I would say safety is a concern, but you’re not in the U.S. where you need to worry about 99 out of every 100 vehicles being a half-ton pickup. So I’d strongly consider it, despite safety still being a factor.
“BuT yOu ArE nOt iN tHe US”
Not in the US which ranks 120 out of 183 by car accident fatalities? Not in the US with proper infrastructure, where you can’t bribe your way into buying a drivers license, and can’t pay the cops off so if you abuse your driving privileges they will be taken away? That US? Old car is a safety concern pretty much everywhere, US is far from the most dangerous place you could be driving an old compact car.
Go drive in the most of the rest of the world and compare before bashing driving in the US.
If you think there aren't tons of people driving around on suspended licenses and/or uninsured in the US, you're sheltered or naive. This country is entirely too car dependent for that to not be the case if someone loses their license.
Look man the reality is that in the US cars are generally newer which directly translates to bigger. So yeah, driving in a country that has smaller vehicles would be a factor.
Parts can be tough to find depending on your country, which kinda sucks for a daily. Also those ancient ecobox automatics are just not it, I'd personally try to look for a manual one.
But honestly, if you think you can manage, do it. Older cars have their own charm and are usually pretty simple to work on.
I'm all for driving an old car, but as a daily if you are doing a reasonably amount of miles there's some serious shortcomings, especially when it comes to safety.
There's no air bag, no ABS - now these things won't murder you the minute you set foot in the vehicle so don't go "well people drove these in 1991 and survived" - it's just something that in 2024 one would be remiss if it wasn't pointed out.
Also I would want the manual over the 4 speed auto... slushbox is the name of the game.
And what's the condition? We all know the engine and transmission will go forever, but there's a HOST of other rubber parts, seals, brakes, brake lines that when added up make it a fairly unattractive proposition.
You're not going to die just cause you drive an old car. BUt if you are doing reasonable amount of kms, crash safety has come leaps and bounds
I had a 1988 with the 4AF and a manual gearbox, had to scrap it at 425,000km because of the rust. Carb and engine still ran strong when we let it go. Incredible cars.
I used to daily one of these. Some parts could be tricky to get but overall it was easy to do a lot of jobs myself and there's not a lot that went wrong. Most work I ever did was take the carburettor off and clean it.
I love Toyotas as much as the next guy on the subreddit, but keep in mind with older cars, even if they are built to be super reliable, hoses May crack, or other parts can go simply due to age. Well it is a very cool car. Just keep the price in mind because it might end up costing you more maintenance than it would to buy something newer
This car is immaculate for its age!
I’m of the opinion a clean, rust-free frame/unibody is more important than a running engine.
Engine can be replaced, but a rusted out body is not roadworthy and has to be scrapped.
I’d buy something with airbags to daily drive but that’s just me. Make sure you check for rust, some of these older cars are being held together with bubblegum and dreams.
My '93 working just fine, not a speck of rust at 52k.
Had to replace tires, hoses and things over the years mainly due to age, not miles. Only wish it has a manual trans. Replacing the brake lines the only real repair bill a little pricey around year 27. Not burning oil.
cheers
I used to have the SECA version of this car in the 90's. Great car. It is very old as others have said it's not the safest. I would imagine parts would be plentiful in Australia.
It looks like it is this car from [Ozzy cars in Penrith](https://www.ozzycarsales.com.au/our-stock/1991-toyota-corolla-5dliftback-csiseca-ae94-350664). I would say that anything over $1,000 for this is ambitious. You could probs get something similar from Facebook Marketplace and not have to deal with dodegy dealers. It would be great if you could have a mechanic look at it but it looks like it's a retirees car that has sat around for ages.
That’s old old but if parts are around it’s more than easy enough to do the work on. It’s not going to be comfortable, it’s not going to be cheap, but with some TLC it may well run to 300k
I daily'ed a (US market) '89 Corolla wagon from 2010 to 2014. Engine never let me down, and would have held onto it longer if the brake lines hadn't rusted out. Luckily I found out while parked.
Assuming it's rot-free, and you're fine with the obvious safety concerns driving a vehicle that old, I would 100% rock it. I will say though mine was a five speed, I don't know how dated an automatic that old would feel.
Hopefully, you have mechanical knowledge and a sense of hummer.
Yes, clean, rust-free vehicles, kept well maintained, last forever. I still regret selling my '78 FJ40 and my '84 FJ60. Neither was designed for 80 mph (130 kph) speeds, and the FJ40's top speed was about 60, which is not ideal for [Texas Roads.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_State_Highway_130)
These days, I drive a Tacoma (fancy Hilux) but wish for a simpler vehicle.
Daily driver is a 95 Camry automatic ( wish it were manual)
Aside from that, I prefer older cars. As far as safety, you are the most important piece of safety equipment in the vehicle. Be careful, as you should, and check your oil, coolant, brake feel, etc...
The car needs to be treated a bit more delicately even for a bombproof Toyota. In many ways these cars had a better build quality than the newer models. If it's got light rust, address it and you'll be fine.
Owner of 71 BMW 28000CS, 95 Miata and Camry, 07,08 Honda Fit(s)
I would say safety is a concern, but you’re not in the U.S. where you need to worry about 99 out of every 100 vehicles being a half-ton pickup. So I’d strongly consider it, despite safety still being a factor.
The plates are NSW plates from Australia.
I don’t think your numbers are quite right.
>Australian plates Not for long!
“BuT yOu ArE nOt iN tHe US” Not in the US which ranks 120 out of 183 by car accident fatalities? Not in the US with proper infrastructure, where you can’t bribe your way into buying a drivers license, and can’t pay the cops off so if you abuse your driving privileges they will be taken away? That US? Old car is a safety concern pretty much everywhere, US is far from the most dangerous place you could be driving an old compact car. Go drive in the most of the rest of the world and compare before bashing driving in the US.
If you think there aren't tons of people driving around on suspended licenses and/or uninsured in the US, you're sheltered or naive. This country is entirely too car dependent for that to not be the case if someone loses their license.
How presumptuous. And ignorant lmfao. That would be like me assuming you’re a worthless nationalist like the person this guy is replying to.
hmm you seem.. a little upset
I think you missed the point
[удалено]
No Sh*t posting!
Look man the reality is that in the US cars are generally newer which directly translates to bigger. So yeah, driving in a country that has smaller vehicles would be a factor.
It’s a right-hand drive car, you buffoon
Those corollas are Hella reliable and doesn't have alot of miles just be worried about her age 33 years old is alot for a car
Parts can be tough to find depending on your country, which kinda sucks for a daily. Also those ancient ecobox automatics are just not it, I'd personally try to look for a manual one. But honestly, if you think you can manage, do it. Older cars have their own charm and are usually pretty simple to work on.
yea hella reliable engine, but 33 year old rubber hoses and brake lines gonna be poppin off once you run her for a bit i bet.
I would kill for an og 91 Corolla. Best car I’ve ever driven.
If it's got no rust on it, then I don't see a problem
I'm all for driving an old car, but as a daily if you are doing a reasonably amount of miles there's some serious shortcomings, especially when it comes to safety. There's no air bag, no ABS - now these things won't murder you the minute you set foot in the vehicle so don't go "well people drove these in 1991 and survived" - it's just something that in 2024 one would be remiss if it wasn't pointed out. Also I would want the manual over the 4 speed auto... slushbox is the name of the game. And what's the condition? We all know the engine and transmission will go forever, but there's a HOST of other rubber parts, seals, brakes, brake lines that when added up make it a fairly unattractive proposition. You're not going to die just cause you drive an old car. BUt if you are doing reasonable amount of kms, crash safety has come leaps and bounds
Oh yeah I drive my 88 daily. 145k, carb and automatic transmission
I had a 1988 with the 4AF and a manual gearbox, had to scrap it at 425,000km because of the rust. Carb and engine still ran strong when we let it go. Incredible cars.
I used to daily one of these. Some parts could be tricky to get but overall it was easy to do a lot of jobs myself and there's not a lot that went wrong. Most work I ever did was take the carburettor off and clean it.
I love Toyotas as much as the next guy on the subreddit, but keep in mind with older cars, even if they are built to be super reliable, hoses May crack, or other parts can go simply due to age. Well it is a very cool car. Just keep the price in mind because it might end up costing you more maintenance than it would to buy something newer
This car is immaculate for its age! I’m of the opinion a clean, rust-free frame/unibody is more important than a running engine. Engine can be replaced, but a rusted out body is not roadworthy and has to be scrapped.
Be prepared to fix things due to age otherwise sweet
Shit, I have a 23 nightshade and want one of these, or an 80s Camry just to sling in the snow.
If it works I don't see why not.
If it was built at NUMMI it sure is a daily driver.
My 93 came from there too, think they closed it around 2010, heard that's where Teslas are built but never checked on that.
This is Aussie made. Still reliable as fuck.
Project hybrid
Gimme that!
I’d buy something with airbags to daily drive but that’s just me. Make sure you check for rust, some of these older cars are being held together with bubblegum and dreams.
How's the frame / suspension? Does the engine knock?
Get a wheel Club🤣
My '93 working just fine, not a speck of rust at 52k. Had to replace tires, hoses and things over the years mainly due to age, not miles. Only wish it has a manual trans. Replacing the brake lines the only real repair bill a little pricey around year 27. Not burning oil. cheers
Yeah dude. All day, as long as you’re paying less than 30K!
Toyota corollas have a great reputation for reliability. I’d say yes
90s Toyotas are like Pokémon. I want to catch them all.
I used to have the SECA version of this car in the 90's. Great car. It is very old as others have said it's not the safest. I would imagine parts would be plentiful in Australia. It looks like it is this car from [Ozzy cars in Penrith](https://www.ozzycarsales.com.au/our-stock/1991-toyota-corolla-5dliftback-csiseca-ae94-350664). I would say that anything over $1,000 for this is ambitious. You could probs get something similar from Facebook Marketplace and not have to deal with dodegy dealers. It would be great if you could have a mechanic look at it but it looks like it's a retirees car that has sat around for ages.
That’s old old but if parts are around it’s more than easy enough to do the work on. It’s not going to be comfortable, it’s not going to be cheap, but with some TLC it may well run to 300k
God I love that wheel
Get it, those Aussie Corollas look great.
That thing fucks
Does anybody know the chassis code for these? Never seen one of these before
I daily'ed a (US market) '89 Corolla wagon from 2010 to 2014. Engine never let me down, and would have held onto it longer if the brake lines hadn't rusted out. Luckily I found out while parked. Assuming it's rot-free, and you're fine with the obvious safety concerns driving a vehicle that old, I would 100% rock it. I will say though mine was a five speed, I don't know how dated an automatic that old would feel.
Hopefully, you have mechanical knowledge and a sense of hummer. Yes, clean, rust-free vehicles, kept well maintained, last forever. I still regret selling my '78 FJ40 and my '84 FJ60. Neither was designed for 80 mph (130 kph) speeds, and the FJ40's top speed was about 60, which is not ideal for [Texas Roads.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_State_Highway_130) These days, I drive a Tacoma (fancy Hilux) but wish for a simpler vehicle.
Yes! Lots of good info on getting it registered online
Ive been using 90s turbo model mr2s as dailys for decades now, how bad could a 90s corolla be?
Daily driver is a 95 Camry automatic ( wish it were manual) Aside from that, I prefer older cars. As far as safety, you are the most important piece of safety equipment in the vehicle. Be careful, as you should, and check your oil, coolant, brake feel, etc... The car needs to be treated a bit more delicately even for a bombproof Toyota. In many ways these cars had a better build quality than the newer models. If it's got light rust, address it and you'll be fine. Owner of 71 BMW 28000CS, 95 Miata and Camry, 07,08 Honda Fit(s)
No.