Topic: Is a 1999 Toyota Corolla a good, reliable used car?

[Mpowley66]

Hi there, first time car buyer looking for some advice. I've been looking at some 1999 toyota corollas because they are about the size I'm looking for, and the model years between 1997 and 1999 are supposed to be fairly well built vehicles. What are you guys thoughts on this? I know there are a lot of echo fans on here but I don't think I'd ever get used to driving one of those, I'm about 6'4". Do you guys know or have heard of any serious and common problems with these cars.

Now for part 2. I went and looked at a 1999 yesterday with my dad. It had 180 000km on it and for the most part seemed to be in good shape mechanically. No leaks, although the guy did recently have a crankshaft seal replaced, all new struts put in last year, brakes still had some life left in them. It was the base model so it had a three speed in it and not many features, not that that is very important. For a four cylinder it had decent acceleration, held the road well without any squeaking or rattling. Also came with 4 winter tires on rim. Was some rust on the rear wheel well and the paint had a lot of scratches. He wanted $3200 who he'd seemed quite high to me. In my area these cara go for about $2000 or less. What do you think? I'm goin to see another in spruce grove tonight offered at $1400, so well so if that changes things.

Thanks in advance,
Mitch

[dkaz]

Absolutely yes. I had a 91 Corolla LS 5 speed manual with 229,000km, purchased in 2002 for $5000. High side but was in great condition and had all service records. In the 6 years I owned it, I've had two unscheduled repairs for the alternator and clutch, $1200 or so altogether, and then $800 for timing belt and water pump which was scheduled. Then tires and oil changes. Sold it at 365,000km for $850 in 2008, simply because I was bored of it. Not because I was looking to get rid of a POS.

I was going to look at a 2000 Corolla VE 5 speed manual with 260,000km asking $850 but I think it was sold over the weekend. Too bad.

Here's one here base model with automatic and 325,000km asking $1177

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/ctd/4655757079.html

If I were you though, I'd take this opportunity to learn to drive stick. I drove another 91-ish Corolla with an automatic transmission and it was nothing to write home about, slow and boring, while my manual transmission actually made the car pretty peppy to drive. But then you get something like a Tercel that's so slow that a manual could not save it.

[tooscoops]

could be great.... might be a pos.

1999 is 16 years old now... that is darn old for something that moves because of constant explosions... BUT, with that being said, the chance of finding a solid 99 corolla is much much higher than most other makes/models.

if it has been well cared for, it's worth the extra grand or so... so look it over carefully and try to swing the one you want by a mechanic to get it looked over.

[dkaz]

Whoops, totally forgot to add that when I intended to. But yes like tooscoops said, get it checked over. Maintenance records would be a bonus and should be priced accordingly if not available.

Note to everyone: Keep a maintenance record.

[Mpowley66]

Also I should mention that I believe the owner was only doing a single oil change per year, when the tires were swapped in the fall. Between April and when I looked at it he had put a little under 5000km on, so that means its driven probably around 10000km between oil changes. Should I be overly worried about this?

[rrocket]

Also I should mention that I believe the owner was only doing a single oil change per year, when the tires were swapped in the fall. Between April and when I looked at it he had put a little under 5000km on, so that means its driven probably around 10000km between oil changes. Should I be overly worried about this?

It depends on the oil.  But it should be fine.  Modern oils are very good and cars rarely have oil related failures.

[dkaz]

The 1999 Corolla with the 1ZZ-FE (non VVT-i for 1999) should be 8,000km or 6 months, whichever comes first. 97% of the oil in the market is designed for manufacturers specified change intervals, even most synthetics. Oil is changed by distance because additives build up and the oil gets dirty, but also by time because oil can absorb moisture, especially if it's run on short trips frequently where the engine has not had time to fully warm up.

Amsoil, Mobil 1, and a few others have oil designed for extended use up to 15,000 mile/1 year in severe service, combined with a long life oil filter which has about 3x the dirt capacity as a regular filter. The oil itself has more additives that protect the engine, maybe better moisture absorption resistance too.

It's hard to tell if this has caused any harm to the engine. If the price was right, I would take a chance. Otherwise, walk away.

[Flinter]

As other's have said, a Corolla is usually a good bet for a reliable used car.

I did own an older Corolla (96 model) and I think the most important thing would be a good inspection by a trusted mechanic. Depending on where you are in the country rust can be a big issue in cars of this age. It gets expensive really fast if you need to start replacing brake and fuel lines due to rust problems.

Check out these pics if you want to see how rust ate the brake lines of my old Corolla.

http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,71122.msg743181.html#msg743181

[ArticSteve]

Depending on where you are in the country rust can be a big issue in cars of this age

Absolutely!


In my area these cara go for about $2000 or less


    So why don`t you stop wasting ppl`s time and say where you are? 

[dkaz]

He mentioned he was looking at a car in Spruce Grove so I'm guessing... Kingston?

I made a funny.

[xetoyotathanhxuan]

In my country, Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8 AT model 2001 is selling price $18.000. The cars price here are crazy... And more example: Toyota Camry 2.4 AT model 2006, sells price $40.000. Oh my god!!!

[Great_Big_Abyss]

In my country, Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8 AT model 2001 is selling price $18.000. The cars price here are crazy... And more example: Toyota Camry 2.4 AT model 2006, sells price $40.000. Oh my god!!!

Is this in Vietnamese Dong, or in CAD?  Or is your currency measured in tins of SPAM?

[mmret]

VND is about 21k to 1 USD. So this should be in CAD. Probably due to excessive import tarrifs and/or some local taxation system that results in ..... MOPEDS EVERYWHERE.

[johngenx]

Spruce Grove is just outside of Edmonton.

Corollas of that vintage are generally fine for rust around here, but check carefully underneath.

[Fobroader]

Things more reliable than a Corolla.....rocks....anvils, sun set/rise. Unless it hasn't been maintained, used as a taxi/drivers ed car or is a rust bucket, give 'er. Here in Alberta corrosion isn't as prevalent as the other coast.

[Slow_lane]

Very good reliable car but any car hitting the 16 year old mark is going to have some issues. $3200 is way high for a 1999 corolla.

[johngenx]

Asking prices for 99-01 Corollas around here typically range from $2000 to $4000, with a shocking number of asks over $3K - welcome to Alberta.

That said, it's more than possible to find one for $2K in solid condition.