Toyota Corolla 1998-2002 review

2000 Toyota Corolla. Click for larger photo 2000 Toyota Corolla Interior. Click for larger photo 2000 Toyota Corolla. Click for larger photo Best-selling model in the world, the Corolla was introduced in Japan in 1966 and more than 30 million Corollas have been sold worldwide by 2007. The 1998-2002 Corolla is a very simple, reliable and easy to maintain vehicle with one of the best fuel economy in its class. As it's very popular, the Corolla holds value very well and is easy to sell. Parts are moderately priced and any garage can handle the repairs. Available in North America only as a front-wheel drive 4-door sedan, the 1998-2002 Corolla was offered with a 1.8L 4-cylinder DOHC engine and a 5-speed manual or 3- or 4-speed automatic transmission. Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and side airbags were available as an option but were rare to find. Inside the 1998-2002 Corolla offered simple but practical design with basic instruments and easy to use controls. It's a small car but with 6'2" I had no problems to fit into the driver's seat with enough head- and legroom. The interior quality was good for an inexpensive car. On the road, the 1998-2002 Corolla offered comfortable handling with smooth and fairly quiet ride, except for some engine noise at acceleration. The soft suspension absorbed small road bumps well but some body roll was noticeable on sharp turns - of course, this is not a sports car. The 1998-2002 Corolla received four stars in the frontal crash tests and three stars in the side-impact crash tests performed by the NHTSA. Models with side airbags received four stars for the front seat protection in the side-impact crash tests. For more details, visit Safercar.gov

Engine

1999 Corolla 1.8-liter engine. The 1998-2002 Toyota Corolla offered only one engine choice: the lightweight low-maintenance 1.8-liter 16-valve 4-cylinder DOHC engine model 1ZZ-FE. This engine doesn't have a timing belt - a silent timing chain is used instead. Starting from the 2000 model, the variable valve timing (VVT-i) was added to the engine for better efficiency. The 1998-2002 Corolla's engine is proven to be reliable if maintained well.

Strengths

- Great fuel economy
- Good reliability
- Smooth ride
- Easy to maintain
- Holds value well

Weaknesses

- Plain interior design
- Engine is noisy at acceleration
- Some interior materials look cheap

Overall

The Corolla is a perfect choice if you need a reliable and fuel-efficient transportation. It is a very simple and easy to maintain vehicle. If you find a used Corolla in good condition, it can last for a long time without major problems if you maintain it well.
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What to look for when buying a used Corolla

As a first step, check the used car history records - there are so many cars out there after accidents, with rolled back odometers, returns from rental companies, etc.
Follow this link: How to check car history records by VIN number
- Check the service records if available - it's important to verify that the car was properly maintained.
- Check the automatic transmission, it might be excessively worn if the car has been previously abused.
- If the "check engine" light is on, have the problem assessed with your mechanic before buying a car; in worst cases repair might be quite expensive.
- Low oil level or black soot in the exhaust may indicate excessive oil consumption.
- Blue smoke at start-up may indicate engine problems - avoid such a car.
Learn more what to look for when buying a used car
- Prior purchase have the car inspected by a mechanic of your choice.
Shop wisely, check few cars to compare; it's worth to pay a little extra for a well-maintained vehicle in good condition. Check our step-by-step used car buying guide for more information.
Some models may be costly to insure. Get the insurance quotes first.

Few maintenance tips

- Wash your car regularly and wax it once in a while to protect the paint.
- If you live in the area with high humidity, rustproofing will help to protect the car body from corrosion.
- Regular oil changes are very important to keep your engine in good shape.
- Change the transmission fluid at recommended intervals.
- Take care of minor problems as soon as you can, so they won't cause serious problems later.
- Try to avoid overheating the engine - it may cause serious problems.
- Follow recommended maintenance schedule and keep all the fluids clean and topped up.
- Have your car inspected, at least once a year, in a garage on the lift (e.g. when doing tire rotation) to keep it safe. Many components (e.g. brakes, steering, suspension) cannot be properly inspected by simple visual inspection at fast lube places; the vehicle must be on the lift.
- No matter where you service your Toyota, try to stick with original Toyota parts; they are reasonable priced.
Check more car maintenance tips

2001 Toyota Corolla Specifications

Links

Repair Manual for your Corolla

If you want to find more technical information about you car such as repair manual, check engine codes description, electrical diagram, diagnostic procedures, vacuum line diagram, fluid type, maintenance schedule, component location, technical service bulletins, etc. follow this link: Where to find repair manual

by Vlad Samarin