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?
What are your options? For example, I would rather daily an '89 Corolla over a '01 Kia.
What is your budget for maintenance? There will be nuisance items go like seals and gaskets due to age, even if the engine runs strong.
What is the price? For a car that’s almost 35 years old, it better be low.
If you have a low budget, don’t have a crazy commute, and can get a couple years out of this car for a couple grand, it could be exceptionally wise decision compared to a $600/mo car payment.