30th Nov 2004, 03:45
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)
7th Mar 2005, 11:20
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 wife. Initially it has a fuel issue, which we fixed with a can of carburetor 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, so finding a parts car for less would be tricky.
17th Apr 2005, 20:03
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.
2nd Feb 2006, 09:56
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.
29th Jul 2006, 00:54
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!
18th Jun 2007, 02:17
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.
26th Jun 2007, 17:24
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.
2nd Jul 2007, 20:31
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.
4th Nov 2009, 11:41
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.
26th Sep 2004, 18:42
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