1998 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8L

Summary:

Best car I have owned

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

This has been a great car for us, in fact the most reliable car I have owned in 30 years. Only had to change the oil and put gas in it.

Unfortunately it is now using oil, but not burning it and not leaking it, so I can't determine where it is going, but I have to add about 1 litre a month or every 1800 kms.

There is very minor rust over the rear wheel wells.

The 5spd is fairly peppy, although it does lose power on climbs in the mountains.

Mileage is about 45 mpg (Canadian) and we do mostly highway driving.

Seats are reasonably comfortable, but lack support on long drives.

We have literally not spent any money on repairs; only tires, wiper blades, replaced the windshield twice, and oil changes.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th May, 2010

1998 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8

Summary:

Not the sportiest, but worth every penny

Faults:

Starter started going bad at 167000 miles. Not expensive to replace.

Replaced the rear struts at 145000.

General Comments:

Awesome gas mileage. It is a 5 spd and on the highway I can get 44-45 mpg. Even driving back and forth to work I average 34-35 mpg.

Some of the plastic interior parts around the door have begun to shrink and warp, and the headliner is beginning to sag in the rear. Overall, considering what I get out of this car compared to what I have in it, it is great.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th October, 2009

1998 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8

Summary:

Take care of it and it will take care of you. Good car

Faults:

I bought the car from my mom at 89k. She did all services with Toyota.

The seat belt light was blinking when I got it.

Starter went around 110k.

I replaced the sway bar links.

Driver's side door handle broke at 130k.

Headliner started to come apart at 140k.

Some exhaust gasket has gone bad up front. In the process of having that replaced at 150k.

I always change my oil on time.

Have yet to replace a clutch.

Steering locks up under lots of turning, AKA driving really fast around a parking lot, swerving back and forth.

A/C had to be recharged.

Suspension is starting to go. Might make it to 200k.

Don't let this scare you, this car has been great. Most of this is general maintenance. I love my Corolla.

General Comments:

I like this car, it's peppy. Great fuel economy, and not too small.

I drive this thing way to hard, I was 19 when I got the car. And have driven like a 19 year old would. But I've only gone through one set of tires.

I corner hard. Accelerate even harder. It's seen 100mph.

Don't load this car up with 4 people. It just can't take it. You will see a huge loss in fuel economy.

I have a roof rack, and still get great fuel economy.

Seats are so comfortable. I am going to miss them.

Terrible design with the charge and cup area, can't use both.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th October, 2009

5th Oct 2009, 19:11

If this identical review with the mileage, mechanical problems, etc. had been posted with the words 'Chevrolet Cobalt' substituted for 'Toyota Corolla', it would have ended with 'this car sucks and I will never buy American again'.

Wake up folks. Just because the cars are built here, doesn't mean the corporate money, company dividends, and research and development investment stays here. At least GM and Ford cars are built and owned by companies based in North America.

Chrysler's now owned by Fiat.

1998 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8L

Summary:

Very good buy, has its own character

Faults:

Seat belt light staying on during hot days.

Oxygen sensor needs changing. Killed the battery by leaving compartment light on. Replaced with Costco. Lasted since 150k.

Replaced compartment light with LED replacement.

Freaky incident; rear tailing melted the bulb holder and started a fire in the back while at a gas station. But was resolved by again using an LED replacement.

Front headlight used to die every 10k, but replaced with long lasting bulbs, the last set lasted 100k :)

Fuel mixture is now too rich. Transmission is now showing its aging and has started slipping.

General Comments:

Overall, very satisfied. Nice ride, very soft, and not hard on the back. It's not a BMW at all, but heck I bought it for commuting, not to grab girls attention at high schools. Previous Mazda GLC had a habit of dying in the middle of the road.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st February, 2009

22nd May 2014, 03:42

Original poster:

The car is now at 308,000 miles. Engine still running strong. Will retire it soon, probably by the end of the year, for a larger car/SUV, but had fun driving it. Easy to fix and easy on gas. This car has served me well.