Sitting is the new smoking, probably because most of us sit too much and have for decades since the personal computer has been on the scene. I didn’t grow up sitting in front of a computer; we were outside playing, unlike most kids today. Sitting isn’t great for vehicles either, and this 1992 Toyota Corolla has been sitting for over four years. It’s posted here on craigslist in Lynnwood, Washington, and they’re asking $4,900. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
This Sunfire Red Corolla looks almost like new, and after 33 years on the streets, that isn’t an easy task. Well, 33 years of being around, the seller says it’s been parked for more than four years. I used to think a 1992 car was too new for Barn Finds, but I started almost a decade ago, and it may have been back then, but not now. Whether a Toyota Corolla four-door sedan is appropriate, that’s for debate, but Tony P. sent in the tip, and I’m someone who likes oddball vehicles, so here we are.
That isn’t to say that the Corolla, one of the world’s best-selling vehicles of all time, a car that has sold over 50 million around the world in the last 59 years, is an oddball. I just mean, on the hallowed muscle car-heavy pages here at Barn Finds, where Mustangs, Corvettes, and Camaros rule the roost for the most part. My first car was a ’71 Corolla two-door wagon, and I would love to find one today, but I don’t think there are any left; they’ve rusted into oblivion by now. Probably from dumb teenagers running them around ice racing tracks… (that’s my former car on the ice racing track in Duluth, MN in 1980)
The part that may have saved this car, but the one that makes a lot of us sad today, is seeing the console-mounted gear selector for the automatic transmission. A five-speed manual would have been nice. The interior looks as perfect as the exterior does, including the seats, both front and rear. The seller says this car has just 57,000 miles on it and it’s been well-preserved.
The engine should be Toyota’s 1.6-liter DOHC inline-four with around 115 horsepower, and it’s backed by that automatic sending power to the front wheels. The seller says it runs and drives well, but needs a muffler, and the AC needs a recharge, which means it needs more than that. Any thoughts on this ’92 Corolla?
I’ve always referred to these Toyota Corolas as more of an appliance, than a car. I don’t mean this in a bad way. This was a car for Non Car people People who didn’t really care about cars. They needed something to get them from point A to B and this was perfect for it. These were (ARE) reliable. This is a true time capsule. And the price isn’t bad either. When I saw this on Fast Finds I figured Scotty would write it up….. Wait…… No convertible???? Just kidding.
Ha, a convertible wagon pickup maybe… hmm..
I agree about the reliable appliance-for-driving/commuting thing for sure. I hope that those folks also have a fun car or two for when they aren’t commuting.
Hi Scotty. If you are serious about the 71 wagon, I may have found one for ya. I contacted the owner.
There were certainly more compelling driver’s cars within the class of compact four-doors in 1992 – both the Honda Civic and Mazda Protege had chassis tuning set up more for handling, on the same platform as the Mazda the Ford Escort offered better rustproofing and a hatchback. Or you could buy a scratch ticket for the Mopar Quality Lottery with a Dodge Shadow. And that just scratches the surface, and each and every one could be had with a manual transmission.
Looks a real beauty. Nice and tidy.
These were some of the most reliable cars on the road.
Our Daughter had a ’96 (I think) that just kept going.She drove
it to Turners Falls,Mass.a couple of times from Eureka,CA.,and
it just kept going.Then she decided that she needed a better car
and bought a Volvo S60 that turned out to be the biggest pile of
garbage to come along.After she’d had the S60 for a while,and
had problems,I told her that her old Corolla was still going strong.
Our Son,on the other hand,can break a rock in two.He some-
how managed to do in a Corolla & Prism of the same vintage.
If it’s as good as it sounds,this would be a great dd.
Did you ever wonder why there are fewer “car guys” as time goes by? Because they were driven around as kids, in cars like this. Exciting as 2% milk, and as interesting as a 2×4.
I have one , a 94 with 414,000 miles . I bought it so i could have a dead reliable car . And it has been for 8 years . I dont think it will ever die
Me, I’d love this for a daily commuter! It even has crank windows!! LOL I haven’t had those in any car since about 1981! These are efficient, easy to park, minus the “look at me!” factor. What a great little car; nothing really ‘collectible’ about it–just reliable wheels! GLWTA!
Yes, these cars make great daily drivers. The only problem is they get no respect on the roads. I daily a Toyota Matrix to work. On average I get cut off at least three times a day by pick up trucks and SUVs. They know that they are bigger and just force their way into your lane.
They do that round here too with my old for focus. I just try to not let em in or over. I tend to think of it as a combat situation
Always need new mufflers in these. I believe it is due to how efficient the engines are to meet emissions that causes a lot of acidic condensation in the exhaust. Otherwise a very dependable easy to fix and drive car. Always thought about getting a stainless steel exhaust system installed (after about 7 muffler and rear portion of the pipe replacements) but time moved on and we sold the car before the next replacement.
For the asking price, put on a new muffler. It’s been sitting for 4 years, the seller won’t spend a few hundred dollars on a muffler for a car priced at the top of its value, what other upkeep/maintenance is being deferred? It looks like it was detailed and presents well, but if there are hidden mechanical issues the costs can add up quickly.
Steve R
If it runs well, I see it as a fair price. It has EFI, a carb might be a problem. Tires? Rented one a few years earlier on our honeymoon in New England during the fall. I balked at the auto but my new bride insisted as she could not drive a stick (nor can she now, very stubborn that way) Despite the slush box, I grew to love that car, almost bought a new one when we got home for her, but she had an almost new Olds so we decided against it. It was the car that changed my opinions against the Japanese auto. This car will sell fast. I hope Grandma looks down from Heaven and smiles upon the new owner.
IJS – Indestructible Japanese Shi+box. I wish I’d bought one of these, when I was young, and just driven it forver. Basic, functional, dependable transportation.
My daughter had a Toyota RAV4 and a Corolla. She ran the one until no oil showed on the dipstick and it wouldn’t start. I replaced the oil and jump started and she ran it awhile longer and then she got a Sube. This is by no means an endorsement. This things will run forever but after a certain point you’re adding oil with every fill-up. And no one seems to know where it goes. That said this one looks pretty nice. The Camry of that era was good looking too until they got all ugly, but a driving appliance for sure.
Looks like a heck of a buy, what else are you going to buy for $4900?!
Turn the clock back to 1966 and you can buy a loaded new Olds Ninety-Eight 4-door for $4,700. I can remember my dad’s jaw hitting the floor when he saw that the neighbors had paid that much for a new car.
A/C may just need a recharge . . . 2.5 years ago, I purchased a 1987 Camry with 38k original miles on it for $5K. It had sat for awhile, and the freon leaked out. I charged it up and the A/C worked great, and still does.
I’m definitely a car enthusiast, however, I can’t afford a car that some of you would consider to be a CAR for CAR PEOPLE.
The Camry currently has 119k trouble-free miles on it.
Great comment, Connbackroads!👍🏻
Scotty I love that 71 you had. I had a 78 2 door. That was circa 1989-92. By then my 78 had more in common with your 71 than the car shown they were selling then. Any who I d love to have any 70s corrola or any other Toyota for that matter. By the 90s the styling seemed borring , in my opinion. Fantastic car but dull to look at. 33 years later, still pretty dull. Best thing got going for it , seldom see one and never in this good of condition.
I bought a similar Corolla a number of years ago for the money this one is asking. Mine had no issues and I thought I paid all the money then. I’d definitely look to haggle.
All that car did was start every time I turned the key. The AC blew and it took me to work every day, costing me little money and keeping the miles ooff my “real” cars.
My wife got distracted for a second and rear ended a pickup with a large trailer hitch. Otherwise, it would still be taking me to work.
These Corollas are good, easy to maintain and dependable. The one we had seemed to eat mufflers and rear exhaust pipe sections. I imagine due to the emissions efficiency there is a lot of acidic condensation that eats away at the muffler and pipe. Went thru about 7 mufflers in 100,000 miles. We had same exact color and model as this one. We did have the little car on the road respect issues. Eventually sold it and got a bigger vehicle before we had to replace the next muffler. But really considered getting a stainless steel exhaust system for it if we would have kept it.