I have a coworker who’s looking to sell his car, a 1989 Toyota Corolla. I know the basics of looking after a car, but a car that old is almost foreign to me, because I’m from a state where cars rust out.
I figure Toyotas are pretty reliable and so is the 4AG engine, but I don’t want to end up with another money pit. What should I look out for, or should I just avoid it altogether?
Depends how it was taken care of. I daily a 1991 Honda Accord and it’s the most reliable box I’ve ever sat inside. But it was a grandma car that was maintained religiously.
It’s true that toyotas hold up better than most, but only if he’s put the money into it so far for proper maintenance, like all the fluids, any remotely rubber components, shocks, ball joints, etc. Otherwise you’re gonna be in for a lot of mechanical trips for squeaks and leaks beyond just changing the oil like I do.