There are three Corolla models: CE (cheap), VE (value), LE (luxury). They all
have the same engine, but as you move up you get more options built in and more available.
There is a value package for
each which is free and seems to be included on every car; on the LE, this means
a heavy-duty weather package and cruise control.
The Corolla's styling is unobtrusive. It looks small and quiet. With a
five-speed transmission, it gets 31 to 38 mpg (our test: 35; should be slightly
higher on 2000 and later models due to variable valve timing). So why is it so
much fun? I think part of it comes from the lack of acceleration lag; the power
is steady from idle to redline, with little if any hesitation (on 2000 and later
models, power increased 5 hp, and more torque was available at lower
speeds).
On the road, the Corolla is nimble, and tempts you to do things you really
shouldn't. Though it tends to wander on the freeway, replacing its standard
tires (Goodyear Integrity!) with good ones, such as 195/60 Bridgestone Potenze
RE930s, substantially improves handling (especially on wet roads). In fact, a
Corolla with very good tires is probably a handling match for a base model Neon,
at least in turning - if not in highway stability, where the Neon's excellent
suspension shows its acumen.
Corolla LE with touring package
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One area where the Corolla is clearly ahead is in the ease of driving, and
the comfort level of driving. There is no tip-in; it's easy to make smooth
shifts. Why get an automatic?
It's quiet inside. Not much engine noise comes through; like bumps in the
road, it's very muffled. There is wind noise at higher speeds, but on the whole
it feels much quieter than its competitors. The ride is a pleasant cross between
luxury and sport, which means you can feel the road but you aren't jarred by
it.
The headlights are automatic, and it has daytime running lights that use the
brights - not a good system. The headlights are powerful and well focused.
Interior lighting is also automatic and is logically designed. You can unlock
the electric doors from the outside, and whenever you unlock the door the
interior lights come on. They go back off again when you start the ignition,
after you've stopped the engine, when you shut the door. There is a ring around
the ignition switch which lights up when you open the doors. However, the power
window lockout oddly prevents the driver from operating any power window
but his own.
Trunk space is on par with competitors, but the 70/30 fold-down seats allow
you to put in a child seat without losing the fold-down seats. If you can buy
one, the built-in child seat also comes with a 70/30 fold-down seat!
Fold-down seat next to fixed child seat - nice if you
can get it.
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The radio is substandard. Unlike the Prizm's Delco unit, the Corolla's stereo
looks like someone bought it at a local store. The sound is acceptable if not up
to the standards of most other cars. The combination tape buttons, presets, and
CD controls (even if you don't get a CD player) are confusing and hard to read.
After having the car for a while, you will get used to these, even the annoying
electronic bass/treble/balance/fade control.
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The interior seems slightly smaller in back, but roomy enough for most people
(people outside the US generally buy cars this size). There are some useful
places to store things, though the armrest-compartment is too far back to use
while driving, and the cupholders are impractical for most cups and rather
flimsy. The coinholder only holds a few coins, which rattle as you drive. The
moonroof is set too far back to be seen while driving, but the controls are
good. And do you think Toyota could have afforded a lighted glove compartment?
Or a hood light? Or instructions on using the jack in the trunk? Or good
tires?
Cute black-on-white gauges tend to wash out at
sunset
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The trunk is decently sized, and we appreciate the remove seat releases which
allow you to push the rear seats forward without much effort. However, access to
the spare tire or jack (or whatever tools you store with them) requires the
removal of a large cardboard piece, which in turn requires the removal of every
single item from the trunk. Chrysler shapes the trunk so a small piece of
cardboard sits right over the spare tire area, so that you merely need to move
the carpet out of the way, then remove a single small piece of cardboard (which
has the tire replacement instruction pasted on the back). Thus, you can leave
the trunk half full and still change a tire.
If it seems like we're being critical, it's because this is pretty much the
extent of our criticism. We loved this car, from its side airbags to its
(impossible to buy without special order) child seat to its nice ride.
Tuned intake helps - they obviously thought about
this one.
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That brings us to the next problem. This is lovable car despite its lack of
personality. It was a joy to drive back and forth on our 55-mile-each-way
commute, and it was also a joy to fill the tank so rarely and so cheaply. The
car feels solid and sturdy, and free of noises and rattles. So what's the
problem? Price. The Neon is heavily discounted, and Chrysler still makes money
off it. You can get a Neon equipped the way our Corolla was for thousands less,
with similar build quality.
Is it worth the price? You have to decide for yourself. Toyotas usually do
well at resale time. Over the long run, the price difference might be quite
small. If you have the money, it's worth driving the Corolla before you buy a
Neon.
The Chevrolet Prizm and most US Corollas are built in the GM/Toyota
joint venture NUMMI factory in California. It has gone from being a rather poor
GM factory to one of the highest-quality facilities you can find, thanks mainly
to Toyota's management expertise and the many employee suggestions which were
made and implemented. Other Corollas are built in Ontario.
Corolla vs the 2000 Neon
When the Neon came out, it was scrappy
and cute, with performance that beat everyone in its price class (including on
the race track) and a personality that you either loved or hated. Five years
later, in 1999, the Neon had managed to garner a terrible reputation for
reliability, thanks to many problems with models built in 1994, troublesome
frameless windows, and head gasket failure through late 1997. The second
generation addressed these problems, while adding space, comfort, and
sophistication. Quality has risen dramatically, and rivals Toyota standards.
Now, the two cars are more evenly matched.
- Acceleration. In everyday use, we'd say there's an even match.
Under hard acceleration the Neon is faster, but generally the Corolla feels
the same. The upcoming 150 hp Neon will probably feel faster.
- Gas mileage. The Corolla has an edge where gasoline is expensive or
people care about pollution. We found the 1999 Corolla to be good for an extra
2 mpg, but the EPA tells us the difference is higher. We bow to their superior
testing. The 2000 and later models have better mileage due to variable valve
timing.
- Handling. Unquestionably superior in the Neon. No loss of traction
at all when accelerating from first, even when turning at the same time; no
screeching of tires under hard and fast turns. While the Corolla tends to be
unstable in windy or high-speed conditions, the Neon is unfazed at all speeds
(within its speed limiter) and under high winds. The Corolla also has a hard
time with accelerating on turns; the front tires quickly lose grip.
- Space. Neon has a much larger trunk, and the pass-through is also
larger. The Neon's interior has more space in front and back.
- Lighting. The Neon lets you control when the headlights go
on, instead of automatically turning them on every time a cloud passes. Both
do convenient things with the interior lights when you get in the car or take
the key out.
- Convenience.
- Neon continues its weird front-but-not-rear-power-windows system and
awkward HVAC controls.
- Corolla has goofy radio controls and no lighting package even on top
models.
- Neon does not have a standard trunk or gas cap release.
- Corolla has more storage compartments, Neon has a very useful change
tray.
- Neon automatically locks the doors at 18 mph (with power locks). As with
all Chrysler products, the driver's door unlocks when you pull the handle.
- Ventilation. The Corolla needs air conditioning even on mild days,
but the Neon gets that air flowing nicely. Oddly enough, the Corolla also
seems to be the only car sold nowadays without side window de-misters; you
have to manually point the vents at the windows to defrost them. Then again,
the Corolla is also oddly lacking in such niceties as an underhood and glove
box light. The Neon has extremely powerful air conditioning, and the
Corolla...doesn't.
- Servicing. The Corolla makes you empty out the entire trunk to get
to the spare tire (or the jack, which is very inconvenient to get or
replace)...the Neon not only has a convenient center spare with its own cover,
but also has instructions printed on the underside of that cover.
Neon trunk - "trunks done
right."
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- Safety. Both have the second-generation airbags. Corolla can be
ordered with side airbags, but there are questions about their usefulness vs.
their risk. Both have optional child seats. Good luck finding a Corolla with
those!
- Quality. We think quality will be similar, but resale value goes
with the Corolla.
- Price. Neon's a bargain until you sell it...would you rather have
the money now or later?
- Noise. Similar until you get over 60 mph - then the Neon's engine,
revving high, starts to make itself known. Generally, the Corolla's engine is
quiet and well-mannered, while the Neon's is more raucous.
- Overall. The Neon feels sportier and the Corolla feels more
refined, though part of that is the sitting position and part is the quieter
engine. The Corolla is superior if you want a nice, well-mannered, quiet car
and don't mind paying extra for a Toyota. The Neon is superior if you want a
sporty car, or better handling, braking, or acceleration, more room, or a
considerably lower price tag. Both are far ahead of the other small cars on
the market, and neither is a mistake to buy.
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Toyota
Corolla / Sprinter 110
Levin / Trueno
1995-2000
1.3i · 1.5i · 1.6i · 2.0d · 2.2d
Руководство по ремонту и техническому обслуживанию
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Toyota
Corolla 110 LHD
1997-2001
1.3i · 1.4i · 1.6i
Руководство по ремонту и техническому обслуживанию
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Toyota
Sprinter Carib 110
1995-2001
1.6i · 1.8i
Руководство по ремонту и техническому обслуживанию
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Toyota
Corolla Spacio 110
1997-2002
1.6i · 1.8i
Руководство по ремонту и техническому обслуживанию
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Toyota-Club
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