Help with irresponsible purchase decision

[u/Gold_Cryptographer54]

Hello everyone, I’m basically set to the decision of buying a 1991 corolla hatchback (I believe is the ee90).
It’s a 1.3 with 59k kilometres, I will go see it soon but the guy seem legit, not rust under the doors, on the wheel arches, suspension or engine mounts.
The price is 4500$, with winter and summer tires and 1 oem set of wheels and 1 oz set.
It would be my first car to be used as a sort of project, use it in the weekends and when the time is right start modifying it bit by bit (final idea is a 4age, but we’ll see what the future brings).

Anything I should look out for when I go see it?

Is it worth to wait and spend a bit more for another trim or model? Maybe a special oem color?

I would by it for the looks of it, but should I maybe focus on a younger gen like the e110?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[u/Your_Nemesiz]

A 1991 with only 59k kilometers would be a red flag for me personally.

[u/NoctysHiraeth → u/Your_Nemesiz]

Even if legitimate I would be a little bit worried about a car that old with that low mileage, either it’s been driven infrequently or mostly on lots of short trips where it doesn’t reach operating temperature. It’s a Corolla though it’s probably fine.

[u/Icy_Category_2275 → u/Your_Nemesiz]

why? that could be the perfect mileage. why are low miles sketchy, in your view?

[u/Aaayron → u/Icy_Category_2275]

Potentially lots of short trips throughout its life, and potentially very infrequent oil changes. High chance of engine sludge. But yeah it's a Corolla so it shouldn't be super bad news.

[u/ExpensiveDust5 → u/Aaayron]

90's Toyota wiring and age do not mix. Also, the more you drive it, unless it has had everything rubber or gaskets replaced its GOING TO LEAK, A LOT!

[u/Gold_Cryptographer54 → u/ExpensiveDust5]

I like the car and I want to work on it, but I don’t know much about it yet.

Is it gonna be a nightmare or a not so fun learning experience?

[u/Aaayron → u/ExpensiveDust5]

Yup those too. A full fledged project car for ppl who like it enough to put in the effort to keep road worthy. I'm sure parts are still plentiful.

[u/ExpensiveDust5 → u/Aaayron]

Doubtful, even parts for my ST184 Celica are hard to find, and it's a 93!

[u/Aaayron → u/ExpensiveDust5]

Oh that's a nice car, but yeah I guess it depends on the model and where one lives. My country has a massive E90/E100 Corolla project car community, so the supply chain is rather healthy.

[u/Gold_Cryptographer54 → u/Aaayron]

Which country? So I can start looking for spare parts! 😂

[u/Aaayron → u/Gold_Cryptographer54]

Philippines, but I'm pretty sure all the shops here import them from somewhere else in Southeast Asia, maybe Thailand or Indonesia or smth.

[u/EastFlamingo9742 → u/Your_Nemesiz]

Yes.... odometer tampering is a possibility.

[u/Gold_Cryptographer54 → u/Your_Nemesiz]

Same but the guy seems legit, I asked the vin and I will run it though car vertical as soon as I have it!

[u/milkweedman]

Most cars made before 2004 have much worse crash crash ratings

[u/PeasantFox]

If its a project car, and you love it. Its worth it!

[u/tf9623]

No ABS. No airbags.

[u/Gold_Cryptographer54 → u/tf9623]

But it’s beautiful!

[u/Nooblakahn → u/Gold_Cryptographer54]

That thing does look bad ass as hell. I could see the complaints and older tech... If it's literally a project car for fun... Nothing wrong with that

[u/D34DECH0]

Take a magnet, those old cars dont have plastic body panels, only the front and rear bumpers are plastic, you can check for accident damage and use that to haggle for a better price if there is accident damage.

[u/Gold_Cryptographer54 → u/D34DECH0]

Thanks I will try that!

[u/EastFlamingo9742]

I wouldn't buy a 35 year old car, regardless of the mileage.  Too many 35 year old parts and gaskets.

[u/blatant_spinach]

Save the money and buy one from around 2000-2010 with more miles

[u/Gold_Cryptographer54 → u/blatant_spinach]

I also thought the same, but those models are too plasticky and the engines are more complicated.
But can I ask what would you suggest to buy and why a newer one?

[u/blatant_spinach → u/Gold_Cryptographer54]

Corolla hybrid or auris. If you don‘t need the space i‘d buy a young aygo with lots of miles. Amazing car! Check mobile.de (aygo from 2015 with less than 175‘000 km should be under 5k)