Older (E70 series) Corollas?
 

I've been on the lookout for a cheap beater with good MPG so I can park the truck most of the time, and there's an 82 Corolla that fits fits my requirements (Small, cheap, rear wheel drive) on the local craigslist, for $250. Anyone had one that can give me an estimate on what kind of fuel economy I could get before mods?

My aunt used to have one and she claimed something in the high 30s or low 40s, but who knows, especially considering the age and whatnot.

The age is part of why I asked, you know EPA ratings only go back to 85, and that's right the vintage of vehicle tha I stop being able to afford. (Highschool student, make less than 200 bucks a pay check, about 80 of that will be going to gas once I get back to school because of the current vehicle situation). The Corolla wasn't really my first choice but this seems like a decent deal (Comes with another engine and trans, tires/wheels and everything to do a tune up. I'd really like to just get a 2 wheel drive Toyota pickup, but people seem to be holding on to them with the gas prices.

Hell, go for it, I'd be interested to see how it does. Prolly the best you can get for that cheaply though

If it ran I'd buy it.

$250 in the grand scheme is nothing

I think that car has the AE-86 series engine. The older corollas are actually pretty fun to drive compared to the newer (1992-Present) corollas.

RWD in those light cars are a blast, just make sure its not rusted out too badly.

take good care of it and you can have a pretty sweet lookin car
http://www.dragtimes.com/images/1159...ta-Corolla.jpg

+1 Let's see if we can squeeze more efficiency out of them. :p

Judging from the picture, it looks to be pretty aerodynamic. EPA rates teh 1985 model at 29 highway. If you can get close to (or better yet 25% above) EPA ratings, that car should pay for itself quickly as long as it doesn't break down.
What do you think you get on those corollas fuel economy wise?

I've gotten close to empty, but never ran out and I think I'm at about 26mpg on the GTS and close to 30mpg on the SR5. I've only, now recently, adjusted my driving habits. This is going at about 75-80mph on Atlanta highways. If you live in Atlanta, you'd see how fast people drive on the highways. It's really scary going 55mph on the farthest right lane. :turtle:

Good luck getting the RWD AE-86 ("hachi roku") for that kind of money. They've become serious cult cars since the whole drifting thing caught on... My guess is that it's the equivalent-generation FWD model, which isn't in nearly as much demand.

-soD