1979 vs 1980 Toyota Corolla

vs

Each year's own entries sit side by side, then what both share. Warnings of different generations are listed apart even under the same name, because what to check can differ.

Watch out for

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

1979

  • 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

1980

  • Rear wheel bearings All years One source so far

    What to check: Listen for a growl from the rear that changes with speed, and feel for play in the rear wheels.

    Three owners commenting on Curbside Classic's 1980–83 article, an unofficial source, report rear wheel or axle bearings failing.

    Owners' reports (unofficial)

  • Rust All years One source so far

    What to check: Look at the rear quarter panels, the lower body and the fuel tank for rust.

    Two owners commenting on the same article, an unofficial source, report rust, one in the rear quarters and one in the body and fuel tank.

    Owners' reports (unofficial)

Recalls

1979

  • 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

1980

  • 80V045000 1980

    A faulty press die can leave the alternator pulley cracked, and if it breaks the battery stops charging. NHTSA

What changed between

After 1979, up to and including 1980.

  1. 19804th gen begins.
  2. 1980New generation with angular styling, more room inside and a quieter cabin, and a 75 hp 1.8L four. Toyota, a published reference

What it came with

1979

Engines
1.2L four-cylinder Toyota, a published reference, 1.6L four-cylinder Toyota, a published reference
Transmissions
Toyoglide automatic A published reference

1980

Engines
1.8L four-cylinder (1980–1982) Toyota, a published reference, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Transmissions
3-speed automatic Curbside Classic
Body styles
Hardtop coupe A published reference

Both years

Transmissions
4-speed manual Owners' reports (unofficial), 5-speed manual Owners' reports (unofficial)
Drivetrains
Rear-wheel drive A published reference
Body styles
Sedan, two-door Curbside Classic, a published reference, Sedan, four-door Curbside Classic, a published reference, Wagon, five-door Curbside Classic, a published reference, Sport coupe Curbside Classic, a published reference, Liftback, three-door Curbside Classic, a published reference
Trims
Standard A published reference, Deluxe A published reference, SR5 A published reference

Colors

1979

  • Pure Yellow 534, 1976–1979 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Gold Metallic 472, 1979 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Medium Blue 857, 1976–1979 An owners' registry (unofficial)

1980

  • Black Metallic 6A8, 1980–1981 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Beige 489, 1980–1981 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Orange Metallic 484, 1980 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Dark Blue Metallic 879, 1980–1982 An owners' registry (unofficial)

Both years

  • White 033, 1980–1982 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Silver Metallic 137, 1980–1982 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Yellow 541, 1980–1982 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Copper Metallic 474, 1980–1981 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Red 380, 1980 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Red Metallic 372, 1980 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Green Metallic 6C3, 1980 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Light Blue Metallic 861, 1980–1981 An owners' registry (unofficial)

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

1979

  • 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)

1980

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

    Of about 23 owners commenting on Curbside Classic's 1980–83 article, an unofficial source, about eight praise their cars' durability, one a 4A-C engine that reached 390,000 miles. Owners' reports (unofficial)