1980 Toyota Corolla 1.8 from North America - Comments

This was a crude well built little car. Absolutely simple to fix and used parts are abundant. If I had to buy new, everybody carried what I needed.

What have I done to the car...

Alternator ($35 used), starter ($35 used), water pump ($59 new), brakes ($30 new front, $24 new back), engine fuse block ($10 used), rear end ($60 used), muffler ($60 new), gages ($10 used), battery ($160 new with 1000 cold cranking amps), fuel pump ($12 used), gaskets ($40 new), seats ($50 used), door handles ($5 used), rust, the paint came off ($17 a year), etc, etc, etc.

Now don't be mislead by what I've said, these are good cars! It was abused before I got it and I didn't do an ounce of maintenance to it unless it needed it. My theory, why soak money into a car with over a quarter of a million kilometers.

I only intended to keep the car from January to April as my other cars weren't as well suited for the intense cold and snow. My other cars were an Alfa Romeo and a Mustang GT Convertible.

But this Corolla, long after April, just kept going and going and going. Never changed the oil, just added, changed the plugs once. When it was minus 40 degrees Celsius outside with the wind blowing on it all night, I'd start the old girl up without having it plugged in and it would go. People just couldn't believe it would start.

I drove it from my home in Saskatchewan to Vancouver at least 20 times. My wife, our dogs and a full load of stuff. The back bumper would be only centimeters off the ground. I drove it though the Rockies with the accelerator pressed to the floor. When it overheated I'd pull over and have a smoke. Then I'd hop in and drive it all over again.

The car was given to me because my friend's wife hated it.

All the paint came off it. So I bought a tin of black rust paint and painted it once a year with a paint brush.

It was a hatchback and I could load nearly anything I wanted into it. And what wouldn't fit inside I tied to the roof.

This little Corolla was not temper-mental or moody. It always ran perfect and I didn't even take care of it. I also drove the heck out of it. There aren't enough words to say how good these cars are.

One time I was in a blizzard and the wind was blowing at 90 kilometers per hour, snow was falling and it was minus 38 Celsius. I was on the highway in rural Saskatchewan at 6:00am driving to work. It was absolutely pitch black outside. My winshield iced up and I had only a peep hole. Then, the snow blew such that I couldn't see the highway and before I knew it I hit the ditch. The car sunk in about 1.5 meters of snow. I couldn't even open the driver's door. So I pulled out my emergency winter survival kit, complete with smokes and a touch of Gin, made a phone call and waited the blizzard out. I was in the car for about 4 hours before somebody was able to get me. It ran like a top, it never even stalled. The next day I went back to get it. She started up, I pulled it out with a 4x4 and lifted the hood. All I could see was the imprint of the hood of a perfectly white layer of snow that completely plugged the engine bay. And the thing was running. Not only did it start, but it was running. Go figure???

Then another time, My wife and I hit a torrential downpour in Vancouver and I hit a flooded underpass. I was dodging vehicles that were stalled and gunning it so I'd have enough speed to coast through once the water stalled the engine. The water was higher than all four tires. The beggar never stalled. Go figure???

And if it was going to break down, it would never just conk. It would just run like an apple box with wheels and always get me to where I was going.

If I ever found one of these with low mileage in mint condition, I'd pay thousands for it. When you pay for quality, you only wince once.

They are cheap to run. Insurance is cheap, parts are cheap, and can be had anywhere.

These cars are boring, but sometimes in life, boring is a good thing. They certainly don't attract attention, that's for sure.

Let me list the complete mechanics tool list for repairs on one of these cars.

- a metric socket set

- a Philips screwdriver.

And with a basic understanding of gasoline engines, a guy could diagnose the problem in minutes.

The basic understanding...

- you need spark

- you need gas

- you need compression.

No high tech computer required for this one.

For a first car, these are unbeatable. But a guy should really own some other dubious vehicle before a Corolla, to fully appreciate how good these little cars are.

Corolla's have the bullet proof reliability of a 1977 Chev and the gas mileage of a 1970 VW Bug.

A guy doesn't get any fun, exhilaration or attention from the car itself, but if he owns one, he gets even better...

By having a pocket of full money and all the neat places the little Corolla will take you.

Here's a good one... when a guy finds a car, and he really thinks it's a good car, you know what he sometimes says?

"Yep, these cars are as good as Corollas"

That's because I think Corolla's are benchmarks in the automotive industry on how cars should be made.

You just can't go wrong with one of these. So what if they're blah - look at the money you'll save and the places you'll go.

I am an original owner of a 1980 Corolla Liftback with a 2T engine 1600cc, 5 speed manual. The engine is an Asian edition. I have 219,000 kilometers of which 95% is harsh stop and go city driving. Of all my cars this one is the cheapest to maintain because practically "there is none". My engine is original and unopened including the carb. I changed my clutch lining only once. I take special care to change oil and filter every 5000 kms. My starter is original. I replaced my alternator only in 2003. I had the front shocks repaired, but the rears are original. I enjoy driving this Corolla not because of any super performance, but as the years go it becomes a rare sight of yesteryears on the road.

My wife owns and operate a four doors, bright red (not glossy though) 1980 Toyota corolla with a 1.8 motor and automatic transmission. She bought it in august 2000 from an 89 years non smoker old lady who had got it brand new, the day she retired. Although the car had never seen a bit of snow after twenty years..., the lady kindly dared to admit two regrettable occasions where she had been "caught" by... rain. We finally excused her...

On the day we purchased it, the counter was showing 41,000 km., now 80,000 km. Runs like a charm and really, is VERY charming. Costs a joke to operate (insurance, gas, repair). Anyone knows why auto makers don't make "jewels " like that any more? Why?

We will make this one last. My wish is that it will be my wife's last car. At 52 years of age, I love and want her around for the long haul, with her Corolla. Thank you Toyota and for ever, God Bless this so respectable lady.

Jean B., (Qu

Jean from Quebec:

Don't EVER 'get rid' of your 1980 Corolla with 80k, if anything please sell/pass it to a family member/good friend to enjoy. It's not really worth much, but worth a whole lot to the right person. If cared for mechanically, that car will do 500k easily. 'don't mak'em like that no more!!

Former owner: 1980 Corolla 1.8 liter sedan 260k (still strong)

My wife and I purchased a 1980 2D Corolla, with the 1.8L 5-Speed.It has 187k miles (not certain of the metric conversion), we paid $300.00 for it from a co-worker of my wifes. Initially it has a fuel issue, which we fixed with a can of carburator cleaner, It hasn't missed a revolution since.

I am now thinking of trying to inexpensively restore it, cosmetically.I really enjoy driving it like a maniac to and from work everyday.

I've placed a nice cd player and subwoofer with an amplifier in it, the looks I get as I fly down the street are hilarious.

I'd love to find another to use for parts, but I only paid $300 for an entire working vehicle,finding a parts car for less would be tricky.

I inherited a 1980 Toyota Corolla 4 door sedan 1.8 liter from my mother when she passed away in 1999. She didn't use it much just to work and back. It had 38,000 miles on it. Always well taken care of. I never used it. I drive my Porsche instead. When a friend of mine in Los Angeles needed a car I thought well she can have mom's Toyota. I had a new paint job put on it, tinted the windows, put new struts on in front and shocks in back and new tires. That's it. Then drove it the 1500 miles to LA.It still is running strong on the freeways of southern CA. And frankly, it's easier to drive than my Porsche. What a gem.

I purchased a 1980 Toyota Corolla not long ago, it has only 93,000 miles on it. it's a yellow wagon with wood side paneling. This car runs great, and the only problems I had at first was the valve cover gasket. I fixed that along with an oil change, new air filter, new thermostat, and I cut the air conditioning belt which increased my power quite a bit. the body on this car is perfect, there is no rust, and the interior is in great condition. I know this car will last a long time.

I have a 1976 Corolla, 2tc engine, with 263,000 miles. Terrific if ugly car. 29 mpg around town. When it looks like it will overheat, I open all the windows and turn the heater on high. This is a minor inconvenience and it solves the problem every time. Never had a more reliable car!

I just bought a 1980 Toyota Corolla 2 door, 5 speed, for $200. 00 dollars all original including the Am/Fm radio in excellent condition. This is a keeper. Not to mention the excellent gas mileage it gets! I Love this car.

I have had to replace my neutral safety switch... can someone point me to a guide on how to do that please?

1980 corrolla with 92k.

It runs like a dream except for that.

Also the starters are a beeyotch to get out of there.

I have a 1980 corolla and it suddenly won't start. I changed the starter then 2 days later it won't start again. I exchanged the starter then installed it. After a week it won't start again. The parts store guy told me there was something else wrong besides the starter. What could it be? could somebody please help me? I don't know what to look for or where.

Rewire the wire coming from the starter or there is a 2 wire plug behind the battery that goes bad cut the plug out and run a direct wire.

I have a 5 speed 1980 Silver Toyota Corolla Liftback. 98,000 original miles, one owner 75 year old mans California car. Mint condition, serious headturner, not a spot of rust, interior perfect all original black. I bought it on Ebay, for $3100.00, spent $146.00 on a plane ticket one way from Des Moines, Iowa to San Fransisco. I hopped in this little sucker, took it in had 4 new tires put on it and an oil change, then spent 30+ hours non stop, and drove it 2100 miles back home to Northern Iowa. Did not burn one drop of oil. Awesome little car. It cost me $121.00 in gas to drive it home. My wife could not believe it was getting 35 mpg. Still gets 28 or so zipping around town. Cheaper to drive than fly. akawildturkey@hotmail.com if anyone wants pictures or can't live without it.

Good Afternoon!

I own two Toyotas, one a 1980 Toyota Corolla and the other a 1987 Toyota Corolla. The 1980 is for the street and the other one for (drag racing import scene), and both of this cars are really great to own.. If you have a chance to own one, I will advise you to do so... you will never regret it.. remember it's a life style!!!

-MR.FUA RACING... NEW YORK!!! PUERTO RICO. WE ARE TOYOTAS & MAZDA KING!!!

1980 Corolla - love them and I wish I could keep it.

Dad bought it from new - exactly 1980 model. It was running well with little maintenance (change oil and other doodads) for 23 years. I don't know what happen to it after 2003 since my dad gave it to my uncle, then my uncle sold it for a bigger car.

Amazing car - not a single oil leak - no suspension problem after all those years.

I asked my dad couple months ago, how many km did it went thru. My dad said,"well, for sure it went past the Odo and back to 000000 again and that was several years before I gave it to your uncle".

I also remember, even my dad's mechanic was interested in getting the car, even though it's already 20+ years old.

Simply Amazing.