Newbie looking to buy a corolla for daily

I am looking to buy a corolla for daily driving, is 97 corolla a good choice? :D
The one I am looking at is a 97 corolla with 180k km on it, asking 3500.
How is the insurance rate on the corolla compare to average sedans? did it came with timing chain or belt? When do people usually change them? I just want something I can drive for atleast two years and doesn't require too much work. Thanks a lot.:thumbup:

btw How is the corolla compare to a same year tercel? Which one is more reliable?

A corolla is an excellent choice for a daily driver, especially for reliability and practicality. I currenty have a 95 and i love it i got it in april and it hasent let me down yet. the engines from this generation of corolla have a timeing belt. they need to be changed every 100,000 KM i think dont quote me on that number not exactly sure. but $3,500 for a 97 isent to bad id go for it, but that depends on the shape and everything. by the way insurance is different everywhere you go it all depends on your age,driving experence and the type of car you have and they will look at the colour the engine etc, and the type of coverage you want on the vehicle etc, the best thing you can do about insurance is call around for quotes that way you can find the best.

good luck

:)

$3500 for a 97 Corolla :eek: must be a Kingston rd dealership :lol: that price is too good to be true, I'd be very careful with these cheap dealer deals.

Timing chain came on the 98and up Corollas, belts on anything before that.

as for the Corolla/Tercel choice if you want slow reliable and cheap on gas, go for the Corolla. If you want VERY slow, reliable and cheap on gas, go with the Tercel :D.

I think Corollas have to be the most unreliable thing although they can sure go for a long time even with problems........... ive see a few older rollas in the junkyard with 700,000 on they're odo..........

Problems doesn't mean unreliable..means problems. My car gets problems like thoer cars, always stupid little things though, or big things, but I can always count on it to start up and get me where I'm going.

We had a '95 Corolla that had its clutch replaced after 7 years. And it was a daily driver.

Make sure you have all service records and a thorough inspection (and test drive if possible) too.

The '93-'97 Corolla, like any car, had its little niche of problems, but all in all, a very good car. I'd recommend a 1.8-litre DX or LE model over the 1.6-litre models, as they've got some extra oomph, and, especially in automatic form, benefit from reduced fuel consumption (4-speed auto versus the 3-speed in the 1.6), not to mention the front sway bar and a few other details. I've replaced a lot of stuff on my '93, but by 12 years and 161,000 miles, any car would. My original clutch was finally replaced at 144,000 miles, starter and alternator brushes both at about 135,000, and a few other things.

The Tercels of the same years were completely different animals from the Corollas... Whereas the Corolla had "Lexus-like" quality, refinement and comfort (in its day), the Tercel simply drove and felt cheap by comparison, with very little sound insulation, cramped quarters and a decidedly akward driving position. Admittedly, though, the Tercel seems to stand up to abuse better than the Corolla... When all is said and done, they're still both Toyotas, so figure on years of stress-free motoring... Cared for properly, neither will ever leave you stranded. That's not to say they will never have problems, just not the kind of trouble that leaves you stuck on the side of the road in the middle of the night about 100 miles from help and 50 miles from cellular service. As Toyotas, though, expect to pay dearly when something does go wrong.