89 Corolla

[05_GTO]

I need a daily driver, gas is getting expensive and I can't stand driving my car everyday anymore.

My frined is selling an 89 Corolla, it has the carb motor and it's a auto 3 speed... heh.

Either way it's cheap, it runs fine, paint is good, few things need to be fixed (needs new AC compressor and new door handle in the rear).

I take it that it would be pretty easy and cheap to swap a non carbed motor in and a transmission with OD or a manual trans?

Thanks.

[kathyricks]

Whats wrong with the 4A-F carb motor? Fuel economy is just as good with the 4AF carb motor as it is with the injected 4A-FE motor.

The 3-speed Corolla automatic transaxle has built in differential that is lubricated by automatic transmission fluid. So to change the transaxle fluid, both the transmission oil pan and differential must be drained and refilled separately. However, most owners and service shops forget to drain the differential so it tends to fail at around 100-175K miles.

[05_GTO]

Well mostly I would like to get a trans with an overdrive on it or a manual. Is this doable with this motor?

The reason I'm looking into this car is cuz it's been in his family and has been well taken care of. I just need something CHEAP that gets better gas milage. Getting 10-11 in town and 19 on the highway is just getting too expensive now of days.

[thumbster]

I have a 90 corolla with the 3 spd trans - I still get 30mpg at 75mph with the engine turning close to 4000 rpm. Wouldn't be too concerned about the lack of OD.

[05_GTO]

Well that I didn't know, I thought they would get like 23-25 with the 3 spd auto. I'll have to see what my insurance will do first befor I buy it, it should go down with putting that as my main vehicle and putting the GTO second.

[05_GTO]

Looks like I will probably be buying it. I think I spun a bearing on the GTO...