When you drive a lightweight manual car, parking doesn't have to follow the usual rules. A driver demonstrated this when he encountered a tight parking spot that would've been impossible for most vehicles, but his 1989 Toyota Corolla GT had a secret advantage. Driver Gets Corolla Into Impossibly Tight Spot In a viral video, content creator Waiz Rahim shows off one of the unexpected perks of driving a decades-old manual transmission Toyota when he found a parking spot that was too tight to navigate normally. In the video you can see that Rahim literally got out of the vehicle and gently pushed the Corolla into place from the front, guiding it into the tight space despite an inconveniently placed pole. "POV: the parking spot is too tight but you drive a lightweight 1989 manual Corolla GT,” the text overlay reads. Once the car was in position, Rahim grabs a rock from a nearby decorative display and places it under one of the tires, presumably to keep the vehicle steady and prevent it from rolling away. "Perks of a lightweight manual,” he says in the caption. OWNERSHIP STORIES Viral stories from across the web Our team of experts tracks what owners are saying about car-shopping, repairs, the daily driving experience and more on social media. The video has over 621,000 views as of this writing. Why the '89 Corolla Was So Light The Toyota Corolla was built in an era before cars were loaded with heavy safety features, infotainment systems, and modern conveniences. According to NCars, the 1989 Corolla had a curb weight of just 2,207 pounds, significantly lighter than today's compact cars. For comparison, AutoPadre reports that a 2025 Toyota Corolla weighs between 2,450 and 3,430 pounds, depending on the trim. That's upwards of 1,000 pounds more than its '80s predecessor. The weight difference comes from modern safety equipment like multiple airbags, reinforced structures, anti-lock braking systems, and electronic stability control—all crucial for safety, but adding considerable heft. The manual transmission in Rahim's Corolla also plays a key role in this maneuver. With a manual, you can put the car in neutral and push it freely without the resistance you'd get from an automatic transmission's parking gear. Why Modern Cars Are So Heavy Cars have gotten heavier over the years. The average new car in 2022 weighed 4,329 pounds, nearly twice that of Rahim’s Corolla, Capital One reports. Here’s why cars are heavier: Safety equipment: Since 1998, airbags have been mandatory on new vehicles, and most cars now come with at least six. While each airbag only weighs about 3.5 pounds, the wiring, sensors, and computer processors add significant weight. Electronic driving aids like automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist require arrays of sensors, cameras, and additional wiring. All-wheel drive systems: In 2021, nearly 60% of new vehicles sold featured four- or all-wheel drive. These systems add a second axle, driveshaft, and in some cases a transfer case—all of which pack on pounds. For example, the 2025 Honda Pilot weighs 4,306 pounds with front-wheel drive and 4,497 pounds with all-wheel drive. Comfort and tech features: Heated and ventilated seats, large touchscreens, digital instrument clusters, upgraded sound systems, and acoustic glass all add weight. Even within the same model, higher trim levels can weigh significantly more than base models just from these added features. Bigger batteries (for EVs and hybrids): Electric vehicles haul around 1,000-pound battery packs, which helps explain why some crossovers weigh as much as pickup trucks. The Hyundai Kona Electric weighs 3,891 pounds compared to just 3,318 pounds for the gas-powered version. Toyota Corolla’s Portability Impresses Viewers People were amused and wowed by the ease with which Rahim pushed his Corolla into the parking spot. Many extolled the benefits of manual transmissions. “Imagine you’ve just had a very bad day. Nothing has gone right and you walk out to the parking garage. Only to realize you have to push your car out of the spot,” one wrote. “Pretty great and convenient. Like when you can start your engine by push starting or rolling it down a hill,” a second said. “I love how you remembered to set the parking brake,” commented a third. “On a flat surface you could do the same with any car,” another chimed in. Motor1 reached out to Rahim for comment via Facebook direct message and comment. We’ll update this if he responds. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team