1982 Toyota Corolla from North America - Comments

Nothing ever went wrong with the car due to manufacturing. The seats were worn through due to age, the trunk rusted out because the seal around it wore out and water pooled in the rear quarter panels. I drilled holes in the quarter panels to drain it. Headliner fell down and I ripped it out while doing 70 on the interstate. No big deal.

Awesome car. I wish I had never gotten rid of it and I would buy another in a heartbeat. The car was absolutely no frills.. but it never let me down and I never worried about driving it 1000 miles round trip. I purchased the car from my aunt while in college for 800 dollars.. best money I ever spent. I had no worries about transportation. The little engine was spunky with the 4 speed (wish I had had a 5sp) and the interior was rugged. The car was very responsive on the road and the most mechanically sound car I have ever owned. Maintain the oil and water and never think about it. It raced up mountains and around curves.. would make a great rally car. I sure miss that little car. I wish Toyota would make some of them and that the US government would allow importation of them without meeting the safety standards of today. If you get one, don't let her go. Take good care of her.. most reliable car ever made.

Read your article, and fully agree. I once had an 91 Toyota Sr-5 liftback, and sold it, now I miss it. Was a great car. Had it for 22 years! I hauled stuff in that car, cruised in it. I went everywhere. Not a lot of torque, but a great little engine, very little maintenance.

I also fully agree with the poster as well. Up until about 10 years ago, I had an '81 Corolla SR-5, and its engine was virtually bulletproof. Transmission destroyed itself when the input shaft bearing grenaded one day, but no big deal, I went to the wreckers and got a nice 5-speed trany for $75 and bolted it in there. The car drove awesome until its body rusted itself into the grave. If it weren't for the rusting problems, this car would have been the absolute ultimate vehicle. I drove it all along the Trans-Canada highway, and never had a breakdown at all. Yes, I also agree, for myself as well, I really miss that car. Best car I've ever owned.

I pulled a 1980 Corolla lift-back out of a junkyard in 1984 (bent frame), rebuilt it, and drove it for a number of years. I still wish I had that car today. The 1.8 liter engine and auto trans were great and very responsive. I've had a number of other Toyota's since and I still wish that one was in my drive. It did everything I asked of it, and still gave more.

"Read your article, and fully agree. I once had an 91 Toyota Sr-5 liftback, and sold it, now I miss it. Was a great car. Had it for 22 years! I hauled stuff in that car, cruised in it. I went everywhere. Not a lot of torque, but a great little engine, very little maintenance."

Please explain how you drove a '91 for 22 years. It is now 2009 unless I have fallen into a time warp.