[Bhavesh]

anyone have a 2001 corolla?

opinions?

I'm looking for a cheap (initial purchase price and ownership costs), reliable, city-ish commuter car for a student

[slaps76]

Don't think you can really go wrong with a corolla for reliability & mainentance costs.

[Trouble]

I've been driving an '01 Corolla for about 3 years. It's treated me well as a utilitarian ride - and it's a lot better on gas than my truck. I have the LE, my wife has an '05 Corolla S. The S is a lot more fun to drive in the summer, but it's much more torquey and doesn't handle ice very well.

[Bhavesh]

Originally Posted by Trouble

I've been driving an '01 Corolla for about 3 years. It's treated me well as a utilitarian ride - and it's a lot better on gas than my truck. I have the LE, ...

is there anything you don't like about the LE?

do you have an auto or manual, and what sort of gas mileage do you get?

[Trouble]

It's an auto transmission. I really don't remember what I'm getting for mileage. I haven't checked it in a while. The car has been really good to me. It rocks in the snow and I really haven't had to do much to it maintenance wise. Struts all the way around, but that's Vermont roads for you. It's a good, reliable commuter car.

[Degsy]

Starter motor solenoid contacts are known to break down, especially if you let the battery go flat or low on juice. It's a "relatively" easy fix for a good mechanic. symptom is a click when you try to start the car, after 4 or 5 attempts it will usually start.

Just did this fix on my mother-in-law's car, which she is selling, BTW. 2001 Corolla 1.8

[wylee]

I had a 2000 VE. Overall it was a good car, basic transportation and 36mpg.

The only problem I had with it was the exhaust donut disintegrated at about 40K. Toyota cheaped it on the 98-02 and replaced the flex pipe with a donut at the manifold. The motor mounts are soft so the engine vibration doesn't transfer to the chassis too bad. The soft motor mounts, exhaust donut instead of flex pipe, and me driving like a hammerhead was not a good combination.

[TheIglu]

Those donuts aren't cheap. $25 two weeks ago. I returned it, stripped the insulation off of some 10 gauge speaker wire and BAM, good for another 130k.

[Bhavesh]

Originally Posted by wylee

The only problem I had with it was the exhaust donut disintegrated at about 40K. Toyota cheaped it on the 98-02 and replaced the flex pipe with a donut at the manifold.

what is the exhaust donut and how hard is it to gain access to?

is it some sort of hanger or gasket?

[bergs]

Bhavesh- If the next thread you post is "How much towing capacity with a Toyota Corolla..." I swear I'm gonna

[Bhavesh]

Originally Posted by bergs

Bhavesh- If the next thread you post is "How much towing capacity with a Toyota Corolla..." I swear I'm gonna

why, would you happen to know what that is off the top of your head?

don't worry...I've got mommy and daddy to ask when I need that duty:

[bergs]

Originally Posted by Bhavesh

why, would you happen to know what that is off the top of your head?

12 is the answer.

One dozen pounds is all you can tow with a Corolla...




I gotta admit, that FZR fits nicely into that van, eh?

[nt650hawk]

The wife's got a 2001 S 5 speed 140,000 + and to only thing I have done to it is the serpentine belt (3 min to replace), brakes and rotors, battery, oil + filter every 3K, PCV. Have not touched the exhaust. The check engine light would come on maybe once a year. I picked up a code reader and it always references an O2 sensor. I just clear all codes and it’s fine. This usually occurred when we went up to the White Mountains. Maybe altitude and winter gas conditions tripped it.

The S gives you the black interior. Highly suggested, this if your not one to clean the car often. Back seats don’t fold down. Got fog lights.

Have been known to achieve 45 mpg multiple times.

[wylee]

Originally Posted by Bhavesh

what is the exhaust donut and how hard is it to gain access to?

is it some sort of hanger or gasket?

Easy access from underneath with the car on ramps. IF the bolts come out okay, it's a 15 minute repair. My bolts came out fine, but I did it in 02 on my 00. The donut was a dealer only part, and Clayton is right, they're not cheap.

[Wishbone]

Early 90's Integra

Pick it up for a few g's

Beat the ever loving shit out of it and still pull down 30+ mpg

Throw a cold air and a throttle body spacer and get 40+ all day long!

Plus its waaaaay cooler than a Corolla, plus way funner to drive.

PLUS its a Honda. You can run 3 quarts oil, 2 quarts piss. And still get 300,000 out of it

[TheIglu]

Originally Posted by fasterthanu

Early 90's Integra

Pick it up for a few g's

Beat the ever loving shit out of it and still pull down 30+ mpg

Throw a cold air and a throttle body spacer and get 40+ all day long!

Plus its waaaaay cooler than a Corolla, plus way funner to drive.

PLUS its a Honda. You can run 3 quarts oil, 2 quarts piss. And still get 300,000 out of it

Problem is finding one that hasn't had a AEM intake on it with 12" AEM stickers, a rear wing on a front wheel drive car and "ground EFF-EXX" hanging off still primered. BUT AT LEAST IT'S GOT SWEET RIMS.

[Bhavesh]

I got a 2001 corolla LE; EPA 30mpg



it should make a great, cheap student commuter car, thanks guys

[wylee]

I think you'd really have to drive like a meathead to only get 30mpg with that car. Good choice.

[Bhavesh]

thanks wylee!

here's a day picture of it:



with a clean engine bay to boot!

[TheIglu]

How much did that run you? (if you don't mind me asking)

[KillBill]

The only thing missing



and a 6 foot wing

[Bhavesh]

Originally Posted by KillBill

The only thing missing



and a 6 foot wing

pfffffffffft

this car will get OEM fog lights for the lower dummy covers, heated seats, an upgraded CD player and possibly speakers...NO ricer accessories!

iglu ygpm

[KillBill]

HAHA -

Heated seats? That's P-I-M-P

[Bhavesh]

so I finally ran through the first tank of gas driving regularly (not fast, not really carefully) and I pretty much got EXACTLY what the EPA rating was: 321 miles for 10.688 gallons = 30.03mpg

maybe the auto keeps me from doing better than EPA? I consistently got 5-15% better than EPA driving the 5-speed Tacoma

[slaps76]

Originally Posted by KillBill

The only thing missing



and a 6 foot wing

Don't forget stickers. They add at least 40hp, however may negatively affect gas mileage.