Thinking of buying a Corolla

[mujo]

Hello, I'm new to the forums. I am posting here for a few reasons. I want to learn more about Corollas before making a purchase, and I would love advice on purchasing one

I've done about two months of research on cars. I've looked at everything from Chevy Cobalts, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, and now I'm to the Corolla...of which all I hear of is: "Dependable, long lasting, affordable."

I was wondering, in my price range (~$250 per month) should I try for a new corolla and pay a bit more than my budget? Or shall I go for one thats a few years old, and hit that sweet spot? I was also wondering how older corollas hold up. I've seen a '94 for sale on a lot, and thought about test driving it, but its older than my current car *( '96 Ford Contour) and I am worried about it being dependable. It had ~ 150k miles.

I am seriously considering a Corolla, all I hear is good about them, I just need to test drive one. Thanks for any information you may provide me.

[TenZen]

They are great cars. Though finding go fast parts are hard if plan to go that way. Most things to get are either rare or custom made. Either way its still a great car to drive around in. but in the end its all what you feel most comfertable in and can afford also.

[FinalGear]

mujo

MY 2 CENTS:

This is a topic that I can preach forever. But here my reason I went with Corolla:

1.)Not on the top 10 most stolen car in America. (At the moment)

2.)Full car insurance does not tear a hole in your wallet. (Do a quote on a Civic)

3.)The newer Corolla comes with a DOHC motor. (No SOHC here!)

4.)Corolla can take MAJOR mechanical punishment and still keeps going.

5.)Gas Saver


This car will last a LONG time…..it’s the truth….. You’ll see more older Corollas out on the streets compare to their American counter-parts. I would suggest getting something around 99 and up on a Corolla…..don’t stay mid 90s models (There nothing wrong with it)


Do some more research before buying anything!!!

[REN69]

My 2cents.. that 94 Corolla will last longer than that 96 Countour will... I'm surprised your Contour still runs.

[Buurin]

My two cents... 98 Corolla FTW!!!

Start socking away $250 per month right now and by the time you find your ideal Corolla you'd have saved enough to minimize your car payments (by putting down a BIG downpayment) or even buy it outright. Saves you some interest this way.

[FinalGear]

Originally Posted by TenZen

They are great cars. Though finding go fast parts are hard if plan to go that way. Most things to get are either rare or custom made. Either way its still a great car to drive around in. but in the end its all what you feel most comfertable in and can afford also.

True...if you want to go the Tuner route a Corolla is harder to fix up compare to a Civic. For some weird reason there are a lot more aftermarket parts for those AE86 Corolla compare to the newer models! The other Tuners in the Toyota line up are the MR2, Supra, and Celica, these have a lot more aftermarkets available for them...

[TenZen]

Originally Posted by FinalGear

True...if you want to go the Tuner route a Corolla is harder to fix up compare to a Civic. For some weird reason there are a lot more aftermarket parts for those AE86 Corolla compare to the newer models! The other Tuners in the Toyota line up are the MR2, Supra, and Celica, these have a lot more aftermarkets available for them...

yea but what can you do. Im happy with my Corolla. I got alot to pay off on it, like 5K or something. And after that, i want to move up to a 350Z or if i can ever find a Prelude, 240SX or maybe a Supra with the twin turbo. But more then likely ill try to get a 350Z

[FinalGear]

Those 3 cars you mention are discontinue..... but a 350Z can't go wrong there!!!

[TenZen]

Originally Posted by FinalGear

Those 3 cars you mention are discontinue..... but a 350Z can't go wrong there!!!

i know there discotinued. doesnt mean i cant find one on ebay nope cant go wrong with the 350Z. I love the way it sounds and looks great.

[FinalGear]

I myself have been looking for a 240sx for a LONG time as well.....love those Silvia

[TenZen]

Originally Posted by FinalGear

I myself have been looking for a 240sx for a LONG time as well.....love those Silvia

well i found one 240 that has been sitting at a car place for ever. i dont even know if it runs. its been in the same spot for awhile. I would want a Silvia too. they look so great with the right kind of body kit and spoliers. too bad i cant even find one where i live.

[FinalGear]

I'm not 100% for sure but I think 1998 was the last year the 240sx was issue for the US market. But a 1998 240sx (S14)..... die happy..if I get one!! AND YES they SURE DO LOOK SEXY with the right body kit!!!!!!!!!

[NMGeorge]

Well, I drive 20K a year, so MPG and longevity where very important to me. I drove every car in this class.... and for the money, I felt that the "rolla could not be beat.

[mujo]

Thanks for the fast replies. I really like the Corolla S. From what I've seen, its almost worth it to buy new, as the used ones aren't much cheaper (apparently they hold their value).

I'm not really into modding cars or anything, I'm just looking for something to last me, something thats reliable, and something somewhat fun to drive.

I almost bought a '94 Corolla DX the other day. It had 140k miles on it, but was in good shape and clean. My wife has a fear of 'high mileage' vehicles though. My Contour has 145k miles on it now, still running. (I take care of it). Is there a site somewhere that displays Toyota's longetivity? Something I can show my wife so she can feel good about buying a high mileage car?

Thanks again everyone. I'm hoping to make a purchase in the next few months, if not sooner.

[gtpharr]

Originally Posted by mujo

Thanks for the fast replies. I really like the Corolla S. From what I've seen, its almost worth it to buy new, as the used ones aren't much cheaper (apparently they hold their value).

I'm not really into modding cars or anything, I'm just looking for something to last me, something thats reliable, and something somewhat fun to drive.

I almost bought a '94 Corolla DX the other day. It had 140k miles on it, but was in good shape and clean. My wife has a fear of 'high mileage' vehicles though. My Contour has 145k miles on it now, still running. (I take care of it). Is there a site somewhere that displays Toyota's longetivity? Something I can show my wife so she can feel good about buying a high mileage car?

Thanks again everyone. I'm hoping to make a purchase in the next few months, if not sooner.

If you have a few months time, you can probably find a real deal on used one. In 8/06, I started a new job that had me driving about 24K a year. I needed a reliable car with great fuel economy. I looked at new Corollas as well as used ones. Like you, I found the clean 1-3 year old Corollas were almost the same price as new.

I started checking my local newspaper and Auto Trader on a daily basis. After about 3 weeks of checking ads daily, I found an ad for a '05 Corolla LE, 4400 miles, $13,950. I figured the ad was in error or something was wrong wth the car, but called the seller anyway. The seller turned about to be an attorney handling the esate sale of the deceased owner.

The original owner had the car for 17 months and only put 4463 miles on it. The attorney faxed me the original window sticker and I was pleasantly surprised to find the LE was equipped with auto trans, side curtain airbags, alloy wheels, 6 disc changer, anti-lock brakes, and power moonroof. The advertised price was $13,950 and I ended up buying the car for $13,750. I feel like I bought a brand new Corolla and saved about $4K off the price of a new one. Since I drive about 24K a year, I only lost about 2 months of warranty in buying a 17 month old low mileage car. I've owned the car for almost 1 year now, have put 22K miles on it, and could still sell it for more than I paid for it.

Check your local ads daily. Outstanding bargains pop up occasionaly, but they sell quickly. You must find the bargains quickly and be ready to act imediately when you find a true bargain. I've bought my last 2 bass boats the same way and saved quite a bit of money on these boats as well. Kept both boats for about 2 years and then sold them for what I paid for them.