1992 Toyota Corolla GTi 16v review from UK and Ireland

I have had no problems with the car at all since I bought it as the second owner with 103,000 miles on the clock. It now has 125,000 on the clock and drives just the same.

It has been meticulously cared for mechanically, but has been allowed to drift, body wise, and I am about to spend between 1 and £2000 on it, if I can get a decent replacement tailgate as the current one has corrosion due to what should be the bonded strip at base of tailgate screen having become 'unbonded' letting moisture into the tailgate. Temporary repair with screenclear sealant. I believe it must have had a rear impact which caused the strip to become unbonded, as the rear light clusters were letting in loads of water. On careful inspection, the seal between the upper and lower lens's was allowing rain in. Temporarily cured with sealant until I can obtain replacements, but NOT at £80-00 each from Toyota thank you!!

To obtain the full benefit of fuel injection, needs to be pushed, and engine sounds a little noisy when driven hard, but handles so well. Can be broadsided with complete confidence and 'floated' round corners, grips well, rarely breaks away.

Very comfortable seats, mine had fitted Toyota CD/Cassette unit, highly recommended.

Fuel consumption was worrying me when fuel pump costs went up so I drove the car more conservatively, and was astonished to get over 40 mpg, and if really light footed on the accelerator, 45 mpg. That's phenominal for a GTi.

I have had completely synthetic oil added to the engine, which is protecting my investment. No oil leaks, no squeaks or rattles, runs like a dream, can't find anything to match it without having to spend far too much money, hence my deciding to keep it and have it totally resprayed.

A lovely car, well thought out compromise between a sports hatch and a family runabout, excellent value. I paid about £2000 above book price back in 1998, regretted it then, but not now, it's been worth its weight in gold. No starting problems with all this cold weather and floods (Dec 2000)