1977 vs 1978 Toyota Corolla

vs

Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

1977

Nothing that 1978 lacks.

1978

Nothing that 1977 lacks.

Both years

  • Rust All years One source so far

    What to check: Look under the car and along the lower body and wheel arches for rust and repairs.

    Four readers commenting on Curbside Classic's liftback article, an unofficial source, mention these Corollas rusting, around Chicago and in northeast Ohio within six years.

    Owners' reports (unofficial)

  • Steering box adjuster, 1977–1979

    What to check: Feel for play in the steering, and ask whether recall 80V028000 was done.

    Toyota recalled 1977–1979 Corollas because the lock nut on the steering box worm gear adjuster may not be tight enough, letting the adjuster work loose with hard, repeated steering.

    NHTSA

Recalls

1977

Nothing that 1978 lacks.

1978

Nothing that 1977 lacks.

Both years

  • 80V028000 1977–1979

    The lock nut on the steering box worm gear adjuster may not be tight enough, and the adjuster can work loose with hard, repeated steering. NHTSA

What changed between

After 1977, up to and including 1978.

No changes recorded between these years.

What it came with

1977

Body styles
Hardtop coupe (1975–1977) A published reference, an owners' registry (unofficial)

1978

Nothing that 1977 lacks.

Both years

Engines
1.2L four-cylinder Toyota, a published reference, 1.6L four-cylinder Toyota, a published reference
Transmissions
4-speed manual Curbside Classic, a published reference, 5-speed manual A published reference, Toyoglide automatic A published reference
Drivetrains
Rear-wheel drive A published reference
Body styles
Sedan, two-door A published reference, Sedan, four-door A published reference, Wagon, five-door A published reference, Sport coupe (1976–1979) Toyota, a published reference, Liftback, three-door (1976–1979) Toyota, a published reference
Trims
Standard A published reference, Deluxe A published reference, SR5 A published reference

Colors

1977

Nothing that 1978 lacks.

1978

Nothing that 1977 lacks.

Both years

  • White 030, 1975–1979 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Silver Metallic 128, 1975–1979 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Pure Yellow 534, 1976–1979 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Yellow 532, 1978–1979 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Orange 358, 1978 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Copper Metallic 474, 1977–1979 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Red 336, 1976–1979 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Maroon Metallic 348, 1977–1978 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Light Green Metallic 679, 1975–1978 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Light Blue Metallic 861, 1977–1979 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Medium Blue 857, 1976–1979 An owners' registry (unofficial)

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

1977

Nothing that 1978 lacks.

1978

Nothing that 1977 lacks.

Both years

  • Sought after: Long-lived, to its owners All years One source so far

    Of six owners commenting on Curbside Classic's 1976–79 liftback article, an unofficial source, five praise their cars' durability, some of them family cars. Owners' reports (unofficial)