that was expected.

Radiator sprung a leak at about 210.000km, due to a little rust and helped along by pebbles.

It has been running on three cylinders for the last six months, nobody seems to know what it is, but the car keeps on going even so.

Plugs need frequent changing in the last three years.

Problem with overheating in the last three months. Something`s probably clogged.

General Comments:

A great car, I hate it, but that`s because I`m more of a Chevrolet guy.

Everything works, even the radio installed by manufacturer in -87,

Starts and runs even with it`s ignition in the wrong order.

Heater, fans and wiring problem free, I have never even changed a fuse.

It has become a little loose in the steering, but all acceptable, no bearings, gaskets or rods changed at all.

A fantastic quality car, I have to say. So it`s with a heavy heart I send it to the car graveyard, due to rust because of my negligence and salted roads.

Faults:

Engine idle speed set too low on delivery, causing engine to stall when steering was on full lock. Quickly rectified while I waited.

General Comments:

Coming after a nice to drive, but rather jinxed used 1985 E36 BMW 320i, the Corolla was sporty looking in its dark green metallic finish set off by polished Fondmetal 14" alloys.

Grey tweed interior was the pinnacle of luxury for the class in its day and was supplemented by a top notch Blaupunkt stereo with snake head equaliser.

The car was reliable in the extreme and I managed to chalk up 21,000 km within the seven months of ownership, with no trouble, apart from the engine idle speed listed, above.

What's more, as the car was hot and in short supply, I sold it for what I bought it for, less the cost of the alloys and stereo. This came about owing to the provision of a company car in my next job.