Just Bought A '93 Corolla Gxi

[K19NE G]

I'm really happy with it and it was a bargain at £1200. It's in red and the bodywork is showroom condition (never damaged or painted) so I was lucky to get it me thinks! It has a couple of small problems I'd like you guys to give me feedback on...

Firstly, the driver's side door lock doesn't work properly. It locks but won't unlock so I have to use the passenger door :( Is this common and easily fixed? The car has an alarm (not sure if standard) but I've no fob for it so I can't use it!

Secondly, the speedo doesn't work. The rev counter works fine and on the service history this fault is documented and says it costs £270 from Toyota to fix the problem (a gear mechanism of some sort). Can I get this part from a scrappy from any other model of '93 Corolla to fix it cheaper myself!!!???

Lastly, there's badly warped discs at the front (rears were previously replaced). Where can I get a good, but cheap set that will do the job?

I have to say though, bar these problems and a blown foglight bulb which I just replaced, it's an excellent car and I'd never driven one 'til now. Very comfy, good power when you put the pedal down, even at 40/50mph in 5th gear :) and sticks to the road. I intend to put a K&N filter, 25/30mm lowering springs and 17" wheels on it and that's it, nothing else needs doing. Any advice on these parts would be greatly appreciated also

So it's bye bye Glanza V, hello GXi until I have saved enough for a T Sport of course :D

[RedAE102]

Congrats on your purchase. I've got a saloon version in the U.S., same engine, year,and colour.

The door problem may be as simple as a misaligned mechanism. I'd recommend getting the Haynes manual for the car for help on that.

Unfortunately, that speedometer is specific to the GXi and won't interchange. I would ask if it could be a bad vehicle speed sensor, but since you didn't mention a check engine light, I'll assume that's not the problem. I hope I don't have problems with the speedometer I swapped in from a UK Si (it's the same beneath the face as the GXi, just with a white face instead of the metallic grey).

EBC makes replacement brake discs for the fronts, same as any '93 E10 through '02 E11. Rear brakes are shared with the later G6R and VVTi SR models.

[K19NE G]

Thanks for the info. I'll have a look at the lock myself before I give it to a garage.

Anymore feedback on the speedo problem??? You made me worried now :(

[spacefaceuk]

The key problem is common on all ae-101 corollas when a bad key is used, or the original is worn. I suggest getting a brand new key made at your local key shop using the original key code, this can be got from toyota for about 7 quid i think.

Try this in the lock, wiggle it, and use wd40 to loosen it up, and this may fix the lock.

The speedo is very easy to open, and will not fall to bits, u may be able to fix it by cleaning it inside...Otherwise, corolla gxi speedo's are very rare from scrappys, but a corolla dash between 92-97 will fit, and is plug and play, but there are two other types, one with just temp, speedo, fuel, then a slightly better version with speedo, temp, fuel, rev. Unfortunatley none of these come with the batter gauge tho!

getting wheels should be very staright forward, i think they are the same fit as the glanza, typical 4 stud toyota. Springs will have to be a motorsport style shop, like fensport and are not as common to find as the ae92 gti springs, maybe they are the same? not sure tho?

You will be able to get front and rear discs from any good car parts retailer, the rear discs are ae-101 only, but the front discs may span some other models as well as the 101.

I really like this model of car, and i feel it doesnt get as much atention as it is due, just because there is no gti model.... :(

hope this is of some help, enjoy ur new car! :D

Kamran

[Twincam.GTi]

I really like this model of car, and i feel it doesnt get as much atention as it is due, just because there is no gti model.... 

But, at least it was better built against rust than the earlier GT/GTi models :D

[Uncle GXi]

Well done on the GXi purchase! Yep, it is an underrated and overlooked car. Fair enough, it's outright 0-60 performance is not as good as the GTi (9.5 vs 8.3 secs) but is much more tourqey! I loved my AE92 more than anything until the thing got so riddled with rust then lost 3rd gear.... The GXi does a good enough job, though - looks good, well built & ultra reliable. Handles nicely too! :D

If anyone fancies checking out pictures of my GXi (bear in mind it is plain standard) I have a Yahoo Club called Performance Corolla with pics on there. As soon as I get a minute I'll put the brochures and stuff on too, as promised!

[K19NE G]

Cheers lads! I'll try with Toyota so to get a new key if it only costs that much! The two keys I have are an old worn original and a copy, so that may well be the problem!

Anyway I'll keep everyone updated on any work or servicing I get done. I might stick to the original wheels, get them refurbished and get new tyres (badly needed!) as I don't REALLY want to lose too much comfort by going with 17s or pay any extra for insurance! :)

[Twincam.GTi]

glanzav Posted Today, 05:03 PM

get them refurbished and get new tyres (badly needed!) as I don't REALLY want to lose too much comfort by going with 17s or pay any extra for insurance! 

There have been a couple of instances with AE101 Corollas needing suspension/steering repair work due to fitting 17inch wheels (may have been high mileage vehicles) but owners did seem to think it was 'cause of the 17's.

[RedAE102]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...item=4541657484 There's a pair of front brake discs for the car.

[Uncle GXi]

glanzav Posted Today, 05:03 PM

get them refurbished and get new tyres (badly needed!) as I don't REALLY want to lose too much comfort by going with 17s or pay any extra for insurance! 

There have been a couple of instances with AE101 Corollas needing suspension/steering repair work due to fitting 17inch wheels (may have been high mileage vehicles) but owners did seem to think it was 'cause of the 17's.

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I had the same problem with my car - soon after getting it I fitted 16" OZ alloys - looked great, but my shocks were knackered after 2 months which cost about £250 to put right. I put my original alloys back on after this and no problems since. The suspension set-up on this car is hard, so I reckon the extra punishment of not much tyre destroyed them....