1989 Toyota Corolla All-Trac Wagon from North America - Comments

Keep it!

Another driver rammed into my 91 a couple of months ago... It's hard to replace.

I have owned an 89 All Trak since 2002, bought it from a church family I knew at 120k miles, and didn't hesitate knowing it was a Corolla, and Toyota for the most part stand behind their products.

Up here in snow country 4 wheel drive has been nice thought.. I reluctantly sold my 89 Subaru, which I liked a bit more cuz of the better clearance and the hi low and granny gear. My Toyota won't creep up the back country hills and there are only so many running starts you can do before one will end in disaster.

Backing up... I lucked out when the Toyota came available. I got it with all the documentation and they had the exhaust work done, and as far as I could see it had no other issues. It did have a funky RD gear synchro that is touchy if I don't have the pedal completely pressed. I think this was a defect cuz it is mentioned in TSBs I researched, so I've got to really watch the shifting.

I got a rebuilt alternator and installed these myself as well as brakes. Finally the right caliper went out at 170 k and I bought some time by a gonzo repair I thought up myself, which is by grabbing the piston with channel locks and turned it about one quarter turn, and that freed it up for many months more. I also use the 'synthetic brake fluid and PS fluid and do regular flushes and I think that really helps.. the rear wheel cylinders are original. I regularly wash out the calipers as best I can with the garden house, and I really think it keeps the seals clean. Of course I do this just before I drive it so as to dry it off fairly quickly.

As you can see I am a bit anal, and also do regular flush of the clutch slave cylinder and powersteering fluid. The PS fluid I add powder Teflon to it and or jojoba additive (check it out) and fixed the rack and pinion ancient boot with some 10 mile and duck tape tx. And it still is keeping the R and P clean post 6 years.

I did eventually rebuild the right caliper and the kit cost five bucks at shucks and took about one half hour. What a rip off buying a rebuilt unit is.. well for the price.

I like the fact that oil changes are a snap with the anatomy being readily available... I have changed the oil q 2000 miles plus or minus and it still has passes the emission test here with flying colors at 190K.

Now I am slated to get the clutch done and worried about my baby's open heart surgery. I really don't trust many mechanics and I know that few mechanics have done these clutches/engine removals, so I had to interrogate the mechanic.

Any hoo, I really like my little red car and in repayment of many good years I painted her toe nails... I did a top notch wheel paint job and with the reg wax jobs it is by far one of the best looking 89 cars around.

One thing you all need to stay up on is those fluids. I learned that with these and the right additives, I have never had to buy new cars, nor ever plan to.

Gary T. Boise Id.

I've had an '89 SR5 Alltrac Standard since 94 when it only had 35K miles. It now has 182,000 and only smokes when I first start the car in the morning. Probably needs the valves done, but it doesn't go through much Mobile one synthetic so will probably leave it alone.

Round about 75,000 exhaust manifold cracked and have replaced exhaust parts a lot due to rust. Till 2003 it was mainly a Colorado car, so didn't have any body rust until it spent the last 5 years in Missouri. Put a new timing belt in at 80,000 just to be safe, but didn't think to replace the water pump, which went out a short while later. I've also had the clutch replaced (just as preventive maintenance), struts of course and alternator, and brake pads and shoes, but nothing else except the air conditioner doesn't get very cool.

The fuel access door wouldn't open (maybe WD-40 would have worked) so I broke the latch. It is a full time all wheel drive, and according to the service manual (if I remember correctly) the center differential switch alters the rotation speed of the wheels and is useful on dirt roads and snow, or wherever there is any problem with traction. I seem to remember that you can engage the switch at any speed, which I've done without problems.

It is a wonderful car that is very surefooted in even severe winter weather, and it is a pleasant looking wagon to boot. Like that person commented earlier; the Matrix is a good replacement and looks cool also. I can be contacted at dougtmax@gmail.com... not an expert, but have a service manual.

I recently bought my second '89 All Trac, I blew the engine in the first one by accidentally leaving it in first gear while towing it behind my crane at 65 MPH. That's hard on them I found out... It was a great ride, so when I had the chance 4 years later to buy another, I jumped on it. $550.00 and only 128 K miles. EVERYTHING works, no rust, and all the glass is good except a crack in the windshield. This one will also be towed, I welded a tow bar setup onto the boat hooks today.

I'm selling a '96 Subaru Legacy and a '89 Honda Civic, the Toyota handles better then either, and is more fun to drive also.

One tank so far: mixed city and freeway @70 to 75 MPH= 33 mpg.