3 speed automatic corolla should be avoided?
 

im looking into the classifieds, and a 93+ corolla with the 3 speed auto (Base) are about 2,000 bucks, but should they be avioded just because it only has 3 forward gears?


isnt the engine buzzing at 3000 rpm at 60mph?

I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pedicle, but that's just me. I'd hold out for a 5 speed.

A 3 speed shouldn't be bad on the highway as long as it has a locking torque converter. My Buick has a 4 speed overdrive automatic in it, but the mileage is down right now because the TC isn't locking.

-Jay

Depends a whole lot on the actual gearing, Marvin for instance turns at 2600 at 60mph with the TC locked up with a 3 speed auto. Many close ratio 5 speeds have higher revs at 60.

does anyone know how fast is the engine turning at 60/65/70 mph on the 3 speed base corolla (93-97)?

im looking at the classifieds, this one costs 2,000, so are the other ones with the 4 speed auto. but this one comes with 4 new tires so im guessing if the lack of a 4 th gear is worth it

no can test drive?

Here is the EPA

5-speed manual: 31/35
3-speed automatic: 26/30

its telling us a lot of things.... 5mpg is quit a lot

But I thought the question was 3 speed auto vs 4 speed auto. The manual will almost always trump the auto.

-Jay

yea it was 3 spd auto vs 4 speed. i just sold my 5 speed manual civic to get an auto, so i can share the car with my mom.

Usually the 3 speed autos don't rev disgustingly higher on the freeway because they put a different final drive gear in it to make up for the lack of overdrive(but they can only do so much so it still revs a bit higher). Where you lose the economy is mainly in town because you end up with 3 wide gears starting with a tall first gear. 3 speed auto cars are usually the ones that leave first gear at 50-60 floored.

The opposite of that is why I want to go with a 5-speed auto in my car. I change out the rear from 4.62 to 4.10, keep the first gear ratio from crank to wheels but when I'm in 5th gear on the freeway i turn 500-600 rpm slower.