Long ago, the Toyota Corolla solidified itself as one of the best selling cars in all of automotive history It is currently in its 10th generation, which is unheard of in today’s marketplace. It offers exactly what people expect from an economy car. While it is often overlooked in favor of the Camry, the Corolla might be exactly what you are looking for. Some people argue that the new Corolla has lost a little of its edge, but on the used car market, it is still one of the most sought after economy cars on the market. Here is a quick used car review of Toyota Corolla to help you decide which one is right for you.
On the used car market, most of the Corolla’s that you find will be from the 8th or 9th generation which combined ran from 1998 to 2008. Overall, these two models are very similar. The biggest change is that the 9th generation was made to be a little wider and more comfortable with the added hip and shoulder room. Some additional changes include side curtain airbags, stability control, and a new audio system.
One of the biggest reasons that the Toyota Corolla has dominated the used car market is the combination of Toyota’s well known reliability and the documented economy that the Corolla provides. Toyota has consistently proven to build cars that can be reliable and durable up to 350,000 miles on a consistent basis. With regular maintenance this can be increased even more. The 8th generation Corolla is considered by many to be the first low-priced compact sedan to have side airbags as an option.
During this time, the Corolla was so popular GM created an identical model known as the Prizm. To no one’s surprise, the Prizm simply couldn’t stack up. The Corolla offers several trim levels ranging from the basic CE, which looks as most people would expect out of an economy car, the sportier S and the more luxurious XRS. It is important to note that along with cosmetic changes, the XRS also featured a more powerful engine, four wheel disc brakes, alloy wheels, and a firmer suspension.
If you are trying to decide which Corolla is for you, there is one interesting note to keep in mind. The new Corolla has started to taper off in 2010 and 2011. This means that for the price, the 8th and 9th generation Corolla’s are definitely going to be your best investment. They have proven to hold their value well and when they were released, they were on top of the market. Don’t let the recent slips fool you into thinking that a used Corolla would be a poor investment. In fact, the only reason that the Corolla has lost a little steam isn’t because it has started to become a lower quality car, but rather other manufacturers have started paying more attention to this sector. Some of these competitors include Honda, Hyundai, and Mazda. Ignore the new car market because a lot has changed during the 10th generation Corolla. If you are solely focusing on a used car, then you can’t go wrong with an 8th or 9th generation Toyota Corolla.
