Toyota Corolla--new car

[Nova278]

Hi. I am a new driver, new to cars, and want to know if a Toyota Corolla is a good choice for ease of use, dependability, safety, and mileage. Is there a certain style, or year of Toyota Corolla I should look at? I like 4-doors, but are these safer and more efficient? Also, I'd like the possibility of adding a remote starter if that's possible, but it isn't neccesary. I know nothing at all about cars, and so all of those letters and numbers beside car choices are Greek to me. Can anyone help me find a great car? Thanks ahead of time.

[Nascar3]

Originally Posted by Nova278

Hi. I am a new driver, new to cars, and want to know if a Toyota Corolla is a good choice for ease of use, dependability, safety, and mileage. Is there a certain style, or year of Toyota Corolla I should look at? I like 4-doors, but are these safer and more efficient? Also, I'd like the possibility of adding a remote starter if that's possible, but it isn't neccesary. I know nothing at all about cars, and so all of those letters and numbers beside car choices are Greek to me. Can anyone help me find a great car? Thanks ahead of time.

Hi, the Toyota Corolla has been named the sdafest car in class, so yes for safety, it's a sure bet.

I got me one and can honestly say that the car is a great performer.
It has some issues such as verry thin paint application (scraches real easy), the front tires use prematurely and the read door rubber sealers seem to keep unsticking. All these will be take care of by the Toyota dealer but they are still a pain in the but.


Hope this can help.

[zdude]

Originally Posted by Nascar3

...the front tires use prematurely...

nice...

summary: reliable... with some stories



yes, it is a good car. i have owned two, even tough my signature only says ive owned one... the first was my parents, it had 270,000 miles on it before the tranny went, it was a 1990. the second, mine, also a 1990, was donated because I no longer needed the car. it had around 150,000 on it. these cars are very reliable. mine has 193,000, and it was made in 1995 i just bought it so i dont know much about it, but it has been very good to me. my friend had one, he goes through cars like no other, had it for a few months and decided he didnt want it, stomped the exhaust off, jammed the shifter into fifth from the back seat with his feet, no clutch, fried the tranny. took a sledge to the poor engine bay... it was a pile to begin with not taken care of, but it still ran after all that beating. not for long though, it soon over heated. my point is, this car was built for reliability. i see corollas driving around in wisconsin totally rusted out, exhaust falling off, but they still run like champs. i ask to see the odometer and ive seen up to 500,000 miles. my other friend has one, its got 300,000 on it, needs valve work, heads reground, and new rings, but it still runs, like shit though... solid car.

[BigWilly01]

I have my 01 corolla.. not many mechanical errors with my car (I fixed my idle problem... )... car is safe.. just invest some extra $$$ on side curtain air bags (if you are keen on safety).. I overall find my car very bland.. the suspension set up is way too soft, car is overall very boring IMO .. but I'm making it fun again ..

[Nova278]

Thanks! Is there anything else I need to buy on the side besides the sidebags? (Definitely want those--I'm big on safety)Do they come with CD players? And how's the mileage? It sounds like this should be my car. Eg What's the difference in a CE, CE4AT, LE, XRS, S4AT, etc. Which of these do I need? Thanks for the help!

[BigWilly01]

Originally Posted by Nova278

Thanks! Is there anything else I need to buy on the side besides the sidebags? (Definitely want those--I'm big on safety)Do they come with CD players? And how's the mileage? It sounds like this should be my car. Eg What's the difference in a CE, CE4AT, LE, XRS, S4AT, etc. Which of these do I need? Thanks for the help!

to reply to your quote.. CD players are standard.. on my 01.. I get 600 KM to a tank.. CE is the base model.. no goodies here.. but you can get some options (CE4AT I believe is the 4 speed auto?), LE is the luxary edition, XRS is the sport model.. celica gts motor .. more power, car is lowered by .8 inches.. 6 speed manual.. etc etc..

basically.. the CE, LE and S come with the same engine with different packages and options.. the S comes with the S bodykit or lips or whatever. Pick and choose what's available in the classes of cars.. I believe there is a power option with each? with power door locks, windows, etc etc.. if you need any help, just check their website at www.toyota.ca (or www.toyota.com for american)..

the XRS comes with a more powerful 2ZZ motor which has 170 HP rather than the 130 of the other corollas and a stiffer lower suspension.. (as well as rear disk brakes), and the S bodykit

transmission options are either a 4 speed automatic with ECT or 5 speed manual for the CE LE and S, while the XRS only comes with 6 speed manual.

You will be glad to know that the corolla with side bag airbags or whatever was the only 2 compact/sub compact cars to score 'acceptable' in the side impact that was done a few months ago.. the other car was a chevy cobalt.. mazda 3 neon, etc etc all scored pretty bad.. I wouldn't want to get driven in one of those....

basically you can go to a dealer and check out all the options they have.. and build up from there.. BE sure to haggle the price down.. shop around.. prices may differ from different dealerships..