We live on acerage and are regularly buying thrash cars. We bought a datto pulsar for 80's, took a hell of a thrashing but now is almost dead. My thrash car is a 76 Chrysler Lancer, it has been going strong for almost 4 years of thrashing. Also had a KE55 that got a beating and my spare parts celica aswell.
The Corolla wagons seem to be really good at sliding around corners and are damn easy to control, must be all that extra weight in the back!
Look in the trado and talk all the $200 cars down to $100, they almost always go for it.