Older Corollas

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Nick1994

Nick1994

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So a thought crossed my mind to get rid of the Beetle and get back into a beater econo-box. VW repair prices are making me think of changing my mind, it's starting to be a money pit sort of, that and it's a car that I can't really work on. Many things need a VW mechanic to do it. No big decisions have been made yet, heck I might even keep it. I don't know yet.

My question is with older Corollas. Somewhere around the year range of 97-02. I had a 97 Camry and was very happy with it's reliability and am considering another Camry, but if a good deal on a Corolla comes by I might scoop one up.

What I'm looking for- Cheap, basic, reliable, decent on gas transportation. That's it. I've learned I don't need a fancy car with all the gizmos and electronics to go bad (like VWs often do). I'm a college student and am happy with basic. I don't care if it's an automatic or a 5 speed.

So are the Corollas of somewhere around 97-02 pretty good? Auto transmissions reliable? 5 speeds a lot better on gas or about the same? Also considering a Celica if it's for a really good price.

Thanks for any help.
 
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Also considering a Celica if it's for a really good price.


I'd love to have one of those! The Celica GT-S is the one I really like.
 
The are great cars. VERY reliable! Also the Chevrolet Prizm
smile.gif


They were available with a 5-speed manual, 3-speed auto, and a 4-speed auto.

Most Prizms have the 3-speed auto, but some do have the 4-speed (usually the fully loaded models with the sunroof). The Corolla LE and S models have the 4-speed auto. The Corolla VE and CE have the 3-speed auto. The way to tell the difference is the presence or absence of an OD button on the shifter.

All of the above were available with the 5-speed manual (which was the same on all Corollas and Prizms of the generation).

Best gas mileage is from the 5-speed manual and 4-speed auto. The 3-speed auto is quite a bit inferior on gas mainly due to the lack of OD.

5-speed manual > 4-speed auto (00-02) > 4-speed auto (98-99) >> 3-speed auto

Also consider the Echo, which was available with a 5-manual or 4-auto (no cheap 3-speed!)
 
My daughter bought an '06 Corolla. I changed the oil for her. A couple sets of tires anf brakes was about all it used until the 150 K service. Yhe car ran great when it was totalled at 180k. Good basic transportation
 
My inlaws have a Corolla in that year range. It's about 16 years old and they just got their brakes done. Still has the original tires on it. Think they drive about 2000 miles a year. If that. Don't hear of any problems with it but they only trust the dealer to work on their cars.

You can almost afford an 03 Corolla like mine.
 
When I bought my '07 Corolla, I was originally shopping for the previous generation (6th generation). During my search, I concluded that you got a disproportionately better car with the 7th generation compared to the additional money spent. In other words, spend a little more money and get a lot more car. If your budget is somewhat fluid, consider a 2003-2005 model as well. I think they made some very minor cosmetic changes between 2005 and 2006.

The 1ZZ-FE engine is solid, though some years are prone to consume oil. Structurally, though, it's an engine that will last nearly forever. The automatic transmissions on these are nearly bullet proof. The manual transmissions aren't quite as stout -- it's one of those few situations where the automatic is probably more reliable than the manual. My '07 had the manual, and I enjoyed it, though I did change the factory fluid out for some Redline MT-90 and that REALLY improved shifting. I was very pleased with the fuel economy that mine delivered. I did't get a single tank below 30 mpg during my entire ownership of that car, and I had to try to get below about 32 mpg. Most tanks were 34-36 mpg, and road trips of hundreds of miles would return about 38 mpg.

It was really a pleasant car to own and to drive. I replaced the steel wheels and hubcaps on mine with some super lightweight alloys off a Prius and added some stickier Yokohama tires and a strut tower brace. Turned my unassuming little beige Corolla LE into quite a responsive little package.
 
Originally Posted By: CT8
Buy a new one and keep it for many years.


Huge price difference. The six speed manual is a fake (albeit a decent setup), who knows about the CVT longevity, and I thought I read it got slower with the new model. It is a more quiet and refined ride though. A step up from the prior gen. Sadly I have not driven any of the prior gens.

*

Don't Hondas have problematic ac systems? I suppose in this age range it does not matter, anything might need a new system. But skip 2001.

*

Amazon and ebay have cheapo Techstream setups. Have to run XP, but then you have the diag software for Toyota.
 
Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
Some of those Corolla's could burn more oil than a Saturn...

Years affected were 98-2001 IRRC.


yup. 98-02 to be correct. including MY03 made in early part of 02.
 
Just watch out for oil burners, I hear these are prone to doing it. Have you considered a 1998-2002 Honda Accord manual? Very solid cars, and more fun to drive / spacious than a Corolla.
 
For a beater econobox, I'd get a Cobalt. You can get a 5 yr newer vehicle for the same money as an older Corolla.
 
My sister & brother-in-law still have the 2001 Chevy Prism daily-driver they bought new. It has the 4spd auto, air and very basic options. It's not even that rusty after ~14 Buffalo winters. It's never had any issues other than normal wear/tear items and my BIL is not one to do preventative maintenance. Only fix things as they break.
 
Originally Posted By: bigt61
For a beater econobox, I'd get a Cobalt. You can get a 5 yr newer vehicle for the same money as an older Corolla.


Good suggestion! Try and fine a well maintained one and they can be decent cars. They did have the problematic steering issues though.
 
Originally Posted By: AZjeff
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
So a thought crossed my mind to get rid of the Beetle and get back into a beater econo-box.


Anything has to be better than that chick car. Seriously. A college student...you need a lifted Jeep on 35s.. gas mileage is so over-rated..

Buy this: http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/5045501434.html

thank me later
smile.gif

Oh I know any things better than the chick car, but I was happy with the mpg and then the expensive repairs started coming... Being a college student I'd prefer good mpg over a Jeep, I'm commuting about 17-18k miles a year currently and I'd like to not be filling up every 2 days.
Originally Posted By: gregk24
Just watch out for oil burners, I hear these are prone to doing it. Have you considered a 1998-2002 Honda Accord manual? Very solid cars, and more fun to drive / spacious than a Corolla.
I'll definitely look into Accords. My problem with looking into Hondas is Arizona is so close to Mexico we have lots and LOTS of Hondas that have been beaten and lowered with coffee can exhausts and are total rice machines. But an Accord probably isn't what most of people my age are looking for, might find a virgin one!
 
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