Toyota Corolla Hatchback (1997 - 2000) 1.6 GS 5d (1999/V) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I know that a lot of people knock the looks. However, I think that from the front, it can almost be Jaguar like - If the indicators were bigger that is. The rear appears to be inspired by a VW Fastback of the late 60's/early 70's whilst overall in shape it could be a sprital successor in practicallity terms to a Capri. Toyota reliability and dependability sums it up. The extra power under the bonnet over the 1.3 says that there is a discrete hidden animal waiting to be released.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

When the boot is opened, many look on with envy.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Not this one because they no longer make it. I have to wait until someone at Toyota realises that by making successor Corolla's smaller, they are losing a buyer who likes a bit practicality and space.

What are you likely to buy next?

Depends whats out there. Hopefully by the time I will need to look again, the Auris may have grown in size failing that I will probably take a look at the Advensis. The Prius could be a possibility although it is not as curvy as my Corolla. I may have to wait for a future generation of Toyota's to be released. I hope that it will be a good few years before I need to replace.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchise

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£4,880

When did you buy the car?

August 2002

Did you get a good deal and why?

This car had done 72,000 miles being serviced every 6,000 miles or three months. This is an incredibly high mileage, but as I do around 4,000 miles a year I knew that it would even itself out. Before looking at the car, I looked up its value in Parker's. The mileage adjustment charts could not cope with such a high mileage so I took the advice in the Price Guide and rang the Editor. After some considered thought he advised that I should not pay more than £5,000 for it. Armed with that knowledge I headed of to the dealer who had it on at over £5,500 from memory. It required and awful lot of haggling with the Head Salesman at the Toyota main dealer, with me even making a move to walk out after pointing out that it they could not sell it, they would have to put it through an auction whe

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I wanted a car which would take two suitcases with ease. This version does it with ease. Toyota's reputation did the rest

What was the dealer like?

The hard bit was the after sales bit. A confirmed AA man does not need free RAC membership. They would not knock it out of the equation. Despite the fact that I had drove a hard bargain, I got all the after sales mail shots and the magazine from Toyota, which I miss now the manufacturers warranty has expired. I'm sorry Toyota, I will not be buying a Corolla or Auris until you make them a bit bigger like the pre 2000 shape.

What's it like to drive?

Some engine and road noise is noticeable at 70+mph. Other than that, it takes everything in its stride. The engine sings to you at 45mph in fifth. Very relaxing.

What's it like to park?

Apart from the angle I have to take to get it in the Garage, no problems. PAS helps. Of course this Corolla was to early for parking sensors. I use the reflection in a shop window if parallel parking in town. Due to the length, sometimes I have to accept it will not fit into a space vacated by a Fiat Seicento and move on.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Apart from me scraping it a couple of times due to an oddly shaped drive way, no not a thing. It's done 89,000 miles now. Still gets a 6,000 mile service - just has to wait a bit longer now.

What's most practical about your car?

The boot. It would give some Estates a good run for their money. With the backseat down I can get no end of Green waste down to the tip in one journey whereas others may have to take two.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Air Con and Electric Sunroof. The RDS Radio can be a pain, but that’s an RDS thing. You can't switch the traffic news bit off so it is irritating when listening to one station and another interrupts what you are listening too with a traffic bulletin.