Information about the Corolla

General Info:

  • Official Name: 1990 Toyota Corolla DX
  • Scientific Name: Unknown
  • Nickname: Yoda
  • Color: Light Silvery Blue
  • Miles: 185,000 (as of 11-30-05)

Under the Hood:

  • Engine: 1.6 Liter I4, DOHC, 4 Valves/Cyl
  • Horsepower: 102 @ 5800 RPM
  • Torque: 101 ft-lbs @ 4800 RPM
  • Transmission: 5-speed manual w/overdrive

Dimensions:

  • Length: 170.3" (4.33 meters)
  • Width: 65.2" (1.66 meters)
  • Height: 52.4" (1.33 meters)
  • Wheelbase: 95.7" (2.43 meters)
  • Track, front/rear: 56.3"/55.5" (1.43m/1.41m)
  • Curb Weight: 2280 lbs (1035 kg)
  • Tires: Generic off-brand 175/70R13

Performance:

  • 0-60 mph, sec: 10.2
  • Quarter Mile, sec/mph: 17.5@? mph
  • Braking, 60-0 mph, ft: ? ft

Best Observed:

  • Speed: 85-ish mph
  • MPG: 38.8 mpg (in a snowstorm, on the highway, 35-55 mph, to Indiana and back)

Stuff we had to do to it:

  • 11-28-04: New brushes for the alternator. Cost: $4
  • 3-20-04: New section of exhaust pipe (old section had cracked and leaked). Cost: $28 (+ two knuckles)
  • 1-3-04: Assorted interior door handles and parts to fix passenger side window issues, from junkyard. Cost: $20.79
  • 10-8-03: Thermostat (engine never really got warm when moving). Cost: $6
  • 10-4-03: New driver side driveshaft and transmission seal (bad CV joint) Cost: $70 (+ some tools)

About the Corolla
(September, 2003 - November, 2005)

11-30-05 - It's sold! Some nice lady has a new car, and we have about 50 square feet more front yard than we've had for a while. And some money.

Toyota Corolla
The Corolla

12-17-04 - The battery and brake lights came on in the Corolla a few weeks back, and a quick check with the multimeter confirmed that the alternator wasn't doing it's thing anymore, at least not well. It turns out that the brushes could actually be replaced on that model, so that's what I did. So far, so good. The belt does need to be tightened though, because right now it squeals just a bit when it's cold.

3-6-04 - Our little Corolla is serving us well. We've found that the engine uses no oil at all. It also has been getting great gas mileage (see stats below). This is primarily Beka's car, and she really enjoys driving it. We have had to do a few things to it, like replace a front driveshaft. While doing that, we discovered that the manual transmission was very, very low on gear oil. With both of those items fixed, it drives much better.

This is our latest automotive purchase. We sold the Grand Am and bought this beauty after discovering how much we loved the '87 Corolla (and at the same time, how much we despised the Grand Am). There were a few changes to the Corolla between '87 and '90, and the new one is a slightly larger car with a redesigned interior and exterior, fuel injection, and even cupholders.