Looking To Buy A Corolla

[TABonifacio]

Hi Corolla Forum,

Former 95' Jeep Cherokee owner here. :thumbsup: Let me first start off and say...I just made a cross country move from Rhode Island to Nevada and I was forced to leave my Jeep behind due to financial reasons. The Jeep is in need of major work...My Mom has driven it since brand new and has been in my family for eighteen years so it's safe to say that I'm extremely attached to it. It breaks my heart that I might have to get rid of it if I can't have it off my roommates property by winter, I am forced to call a junkyard which is what brings me to this forum...

First off, I never thought I'd be looking into a Toyota Corolla seeing as I am a Jeep guy BUT I really like the way the older 93-97 Corolla is styled, the way they run and drive. They seem to be extremely reliable from what I can tell and are affordable to buy. Can anyone tell me a little bit more about the engines and transmissions in these cars? Their problem areas? What to look for when buying a older generation Corolla? I am in no way familiar with Toyota AT ALL so anyone that can point me in the right direction is greatly appreciated. Also...I'm living in the Las Vegas Valley so a big concern of mine is are they known to overheat? It can reach up to 120 here on a real hot day so reliability in extreme heat is something important to me.

My Dad used to have a real old red Toyota pickup truck. Can't remember the model for the life of me but it was usually pretty reliable. :yes:

Thank you for any input,
Thomas

P.S,
The photo attached is the generation I am looking at. If this generation had the option of a manual transmission that is also a huge plus. My Jeep is a five-speed and I enjoy driving a standard. Although, if they only came in automatic that's okay as well. Will just get used to stepping on an imaginary clutch I suppose! :laughing:

 

[little rebel]

Welcome to the forum, I had a 93, the same as what your looking for. My mother bought it new in 93 and aside from a few quarks it was a bullet proof car. If you can find a good one that's not been wrecked badly, even if you had to put some money into it DO IT! Get you a chitons repair manual and enjoy the ride. I think that gen corolla were immortal like the 90s accords, they just keep going and going like the energizer bunny ha ha. As for your question about problems, mine liked to eat engine mounts, I replaced the sway bar links twice, the oil pan would leak I resealed it 3 times, the rear brakes always squeeked no matter what kind of shoes I put on it, otherwise I maintained it religiously and finally gave it to someone who needed it more than me and I bought a 14 s 3 months ago. Good luck on your search.

 

[DisposableHero]

I own a 93 and love this car. ive owned it for four yrs now never had a overheating problem or even a scare. Most 90's corolla's are stick they do come in auto but are more common to be stick and i own a standard and have drove my uncles 93 le auto and the 93 dx standard has way more pick up and power. And this car is bullet proof in 4 yrs only major repair has been a new clutch. of course I did the gaskets belts and pads after buying it but have not done anything to it since other then the clutch repair wise. Great mpg town and highway. its great in all weather. Id suggest putting in a intake system as it helps with its get up and go and improves gas mileage. AAny question just ask