1981 Toyota T18 3T 1.8 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A cheap bag of laughs

Faults:

When I bought the car it had a few holes in the exhaust. I fixed that by replacing it with extractors, 2 1/4 stainless exhuast pipe and a 4 1/2 tip.

I have broken 3 5 speed gearboxs since I've had the car.(due to driving the car to its fullest).

Driver's side seat broke.

Leaked oil excessively (fixed by replacing bottom seal).

Bald tyres (again from driving the car hard).

Water pump seized.

Rubbers between doors and back windows is broken.

General Comments:

The car overall goes hard, but at a price.

If the car had new springs and suspension it would be great.

One thing my mother always said to me - it doubles in value each time I fill it with gas.

All together I've spent about $3000 on the car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th February, 2002

1980 Toyota T18 SE 3T-E 1800 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Oldie but a goodie

Faults:

I have had some problems with the carby, but nothing a good tune won't fix.

General Comments:

Can't kill it with an axe!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th April, 2001

10th Jul 2001, 04:58

I once had a T18, bought it back in the summer of 98. Was a great little car, air con, velour seats, for $1200. Cost me only $300 for a roadworthy example. Was a great little car to drive, had a bulletproof engine, smooth gear box and was generally good all round.

Too bad I killed the little thing! Was my first car and by the time I'd finished with it, it was on its second gearbox, second exhaust, the doors would not shut properly, the motor was only firing on 3 cylinders, starter motor was gone, it leaked oil faster then I could pour it in and the differential needed reconditioning. If it wasn't so far gone I would have fixed it, but I got a dodgy Japanese gearbox and that could only house a special starter motor and the total cost to repair it was in the thousands.

I had to say goodbye to the poor girl. She was a great car, never let me down and would love to have another one again. I had to sell her for a meagre $150 to a wrecker and the last time I saw her she was in a very sorry state, damaged, dented, rusting and in pieces (sob). But the story of one's first car is all too common so RIP my little T18, you were a great car and I'll miss ya!

13th Jul 2002, 00:26

T 18 what a minor investment for so much fun, i picked one up for a mere $600. First I ripped out the motor and totally rebuilt, shaved 55 thou off the head, took 6LB out of flywheel, ground cam, added 2in exhaust system single muffler goes really well. Cost of rebuild close to $1000. It dose require electronic dizzy hopefully in near future if I can find one.P.S I also removed air injection under extractor seems to run a bit hot, nothing an oil cooler would not fix. HAVE FUN.

14th Aug 2003, 23:48

I bought my Toyota T18SE in '96 and have done a Quarter of a Million klicks in her and she's has never let me down. Even when bits fell off she always went.

Now I'm trying to replace the main oil seal, but am having problems getting the timing cover off. I should have known there would be a problem when the replacement seal and gasket were only 17$. Still I'll get her up and running yet. The best car I've ever owned. Seamus Duffy.

31st Aug 2006, 21:44

I have a T18 (1979) that I have owned for 15 Years. I drive it to work every day (60k round trip). I have rebuilt motor, gearbox, brakes, front end, carby and suspension over the last 3 Years. All standard, but it never breaks down, car has done over 300,000 km and does not have a spot of rust in it. I wouldn't sell it for anything. My 17 Year old son thinks it's cool because none of his mates has anything like it. The best thing about it is that it has no computers and everything is so simple to fix.