Faults:

This car is great except for the third brake light in the rear window. The thing caught fire twice. It seems that the plastic begins to melt with the heat from the bulb, and then the plastic housing contacts the bulb. Then the plastic begins to smolder and eventually catches fire. I've seen the smoke and what not coming from the back window...

This has happened twice so far, and each time cost around $70 - $90 (not to sure) just for the parts alone from the dealer. I've replaced the entire housing, bulb, socket and had the wiring checked each time. There seems to be nothing wrong with the wiring, and I checked and there seems to be no recalls or TSB.

The interior of this car is also not very good. Unlike our previous Corolla, the headliner is falling down, the door panels are warping a bit, and the seat material seems to wear and fade faster. The trim around the doors is also starting to peel very badly, and makes the car look horrid, and the inside door handle has broken twice so far. Although the interior is obviously more modern, my 1989 Pontiac 6000s interior is in way better condition than this car, and I don't really baby that car compared to this one. The interior pieces (before they began to get deteriorate) felt of much higher quality than my 1989 Pontiac Firebird, a car that is known to not have a very solid interior, but the pieces although they feel cheap in that car have not deteriorated when compared to this car. I'm rather shocked about that.

Aside from that the car seems to be great. It rides fairly well, the A/C blows cold, and it has decent power. The engine itself is very reliable and has yet to have a breakdown since we first got it. Just brakes and tires so far.

General Comments:

Overall? Not being biased here, as I am telling what I think about my car. I don't prefer American nor do I prefer Japanese (I own both obviously). This is a good car. The brake light catching fire thing is kind of a turn off... but aside from that it is great.

To sum it up, this Corolla is very reliable engine wise and it is pretty comfortable. However, when compared to older models (based on my older Corolla and Camry), Toyota seems to have cheaped out on the interior and trim details.

Faults:

Car needs 1 quart of oil every 200-300 miles. I have tried synthetic, and several mechanics. No leak could be found, no engine problems. Dealer would not comment on problem except saying it was not uncommon. My sister in law has a 2000 with the same issue. Usually noticed when driving long distances in warmer weather.

Seat belts don't re-track properly.

Check engine light comes on frequently. If you don't keep gas cap VERY tight engine light comes on and car stalls, until taken to dealer!

Emergency brake light comes on when I go over any bump. Taken to dealer about emergency brake light coming on, covered under warranty at 4,000 miles. They fixed it for free, but it happened again about 500 miles later.

Seats and carpet very worn in 4 years. I have owned 5 cars, and am tough on interiors. However this tan interior stained and shows wear much more than any I've has previous.

Paint had bubbles on panels under front doors 1 week after owning it. Dealer did not cover, and said it was due to road tar. Don't know what caused it, but cleaning it doesn't help. However it is not very noticeable.

General Comments:

Has few quirks, but LOVE this car!

Most reliable car I have ever owned, no major problems.

Just replaced brake pads for first time at 60,000.

Replaced tires at 40,000 miles, and what a difference it made. MUCH better handling with some better than stock tires, and I bought budget tires at my local mechanic.

Car has much more pick up than others in it's class and price range. I've driven this car for over 4 years, and love it more now than when I bought it. After about 10,000 miles the acceleration actually improved.

The gas mileage is not what they said it would be, real life I get about 28-32 mpg. It was rated by dealer at 34-38 mpg. But still better than any other sedan I've owned.

Quite roomy for a compact sedan. Seats comfortable for less than 2 hour drives.

I would buy another Toyota Corolla if looking for a compact sedan.