2002 Toyota Corolla S 1.8

Summary:

Would purchase another

Faults:

Have replaced brakes twice in 2 years.

Had to replace serpentine belt at 50,000.

Buttons for controls break easily.

Once in a while it does not want to start. After waiting about 10 seconds,it starts. I have taken to the dealer, but they can't find the problem

General Comments:

The car is overall excellent. I bought this car in June 2005 44,000 miles on it. At about 65,000 the motor started tapping, and I was told by the dealer that it was normal. I tried premium gas, but it still taps.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th January, 2008

26th Jan 2008, 12:06

Well I have the twin to this car the Chevrolet/Geo Prizm and my engine also started making a tapping noise around 70,000 miles and the mechanic said it was normal for these engines. Its been a great I don't think I could have bought anything more reliable than this.

2002 Toyota Corolla LE Gas 2.4L

Summary:

It is a very dependable and reliable car that does what the manufacturer claims

Faults:

No trouble at all except I hear some strange noises from under the hood when the engine and/or the weather is cold outside. the dealer checked it three times and nothing was found. I think it's something to do with how the radiator is mounted, when I apply pressure to the radiator the noise stops, when I release, the noise comes back. very strange. the car runs great otherwise. I had to replace the front brake pads at 22K miles, cannot understand why, unless I have been riding the brakes??

General Comments:

Runs like a dream, very smooth, quiet, ice cold a/c, has remarkable acceleration for a small car. can cruise on the interstates at 75-80 mph with no trouble.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd August, 2005

2002 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8L 4 cylinder

Summary:

A Commuter's Special

Faults:

Nothing other than general maintenance!

General Comments:

My previous car was a 1989 Acura Legend which I miss dearly. That was the best used car I ever owned and I finally retired it at 181,000 because it was going to need another timing chain and fuel pump, and tires. I could not justify spending that kind of money on a 12 year old car. The timing chain and water pump were not bad, it's just a preventative measure.

This Toyota I bought for 3 primary reasons: 1. It was fair priced, 3. Great gas mileage and 4. Low operating costs.

My ONLY complaint is that 6 months after I bought the car, I have been hearing various squealing noises from the brakes. The dealer says it is nothing, that they cannot see or hear anything that would cause a major problem. So far, so good. The noises are not that bad, but nonetheless, they are there.

This car is perfect for me being that I drive a total of 70 miles a day to and from work.

A zippy car that does 80 miles an hour on the highway with no problems! Acceleration is better than one would expect from a 1.8L gas engine.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th December, 2004

16th Jul 2005, 15:31

I own a 2002 Corolla CE "Plus" purchased new. (currently has 40,000 miles) Recently serviced and water pump required replacing, but was covered under warranty. Great commuter car.

From the looks angle-it will require a windshield replacement and rock chips on paint occur quite easily. A word of advice here-try and avoid the tan cloth interior if possible.

Overall, based on the last 3 years I feel this was a smart purchase.

15th Oct 2005, 22:38

Highway chips will occur and be more pronounced on a dark color paint. After a year of highway driving, the white dimples on my hood and grille area were becoming unsightly. I purchased a nose mask for $110 and I only wish I bought it when I initially bought the car. It has made a very big difference!

For anyone doing a lot of highway driving, especially in the snow, do yourself a BIG favor. Drop another $100 and get that nose mask! Your car's re-sale value will suffer if you don't!

26th Mar 2007, 15:15

I am the poster of this review. Here is the latest since I last wrote this review:

-Car now has 94,000 miles. I still own it.

-At 92,000 miles I just had all my brakes done! The first time too! However, I must point out that this is a highway driven car.

-At 88,000, I had to have my evaporator cannister replaced. This was odd, because these allegedly should not malfunction. My engine check light came on, and I had to have it replaced because of NYS emissions standards. A car will not pass NYS inspection with an engine check light on. That cost me almost $400 to replace.

This is it, other than oil changes, serpentine belt, tires, tranny flushes and coolant flushes the car has been flawless. I am really happy I got this car!

2002 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8

Summary:

A great car at a great price!

Faults:

Things that have gone wrong:

Nothing thus far with 247 miles, BUT the dash has a very irritating rattle when the car is in drive at idle.

Oh, slightly rough idle in drive at a stand still.

Dealer said it might go away by 1000 mile break in, BUT we will see about that.

General Comments:

Our previous car was a 1986 Corolla 5 door hatchback with 203,000 miles on it. Wish we could find another one with low miles :P

Our new Corolla is doing just fine other than that darn rattle in the dash.

The car rides smooth, handles nicely, very very quite and the radio with cassette sounds great for a factory radio. Trunk is huge for this car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd November, 2001

8th Jan 2002, 09:05

My 2001 corolla have the same idling problem. The Corolla mechanic gave the same answer. I have 5000 mile on the car now and it still has the rough idle in drive. If anything it's getting worse. The Corolla mechanic during my last visit told me it could be the nature of the car. In other words that the way the car runs. I am very dissappointed in Toyota. I have already brought the car back twice and they kept telling me that the car set at the proper specifications and there is nothing wrong.

3rd Jul 2004, 18:19

I have a 2002 Corolla with a whole sundry of squeaks/rattles and it hasn't even done 39000 kilometers yet (I'm in Canada). I drove/rode in 2003/4 Corolla who were not any better. Actually a bit noisier while accelerating. No mechanical troubles, though, and the car does exude refinement and quietness when driven on the high way, better than any other car in its price range, including subsequent Corollas, IMO.