97-02 corolla 3 door - 1.3 or 1.4 vvti

gooner99

Hi. Looking to pick up a car for my nephew who is starting out. Have identified a 3 door corolla as it satisfies the looks department as well as the fact that they are above average when it comes to reliability, price wise similar to the yaris and I'd imagine more safe than a yaris. Insurance quote is €1400 on a yaris and €1800 on a corolla.

Which version is generally seen as the best, the older 1.3 engine with the round lights or the updated 1.4 vvti version?

Any other notable differences between the 2 versions of this model?

Anything else to watch out for?

Toyotafanboi

they both have their pro's and cons.

the 97-99 models generally have very gaudy interior trim patterns and colours whereas the 00-02 models have much nicer seats and trim

the 00-02 have a few more creature comforts as standard such as remote central locking, electric windows and mirrors which a lot of 97-99 cars will most likely be doing without. the 00-02 also has a trip computer and rev counter which i'm nearly sure all 97-99 cars didn't have.

the older 1.3 is a virtually indestructible engine, with a timing belt and 85bhp, the newer 1.4vvti is also very robust and is chain driven which offers one less servicing bill but you have to be slightly more cautious with your oil services, this engine has 95bhp so it's marginally peppier to drive but you'd hardly tell.

if it were me, i'd get a facelift; slightly more "up in the years", decent bit more standard kit, more palatable interiors and chain driven engine.

gooner99

Thanks for the reply.

My wife and her mother both had the older model corolla (93+95) with the 1.3 and the engine was bullet proof. I have a 00 mazda 323 1.3 and the engine seems very similar and again has been bullet proof.

Good to hear the vvti is holding up well. Looks better and as you say has more toys. I've driven a 05 1.4vvti and it does seem like a pretty nice engine. Are they really sore on oil or is it just the usual couple of top ups between changes?

Toyotafanboi

i've had 3 1.4 vvti's and none have burned an excessive amount of oil, they didn't even burn enough to warrant top ups between services and i put around 2k miles a month on one of them.

i had one bad oil burner but it had huge miles and quite a hard life before i got to own it.

if the previous owner has made any sort of a stab at maintenance it shouldn't be hard on oil, the issue is way over rated. that said, look out for the usual symptoms just encase.

bazz26

The bug eyed non vvti models got a minor trim upgrade in 1999 which included full colour coded bumpers and mirrors. It also got central locking and electric front windows. VVTi models in 2000 had remote central locking but bizarrely it was taken out in 2001.

Hatchbacks were built in the UK while saloons/estates were built in Japan afaik. Easiest way to tell is the UK built models had a digital odometer and the radio antenna was located in the centre of the roof. On the Japanese made models they had an analog odometer and the radio antenna was located on the A pillar above the driver's door. People claimed the Japanese built models were put together better but I don't know if there was any truth to it.

JohnBoy26

bazz26 wrote: »

The bug eyed non vvti models got a minor trim upgrade in 1999 which included full colour coded bumpers and mirrors. It also got central locking and electric front windows. VVTi models in 2000 had remote central locking but bizarrely it was taken out in 2001.

Hatchbacks were built in the UK while saloons/estates were built in Japan afaik. Easiest way to tell is the UK built models had a digital odometer and the radio antenna was located in the centre of the roof. On the Japanese made models they had an analog odometer and the radio antenna was located on the A pillar above the driver's door. People claimed the Japanese built models were put together better but I don't know if there was any truth to it.

Only 1999-02 e11 liftbacks were built in the uk .

All irish e11 models have central locking, even the 97 and 98 models have it. All 3 door hatches have the radio antenna in centre of roof too and all are jap built. All saloon and estate version are also all Japanese built as well as 97-98 and some early 99(98 model year) lift back corollas. Uk built late 98's do exist too, these are 99 model year cars.

It is true that the liftbacks made in the UK have the antenna in centre of roof while the older Japanese liftback models have it on the pillar. The intrument cluster as you say are digital on UK liftbacks too. It is true that UK models aren't as good.

There are lots of differences despite the two cars looking the same from a distance. For example the heater controls are different, the windscreen washer bottle is different, They take different sized batteries, Wiper motor and linkage on Jap models are made by Toyota in japan. On UK models they are made by a Spanish company and the linkage isn't half as durable in my experience. Wiring is different.

Alternator and starters are different and don't last as long on UK models. Headlamps and Lights are made by carello on UK model, on jap models they are made by koito.

UK models suffer from the same plastic piece wearing in ignition as avensis of same vintage. No such issue on Jap models.

There are more differences but I think I'd be here all night if I had to list them

Now the uk models are still good cars, the still have brilliant engines and so on but they aren't as good as jap models were auxillary parts have been sourced from outside companies.

As for which corolla to go for. Even though the vvti's are very good cars I'd choose a 1999 saloon or 3dr hatch with the indestructible 1.3 4e fe.

gooner99

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Only 1999-02 e11 liftbacks were built in the uk .

All irish e11 models have central locking, even the 97 and 98 models have it. All 3 door hatches have the radio antenna in centre of roof too and all are jap built. All saloon and estate version are also all Japanese built as well as 97-98 and some early 99(98 model year) lift back corollas. Uk built late 98's do exist too, these are 99 model year cars.

It is true that the liftbacks made in the UK have the antenna in centre of roof while the older Japanese liftback models have it on the pillar. The intrument cluster as you say are digital on UK liftbacks too. It is true that UK models aren't as good.

There are lots of differences despite the two cars looking the same from a distance. For example the heater controls are different, the windscreen washer bottle is different, They take different sized batteries, Wiper motor and linkage on Jap models are made by Toyota in japan. On UK models they are made by a Spanish company and the linkage isn't half as durable in my experience. Wiring is different.

Alternator and starters are different and don't last as long on UK models. Headlamps and Lights are made by carello on UK model, on jap models they are made by koito.

UK models suffer from the same plastic piece wearing in ignition as avensis of same vintage. No such issue on Jap models.

There are more differences but I think I'd be here all night if I had to list them

Now the uk models are still good cars, the still have brilliant engines and so on but they aren't as good as jap models were auxillary parts have been sourced from outside companies.

As for which corolla to go for. Even though the vvti's are very good cars I'd choose a 1999 saloon or 3dr hatch with the indestructible 1.3 4e fe.

Thanks guys. Lots of info there. So if I've read right,only the 5 door liftbacks were built in the UK. All 3 doors right through from 97-02 were built in Japan?

JohnBoy26

gooner99 wrote: »

Thanks guys. Lots of info there. So if I've read right,only the 5 door liftbacks were built in the UK. All 3 doors right through from 97-02 were built in Japan?

Correct