1995 Toyota Corolla Wagon 1.8L from North America

Summary:

Very practical car

Faults:

Clutch master cylinder.

Entire exhaust.

Exhaust manifold (cracked).

Manual transmission (rebuilt).

Brake master cylinder.

Engine and transmission mounts.

Struts (all 4).

Oil leak.

General Comments:

I love this car. I also replaced the normal wear items such as brakes and tune-up parts, timing belt & water pump. Had problem with rust on both sides of the rear panels and right rocker panel. The biggest problem is oil consumption, probably due to piston rings, very common. I get 35-40 mpg overall, and 40-45 mpg on highway trips.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd February, 2022

25th Feb 2022, 00:21

Your claimed MPG is a good 50-60% higher than what an EPA test was able to record (24/31) back in 1995. Perhaps the car is lighter now due to all that rust.

In reply to 25th Feb 2022, 00:21

26th Feb 2022, 12:55

From the owner. I stand by my gas mileage. This is a daily driver, and it gets this because of its 5 speed manual transmission, and I don't drive it hard. It only has 105 hp. The car was purchased in an area that had a lot of snow, and the road salt caused the rust. I am the second owner.

In reply to 26th Feb 2022, 12:55

26th Feb 2022, 18:39

Correct. I live in the UK and most cars here are manual transmission 4 cylinder cars. 35 - 40 mpg from a 1.8 petrol sounds correct, I have had many cars like this and always calculate fuel consumption myself (never trust the trip computer) and get a steady 38 mpg average from 1.8 and even 2.0 petrol cars easily, even with mixed driving and conditions.

In reply to 26th Feb 2022, 12:55

26th Feb 2022, 20:17

Dry the car with a cordless leaf blower, this should eliminate rust problems.

26th Feb 2022, 21:35

Close to 40 mpg highway that would be the top, if you keep it below 60mph. These were very light cars back in the days at around 2300lbs.

1995 Toyota Corolla 2.0L diesel 2C from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Great reliable car; minimal maintenance

Faults:

Radiator replaced in 2011 - my fault, never changed the antifreeze.

Rear shocks replaced in 2012 - worn out.

Paint fade from mostly being parked outside - started about 2005.

Thermostat is a bugger to replace.

General Comments:

Very reliable and versatile. With better care it would be still worth $4-$5000 NZ dollars. Sadly I had to say goodbye to it when someone ran into me and the repair cost was more than its market value.

Diesel motor needed its jets cleaned after 150000k.

Clutch was never replaced. The 2.0L diesel motor gave it good torque for towing heavy loads.

The aircon was still working, but only had 2 temp modes, so not full climate control. The heater was good.

Interior is boring, but that was common for the year it was made.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th August, 2013

11th Oct 2014, 07:07

I am in Namibia, bought the same car in Botswana in 2012. It is now at 220 000 km, but I think my auto gearbox is almost done. It was filled with petrol and driven for about 25km, and the engine is now smoking a bit. I am though struggling to replace the gearbox.

I love the car.

Do you have an idea where I can buy this gearbox?

1995 Toyota Corolla 1.3 injection from Norway

Summary:

Superior quality

Faults:

The car has 242 000 km on the tacho, and today I had it to the biannual EU-test. It came out with no remarks. Everything just fine!

For almost 2 years and 21000 km, I only changed a light bulb, outside of doing regular maintenance like changing the oil and filters.

Had the cam belt changed, but this was in accordance with the maintenance schedule.

I have owned Opel, VWs, a Mitsubishi and a Volvo. None of those seem to come close to the Corolla with respect to quality and reliability. It seems to be in a different league, far above those other brands mentioned, and probably most cars.

General Comments:

Super reliable, and cheap to run. It also uses about 5.25 litres / 100 km, giving 45 miles per US gallon, or less than 54 UK MPG, when used for commuting.

Best car I ever owned, by far.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th June, 2013

31st Dec 2014, 13:35

I still own this '95 Corolla, which has now covered 258 000 km. Only oil and filter change since last time, plus one light bulb. Fantastic car!

In reply to 31st Dec 2014, 13:35

3rd Sep 2015, 00:04

Still have the car. It went through the EU control that we have in Norway with 0 faults!! It never happened to any other car I owned.

It now has 263000 km on the odometer. Oil and filter are changed regularly and it just continues to run.

It's 20 years old this year.

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