Old Toyotas aren’t really my thing, but there are a lot of people are into them. They are reliable, unique, and can be fun to drive so I can see the draw. In fact, I owned a Starlet for a while and enjoyed using it as a commuter. So, when I spotted this 1981 Toyota Corolla I felt a strange desire to own it. Valuing a car like this car be tough though, so I thought it would be fun to see what you guys think. Keep reading or click here to view more photos.
Sure, it’s a wagon with an automatic transmission, but there’s no rust and the paint looks like new! This one was even well-optioned for a Toyota – complete with air condition and AM/FM radio. The seats are cracked, but these all seem to have that problem regardless of use.
Some guys like these because they are carbureted and rear wheel drive. It’s not uncommon for those same guys to swap in modern drivetrains to make them serious sleepers. That isn’t something I’d want to do, but I can appreciate the concept. The engine and tranny leak a little fluid, but this one runs great!
The odometer shows just under 50k, but being a 5 digit meter, it’s hard to determine if that’s really 150k. It runs like it’s only covered 50k miles though and many of the surfaces show little wear. The cracked windshield and dash make me doubt the low mileage though. It was in the procession of the original owner until just recently though so maybe he just took good care of it? Even if it’s not a real survivor, you could fix the air conditioning and have one heck of a hauler!
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For some reason $2500 keeps coming to mind when looking at this car. Plane Jane vanilla (almost literally) econo box wagon with little to offer in terms of performance or handling, not even much of cool factor. Maybe some nostalgia of youth not so well spent ;-). I’m sure there’s someone out there that feels twice as strong about this car and by golly, he/she should buy it….
I’d even go as far as $2,800.00 because of the mileage – and it’s really clean.
The $1980 price on the windshield seems about right
It’s way too clean to have flipped over, no question it’s legit. And this kind of stuff is coveted, even if only by a small group. Good luck finding one cleaner.
I bought one of these about the same year and color in the mid 90’s from a guy that worked at a grain elevator across from our farmhouse. It smelled like popcorn and was dirty, paid $200, put a set of brakes on it for 40 bucks then cleaned it up and sold it for $500. The one I bought was a manual trans and was fun little car to drive but not for me. The one your asking about is super nice and I would say his price is about right for the looks of it and if it is mechanically sound.
Anyone that needs a car for school or work and rubs well and dependable is worth $2500-$3500 all day long. Why not this one?
If it was a stick I would be all over it. Very clean and will go forever I am sure.
I wouldn’t be seen dead in this. A perfect candidate for a restomod using a Prius drive train.
I like it. Would stand out among all the silvergraycharcoal jellybeanish blobs.
Had one similar and loved it,
I would be a potential buyer here in Texas