1999 Toyota Corolla Consumer Reviews

You Get Your Money's Worth

Written by: Dr. Storch on 08/18/2009

Vehicle

1999 Toyota Corolla 4 Dr VE Sedan

Review

This is the second 99 VE I have owned. The first one was totaled with 112K on the ODO and that car needed nothing. My current VE was purchased three years ago with 69K on the ODO. I now have 165K on the ODO and I only had to replace the alternator and the usual things like a battery and tires. The only problem I have now is that the CEL comes on indicating a problem within the EVAP system. This can be costly to repair. The car is now burning about a quart of oil every 500 miles. I always change the oil every 5k and listen to what my mechanic tells me. I happen to have a very honest mechanic which is very hard to find! If I can find one to replace this one for the right $ I will!

Favorite Features

This is a bare bones car. If you want the fancy extras, go for the CE or LE.

Suggested Improvements

Considering this is a bare bones car, there is not much to ask for. The only thing I would like to have is OD on the 3spd automatic. If you want a light in your trunk, get one of the LED stick on lights at the autoparts store. Toyota has had EVAp issues with these cars and should fix the defects.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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I must have got the lemon

Written by: Jason on 07/23/2009

Vehicle

1999 Toyota Corolla 4 Dr LE Sedan

Review

I bought this car because of its reputation with reliability and good fuel economy. I put aside my thirst for a sporty car and decided this car would be more practical. However, this car has had the craziest electrical problems. With only 80,000 miles on the car, while driving on the highway, the speedometer dies and the transmission will not shift out of first gear. It only happens in the summer if it has been sitting in the sun, or if I am driving on the highway in the winter with the heater on, so heat is obviously a factor. No mechanic has been able to fix it and I have spent around 1,000 dollars trying to get this problem fixed.

Favorite Features

Great fuel economy. Everyone talks about how reliable these cars are, I guess I got a lemon.

Suggested Improvements

The plastic interior in the car is terrible. The cup holders are made out of a foam that tears easily. The door covering my center console has broken off and my arm rest compartment does not open or shut properly.

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Wow you can't kill it

Written by: n/a on 07/20/2009

Vehicle

1999 Toyota Corolla 4 Dr CE Sedan

Review

250,000 miles and never have replaced anything except tires. If you want a car that lasts mechanically this is your car. I am not easy on cars and this one has never left me stranded, whether on long trips or 100 mph for half an hour. Worth its weight in gold.

Favorite Features

Way too nimble at high speeds.

Suggested Improvements

Larger... am 6'1 so makes a tight fit.

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Very Reliable

Written by: kctoyotaowner on 06/18/2009

Vehicle

1999 Toyota Corolla 4 Dr LE Sedan

Review

I bought this car in 2000 after my H.S. graduation. I wanted something that would last me longer than a typical first car. I got what I wanted! This vehicle has carried me through several moves, college, and now a daily commute in my career. It handles well in snow and ice and have never had any issues with the A/C and heating. I have replaced the struts, tires, battery, and brakes - everything to be expected. I'm at 100,000+ and still going! Some loss of pickup with passengers but overall, a great car.

Favorite Features

Reliability! Headlight automatic on/off, great heating and A/C, interior is comfortable, huge trunk!

Suggested Improvements

They've redone the body style which was needed, other than that, not much else to suggest.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Best Car

Written by: Altin on 01/26/2009

Vehicle

1999 Toyota Corolla 4 Dr CE Sedan

Review

I graduated from school and I needed to buy a reliable used car. I chose a Toyota Corolla and I am very happy for it. My car had 97000 km ( 65000 mi) and so far I have done 6000 miles and it is great. The fuel economy and start it is great. We need to use our block heaters in Edmonton, but I didn't have a plug in and one day the temperature was -31 degrees Celsius (-24 F), but no problem, my reliable friend started. It is 10 year old but looks like new, because of superior quality that you find in a Toyota.

Favorite Features

Fuel economy, reliability, air conditioning

Suggested Improvements

Less noise from the engine, windshield defogger not connected to AC

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Two Thumbs Up and a Smile

Written by: Ody on 12/23/2008

Vehicle

1999 Toyota Corolla 4 Dr CE Sedan

Review

I was apprehensive when the dealer wanted me to look at my Corolla, always owned a mid-size Ford or GM, after testing it out all I wanted to do was sign on the line, even forgot to haggle the price down. For the first time in years I can't wait to get in the car and drive. It handles good in snow and ice, w/ easy recovery in a slide. The heat and ac are top quality and at 103k miles it's peppy and smooth. Love the drop down seats in the rear to expand the trunk. The cashier at the gas station though I had moved away! ;-) Did I mention the the stock stereo is more than you would ever expect out of this little gem?! Overall, great car for all ages and puts a smile on my face.

Favorite Features

Great on gas, handles super, can get into the tight spots, low maintenance, roomy trunk and fun to drive.

Suggested Improvements

Sit a little higher, center arm rest high enough to use, although I haven't experienced it I understand the rear seat area is cramped and could stand a few more inches. if the stock radio doesn't have a cd player don't put cd control buttons on it, the door handles/trunk & gas door buttons stronger

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Reliable

Written by: Farmer Sue on 12/21/2008

Vehicle

1999 Toyota Corolla 4 Dr CE Sedan

Review

I bought this car new and have just over 175,000 miles on it. The only items I have replaced are the front struts, brakes, tires, and other routine maintenance items. Very reliable.

Favorite Features

Reliability, performance in the snow.

Suggested Improvements

Nothing that another 30 horsepower couldn't fix.

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Pretty good reliable car

Written by: Melissa on 04/05/2008

Vehicle

1999 Toyota Corolla 4 Dr CE Sedan

Review

I was very much enjoying my little Toyota. It got pretty good gas mileage and didn't need much maintenance. My car was totaled, so I don't get to drive it anymore. I think if you get one low mileage you can drive the wheels off of it! The only complaint is that back seat space is tight.

Favorite Features

This thing turns on a dime and has some upgrades you'd expect to come from cheaper cars.

Suggested Improvements

More legroom in the back seat please! Otherwise a good car!

9 out 10 people found this review helpful

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Great reliable car. I recommend it!

Written by: tobias on 12/28/2007

Vehicle

1999 Toyota Corolla 4 Dr VE Sedan

Review

I bought this car about 3.5 years ago when I was in college. It's been the only car I've owned. I wanted a car that would be reliable and not cost me much to maintain and that it has been! I have almost 100,000 miles on it. I just replaced the front brakes, but otherwise just basic maintenance. It's the VE which is VERY stripped down...doesn't even have intermittent whippers (I joke that the whippers have 2 speeds, fast and faster). The engine is loud on the highway, and I can tell the difference in pick up when I have passengers. But those are my biggest complaints. Overall I love this car!

Favorite Features

Headlights automatically turn on/off, lots of trunk space, handles well even in snow (as long as the snow isn't too deep), fun to drive, does well in the cold, very low maintenance.

Suggested Improvements

Light in the trunk, sit a little higher, quieter engine, I've started having a few electrical problems on my dash...the light behind the AC controls is out and the seatbelt light flashes even when I'm buckled.

11 out 11 people found this review helpful

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Reliable and Excellent Corolla

Written by: Ennio Popol on 02/24/2007

Vehicle

1999 Toyota Corolla 4 Dr LE Sedan

Review

Very Comfortable and reliable car with excellent safety. This car has already 7 years and the engine really bright with power and economy. For me the more important thing is the reliabilty about it. The main maintenance that I made to the car was to change the clutch just 2 months ago. This is a really, really, really good car, cheap to maintenance.

Favorite Features

The peace of mind when you need something reliable, you know that it never fail! It's a pleasure to drive the car. The trunk is really big.

Suggested Improvements

I suggest that Toyota can offer more options in the interiors, specifically in colors and patterns. The quality is excellent.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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