[hciman77]

Hello,
I am finally resolved to replacing my faithful 95 Ford Escort. I want a modest user car and my garage guy says get a Corolla as they are good cars reliability wise get decent fuel economy and are easy to work on, all of which are important parameters to me.

My budget is ~ $17K so it looks like I can get a 2005 or 2006 with no problem. I dont want a boy-racer car and dont want anything flash so this looks like a good solid option.

If there are any Corolla owners out there (most popular car in the World apparenlty) can anyone comment on this car, good or bad.

Thanks

Jim

 

[Jigglybootch]

I've never owned one personally, but everyone I have known who has owned one has never seemed to have any major problems.

 

[silverrain]

Maybe the best car I ever owned (still have one).

 

[MusicallySilent]

We have had 3 toyotas (corolla from the 80s, van from 93, camry from 95) the only things needing replacing are regular wear and tear things oil tires etc.

 

[blessingx]

I still drive a '94 daily.

 

[FallenAngel]

I LOVE my Corolla. I had a 2001 Corolla and now I have the 2005 Corolla. The new body type is nice and fairly roomy with a large trunk. It has great gas mileage and its performance is on par with other economy sedans, but don't expect it to be "sporty".

I totally love that it's a hassle-free car, just change the oil every 8k, do your service and forget about it the rest of the time. I never had absolutely any problems in either car, but do note that some people hate a feature that they have in the new models - if you don't fasten the seatbelts, the car beeps at you until you do (at least for a few minutes). Some people hate that, I always wear my seatbelt, so it never bothered me.

 

[F107plus5]

Not to bring NASCAR into the discussion, but of all the "American" car models racing in the series, Ford, Chevy, Dodge and Toyota, only the Toyota is primarily manufactured in the US!

So yeah, as far as "American" cars are concerned, Toyota makes a pretty darned good one!

....don't quote me on this; I heard it on TV!

 

[soundboy]

From a reliablity perspective, the Corolla is as good as they come. I've owned a 1987 Corolla and currently drive a 2001 Camry (although I am looking into getting a 2007 Camry).

 

[redshifter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hciman77 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hello, I am finally resolved to replacing my faithful 95 Ford Escort. I want a modest user car and my garage guy says get a Corolla as they are good cars reliability wise get decent fuel economy and are easy to work on, all of which are important parameters to me. My budget is ~ $17K so it looks like I can get a 2005 or 2006 with no problem. I dont want a boy-racer car and dont want anything flash so this looks like a good solid option. If there are any Corolla owners out there (most popular car in the World apparenlty) can anyone comment on this car, good or bad. Thanks Jim

I have 316,000 miles on my '91 Corolla SR5. I had to get a new clutch and tires, but it runs fine and is actually fun to drive.

The downside I understand is the wiring in Toyotas can go south. Example, my right fog-light is dead.

 

[roastpuff]

Hey, at least it's not English wiring.

You can fix that foglight pretty easily.

Corollas are awesome cars, especially the new generation ones. SO COMFY!

Pick up a loaded LE.

 

[Artemio]

I have the 2005 CE model. Great car so far. My only issues were with teh default car audio and that you will need to install tweeters and mids since the speakers are located way too low (Only if you care though).

I have mine with DLS speakers and amp, and they work great in the default locations. But since I didn't want to change the car much I had 2 way speakers installed in the front. The thing is that the mids get killed and I end up listening to the coaxial speakers in the back, giving a strange feeling receiving the highs form the front and the mids form the back.

I'll change that in the near future though, and continue to be happy about my car.

 

[hciman77]

Apart from looking slightly sportier is there any real difference between the S and the CE and LE models ? The specs seem to indicate they are pretty much all identical.

 

[roastpuff]

Interior fittings and options, that's all.

XRS is where it's at. 170hp Corolla with a six-speed.

 

[YamiTenshi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hciman77 /img/forum/go_quote.gif My budget is ~ $17K so it looks like I can get a 2005 or 2006 with no problem. I dont want a boy-racer car and dont want anything flash so this looks like a good solid option.

I don't have a Corolla personally but I have seen brand new Corollas go for ~$17K, so if you can wait you might be able to grab a 2007.

 

[Todd R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hciman77 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Apart from looking slightly sportier is there any real difference between the S and the CE and LE models ? The specs seem to indicate they are pretty much all identical.

Hey,
I just retired my 98 Escort ZX2, another good car.

Now I have an 07 Corolla S.
The styling is more "sporty" and I was told the suspension is tighter. I didn't drive a CE or LE so I can't confirm that. Couldn't really get excited about the simulated wood grain dash on the other models even though my salesman was.

This is my 3rd Corolla, darn things last forever. Would probably still be driving my 90 if someone hadn't crashed it for me.

Leased this one in Feb. and the only things I found wrong with it was a rattle noise when the sunroof shade was open (Some loose cable they needed to tighten) and a loose piece of body trim.

30 mpg city driving all the time, about 38-40 highway.

The less gas money I can give those bastards the better!

The stock speakers aren't too terrible and Crutchfield makes an adapter so you can put a "real" stereo in it.

Only thing I don't like is the seat doesn't go back quite far enough for me. I'm 6' 0" but did eventually find a comfortable spot.