Corolla...

[Lois]

Im finkin of buyin a 1991 1.6 gti corolla...all the ones i can find have very high mialage though..just wondering if anyone can tell me if they will still run alrite...i dont wanna go and buy one and have it break down on me! lol

[JT]

hi

this question gets asked pretty much every week, so do a search and you'll find all you need to know. however, common faults are:

Rust in rear arches

Rust in sunroof panel

Rust in tailgate, below window

Rust in A pillars and windscreen surround

Rust at the back of the sills

Seized Rear calipers (check handbrake)

Jumping out of 5th gear

Clutch slave/master cylinder

erm...thats about all i can think of off the top of my head. if its been serviced, dont worry about the engine - they're almost bullet proof

[Twincam.GTi]

JT Posted Yesterday, 07:50 PM

  hi

this question gets asked pretty much every week, so do a search and you'll find all you need to know. however, common faults are:

Rust in rear arches

Rust in sunroof panel

Rust in tailgate, below window

Rust in A pillars and windscreen surround

Rust at the back of the sills

Seized Rear calipers (check handbrake)

Jumping out of 5th gear

Clutch slave/master cylinder

erm...thats about all i can think of off the top of my head. if its been serviced, dont worry about the engine - they're almost bullet proof

Correct and JT's right it does get asked every week ...and why not were all here to help.

Also with GTi:

Check front Wheel arches where plastic arch liner bolts to front arch in two places.

And (and this is only a recent one thats starting to manifest itself due to more advancing years) the rear shock absorber towers/mounts/ inner rear wings which now are rottern on some, very serious, one doesn't want the rear struts bursting through into the boot!

[KidKoala]

I think you'll have a job to find a car that doesn't have rust in all those places tbh! Mine pretty much does.. rust round the wiper arm on the tail gate, rust on the arches, sunroof, windscreen surround, round one of the rear windows at the bottom...

Its just a case of how bad is the rust, what would it cost to sort, and how long will it last.

[Twincam.GTi]

KidKoala Posted Today, 01:52 PM

  I think you'll have a job to find a car that doesn't have rust in all those places tbh! Mine pretty much does.. rust round the wiper arm on the tail gate, rust on the arches, sunroof, windscreen surround, round one of the rear windows at the bottom...

Its just a case of how bad is the rust, what would it cost to sort, and how long will it last.

A very good point.

The only rust on mine appears to be one of the front wings wheel arch (in the two places I mentioned), not bad for a 16 year old car that still wears its original paint and panels. Still back in '93 when it was 4 year old I did heavily Waxoil all box section/sills etc and periodically do it twice a year (Old engine oil painted onto floor pan and waxoil sprayed around suspension body mounts and behind all panels).

I'm also into bangers from the 1960's & 1970's so know all about corrosion

[KidKoala]

Me too ;) have owned 5 minis.

[System~G]

Rust is the major issue with these cars. You gotta try keep ontop of it all the time. It felt like I was always waxoil-ing or Kerust-ing

Toyota engines are pretty strong and the 4A-GE was one of the strongest engines they did. I know of a number that have done over 200 000 miles and are still going strong.

For the age of car you are looking at, expect around 120 000 to 150 000 miles on the clock (low milers and just run in ;) )

[Lois]

tbh im not really fussed about the rust... u gotta expect it with all old cars...i just want one that runs well lol...will check over everything though...thanks for all the advice :)

[JT]

if i had any advice to you, id say get the best one you can afford, body wise, even if others run better - its easier to sort the mechanical stuff than rot (unless its a terminal issue, obviously).

if its gone around the sills/suspension mounts/ rear struts, it'll fail its MOT

[Twincam.GTi]

System~G: I see you now have an MR2 (MK1 as well, so it's a proper MR2 ) Nice car... I really like them although they rust as bad as Corolla GT's and GT's but then I suppose thats part the 'fun' of running 'em

Glad you've stayed with '4AGE' power

[Twincam.GTi]

JT Posted Today, 09:44 PM

if its gone around the sills/suspension mounts/ rear struts, it'll fail its MOT 

...And make for most interesting handeling characteristics

[JT]

:P lol, speaking of which, i managed to get mine sideways today, which was...err...interesting (i.e. s**t myself! :D )

[KidKoala]

Did the same with mine last night! took a couple of mates out for a drive as you do when you get a new car, it was sleeting though! I was pushing real hard round a corner and it let go! Managed to correct it and didn't get any fishtail or snap back. Handles really well.

[Lois]

Did the same with mine last night! took a couple of mates out for a drive as you do when you get a new car, it was sleeting though! I was pushing real hard round a corner and it let go! Managed to correct it and didn't get any fishtail or snap back. Handles really well.

←

im gonna have so much fun when i get mine! lol

[KidKoala]

I thought you were going to take it easy? ;)

[Twincam.GTi]

Lois Posted Today, 10:34 AM

im gonna have so much fun when i get mine! lol

Yes you will, I've had mine 12 years now and still ain't board with it. :D

[Lois]

12 years! thats well long!

and it still runs good yeah?

omg im sooo gonna get one!!! lol hopefull will have one in 2 weeks after pay day! lol

[dawesy]

hi lois, welcome to the club

the corolla gti is the only FWD car other than a mini that i can power slide around islands without using the hand brake. they are fun cars.

my advice would be to go for a face lift model (around 1991) as these had the more powerful engine and revised trim.

by the way got to ask is that you in your sig and avatar?

[Lois]

yeah i will be gettin a 1991 one lol...

yeah its me in my sig and avy

and yeah i will take it easy untuill i get used to it...then ill start havin fun! lol

[Twincam.GTi]

Lois Posted Yesterday, 11:14 AM

  12 years! thats well long!

and it still runs good yeah? 

Yep I know ...sad isn't it and still runs great, over years i've driven it all over Europe.

Only problem was a Sparkplug blew in 1996 on French/Belgian boarder. Local French garage kindly replaced them for free (Cheers guys).

dawesy Posted Yesterday, 06:38 PM

 

the corolla gti is the only FWD car other than a mini that i can power slide around islands without using the hand brake.

Well done for mentioning Mini as well

dawesy Posted Yesterday, 06:38 PM

by the way got to ask is that you in your sig and avatar?

Fair play, some one actually had the bottle to ask her ;)

[Fmrl]

by the way got to ask is that you in your sig and avatar?

what sig?

[KidKoala]

Lol the sig that got removed :P

[Twincam.GTi]

Never known a sig get removed before

[Fmrl]

Best thing is to have an invisible sig so they can't take it off you. :P :D

[TWIN CAM ALLY]

Hi Lois my advice to you is get an AE82 a much better car in my opinion, but if you like your creature comforts go for a 91 gti and watch for the rust its normally in all places