1993 Toyota Corona 1.8L Liftback Auto (NEEDS WORK)

Terry from Stokes Valley

We have a Toyota Corona SF 1.8 litre Liftback Automatic (which NEEDS WORK) for sale.

Asking price: $600 or near offer.
However, we will consider offers over $400.

*** UPDATE: Sold 31/10/2018 for $600 ***

Milage: 193,644km (approx), which is not high for a 25 year old car, but it came into NZ from Japan in 2000 at only 9,000km, and we’ve been the only NZ owners.

WOF expiry: 31/01/2019
Rego expiry: 26/12/2018
Rego: ZN7742

There is no money owing to anyone on this vehicle.

Although this car is generally driving well, there is some URGENT MAINTENANCE REQUIRED, i.e.:
• Slow oil leak which seems to be coming from front of engine (timing belt area).
• The original timing belt was replaced around 97,000km so not due until 197,000km, but the mechanic reports some oil contamination on the belt, so the above oil leak needs to be sorted URGENTLY and the belt (and probably associated parts like tensioner) changed using a timing belt kit, and the water pump may also need to be changed soon. If not repaired quickly enough, the timing belt could slip, damaging the motor beyond economic repair.
• My mechanic also thinks there may be a 2nd oil leak starting at the other end of the engine.
• Power steering fluid should be replaced soon according to Oil Changers. Level looks slightly low to me, too.

From talking to my mechanic, it sounds as if the parts for sorting the above issues might only be 2-3 hundred dollars, but including mechanic labour it could total $1,500 so repairs may only be economic if the buyer is a mechanic or has access to cheap mechanic labour.

General features include:
• Automatic transmission.
• Front wheel drive.
• Overdrive.
• Central locking.
• Electric windows & mirrors.
• Air conditioner.
• Leather steering wheel cover.
• Warning beep when driver’s door open with head/park lights on or key in ignition.
• Child locks on rear doors.
• All doors automatically lock when you get above about 20km/h.
• PWR and MANU buttons (for extra power and traction I think, but I don’t use them).
• Panasonic CQ-RX322W radio/CD/USB/aux-in with removable front panel, 2 front & 2 rear speakers.
• Takes the normal 91 octane petrol.
• Owner’s manual in your favourite language – Japanese! (The Google Translate app helps here.)

Recent and significant repair & maintenance history:
• Radiator replaced 1/6/2018 by Petone Radiators, who seem to have failed to top up the transmission oil (which I’m told is linked to the radiator somehow) as part of the job, so car ran with oil not far above bottom of dipstick until 20/6/2018 when I noticed it and had it topped up (1 litre) by Hutt Automatics (owner (Dean) said damage was unlikely, and I haven’t noticed any changes in noise or anything).
• Central muffler replaced 7/2/2018. (Rear muffler is still the original.)
• Transmission oil serviced 4/1/2018 (187,069km) by Hutt Automatics. Due after 30,000 or 40,000km.
• Engine oil changed 4/1/2018 (187,070km) by Oil Changes. Due at 197,570km or 4/1/2019.
• Wheel alignment done 17/7/18 at Tony’s Tire Service, Lower Hutt. (Just had this done to use a free voucher which was about to expire.)
• Brake pads, shoes & brake fluid replaced by myself and Taita Auto Repairs (my mechanics) in Feb/Apr 2017 around 179,000km. I suggest condition of the brake fluid be re-checked soon just in case.
• 3 separate oil leaks repaired in 2017 by Taita Auto Repairs. (Most years there were no leaks.)
• Spark plugs changed maybe a couple of years ago, so might be due soon – check condition first.
• I’ve been using Bi-Tron (polarising additive for petrol, engine oil, transmission oil & steering fluid) for over 10 years. My remaining stock is for sale by negotiation if you are interested.
• Ran into a thin tree (which broke) around 2007 and cost $5,500 for D.E. McMillan Panel Beaters to repair, who seem to have done an excellent job.
• More detailed history available if needed.

There are various minor things which have faults, including:
• Creaking noise when torque applied to motor when motor is cold. Been this way for at least 15 years and mechanic suggested engine blocks as the cause.
• Tachometer works only some of the time (but most people don’t need it anyway),
• The liftback doesn’t always unlatch sufficiently when pulling driver’s control so you need to use the key,
• Wiper fluid reservoir has a hole in the top,
• Not sure if hot/cold lever to the right of the centre air vents works,
• Front right park light has a crack (taped over),
• Surface rust on wipers (especially rear) and some bolts, etc. Rear of exhaust pipe (behind muffler) rusted right through in places but doesn’t seem to be causing a problem.
• Some minor damage to left rear door and behind it, barely noticeable unless you’re looking for it.
• Battery is probably 4-5 years old and looks as if it may need to be replaced shortly.
• That’s all that comes to mind, but I expect there are other minor things.

While we’ve had this car it’s never been very powerful, so don’t expect to go up Haywards or Ngauranga Gorge faster than about 70km/h. The PWR button may help to get better performance when required.

The above info is to the best of my knowledge, and could contain the odd error, but hopefully nothing significant.

Car is in Stokes Valley and can be checked and test driven there.

For more info please contact Terry in Stokes Valley on 563-5839, Mon-Sat 9am-9pm. If I’m out, please leave a message with your contact details.

Price: $600

View 9 more…