Looking at snagging a cheap 5 speed 97 Corolla. I have minimal experience with Toyotas. What are the common weak points on these cars aside from rust and such?
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May 18, 2011 6:32 a.m. PubBurgers Dork
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May 18, 2011 6:48 a.m. cghstang HalfDork
Oil consumption. SWMBO's '02 Prizm (same as Corolla) has the 3spd auto (run away!) and uses way too much oil. I think the earlier models were less likely to have this problem.
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May 18, 2011 7:14 a.m. MA$$hole Reader
I was recently shopping for one for the grandmother & the only trouble spot I came across was if the seatbelt light remains on there is a sensor of sorts in the receptacle that tends to fail. IIRC it was close to a $200 part, but I could be mistaken.
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May 18, 2011 8:03 a.m. mndsm SuperDork
cghstang wrote:
Oil consumption. SWMBO's '02 Prizm (same as Corolla) has the 3spd auto (run away!) and uses way too much oil. I think the earlier models were less likely to have this problem.
This. I actually ran into a starvation issue on one to the point that it popped the motor. Bizarre stuff considering it was a Toyota.
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May 18, 2011 8:03 a.m. mndsm SuperDork
MA$$hole wrote:
I was recently shopping for one for the grandmother & the only trouble spot I came across was if the seatbelt light remains on there is a sensor of sorts in the receptacle that tends to fail. IIRC it was close to a $200 part, but I could be mistaken.
Have a 99's that does that. a 2$ roll of e-tape and 5min.... no more light
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May 18, 2011 8:05 a.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork
^Celicas of the same era have the same problem. There's actually a cheap wiring job you can do to have it fixed.
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May 18, 2011 8:20 a.m. Zomby woof SuperDork
mndsm wrote:
cghstang wrote:
Oil consumption. SWMBO's '02 Prizm (same as Corolla) has the 3spd auto (run away!) and uses way too much oil. I think the earlier models were less likely to have this problem.
This. I actually ran into a starvation issue on one to the point that it popped the motor. Bizarre stuff considering it was a Toyota.
Same as my sons. It was an awful car. I felt bad for recommending it.
My first thought when I read your question, "what should I look for"?
Another car.
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May 18, 2011 8:22 a.m. mndsm SuperDork
I still love the damn things for some reason. It was a great car, and the replacement engine was like 300$, so I didn't care too much. my 93 is the reason I own a 99 (Chevy Prism) now.
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May 18, 2011 8:34 a.m. MA$$hole Reader
mndsm wrote:
Have a 99's that does that. a 2$ roll of e-tape and 5min.... no more light
That is also the same fix for an NA Miata air bag light, btw.
