New Corolla Owner

[Murgatroy]

I picked up a `92 Wagon this evening. DX model. Base.

I know the engine, as my Celica has a 4AFE in it, and I have been with Chaos for nearly a decade now. So far it seems that the transmission is the main difference, as it is a three speed model instead of a four speed.

The engine is fresh in a 200k chassis. Body is solid beyond a dent and ding. So far it seems everything works except some of the control lights in the dash.

The car has no rust, has been a southern car and local all of it's life. It is 'supposedly' the proverbial 'Little Old Lady' car, but I am not naive enough to buy that.

I will give it a fluid flush and change this week and a complete tune-up and brake job.

I intend to put my wife in this car.

Anything to watch for? What breaks most common?

I made a thread in the welcome forum, so anyone is welcome to read that to get an understanding of my mechanical abilities if it makes a difference. Long and short of it is, the car won't be seeing a regular mechanic other than myself.

Thanks for having me folks!

[kwint]

Welcome! And nothing serious really breaks on these cars. When I got mine, the more I cleaned it, the more I was surprised that it ran.

[90 GP]

The differential is often a neglected item. It has separate drain and refill plugs. Check the brake lines,wheel cylinders and calipers when doing brakes. The fuel filter should also be replaced.

[zythr]

Originally Posted by Murgatroy

I picked up a `92 Wagon this evening. DX model. Base.

I know the engine, as my Celica has a 4AFE in it, and I have been with Chaos for nearly a decade now. So far it seems that the transmission is the main difference, as it is a three speed model instead of a four speed.

The engine is fresh in a 200k chassis. Body is solid beyond a dent and ding. So far it seems everything works except some of the control lights in the dash.

The car has no rust, has been a southern car and local all of it's life. It is 'supposedly' the proverbial 'Little Old Lady' car, but I am not naive enough to buy that.

I will give it a fluid flush and change this week and a complete tune-up and brake job.

I intend to put my wife in this car.

Anything to watch for? What breaks most common?

I made a thread in the welcome forum, so anyone is welcome to read that to get an understanding of my mechanical abilities if it makes a difference. Long and short of it is, the car won't be seeing a regular mechanic other than myself.

Thanks for having me folks!

Hi: Since you said the engine is fresh, I guess that rules out seals or leaks for a while, other than that, like the other poster said, not too much breaks on these cars.

[RogueMoog]

Curious... is this a FWD, or a 4WD / AWD (All-Trac)?

I agree that these things are pretty reliable. Well I've had to replace both clutch master & slave cylinders, but those would go out over time on any car.

[Evo_lucian]

Just do the regular oil changes etc and the car should last a while

[Murgatroy]

It is a FWD DX model. No options other than tilt steering. And a cassette player.

That is how I like my cars. No options, lighter weight, less to break.

[nizzehult]

In my country there are tree things to worry about on older japaneese cars:
- Rust
- Plenty of rust
- Tons of rust!

Besides that: none!
Alla cars, regardless of maker and model, needs regular service and parts like oil, filters, plugs, tires, break pads, bulbs, wipers etc. must be changed on regular basis.
Sooner or later even the clutch (if transmisson is manual), break disks, muffler, timing belt, shock, alternator and battery must be replaced. Period.
But beside these (expected) things, japaneese cars works and runs like a charm. Especially the Corollas. My opinion.