1988 vs 1989 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.

1988

Nothing that 1989 lacks.

1989

Nothing that 1988 lacks.

Both years

  • Rust underneath, All-Trac All years One source so far

    What to check: Put the car on a lift and look at the floor, rear suspension mounts and rockers for rust.

    Two of the seven All-Trac owners commenting on Curbside Classic's article, an unofficial source, report rust underneath.

    Owners' reports (unofficial)

Rare catches

1988

Nothing that 1989 lacks.

1989

  • Rare All-Trac sedan Body style

    Built in very small numbers A published reference

What changed between

After 1988, up to and including 1989.

No changes recorded between these years.

What it came with

1988

Nothing that 1989 lacks.

1989

Body styles
All-Trac sedan (1989–1990) Edmunds, a published reference, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Both years

Engines
1.6L four-cylinder, carbureted (1988–1989) A published reference, an owners' registry (unofficial), 1.6L four-cylinder Edmunds, a published reference, 1.6L twin-cam four-cylinder, GT-S (1988–1991) Toyota, a published reference
Transmissions
5-speed manual Edmunds, Automatic Edmunds
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive Toyota, a published reference, All-Trac four-wheel drive Toyota, Curbside Classic, a published reference
Body styles
Sedan A published reference, Wagon A published reference, Sport coupe (1988–1991) Edmunds, a published reference, All-Trac wagon Curbside Classic, a published reference
Trims
Standard Edmunds, a published reference, DX Edmunds, a published reference, LE Edmunds, a published reference, SR5 A published reference, GT-S A published reference

Colors

1988

  • Gray on Silver Metallic 23E, 1988 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Light Blue Metallic 8D8, 1988 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Blue Metallic 8D7, 1988 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Medium Blue Metallic 8D4, 1988 An owners' registry (unofficial)

1989

  • Medium Brown Metallic 4J5, 1989 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Red 3E6, 1989–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Regatta Blue Pearl 8G1, 1989–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Ice Blue Pearl 8G2, 1989–1992 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Dark Blue Pearl 8E9, 1989–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)

Both years

  • Super White 040, 1988–1992 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Silver Metallic 164, 1988–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Gray Metallic 168, 1988–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Black Metallic 204, 1988–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Black on Gray Metallic 29E, 1988–1989 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Ivory 4H8, 1988–1989 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Beige Metallic 4H6, 1988–1989 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Medium Red Pearl 3H4, 1988–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Super Red 3E5, 1988–1992 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Silver on Dark Blue Metallic 22G, 1988–1989 An owners' registry (unofficial)

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

1988

Nothing that 1989 lacks.

1989

Nothing that 1988 lacks.

Both years

  • Sought after: The Sport coupe and All-Trac All years One source so far

    SlashGear ranks the 6th gen fifth of twelve, picking out the GT-S coupe's pop-up lights and twin-cam engine and the All-Trac wagon's full-time all-wheel drive. SlashGear

  • Sought after: All-Trac durability All years One source so far

    Of seven All-Trac owners commenting on Curbside Classic's article, an unofficial source, five praise their wagons' durability, two of them past 345,000 miles. Owners' reports (unofficial)