Sunroof motor died.
Sunroof seal leaks.
Driver side floor rusted out.
Water pump died.
Timing belt replaced.
Passenger side seatbelt broke.
Valve cover leaks.
Ignition hesitation/uneven acceleration.
Ignition cap, wires & Rotor replaced.
Shocks/struts are starting to wear out.
The car is not comfortable, a low ceiling means anyone over 5'10" cannot drive it, yet the driver seat does not adjust enough for someone under 5' 2" to drive it.
The back seats are really only for children, the roof slopes too low for adults to sit comfortably.
The brakes are soft and weak.
Transmission is clunky, sometimes it will not shift properly, forcing you to double clutch.
Revs quite high, 3000 rpm in 5th gear is only good for 110km/h.
Not great gas performance, 400 km per tank (40l) mixed hwy and city/suburban driving.
The design of the ignition system is pathetic, the cap/wires are one complete very expensive unit and you cannot change the spark plugs without a special deep socket wrench.
Your comments about mechanical items wearing out and needing to be replaced are quite funny considering it is an 18 year old car.
Just bought a cap and rotor for $19.00; you're right, very expensive.
I had a 1985 Toyota Camry and if someone hadn't crashed into it (totaled) my car I would still have it! You need only to know basic mechanics to maintain it yourself! I always loved that car, all oils and extra lubricants were always added!
I loved that car and I was sad the day it was towed away. Believe it or not, 2 weeks later I saw it on the street! Someone actually took it out of the junk yard and fixed it. I got a Toyota van cause my family is bigger now, and yesterday I bought a 1989 Corolla for 1000 bucks! This will be my new baby!
I just bought a 89 Corolla sr5. Yes the interior is in very bad condition, however, I got the vehicle one for 2 reasons; 1 gas mileage is great. 2 I know it will run for a very long time.
To the guy above complaining about lil crap; go buy a Blazer 10 V6 with a vortec and you'll be crying even worse when you're paying 80 bucks a fill, and the mpg on that is like 12 city and 18 hwy, if you even get that.
Sounds like you need to simply fix the things that are wearing out. Parts wear out with age; they don't last forever. What makes Corollas so nice is that parts wear out slower than many similar models from other auto makers.
My car has almost 200K miles and the rear brakes are finally wearing out.
Original manual transmission, original clutch, original sunroof, etc.
Yes, I have replaced the radiator, alternator (recently), timing belt, and starter motor (at 197K miles).
I'm using a Corolla 1989; only minor repairs and a change of tires, it's very reliable, just don't forget to put in gas and it won't stop till you drop...
Yet another reviewer expecting a lifetime warranty, perhaps?
You gotta be kidding me! i am 6'2" and I have plenty of leg room/ head room. the car doesn't accelerate well in your case because your timing is out or the carb is running too lean or too rich. my 89 sr5 is the most reliable car I have ever owned and im not ever goin to sell it, dive it till its in the ground! and you can't complain about replacing wearable parts that no manufacturer can make that will last a lifetime.
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