How many own 81 corollas or early models?

[badams]

Just joined and wanted to see how many people actaully have 81 corollas or the early models? I have one now and havent seen any actually around on the roads. I tried getting prices online for it just to be curious but seeing as alot arent sold bluebook couldnt tell me a value any guesses?

[diesel1962]

Hi.I used to own a 1979 Corolla.I drove it for several years,then the sub frame rotted and broke in half!!.It was a good car.Last year of the rear drive models.Sold it to a friend who used it to haul railroad ties around his farm.I do not see many older Toyota's on the road around where I live.I live in the rust belt (Michigan).I know the bodies rust out quick,but the engins and drive trains last a long time.I own a 1997 Corolla with 129,500 miles on it.I plan to drive it untill there is no body left!!. I do have a real good shop manual for your year of Toyota if you are interested in buying it.Have a goo day!! Diesel 1962

[badams]

I actually have the 81 wagon which is rwd and I plan to keep it oin as long as it will last. The odometer says about 60000 miles but it doesnt have the spot for the hundreds so its probably more like 160000. I have the chiltons manual for it I find those books have been real good and tell me almost all I need to know. I have some minor repairs im doing for it and the tranny needs a checkup cause its starting to slip but the body is in excellent condition and the engine runs just as well.

[diesel1962]

Hi,Diesel again. Is your tranny auto or stick?? I changed the tranny oil in my Corolla at ,125,000. My tranny was not slipping,but I think the tranny oil was never changed in it.I have had no problems with it.Also I changed the differental oil too. Differental oil and tranny oil are seperate on Toyota's,but they take the same type of oil.I have the plain jane 3 speed auto no O/D and get 30 to 34 MPG with it.Let me know what you do with your tranny problems.Have a good day!! Diesel 1962

[Boost1egt]

I own an '80 corolla, 4 door. I see a lot of these around here. I have the rapair manual for it, and I service and repair it myself,, so , if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

[ardvark71]

Hi...

I used to own an '81 Corolla Wagon as well. It was fairly worn out when I got it so during the six years I owned it, I was having to replace parts.... Alternator, radiator, water pump, distributer, spark plug wires. Also had a carburetor replaced. There were other things that were wrong but weren't a big enough deal to fix like burned out bulbs that highlighted the controls (heater, cigarette lighter, etc.) The gauge lights worked, though

Despite that, it was this car that first impressed me with Toyota. Before that, I was American all the way. The first two years I owned it, I had to run the car all year around with the heater blowing (in the summer, full blast) to keep the temperature needle out of the red and the engine from overheating.
Even still, it ran fairly warm but it still kept going and going. Finally replaced the radiator when I was able to afford it which fixed the problem.

I wasn't the best with oil changes and it had a leak somewhere (probably the pan gasket) so I was having to add a quart or two fairly often.

Despite the fact it was old and very worn out, the reliability was phenomenal

I sold it last year for $25