Conan
Well-Known Member
About 9 months ago I sold my W124 after getting fed up with trying to sort all the electrical gremlins on it. I was looking at a Volvo 850 Turbo but looking at the immediate previous sentence it'd be a bit ironic. Besides, the one I wanted was very specific and the owner had health issues which meant I couldn't take a look at it for months.
I bought this instead.
It's a basic commuter thing. Literally a car. 1989 Toyota Corolla GL 1.3.
It's okay condition wise. Not much rust. The jack point is a bit bent but that's all. It's done 172,000km when I got it and I put 8,000km on it since then. Basically brand new, right?
Interior is in good nick. Not minter but well kept. Smell like every single old Toyota I've ever been in. A few broken plastic here and there which are readily available second hand for very cheap. Everything on it works because there's nothing to break. Also giffer dash mat.
A dog.
I even have navigation system with updates!
No issue passing yearly inspection. Very good mechanically condition. I only needed to replace the outer rack ball joint and rear shock absorbers and the suspension bits are basically all new. As I said, no rust! Has some sort of aftermarket period correct 15 inch wheels for better tyres availability too.
With period correct tax disc and insurance details. Because I'm that sort of person.
Obscure cultural reference. Relevant to this forum.
Has brakes too. It stops very well.
It's been a happy 9 months. I use this thing as a daily driver all the time. Always a fun ride. Despite having a manual transmission it has ease of operation and driving one in traffic doesn't bother me at all.
I love the build quality on it. This was clearly made when Japan could pour endless amount of money into everything. It's very well built despite being average commuter thing. It's also surprisingly fun! It drives good. Also lightweight and with decent suspension geometry so it's not bad in the bends either. If a little bit tail happy but that's why people likes hot hatchback, right? The rear spring are from Corona which is a bit too stiff if there's nothing in the back. I will sort this out soon.
It also got surprising amount of power if you'd believe me! It goes pretty well for a 1.3!
Ah. This may be why.
To conclude. It's a reliable little car. Nothing more than that! And it's good having a car that could be fix for peanuts.
And it really is mine.
I bought this instead.
It's a basic commuter thing. Literally a car. 1989 Toyota Corolla GL 1.3.
It's okay condition wise. Not much rust. The jack point is a bit bent but that's all. It's done 172,000km when I got it and I put 8,000km on it since then. Basically brand new, right?
Interior is in good nick. Not minter but well kept. Smell like every single old Toyota I've ever been in. A few broken plastic here and there which are readily available second hand for very cheap. Everything on it works because there's nothing to break. Also giffer dash mat.
A dog.
I even have navigation system with updates!
No issue passing yearly inspection. Very good mechanically condition. I only needed to replace the outer rack ball joint and rear shock absorbers and the suspension bits are basically all new. As I said, no rust! Has some sort of aftermarket period correct 15 inch wheels for better tyres availability too.
With period correct tax disc and insurance details. Because I'm that sort of person.
Obscure cultural reference. Relevant to this forum.
Has brakes too. It stops very well.
It's been a happy 9 months. I use this thing as a daily driver all the time. Always a fun ride. Despite having a manual transmission it has ease of operation and driving one in traffic doesn't bother me at all.
I love the build quality on it. This was clearly made when Japan could pour endless amount of money into everything. It's very well built despite being average commuter thing. It's also surprisingly fun! It drives good. Also lightweight and with decent suspension geometry so it's not bad in the bends either. If a little bit tail happy but that's why people likes hot hatchback, right? The rear spring are from Corona which is a bit too stiff if there's nothing in the back. I will sort this out soon.
It also got surprising amount of power if you'd believe me! It goes pretty well for a 1.3!
Ah. This may be why.
To conclude. It's a reliable little car. Nothing more than that! And it's good having a car that could be fix for peanuts.
And it really is mine.