Toyota Corolla is as reliable as it gets. The car, a bestseller in many countries worldwide and a good one in India too, it is so reliable that people rarely sell them therefore finding a second-hand example on sale could prove to be difficult. A good place to find one is Toyota's own used car division called UTrust.
Corolla is the car you know you won’t have problems with and it’s proven itself in practically across the globe. The variable valve timing-equipped 1.8-litre 125bhp engine is a reliable unit that doesn’t need much looking into and so is the gearbox. Nevertheless, there are some niggling problems you have to watch out for. The Corolla also had a minor rear brake problem. When releasing the handbrake, a sound would be heard when the pads release the discs. This has been sorted out but it’s advisable to check out the car you are looking at for this problem.
AVOID : There is no particular car to avoid. You can certainly avoid buying a car which shows signs of abuse. However you should prefer buying the upgraded version which was launched in late 2005. Toyota had removed some flaws that the car had and added few extra features. The car had a new leather seat, steering mounted audio controls and more.
The car’s suspension was raised for Indian conditions and this usually leads to incorrect wheel alignment geometry, which in turn would wear out unevenly. The brake pads too require attention as they tend to wear out quite fast. So when you are on a test drive of a prospective used Corolla, check if the brakes are spongy or noisy. Also, the main fuse for the cooling fan was of a lower rating than required, and used to blow. This may have been rectifed. Check for accident damage. Look for front apron damage and also at the sealant lines on the strut tower mounts. Step away from the car and look at the roofline, it should not have any folds or kinks. Also open the doors and inspect the B-pillar.
Kinks in the metal indicate the car has been crashed and repaired.
Fixing broken headlights or bumpers can turn out to be an expensive affair. Another expensive bit is the fuel pump which costs close to Rs 1,000. See that the car has no problems with this. Corrosion is notan issue on the Corolla. The Corolla’s interior wears quite well with age, although the light shade of the cloth upholstery on the lower model may look scruffy over time.
For someone who prefers being chauffeur-driven, the Corolla is the perfect car. Its rear seats re roomy, luxurious and made of quality materials. Driving this car in the city is an enjoyable affair, thanks to the light steering, light clutch and good ergonomics. If you can stretch your budget, ry getting the top-spec version with its six-CD changer and electronic climate controland lumber support.
Alternatives :
A Honda Civic is a close competitor of Corolla and has given it quite a tough fight. However finding one in the used car market is really difficult simply because it is comparatively newer and not many have found their way into the used car market. The car is a modern machine with futuristic design. It handles well too and is particularly roomy, especially at the back. However, low ground clearance and ride quality while fully loaded is a big concern area. Another good option is the Skoda Octavia Rider 1.8, which is again not easy to find.
Verdict :
If you are looking at a D-segment car which is easy to maintain, fun to drive, and comfortable while being driven in, you can comfortably go for a Toyota Corolla. You can’t go wrong with a good second-hand Toyota Corolla. After all, more 30 million people from 142 countries around the world will tell you the same thing. However there are other good options like Civic and Skoda Octavia which you can check out.
Gearbox :
The manual gearshift is a joy to operate, with just the right amount of feel through the lever. It’s reasonably precise too. The Corolla’s clutch judders in some cases. Correctly adjusting this is difficult and therefore the problem may persist on cars that have clocked high mileage. Be careful and check this.
Leather & Trim :
Toyota did have a recall of a batch of cars because the leather door-pads on the top-end version were apparently not suited to the climate here. They took on a pink hue after spending time under the hot Indian sun. The door pads were replaced, but do watch out for this. The gear knob leather fades soon.
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