By gelhtron on 12th Sep 2005
gelhtron's Ratings| Year Manufactured | 1990 |
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| Length of ownership | 3 days |
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| Doors | 2 |
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| Performance | 9/10  |
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| Practicality | 10/10 |
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| Reliability | 10/10 |
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| Value for money | 10/10 |
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| Overall value | 10/10 |
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 gelhtron's recommendation |
Good Points
The major plus point that keeps people coming back for more has to be the engine without a doubt and the general spec of a car this age in a lot of respects was ahead of it's time compared to similar European cars
Bad Points
The downside with the Corolla and Japanese cars of that era in general is the body work, but if you are willing to put in a little time, money and TLC in, you'll be more than amply rewarded for your efforts. Also nowhere to put a decent set of speakers in the back, unless you go down the stealth shelf route.
General Comments
I have owned the mark 1 AE82 Corolla GT and unfortunately was too young to appreciate what I had at the time and didn't take very good care of it, if I'd known then what I know now, I would still be enjoying it today. That was the start of my affair with Japanese cars, I have since owned a Mazda MX3 V6 24v and I am currently driving a Honda Saloon Vti, both of which I have had some great fun with especially the Honda.
The Vtec can become addictive and you have to have some control or you begin to feel it in your pocket, as long as you stay below 5250k she'll sip the petrol like a lady, anything above that and she's becomes a Ladette on speed.
Even with all that fun at your finger tips I have always hankered at owning a Corolla again and have been fortunate enough to pick up a totally standard AE92. I won't disclose the price as I fear some of you reading this might spit your dummies out and I would have to say I wouldn't blame you one bit. It came with the original bill of sale and I have all past M.O.T's showing the mileage is genuine at just over 41k on a H, the only downside are a few electrical problems, but anyone who has or owned a Twinnie will understand what I mean when I say, as soon as you turn over the engine over and take it for a test drive, as long as it's been looked after and not abused the other problems take second place, in my opinion, to one of the best normally aspirated 1.6 engines every produced.
I can only make the comparison against the saloon which I have owned for the past 3 years. I already find the Corolla easier to live with than the Honda. The Corolla power steering and engine is lighter and smoother and more responsive lower down the rev range than the Honda and I find it more comfortable on longer journeys and I am 6' 3".
akmc on 15th Apr 2006
The Chief on 4th Jan 2007