Skip to main content

Used 1997 Toyota Corolla 4dr Sedan Consumer Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
1

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

Price history graph example
5 out of 5 stars

Best car ever.

kelli B., 08/22/2010
Toyota Corolla 4dr Sedan
18 of 18 people found this review helpful

I bought this car 3 years ago with 193,000 for 500 dollars. I know crazy. It has never left me walking. I have done minor repairs, new distributor cap and new plugs and wires, new tires and battery. I drive this car 120 miles a day 4 days a week sometimes more. It now has 239,500 miles and I hope it keeps on going. It truly is a gem and I got a steal. It made my 500$ back long ago! I want another one! I drive a 4 door Dodge 3/4 ton diesel so tjis car saves me so much money running back and forth to work! Sometimes I'd really Rather be in my Toyota than that Dodge!

Report Abuse

5 out of 5 stars

Wow! Toyota Corolla!

Lil Bit, Portsmouth, VA, 08/04/2019
Toyota Corolla 4dr Sedan
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Well where do I start! My Mom brought here 1997 Toyota Corolla LE in 97, which was 22 years ago! I was 15 years old and now I'm 37... So, my Mother always told me the goal of a car note is to pay it off and drive it until the wheels falls off...so I've kept with that in mind when I purchased my first 2006 Corolla...5 years later I paid it off traded for positive equity and purchased a 2010 used Nissan Rogue in 2013, which is paid off and I currently drive and here we are in 2019. So, let's fast forward 2019, my mom's trustee Corolla was still ticking until we smelled fumes of gas, my mom parked it for a while, and eventually, I was trying to convince my mom to just trade the car in! It's too old I would say! Give it up! My mom refused to give up her Corolla, and would tell me how good her car is, just needs fixed! So, I got a certified mechanic to come to the house and check "Bettsy" out! The mechanic checked her out, and said my mom needs a new battery and exhaust! He also, changed my rear brakes on my 2010 Nissan Rogue. After the mechanic finished, I was mentioning to him, that my mom should Trae her car in blah, blah, and how old her car is...and he stopped me and said what! Your mom's car is great, and told me that he would buy my mom's Corolla right now, if she wanted to sell and would buy it vs my 2010 Nssan Rogue! I was in shock, I was like huh...he said yes! Your Mom has Avery trustee and reliable car! One of the best! Sorry for the log read, hence why I came acorss this site, I said let me see for myself and based on so many wonderful reviews, I'm glad to say I was wrong about my Mom's 1997 Toyota Corolla! I'm going to get it fixed for her so she can keep going 22 more years!

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4.75 out of 5 stars

2nd corolla, love this one even better...

Mark Miller, 06/18/2009
Toyota Corolla 4dr Sedan
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

I bought this car in 2003, and it has been a solid, reliable purchase. No surprise there, as my first corolla (1981) lasted 14 years. The car is simply "a corolla"-built to last. I am surprised by the zip it has, and it handles very well through the corners, and is surprisingly quiet and smooth on the highway. In mixed driving, I get 32-36 mpg consistently. It's good for the daily commute, but I don't think I'd take it across country. Nonetheless the front seat is very comfy and it just has an all-around good feel to it. Paint has faded a bit off the back bumper, but otherwise, it still looks and feels great. I can't say enough good things about this car. Thought about selling it - but, naw!

Report Abuse

3.88 out of 5 stars

Amazing Economy Car

yooper42985, 01/23/2009
Toyota Corolla 4dr Sedan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

I inherited my Corolla in 2004 with 114k miles shortly after moving away to college. It isn’t sporty or sexy, but it was a far sight more reliable than the 1984 Grand Prix it replaced. The car now has 170k miles. In this time, aside from oil, tranny fluid, tires and brake pads all I have had replaced is the radiator, shocks/springs, and strut mounts. The radiator was actually still working fine, even with a whole rusted clear through it. But out of prudence, I decided to have it replaced. Gas mileage is great (24 city/32 highway), although I believe the newer Corollas are better with new technology. Not as good as a civic hatchback, but way more car. I have the 4 gear auto tranny.

Report Abuse

4 out of 5 stars

1998 COROLLA LE, black

guitartec, Pawtucket, RI, 07/13/2014
updated 01/15/2020
Toyota Corolla 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

1998 COROLLA LE AUTOMATIC. I bought it in Sept 2012 with a confirmed 98K on the odometer with the intent of keeping it for MANY years to come. I drive 100 miles per day, so I want the ride quality top notch (well balanced). Due to this, I personally installed a new Bilstein suspension, including new "normal ride height" springs, all greasable good quality fittings, super heavy-duty inner tie rods and polyurethane bushings. I did this because the orig. suspension was sagging a bit making it tough to get over the bump at the foot of my driveway. UPDATE 7/2016- All the greasable front-end parts wore out very quickly (within 2 years) so I replaced all the Mevotech X-Factor parts with ProForged parts. Just replaced the exhaust manifold and downpipe and ordered new wheels and tires. Did all this for its 200k birthday (and to pass inspection). UPDATE 1/2017- All the Mevotech X-Factor parts are gone out of the front end. They were worse than the original greasable components. The Proforged front-end parts are doing a great job of surviving the rigors of winter in New England, but are finally starting to show signs of wear. The Corolla is going strong but is starting to use about a half qt. of oil a week. Can't complain. ME WHINING.... I spent considerable money trying to make this car a smooth highway driver. It is much better than when I got it, but even with alloy wheels and excellent well-balanced tires, the car simply has certain speeds where it harmonically vibrates, which is noticeable by its steering wheel shake. All I can say is my 92 Subaru Legacy wagon had the best steering feel of any car I've ever owned. UPDATE 1/13/2018- 98 Corolla LE is still running well at 230k miles. There is something loose in the front end, but it's winter, so it'll have to wait til it's warmer to wear out. Remember, this car drives about 98% highway every day. It should go 300k no problem. We'll see. UPDATE 12/2018- I sold the Corolla LE with approx. 235k on the odometer. It still ran just fine, but I needed a bigger car. I found a mint 99 Camry XLE with 82K. It's smmoooottthh on the highway and while the gas mileage isn't nearly as good (26-27mpg), it's a better car for me. I will say this... after owning the Corolla LE and now this Camry, I cannot believe how different these two cars are. Literaly like they are from two different companies. It's like a Subaru and a VW, but while they are vastly different, you can see some similarities.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1
Items per page:
5