http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/kw.kc.urr?kbb.FL;072628;FL001&32606;cpe;p&751;Toyota;1988%20Corolla&17;TO;A8&

187,000 miles. Power windows don't work, power sliding sunroof doesn't work. There is some rust on the sunroof itself, but I didn't see any elsewhere. It needs paint, but I like the color that's (sorta) there (grey).

4AGE engine (I opened the hood and saw "Twin Cam 16 valve..then 4AGE on the side..I was happy..heh) -- it's dirty, but it started up without too much coaxing (cranked for a few seconds, then started). It idled at 3000rpm for a while..seemed to slow down a little after it started to warm up. When it was cold, it would choke if I gave it too much gas, then it would rev up. The highest I had it was 6000rpm (after it warmed up a bit)..it didn't sound too wonderful, and it didn't rev too fast (my 1ZZ '98 has a lightened flywheel, so I'm used to fast revving), but I'm not sure how it's supposed to feel.

I didn't drive it, but the guy there (it's his brother's car) said it pops out of fifth gear. The vent fan blows quite well -- didn't try AC (afterthought..).

Brakes are moderately firm (pedal goes to the floor if you push enough, but so does my '98 with brand new brakes), and the clutch doesn't feel weird..just long throw. The shifter also has a really long/incredibly easy throw, but I guess that's normal.

The seats/interior seems to be in okay shape, but it might be a little wet inside (leaky sunroof?). Steering wheel is a little worn, but the leather wrapping is still in halfway decent condition. The pedals are worn..but heck, after 187k..lol

Flashers seemed to work -- I didn't try anything else. It still has the (appears to be original) owners' manual.

So...he wants 800 bucks. I might offer him 500 -- do you think it's worth it?

Any input would be greatly appreciated -- I know a lot of people like the 4age, so I'd love to have one to play with...I don't know much at all about carburated engines -- how much could I get (n/a) out of it, or should I just turbo? If I do buy it, I'll end up fixing stuff..cleaning it up a bit..maybe really cheap bolt-ons, but nothing expensive for a while.

We're looking for a house now, so hopefully I'll have some enclosed area that I can stick an engine stand in..pull the engine, and clean the crap out of the engine bay..maybe rebuild if I learn enough (and have enough money).

So..any thoughts?

(basically copied/pasted from my other threads on various forums..heh)

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The Truth about Bowling for Columbine

I'd buy it to keep it off the streets.

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"The future is not determined by a throw of the dice, but is determined by the conscious decisions of you and me."
I am addicted to ellipses!!! AHHH!!! ...

Hey now..what's wrong with it? Everything bad I listed was cosmetic/accessory stuff..as long as the brakes, engine, and suspension holds together, I don't see why it's not safe..

I'd buy it to keep it out of a junkyard, though..heh

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The Truth about Bowling for Columbine

Is this going to be your primary vehicle?

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EvilMagic.net: Brian's Web Log

Eh, put the money into the car you have now.

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http://www.sporkaudio.com

If it does have the 4AGE in it, it should be fuel injected... Carby version was a 4AG, with the "E" standing for electronic fuel injection (I thinks...)

It should rev harder and cleaner than the engine in your newer corolla, as the 4AGE was designed with peformance in mind, where the ... err, whatever was more with economy. Again, there's a letter in the engine model that designates it as being performance/economy engine... don't know it off the top of my head though!

Personally, the easiest thing to fix in a car is the engine - body and everything else is harder. I'd be getting one with a decent body and putting in a 20 Valve 4AGE, or a 4AGZE, the supercharged version.

Isnt this generally caused by damage to the rings in the gearbox? It could get expensive unless you buy another one for parts.

The brakes just may need some more bleeding to make the pedal alittle firmer.

Power windows and sunroof could be something as simple as a fuse, or damaged wire... because they all dont work it sounds like something simple.

My friends 86 celica revs high when you first start it aswell... and its got the same motor. (Its front wheel drive right??)

Sounds like it could be a good project!

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Team Battle.

I'm annoyed the link oesn't work - It gets to a proper destination (kbb site), but says "We were unable to complete the processing of your request because:


The document you selected cannot be delivered from a bookmarked link."

It kinda souns a bit like the car I drive now.I'ts an '88 Corolla Hatch Twin Cam. The engine in it now is not the engine that the car was born with - it's from the sports model of the next corolla. From memory it could be the 4AGE engine - it definetly has electronic fuel injection. It boots pretty well. Revs to 7,600rpm. Has some extractors fitted as well. I plan to call my insurance company to see what they say about fitting a sports air filter to it.
Good luck with it - you're sure to have a lot of fun. If you're really looking to hot it up, check out this site http://www.billzilla.org/4agmods.htm

In my experience, electrical problems are never easy to fix, especially when they are widespread throughout a car.

For example, on my 1987 Jeep Wrangler, the entire fuse block was corroded. I had to take each wire out of the back of the fuse block, crimp a new end on it, and place it back in. Finding the correct crimper took weeks, finding the end connectors was a huge pain, and sitting under there for hours stripping the ends of wires that are only a few inches long and adding new ends to them was even worse (on my back, under the dashboard!).

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EvilMagic.net: Brian's Web Log

It's not my primary vehicle..it would be a project. As for putting the money into my current car, there's not much I could do for 500 bucks..already has a lightened flywheel, ACT clutch, Tokico struts, Intrax springs, RActive strut bar, intake/exhaust, and a Nitrous Express kit (waiting on installation). I could get an underdrive pulley and a rear sway bar, but that's about all I can think of (without spending a ridiculous amount of money).

My mistake on the engine -- it is EFI.

The flashers worked..so some electrical stuff works..just not the sunroof/mirrors.

I'll probably test drive it and offer 500 bucks..KBB value is $650/675..dealer tradein value is $290 (heh..should I print that page and bring it over? ).


The 4AFE is the 1.6l economy version.
My 1ZZFE in my '98 has a Fidanza aluminum flywheel, so I might rev a little faster than a stock 4AGE.

Yes, this is FWD (unfortunately).

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The Truth about Bowling for Columbine