I bought this car from my dad about a year ago for a $1000 with about 225,000 kms in the odometer. Mine had a 4-speed automatic and dark green color. Not the coolest car for a 21-year old college student to get but it's my first car and also the one I learned to drive in so I love it nonetheless. It does look dated on the outside and inside in 2012 but good enough. If you move the front seats all the way back like I do, there is very little legroom for the rear seats.

It's easy to drive, good fuel economy (though newer cars probably get better) and probably a lot more comfortable than other cars I could've gotten with my miniscule budget (mine has air conditioning). Performance is just so-so even for a commuter sedan. This car tends to understeer, doesn't have enough torque for steep hills and could use anti-lock brakes.

Where this car really shines is in its renowned Toyota reliability. Me, my sister and parents can count back many road trips in this faithful car and it has never given my parents any problems since they first bought it new (they did regular service maintenance every 6000 km). Even now it's a great commuter for me and my girlfriend, and I even use it for my part time job delivering pizza. I feel like this car will never quit on me and I intend to keep using it until it starts requiring extensive parts replacements. I can picture myself keeping this car beyond graduation and as a family car to drive my own future kids in.