1982 Toyota Corolla Reviews

The table has turned. Now it's not your masculinity under question for owning a large car, but your sanity. Simply, small cars work. They are quick, comfortable, well equipped, economical on fuel and ownership costs plus fit into small parking bays or tuck neatly into peak-hour traffic queues.They are also relatively inexpensive - the cheapest is a Chery J1 at $9990 drive away - and there's about 30 different car models and 280 distinct versions to choose from. More importantly, budget motoring means there are thousands of near-new used small cars on the market.Pick your next pre-owned car carefully and it's likely you'd find one that retains a portion of the new-car warranty. I realise that many small-car buyers may look at features and paint colour before safety ratings and reliability.But even if the buyer has few aspirations to venture outside the city perimeter, it's important to keep safety, reliability, comfort and durability as part of the purchase criteria. Consider also factory-fit Bluetooth and audio streaming.Hands-free telephone calls and portable and interactive music are pivotal to young car owners and increasingly to the people who end up buying your car.Final tips: Ensure the car has been serviced to the manufacturer's requirements (it's stamped in the service book that should be in the glovebox - if it's not there, neither should you. - Bent or buckled number plates indicate a prang. - Tyre tread worn on the edge or in the centre indicates the car needs a wheel alignment (or may have been in an accident). - Always get the car checked out.THE CARS: We've selected three small cars that come up trumps as used cars after starting life as sensible new car choices. Note that these are examples and variations will occur given the car's location, service and driving condition, distance travelled and general body and mechanical condition.1. 2010 Toyota Corolla AscentPrice: $16,990Odometer: 35,266Engine: 1.8L 4-cylinder petrolTransmission: 4-speed automaticThirst: 7.7L/100Carsguide says, “second series of the Z-code Corolla that started in 2000 just improves year after year. It's solid, dependable (no camshaft belt to break), inexpensive to own and fuel, roomy and holds its value. Capped service can save money but Corolla still has a twice-yearly maintenance schedule. In a five and six-speed auto world, the Corolla's four-speed auto is ordinary. But it's strong and reliable. This car is in line with average annual driving distances.” 2.  2010 Mazda3 MaxxPrice: $16,990Odometer: 107,445Engine: 2L 4-cylinder petrolTransmission: 5-speed automaticThirst: 8.2L/100Carsguide says, “well equipped version of Australia's most popular car appears to have covered a big distance given its age. That may be due to use as a country car and hence has resulted in a small price concession over a similar model with a lower mileage. Mazda's 3 is a very good all-round car with excellent safety standards and generally a nice ride, though cabin noise is more intrusive than most rival cars. Twice yearly servicing needed and no capped service program means it may be a bit more expensive to maintain that, say, a Corolla.” 3.  2010 Hyundai i30 SLXPrice: $14,990Odometer: 87,412|Engine: 2L 4-cylinder petrolTransmission: 4-speed automaticThirst: 7.6L/100Carsguide says, “the one that won Carsguide's Car of the Year for 2010 is a smart buy, even two years down the track. It retains about three years of its five-year warranty. As a driving machine, the i30 is simple, secure and fuss-free. It's relatively economical but not as sprightly as the Mazda3 that has a similar engine. Mileage is a bit high and car may be due for a new camshaft belt. But it looks good with 16-inch alloy wheels, has a high five-star safety rating and a comfortable cabin.” 

Toyota Corolla and Hyundai i30 go head-to-head in this comparative review.

Well into its fourth decade in Australia the Toyota Corolla has consistently been a big player in our new and used-car scene.

Opel Astra Select and Toyota Corolla Levin go head-to-head in this comparative review.

One decade ago, you'd sweat to make $21,840 to buy a five-door Corolla without airconditioning and just one airbag. Today, the equivalent Corolla is $19,990 with airconditoning, seven airbags, electronic stability control, a six-speaker audio, cruise control and  Bluetooth.The price has gone down, the feature - and safety - list is so good it's in prestige-car territory, and the Australian average weekly wage has jumped 32 per cent. Oh, and interest rates - as defined by the Reserve Bank's official cash rate, are now 3.25 per cent compared with 5.0 per cent a decade ago. With so much cheap money, cheap cars and bigger wages, it's no wonder car sales are so strong. What are you waiting for?VALUECheap as chips. The Corolla has always been affordable but it's getting even more desirable. The latest hatch - a sedan may come late next year - is a pearler. The top-line Levin ZR tested here has an automatic transmission ($2000), a panoramic sunroof ($1500) and metallic paint ($425) as options to its $28,490 tag.It has a heap of goodies including LED daytime running lamps, 17-inch alloys, dual-zone auto climate-control aircon, electric lumbar support for the driver, heated front seats, leather upholstery, button start, sat-nav and a reverse camera. Capped-price service and guaranteed resale value are big bonuses.That's very good value but it has very good rivals - even the outgoing Volkswagen Golf is $31,990 for an auto with similar specs - and wins because of its bulletproof durability and concrete resale value. But you don't have to reach to the top shelf for Corolla value. Look also at the Levin SX auto for $25,990.DESIGNThis is an evolution of Toyota's cautious styling strides but it has broad buyer appeal. There's some Yaris in there and a bit of Prius. Overall, the hatch looks contemporary and certainly ages rivals such as the Nissan Pulsar which hasn't even been launched yet.Good room inside for four adults (though the rear seat is hard and unsupportive), an upmarket dash with stitched leather and soft plastics, good switchgear and simple placement and a biggish boot win friends. But a narrow rear window makes for poor rear visibility (thankfully there's a rear camera in the Levin), the A-pillars are wide and the bonnet droops into the unknown. But it's still a nice bit of gear.TECHNOLOGYThe Corolla is as simple as it was 10 years ago and the biggest techno change over the previous model is the continuously-variable transmission (CVT) that succeeds a conventional four-speed automatic. CVTs can be hot or cold but Toyota has got it right. The two Levin models also get paddle shifters. The car's basic platform remains but the new bodyshell is more rigid and there's now tweaked electric steering and suspension. The 1.8-litre engine continues but has more power (up 3kW to 103kW) at an extra 400rpm at 6400rpm compared with the old model. It has the same torque (173Nm) that conversely arrives 400rpm lower at 4000rpm. Fuel economy is down with the CVT version claiming 6.6-litres/100km. The previous auto got 7.4 litres/100km.SAFETYThe new toy has seven airbags, a five-star crash rating, all the necessary electronic aids, hill-start assist and an emergency brake signal which automatically flashes the hazard warning lamps during hard braking to alert following motorists. The Levin ZR also gets a space-saver spare, auto-levelling high-intensity headlights that see around corners, and a reverse camera.DRIVINGThis is such an accommodating car that everyone will feel at home in the cabin. Same on the road. The driving experience is unthreatening and without any surprises. The engine sounds the same as in the past 10 years and the performance is also the same - a bit lacklustre but completely predictable.There's more perkiness from the engine, however, thanks to the CVT that offers a multitude of ratios, plus seven preset gears available by operating the steering wheel paddles. There's a bit of the inherent CVT elastic-band character that feels like a slipping clutch but compared to many CVT-equipped rivals, this is a good one.The claim of an extra 3kW at 6400rpm must be an in-house Toyota joke as the only owner who will visit those high revs will be either insane or has bought the wrong car. That aside, the hatch is a more confident car through the corners than ever before.It also feels more comfortable and quieter, though the noise levels deteriorate on coarse bitumen as tyre roar intrudes.  Same problem with the Mazda3. Everything about the Corolla is better than before, but only marginally, and sadly none of this comes as a huge surprise.VERDICTIt's better than before and no one's going to complain. But as an excitement machine, you may have to buy something else.Toyota Corolla Levin ZRPrice: $30,490Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmResale: 58%Service interval: 6 months/10,000kmSafety: 7 airbags, ABS, EBD, EBA, TCCrash rating: 5-starEngine: 1.8-litre 4-cyl petrol, 100kW/175NmTransmission: CVT auto; front driveThirst: 6.6L/100km; 91RON; 152g/km CO2Dimension: 4.3m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.5m (H)Weight: 1310kgSpare: Space-saver

Canny motorists are facing a shopping bonanza as car makers start slashing prices to make way for new models. But it's not only outgoing models going cheap - look out for end-of-year sales as well.Any time a carmaker trumpets a new model, these shoppers are there ready to make a financial killing by buying up the old model. Look for sales at particular times of the year. June is traditionally a strong month for squeezing extra savings out of a dealer though, with a buoyant car market and fierce competition, anytime towards the end of any month can deliver a bonus.End of year sales are popular. Dealers always want to sell but the months of November and December provide a chance to discount cars built in the current year. Fighting this are car buyers who want a car built in the new year to preserve resale value. Here's some deals but be prepared for more as the calendar year draws to a close.HOLDENDeep Purple is no longer a rock band - it's Holden's new colour that is available on a range of cut-price “Z-Series” Commodore sedans, utes and wagons. The new colour is the same as Holden's iconic show car, the Efijy. Different models in the Z-Series line-up get different equipment levels but, as an example, the base Omega automatic is $41,990 but the Z-Series edition costs $39,990.The bonus is that the Z includes a heap of extras within that price, including leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels, rear camera and sensors, leather steering wheel and chrome door frames. The SV6 ute adds 19-inch alloys, carpet mats and leather seats for $38,490, down $1000 on the plane-Jane SV6.The discounts on the VE Holden Commodore range precede the launch early next year of the VF Commodore models. Holden is also running out the Barina five-door manual hatch at $16,490, a saving of $500.TOYOTAYou'll have to do some legwork here. The new Corolla is on sale and some dealers still have stocks of the old model. Officially, there's no discount on the outgoing model though some dealers - predominantly NSW and Victoria - have extra stock and have advertised a $18,990 price, $1000 off the list price. Note that the cheapest 2013 Corolla is also $19,990. Toyota WA says customers should discuss pricing direct with their dealer.It's not only the Corolla that may offer savings. The RAV4 gets updated early next year and though there's no official price, dealers will consider offers. On top of that, Toyota has zero per cent finance on Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion until the end of the year.HYUNDAIThere's a lot of previous-model stock available from Hyundai and buyers can make big savings if they're not chasing the latest car. These include old-stock i30 hatchbacks with $2000 off the normal price and previous Santa Fe SUVs for up to $3000 off.But there are also current models. The big one is the $13,990 drive-away price on the i20 three door which saves $2500. A similar discount is on the five-door i20. The i40 wagon is now from $29,990 driveaway, a saving of about $3000, and the sedan model with automatic transmission is also from $29,990, saving about $2500.Hyundai's popular baby SUV, the ix35, is now from $27,990 driveaway for the Active version, a saving of $1120, while other ix35 variants have been reduced by $500.MITSUBISHIThe new Outlander SUV arrives November 18 so Mitsubishi is sweeping out current stock. The "Enhancement Pack" model is an LS version with leather seats, heated front seats and an electric-adjust driver's seat. It has Bluetooth, 18-inch alloys with a full-size alloy spare, six airbags for the front-wheel drive version (up from two) and a cabin styling pack with bright trim to the door handles, console panel and rear door trim.Prices start at $28,990 drive away for the LS front-wheel drive model with five-speed manual transmission. The normal price is $29,340 plus on-road costs so the saving is about $4500. But for buyers who want the new model, register on Mitsubishi's website and there's the chance to win a $1000 Westfield shopping voucher and 15 per cent off accessories for the new Outlander. If that's not tempting, Mitsubishi also has 0.9 per cent finance until the end of this month.SUBARUThe 2012 run out has just started for Subaru which has chopped up to $5000 off three models. It replaces its Liberty and Outback in early 2013 as a mid-life makeover that includes upgrades to trim specifications. There is an all-new Forester also due about February. So the deals are now on the table.The Outback 2.5i manual is usually $37,490 plus on-road costs (say, $5000) but is being rolled out the showroom door for $35,990 including all on-road costs. The same axe has lobbed on the Forester X which is now $32,990 drive-away including leather-faced seats, alloy wheels and fog lights.The normal retail price is $30,990 without the extras and without on-road costs. Subaru is selling the Liberty 2.5i sedan manual for $31,990 drive away with leather seats, electric driver's seat and reverse camera. The car normally sells for $32,990 plus on-road costs.FORDKuga Trend $35,490 drive away (normally $38,990 plus on-road costs) and the upmarket Titanium is now $41,490 drive away, previously $44,990 plus all on the road charges. The Kuga is to be replaced with a new model in early 2013.Focus Ambiente hatch now $19,990 drive away (normally $20,290 plus costs). The Mondeo Zetec hatch is $33,990 with all costs (usually $37,740 plus on-road fees) and Falcon's XR6 Turbo is down from $46,235 plus costs, to $43,490 drive away.KIAThere's a new Sorento SUV so the outgoing model has a $2000 gift voucher attached to its normal retail price.VOLKSWAGENIs running out stocks of the current Golf VI to make way for the Golf VII due early next year. Volkswagen Australia has set the price of the current Golf 77TSI manual at $20,990 including metallic paint and all drive-away costs. This is a saving of about $5000.The Golf Wagon 90TSI with DSG auto, metallic paint and all drive-away costs is now $29,990, saving about $3500. Note that for small-car wagon buyers, Volkswagen has not confirmed a wagon version of the new Golf. If you want this shape, this could be your last chance.VOLVOThe Swede is clearing out its 2012 stock by adding value rather than chopping the price tag. The S60 and V60 entry-level models now come with the upmarket Teknik pack valued at about $4500. But if you specify the Teknik model, Volvo will automatically give you the R-Design pack (valued at $3000) for free.The same deal applies to the XC60 SUV. There's also a deal on S60 or V60 from the dealer's existing stock. Volvo will include free scheduled servicing for three years or 100,000km.

Australians love Corollas and have done so for the last 46 years. Ours was the first market outside Japan to receive the car, Corollas were built here, in Melbourne, for many years and on average Australians buy almost 10 times more Corollas than the global average for the car. Corollas have long had a reputation for

There's two built and sold every minute somewhere in the world which explains total Toyota Corolla sales of 39 million since gen' one back in 1966. Toyota's iconic small car has been here for 46 years and this week moves into the 11th generation. It's been built here in the past but new Corolla now comes out of Japan.BRANDThe Corolla "brand" is built on quality, reliability and durability none of which change with the new, more attractive car that owes plenty to Europe in terms of style and dynamism. It remains practical and "sensible" but this time around marks the arrival of a good measure of sass.The car looks sexy and sporty inside and out even if it retains an inner conservative nature in the way it drives. It's no sporty hatch but is perfectly suited to the multiple applications to which Corolla owners put their cars. Toyota has made it easier to get into and out of by reducing seat height, they've given it better acceleration without upping outright power or torque by much at all. And it is more fuel efficient into the bargain.THE LOOKBut what you and I will notice first is the new and attractive exterior styling that sets Corolla apart from other players in the small car segment it's a real grown-up look completely different from the small people mover look of the previous model. The longer snout and V shaped grill treatment has family Toyota design cues - keen looking, a lot like a Tarago or the new Camry while the rear looks uncannily similar to the new (and equally handsome) Hyundai i30. There are sharp character lines down the sides and it has a low centre of gravity and low aerodynamic drag due in part to under body cladding. Weight has been cut by up to 55kg helping both performance and economy. The body might not be that much bigger on the outside but better design sees more room for up to five passengers and a decent load space. The stylish interior features a nearly flat top dash, bold shapes, soft feel surfaces and a host of easy to use controls.PRICEIn something of a coup, the starting price is $19,990 same as 11 years ago. Other models are equally sharp priced. We get four grades; Ascent, Ascent Sport, Levin SX and Levin ZR. Standard equipment is generous on all models with the two mid-level cars being arguably the best value. A small complaint. Routine servicing is capped at $130 a time for the first 100,000km. CVT auto adds $2000 to the price.MECHANICALPower comes from a carryover 1.8-litre petrol engine with mild changes to the previous unit. It's more efficient than before and is rated at 103kW/173Nm about average for the segment and uses 91 RON petrol. This is the only engine available in new Corolla no sports model, no diesel. The big news is a six speed manual transmission or optional seven step CVT auto more economical than the manual at 6.6-litres/100km.Naturally, the ride/handling package has been calibrated locally to deliver the best compromise between comfort and handling governed by our relatively poor roads. It's a strut front/ torsion beam rear system. A new electric steering system makes its first appearance contributing to a more engaging drive feel. New Corolla gets a five star Green Vehicle Guide rating and features an "eco' mode for economical driving.SAFETYSafety is rated at five stars by ANCAP thanks in part to seven air bags and stability control as well as a stronger body/chassis.DRIVINGOn the road, the new Corolla is, well, like a Corolla capable, predictable, economical and safe. It's no sports hatch but acquits itself well in the rough and tumble of modern Australian driving. Point it a poorly made bitumen road and Corolla sails over it easily soaking up big bumps.Hook harder than usual into a set of tight corners and Corolla sails around with a surprising degree of steering accuracy. Brakes hard, rides well, accelerates well spoiled a tad on the manuals by throttle flair between changes where the engine holds revs too long.VERDICTWe like new Corolla. We love the price, the features and the look from all angles. It's a cracking good car in the small car class and is certain to give all other contenders a serious case of heartburn.

Everyone in Australia, whether they know it or now, has craved a Toyota Corolla at some time in their life. Since the Corolla first landed in the 1960s, it has been the first choice for first-car buyers, young married couples, retirees and parents looking to launch youngsters on their first motoring adventure. Even if you haven't targeted a Corolla, you have almost certainly targeted a car that does a Corolla job.Now we have another new Corolla, the 11th time the car has been renewed, which comes with everything from big promises to a great-value $19,990 starting price. After driving it this morning, I can confidently say ... But things will not be easy for small-car shoppers, even diehard Corolla fans.Nissan is about to bring the Pulsar back to Australia with an all-new model also priced from $19,990, Hyundai has done an impressive job on renewing its i30 this year for less money, and the Volkswagen Golf is now the best small car in the world after a huge seventh-generation overhaul.As you'd expect, this is the best Corolla yet. And it trumps anything else from Japan or Korea. But the aardvark in the room is the VW Golf. Even if we're still waiting to hear how the final pricing will affect its competitiveness in Australia.Still, nobody is going to be disappointed in the new Corolla, thanks to everything from truly comfortable seats to an indicator sound that could have come from a Jaguar and not any other Corolla.VALUEThe Corolla has never been better value. But, then again, the Australian dollar has rarely been stronger. Toyota has again cashed in its exchange-rate gains to boost the value in its favorite baby, just as it did earlier this year with the bottom line on the landmark 86 sports car.The basic Corolla Ascent now has a $19,990 showroom sticker, a cut of $1000, while the Ascent Sport is down by $5,000 to $20,990 and the Levin SX has copped a $1100 cut to $23,990. Only the flagship Levin ZR is the same price as the outgoing car, at $28,490, but Toyota says it has more equipment with 17-inch alloys.Toyota in Japan has also taken a cost-down approach to the car, but been careful to do the job without hurting quality or equipment. It also has to protect the resale values of all those other Corollas on the road in Australia, even the latest $18,990 driveway specials based on the outgoing model...The only bad news on the money front is the $2000 price of the optional CVT automatic gearbox, up from the industry standard of $1500 for a self shifter. But Nissan says the CVT on the Pulsar is going to be $2250, so it's not as bad as it could have been.TECHNOLOGYEveryone wants to know about things like Bluetooth and big sound and aircon and power steering -- electric this time -- which are all standard on the Corolla. Every new Corolla also gets seven airbags and a five-star ANCAP rating, which is more important than things like power.Still, Toyota says the updated 1.8-litre engine now makes 103 kiloWatts and the 173 Newton-metres of torque arrives in a more-accessible rev range. Importantly, and helped by the seven-speed CVT, fuel economy is as low as 6.6 litres/100kilometres running on 91 unleaded.The new auto is a big improvement and Toyota claims it provides self-shifting convenience with manual-style shift breaks, for more response and a car that sounds less like it has a slipping clutch. The chassis is standard stuff for the class, there is ABS and ESP, but the body is more rigid and a lot of work has gone into cutting noise. Toyota is looking closely at a high-performance model but don't expect a Corolla diesel any time soon, although there is a hybrid for Europe. Toyota's president, Akio Toyoda, promises the sporty DNA developed for the 86 will spread throughout the range and the Corolla's chief engineer says his new car is more rewarding to drive than any previous model.DESIGNThe Corolla has never pushed the boat out on style, but the new look is nowhere near as blandoid as before. It's wedge and a bit edgy, with more contouring of the body panels and a nose which is much more prominent. Inside, work has gone into improving finishes and giving the soft of touch-and-feel satisfaction that Golf buyers get and Mercedes-Benz is promising with its upcoming baby A-Class.The functionality is also better, with front seats that sit lower for better access and also have more adjustment so a wider range of owners can get comfortable. This is a very big change for a company which has always steered for the middle of the road. Trimming the seat backs also gives more knee room in the rear, while the boot has a longer floor and a wide opening to improve access and boost capacity slightly.SAFETYThe Corolla is a five-star ANCAP car and that's enough for most people.But Volkswagen recently included an auto-braking anti-collision system on its $13,990 Up, something that's missing from the Corolla.I can still remember Toyota dragging and lagging on ESP for Australia, so it's hardly a safety leader, despite including things like HID lamps on the Levin ZR.DRIVINGOn paper and in pictures, the new Corolla looks very good. But, after driving the all-new seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf in Europe a week ago, Carsguide knows the Corolla has to be nothing short of brilliant to trump the new Euro champ. Visually, the Corolla finally stands out -- at least a little -- in the small-car herd. And the cabin reflects a totally different design approach. It's still Toyota efficient, but it breaks away from the blandness with the potential for some personalisation.Visibility is great, despite a slightly pinched view through the rear window, but the real delight comes in the new driving position. Toyota has finally recognised that people don't like to sit with their hair brushing the roof or jammed up against the dash, which means you can sit back in comfort and also enjoy front seats that are nicely shaped and padding that's just right.The steering is light, the car is easy to park and even thought the boot is no bigger it is easier to load. It's also good to find. Full sized spare in the starting price car. So, how does it drive? It's very, very good for a Corolla, and good for a Japanese car. But I've just been spoiled by Golf 7. The Corolla gets along nicely enough, promises great fuel economy and is pretty quiet on all but the worst surfaces. But it doesn't have the limo-like cushiness or the library-quiet cabin of the Volkswagen.Now we come to the gearbox... And I have to say that CVTs are about as popular as brussel sprouts wi the Carsguide crew. But Toyota's engineers have added bearnaise sauce with a system that almost -- but not quite --eliminates the horrible flaring and slipping clutch sound while also giving a seven-speed drivers mode that's not as bad as a fake manual.The overall impression is a car that's more complete, and returns the Corolla to the top of the small car heap. For now, anyway. When ou also consider the $19,990 starting price, it's a brilliant package.VERDICTThe new Corolla ticks all the boxes, and has everything it needs to be Australia's best seller in 2013. If only there wasn't a new Golf just around the corner...

No matter how schmick the car looks, though, at this sort of money there are probably one or two expensive time bombs lurking within it.