1978 Toyota Corolla KE30 review from Norway

Water pump had to be replaced after 250000 kilometres.

Seats started to wear after 270000 kilometres.

My grandmother bought this car new in 1978, and she drove it until 1994, when I was 18. Then she handed it over to me, due to the retiring of both granny and gram-pa. They figured they only needed one car. (They had one each)

It was completely in perfect shape, like brand new, in 1994. Interior still smelled kind of new. No paint scratches or damages. It had been running for 121000 kilometres at the time I got it, and it was fantastic to drive.

However, here in Norway, the roads are most slippery during winter. Because the motor was located in front, and the car had rear-wheel drive, its rear end seemed to really easy slip off the road and begin to sway back and forth, and with no pressure over the driving wheels, it was hard to regain control, once slipping.

So the car went out of the road and downhill. Its chassis was smashed, and the car was beyond recovery. This happened about after 187000 km, in 1998. Really a shame.

Then, I bought another, but I extracted the intact motor and gearbox from the wrecked one and installed them into my new station wagon model. It was not as clean and good-conditioned as the previous chassis, but it was nice. And not to mention; cheap. And I started driving right away. But I needed something more safe, so I sold it to my uncle and bought myself an Audi 80.

But my uncle kept it. And he drove it until 2006, when he had to sack the whole car, it was through-eaten by rust. But the engine and the gearbox never complained. It was really really solid built. Never had any engine trouble, clutch had to be replaced after 230000 km, though.

My cousin is on his way to buy one right now, I wish him tons of driving pleasure years ahead!