i own a 1988 chevrolet nova which is a rebadged corolla. The couple of things that have gone out on the car have been the alternator, radiator, and the radio. the exhaust valve on the #3 cylinder burned once and i having 3 cylinders on a freeway to the repair shop isn't fun. Othewise its been a great first car for me. Its a manual which gives it decent...
Photos shows how looks a car produced that year. Note that any specimen of this model may have little differences in exterior and interior pics (restyling, face lifting, additional accessories).