Hello.  I am new to the forum, though I've "lurked" often in the past.  I am selling "Pearl", our '89 Corolla All-Trac Wagon.  My wife wants something "newer, with airbags," and something better suited for long freeway trips.  Pearl runs well and is in good shape, with about 145,000 miles and virtually no rust.  Great in the snow, able to carry lots of stuff, and she gets 27 mpg.  I am asking $1400.  If you are interested, please email me at mgbeda@yahoo.com, or call me at 303-828-2999.  Thanks!

-Mike

Pearl looks great...  too bad you have to sell her.  Hopefully someone who will appreciate the wagon will get it.

What color interior is it?  Also, manual or automatic?

She has a blue cloth interior and a 5-speed stick.

-Mike

I am really, really new to the forum.  And the new owner of this car.  It will be making the trip from CO to CA starting tomorrow!

Now back to my digging through threads.

Phil

Welcome Phil!  Congrats on the wagon.  They're great cars.

Thanks man.  I think I got a solid example for a good price.  Look for a few pictures over the coming months as I do "this and that".

Phil

Have fun with your new ride...out of curiosity, is "CA" Canada or California? Just wondering because of emissions device regulations and how that impacts purchases of out-of-state vehicles coming into California (where I'm from). Clean ride by the way, congrats!

I am in Seaside CA.  The car was clean for smog but it didnt pass due to timing.  Turns out the cam timing was off.  $172 dollars later and it runs waaaaayyyyy better.  Also found out the oil filter was a little loose thus the oil leak.  Now it is tight as can be and runs excellent!  I have washed it once.  Still working on getting some dog hair out of it.  Got some seat covers for the front...red in color (driver's seat had a hole...looks better to have them both covered).  Just need to either get a new dash (3 cracks) or a dash cover.  And the rear speakers seem to be out so I have to trace that problem down.  Probably a new stereo head unit and new speakers all around.  Next will be new window weather seal/strip for the driver's side door and window alignment.  Then new shocks, springs, brakes (rotors, pads/shoes and SS braided brake lines).  After that, some window tint.  Third gear is starting to grind a little...synchro no doubt.  That will have to be addressed at some point down the road.  Might as well put in a LSD at that point along with a new upgraded clutch.  Then one for the rearend as well.  After that, wheels and tires.  Got my Thule rack mounted too.  I am digging this little ride!!!  I am ready to hit some back roads and go mountain biking!

Quoted from phastphil

Got my Thule rack mounted too.  I am digging this little ride!!!  I am ready to hit some back roads and go mountain biking!

what kind of thule racks do you have phastphil? i have some thule's (not for the corolla specially) but am pretty sure that they would crack the delicate plastic rain gutters if i tightened them down

I have the Thule style that does indeed grab the rain rails.  I would have to double check but the rails seemed like steel to me.  I have the rack mounted and tightened down...have driven around with my bike loaded.  No problems and no cracking.

Similar to the 300 series:  http://www.thule.com/en/US/Products/BaseRacks/Feet/1008.aspx

Oh...I think I need to do the wheel bearings too...

After looking part of the rain rails are indeed plastic, but it appears that the primary pressure points for the Thule rack are still on metal that the plastic fits over.  I am going to continue to run it...will let you know if it breaks!

Nice... sounds like you're getting it along well!

Not sure you would need an LSD in the tranny, as this is all wheel drive.  All four wheels spin , even when the Al-Trac button isn't pushed on.  Which, by the way, never push while the wagon is rolling... always use it when at a complete stop, and even then be careful not to drive too fast.  The owner's manual covers it well, not much to it.  If you don't have the manual I can maybe take a pic of the page and post it here.

I took my wagon out a week or so ago into the woods around Ocala, FL, and it ate up the sugar sand and soft clay/sand roads that I drove down, without even having to engage the AT button.  It's not a Subaru Impreza, but I'm more than happy with my wagon!

I have used my Thule rack *A LOT* this summer, for bikes, kayaks, even some shelves. It is the type that pinches the rain gutter and has a foot inside the door. It does not crack the plastic when applied properly, and I have mine pretty tight. Also keep in mind, unless you're driving in conditions that cause excessive vibrations, you don't have to tighten the racks down beyond snug, because with your doors closed they truly have nowhere to go.

I agree with Rogue, I've even got summer tires on with a non aggressive tread, and it eats the dirt, sand and slippery mud right up. I have driven uphill on wet grass, sideways...you name it! Go Corolla Go!

My ride came from not too far from you, I towed it up from Watsonville. What kind of seat covers do you have? I'm looking for some that don't look bunk. The ones I've found at Kragen and Target look cheap. By the way, you may want to check out coverking.com for your dash cover. I purchased the custom molded version (in black) and it fits about as nice as a dash cover can. They aren't necessarily cheap though, but if your wagon is as clean as it appears in the pictures, it might be worth it. I'll put up pictures soon as I get the chance.

I got mine at AutoZone.  They were friggin $30 a piece.  I had bought some cheaper ones but they were bulging at the seams just trying to put them on.  These are much better although I am not sure if you will like them or not.  They have the seperate headrest cover which didnt fit well so I decided to not use that part.  And, I went with red...you know, to match the red racing stripe!

Someone blacked out the red stripe up front.  I wonder if anyone on the forum has one to sell?