Trying to decide between a '96/'97 or '98/'99 with say 110,000 miles for her first car. I'm quite concerned to see that many Gen 8 cars burn oil even with regular maintenance. I want this to be a very reliable, inexpensive car for her.
Trying to decide between a '96/'97 or '98/'99 with say 110,000 miles for her first car. I'm quite concerned to see that many Gen 8 cars burn oil even with regular maintenance. I want this to be a very reliable, inexpensive car for her.
Yeah, well, so do the Gen 7s. The early 1ZZ-FE was prone to sludging but the average condition of the average 4A-FE/7A-FE is prone to worn rings and seals.
I'd actually recommend an 8th-gen...all the hop-up parts will still fit if she feels the need for speed and the extra 30 or so horses mean that freeway onramps won't be things to dread. The 7th-gens are getting dangerously slow in the era of family sedans that'll sprint to 60 in six seconds flat. Plus there's an uprated torque converter in the autobox that'll give a little better mileage.
Both generations are reliable cars. As you already know the 8th generation has issues with oil consumption. If you go with the 7th gen I would make sure that the timing belt and water pump are replaced. My personal opinion would be to try to aim for the 9th gen as they have the oil consumption issues resolved and have no timing belt that needs to be serviced. Good luck!!!
__________________ 2005 Corolla LE - Impulse Red - Auto Trans - 1ZZFE - 86,000mi 2003 Echo - Auto Trans - 96,000mi. - slow as dog-dirt - I'd rather put my money in the bank than in the tank!!!!!
I would say the 8th gen just a more newer car. And alot of the 7th gen's had that damn 3speed tranny which is terrible for highway driving. The 8th gen probably is gonna have less rattle prolly some more power. In the end im guessing it all comes down to money since im sure the 7th gen's can he had for alot less money. Try searching for a Geo Prizm 8th gen same car and probably cheaper.
I've had mine since it was new for over 13 years and it's currently approaching 154,000 problem-free miles. Only things I've had to replace are regular wear and tear items. It's been nothing but solidly reliable for me. Rust around the rear quarter panels is the only problem to watch out for, but since you're in Arizona I guess all the local cars of that vintage must be pretty mint looking.
I had an uncle with a 1998 Corolla and the thing would burn oil like no tomorrow, it had less than 100,000 miles before he got rid of it.
It's not the fastest or flashiest car I must admit, but maintenance costs are low and gas mileage is great.
I'm sure she'll love it.
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Originally Posted by TURBO Das Automagazin
A BRZ, a curvy mountain road makes one liter of happiness hormones.
Last edited by PhatRoyale; 10-07-2010 at 12:43 PM.
I wouldn't rule out either 7th or 8th gens. I'd simply look for the nicest, rust free, most well maintained, lowest mileage car you can get for the least amount of money from model years 1993 through 2002.
whichever is cheaper; she's probably gonna wreck it.
that said, I've had a 96 dx that I sold at 120kish miles, and currently dd a 99 ce that just turned over 130k. Neither had anything beyond regular maintenance and tires required, and both were bought new.
My 7th gen is approching 170,000 and really havn't had any engine issues ever, we got it from the 2nd owner and they had paperwork showing a tune up at 90,000 and as long as I changed the oil no problems, granted I just put new pistons and rods in, but that was for a power gain, you would be surprised how clean my old pistons were, I could have sold them as new.
A friend of mine has an 8th gen and from what I have seen has had some issues, the car only has 115,000 miles on it, but he has ended up spending so much because parts just keep falling off the car (not literally).
In my opinion, from my experience I would say go with a 7th gen, If I had the choice between a brand new 7th or 8th gen car, I would still pick 7th.
Also, they are really cool. Hope to see you in THIS forum soon
My 7th gen is approching 170,000 and really havn't had any engine issues ever, we got it from the 2nd owner and they had paperwork showing a tune up at 90,000 and as long as I changed the oil no problems, granted I just put new pistons and rods in, but that was for a power gain, you would be surprised how clean my old pistons were, I could have sold them as new.
A friend of mine has an 8th gen and from what I have seen has had some issues, the car only has 115,000 miles on it, but he has ended up spending so much because parts just keep falling off the car (not literally).
I think the simple difference is that your 7th gen has been taken care of while his 8th gen has not. Regardless of miles. My 94 7AFE that just hit 130K burns oil like a madman and nearly every part in it is factory original. It all comes down to maintenance.
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94 Prizm LSi 1.8. Auto and still quick as hell.
Trying to decide between a '96/'97 or '98/'99 with say 110,000 miles for her first car. I'm quite concerned to see that many Gen 8 cars burn oil even with regular maintenance. I want this to be a very reliable, inexpensive car for her.
If you do go with the 8th Gen try to get the last model year made. Any bugs should have been worked out by then.
I think the simple difference is that your 7th gen has been taken care of while his 8th gen has not. Regardless of miles. My 94 7AFE that just hit 130K burns oil like a madman and nearly every part in it is factory original. It all comes down to maintenance.
Isn't the 95-97 7AFE different than the 93-94 for the better, in terms of oil burning and oil use among other things?
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