Hi there,

 

I'm looking at buying a 1974 Corolla KE20, the car is advertised on a local car classifieds website for AU$400, apparently has 52000 kilometers on the clock and the seller says it runs perfectly but has a flat battery.

I'm going to drive out and have a look later this afternoon and just want to know what kind of things of things I should be looking out for in a car of this age as well as how hard it is to find new parts should any need replacing.

 

Also I've read conflicting reports on how I should expect this car to handle. It'll probably end up being used mainly in the hills near where I live and I'd like it to be as much fun up there is my Corolla Ascent is. I'm thinking given that the KE20 weighs about half what the Ascent does it might be alright...

$400? Hell if it's complete it's worth that.

$400 thats cheap. Take a spare battery and some fuel to get it started ?

 

biggest thing iv'e seen go wrong is just worn out pitman arm and idler arm in the steering other than that i think they handle pretty good.

 

pretty solid car so basic but like any 30 odd year old car maintenance should be be done to bring it up to a maintainable standard. Such as all drive line oils,air/oil/fuel filters,coolant,brake fluids and possible master and wheel cylinders might need to be replaced, usually found leaking after changing the brake fluid LOL.

 

then the shopping list might increase to new radaitor, water pump, hoses, fan belt, few globes to keep the police from sussing you out and heck maybe even tyre's.

 

only my 2 cents worth but its what id be looking at and doing once iv'e bought the car.

look for rust! but if its complete and for $400 well...