I like the 8th Gen better in terms of design and shape in the 'S' trim for 2001/2002, reminds me of the Gen4 Camry, but the interior quality of 8th Gen Corolla is very lackluster. Door panels fall apart (the actual foam frame fails), trim around the door falls apart, weird rust issues sometimes on the C pillar (No ideal why, some cars are garage kept w/ rust and some spend all their lives in the Hawaii sun, no rust...). You'll also have the share of the oil burner 1ZZ too.

The 9th Gen is larger overall, so it looks more round then the predecessor. It's in a good way though. I like the interior quality in the 9th gen, the fake woodgrain in the LE trim is a love or hate, but I feel it's a lot better than what the 8th gen and the 10th gen got in my own opinion. Interior is larger, but looks more 'premium' versus the older Corolla. The rear seats can actually sit adults fairly well for the size of the car. S trim is probably my favorite with the darker interior and chrome accent. Not too bland or overall flashy. Compared to a 8th gen, the door panels won't fall apart, handles won't break off, headliner won't turn to dust from touching and you got a double din for the radio spot. Other add-ons usually are ABS option, side airbags (rare, XRS and LE trim requires IIRC, S too. Optional?).

in terms of common issues with the Gen9, it seems to be with the intake manifold gasket tends to go bad.There's a revised part number for that. Dash clock goes bad (stops working). Otherwise from what I've been reading, these Corolla are pretty durable and just basic maintenance will keep them going for a long time.

Oh yea, Odo will cap out at 299,999...

 

If you are going to spend money, spend it wisely. 8th gens are cheap but will have problems, 9's are affordable but for the cost of a decent one you can find good deals on early 10ths for the same money and you get better crash ratings, a newer engine design, and more standard features like side curtain airbags and Bluetooth with controls on steering wheel.

 

If you are going to spend money, spend it wisely. 8th gens are cheap but will have problems, 9's are affordable but for the cost of a decent one you can find good deals on early 10ths for the same money and you get better crash ratings, side curtain airbags, bluetooth with controls on steering wheel, and a newer engine design.

That's why I've ruled out 8th gens, problems verses money (and rust being upwards of 20 years old now)

Is the 10th gens a lot better then a 9th (minus radio/bt/air bags)


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It's really tough to find a decent used vehicle in general, unless you happen upon someone who's just selling their vehicle in decent shape for some reason other than problems, like moving or buying a new car.

It's easier to find an 8th gen for super cheap as a beater to fix and commute in, but 9th-10th gens have fixed issues with the oil consumption and have updated aesthetics and safety features, too. The major difference between the 9th and 10ths gens was the switch to the 2ZR-FE 1.8L from the 1ZZ-FE. The ZR motor is really just an evolution the same way the ZZ was evolved from the A motors. It's an improvement in some ways, but the 1ZZ-FE is pretty reliable and not that hard to work on. If you fix whatever issues the motor has (usually from lack of maintenance) they can last a long time and serve you well.

If you had a 10th gen S and were happy with that, maybe try to find one of those. Maybe even try to get your old car back.

It's really a matter of what's available in the local market and how much you want to spend, so it's sometimes a good idea to look outside the local area, you can often find something in better shape with lower miles if you're willing to travel a bit to go get it.

 

It's really tough to find a decent used vehicle in general, unless you happen upon someone who's just selling their vehicle in decent shape for some reason other than problems, like moving or buying a new car.



It's easier to find an 8th gen for super cheap as a beater to fix and commute in, but 9th-10th gens have fixed issues with the oil consumption and have updated aesthetics and safety features, too. The major difference between the 9th and 10ths gens was the switch to the 2ZR-FE 1.8L from the 1ZZ-FE. The ZR motor is really just an evolution the same way the ZZ was evolved from the A motors. It's an improvement in some ways, but the 1ZZ-FE is pretty reliable and not that hard to work on. If you fix whatever issues the motor has (usually from lack of maintenance) they can last a long time and serve you well.



If you had a 10th gen S and were happy with that, maybe try to find one of those. Maybe even try to get your old car back.



It's really a matter of what's available in the local market and how much you want to spend, so it's sometimes a good idea to look outside the local area, you can often find something in better shape with lower miles if you're willing to travel a bit to go get it.

I have no clue what happened to my old Corolla, that was traded in about 6 years ago for a Tacoma, local market is pretty dry on 9th and even 10th gen. Found a few I'm gonna look at Saturday (09 s with 97k, 10 s with 78k, 09 le with 138k but it was a southern car till recently when the owner moved here, and another 09 le with 85k) all those are around 7-8500. And look decent on the dealers website.

Craigslist ones are pretty roached or a wholesaler selling them


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Unless you're set on a sedan, you might also consider the Matrix and similar Pontiac Vibe, which is a rebadged Matrix. They're basically 5-door Corolla wagons/crossovers. Same engines, transmissions, etc.

Sometimes the Vibe can be had for much less than a comparable Corolla/Matrix since the Pontiac brand was discontinued and not everyone knows it's really a Toyota.

If nothing else, it might give you more options than just looking for Corollas.

 

Unless you're set on a sedan, you might also consider the Matrix and similar Pontiac Vibe, which is a rebadged Matrix. They're basically 5-door Corolla wagons/crossovers. Same engines, transmissions, etc.



Sometimes the Vibe can be had for much less than a comparable Corolla/Matrix since the Pontiac brand was discontinued and not everyone knows it's really a Toyota.



If nothing else, it might give you more options than just looking for Corollas.

Yeah. I remember those (guy at work has an 04 vibe). Can't find them used in decent shape either. Now I want a Dodge Dart. Or Chevy Cruze. Those are a dime a dozen [emoji23]


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Well. Speaking of vibes. Just found a used 09 with only 28k on it. For under $10k... Might have to see how much the dealer is willing to budge on it [emoji848]


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1st year model redesigns should generally be avoided. A model gets better/more reliable throughout its life cycle. So a 2003 Corolla would be the least reliable, a 2004 being a little bit more reliable, and progressively continuing until 2008, which is the most reliable.

The same holds true for the 10th gen. A 2009 is generally far less reliable than a 2013. IMO, the 9th Gen is a far better car overall than the 10th gen. Its faster, more fuel efficient, much more reliable, easier to maintain, and built better overall. The 10th Gen can be better equipped at the upper level, but short of side air bags and ABS being standard, it's not worth the difference. If your 9th Gen is equipped with side air bags and ABS, I don't believe there is a substantial difference with safety.

If you live in a rust area, most of the above doesn't matter as rust kill any of these cars before anything else.

If you have the budget, I would look at a 11-13 10th Gen. If not, I would stick to a 2005-2008 LE/S, preferably with side air bags and ABS.

 

You are so right about rust in rust areas. It is not easy finding say a 2000 that does not have some rust.

You may be partly right about the later model years though. Remember, around 2008, 2009 there was the US financial issues as well as the issues that were facing Toyota at the time, so there could have been subtle differences in quality to be able to save some cash.

 

I have a 9th gen 06 Corolla S which I've owned since new.

When I go on vacation or out of state and need a rental I try and ask/get a toyota since I more or less know what all the levers do and where the buttons should be (I feel so alienated in american cars).

Anyway, I rented a 10th gen corolla a number of years ago and thought it wouldn't be that much different than my own, which mechanically it wasn't, it was pretty much the same basic reliable transportation except I think it had radio controls on the steering wheel. The one thing that did get me though is that size wise it seemed smaller to me. The 9th gen was a little overly bulbous or bloated in size which I think I know appreciate. I'm about 5'10" and not too wide but I felt like a giant in the 10th gen. because the headspace seemed to have shrank and I don't know if it was because of seat positioning but the visability in certain directions didn't seem as good may be because of the weird angle in which I was sitting. Size or proportions were the only thing that irritated me.

I was glad to get my 9th gen back when I got home.

 

I have a 9th gen 06 Corolla S which I've owned since new.



When I go on vacation or out of state and need a rental I try and ask/get a toyota since I more or less know what all the levers do and where the buttons should be (I feel so alienated in american cars).



Anyway, I rented a 10th gen corolla a number of years ago and thought it wouldn't be that much different than my own, which mechanically it wasn't, it was pretty much the same basic reliable transportation except I think it had radio controls on the steering wheel. The one thing that did get me though is that size wise it seemed smaller to me. The 9th gen was a little overly bulbous or bloated in size which I think I know appreciate. I'm about 5'10" and not too wide but I felt like a giant in the 10th gen. because the headspace seemed to have shrank and I don't know if it was because of seat positioning but the visability in certain directions didn't seem as good may be because of the weird angle in which I was sitting. Size or proportions were the only thing that irritated me.



I was glad to get my 9th gen back when I got home.

Interesting. I drove a 2011 s for a year or when when I had that. Got got into 4 of them over the weekend and felt right back at home, I got a 14 to drive and felt like my head was in the ceiling and couldn't see crap even with the seat lowered far as it would go (I'm 6'3" and daily drive a ram 3500 lol)


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If money is an issue try looking for salvage if you know what to look for. You can save a lot of money A poster bought a new hail damage car last month.

 

I'm looking to buy a car - around $5K-ish, give or take $500. This is Cdn funds and in Canada. So, yes, salt etc. and rust are issues. I'm looking for something with no rust.... needle in a haystack but I think there are some gems out there to be found.

I wasn't really looking for Corollas but I was considering 5th gen Camrys - 2005 - 2006 Camrys with V6. I might post in that section after this. However, I'm looking at 7th gen Accords, too (no boos, please... ).

My reason for posting in this thread: A) I dunno if it deserves its own thread - the car in question might be gone or I might pass on it.... B) it's related to the 9th gen Corolla so I hope the OP won't mind. If there is an issue, by all means, move my post to its own thread. No objections as I want everyone to be happy.

I looked at a 9th gen, 2008 Corolla on Saturday - but, the sales people didn't come out. They were busy and one guy said someone would be with me shortly. It didn't materialize and my brother and I got tired of waiting. I looked at the exterior of the car. It looked okay.

It's a 'Phantom Gray Pearl' (?: I think that is the only colour it could be), 2008 Corolla CE Limited Edition (has 'Limited Edition' sticker on the car). I don't know how many miles/kms yet. I plan on calling Monday morning to find out. I understand these cars are pretty reliable (I read through the entire thread here). My question and reason for posting: Is there any chance this car might have side airbags and ABS? Or are those options not available on this model?

Should I consider this car if the kms/mileage is fair (150,000 or less?)? Of course, assuming I pursue this further and test drive (and if it passes that). Oh yeah, I also entered a VIN check online. It indidcated 5MT. I don't recall the tranny - does that mean, the standard option is for manual shift tranny or that is what it came with? I guess I'll find out for sure on Monday morning. It's local, at least (difficult for me to find cars locally) so I could arrange a pre-purchase inspection if I wanted to?

Thanks for any replies/advice - in advance.

 

5mt is a 5 speed manual. Not an auto (that would be 4at) far as my readings, 150km is like 110,000 miles. Which is pretty low and a lot of life left in it. I've found a 2011 le with 98k for 7000usd that has a glove box full of receipts for maintenance work performed, just waiting on a lien release to be sent since he lost the one he got 2 years ago when it paid off


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5mt is a 5 speed manual. Not an auto (that would be 4at) far as my readings, 150km is like 110,000 miles. Which is pretty low and a lot of life left in it. I've found a 2011 le with 98k for 7000usd that has a glove box full of receipts for maintenance work performed, just waiting on a lien release to be sent since he lost the one he got 2 years ago when it paid off

It's just a free VIN check report (vehiclehistory.com) so I don't know if it's accurate - when you click for more info, it just shows CE AT (but, you can choose different trim levels for more info - so it's more of a generic report although it provides info on that model - CE but the report doesn't seem to confirm what the trans was/is.).

I will confirm on Monday.

I think the 9th gen Corolla is only a 4-speed AT, too, right?