Opinions from owners of recent Corolla model years? I have a 1998 Civic and my first instinct is to get another one, but I don’t like the design as much. And I can get air conditioning and power windows on the base model Corolla and save a few thousand dollars. Any rumors of trouble with the Corolla? I heard it was redesigned about when I was shopping last time, so I figure it’s stable by now??
I love my 2003 Corolla.
My family has a 2003 Corolla too that was my car when I lived at home. I love it, it’s great.
The Corolla had one generation (in the US market) from 1998 through 2002. I don’t know if they’re all the same since then; they might be almost due for another change. In general all Corollas are about as reliable as you can get.
I can only speak myself about the 1998-2002. The engine is decent, is has more torque than other compacts but it doesn’t rev as high. The 2003+ has an update of that engine. I think the 2003+ is significantly bigger than the earlier ones. The suspension is soft, so it rides better than other compacts but doesn’t necessarily handle as well. It’s floaty, so I didn’t like driving above 75-80 on the highway.
I had a bit of a problem in that as a driver, there wasn’t quite as much legroom as I would have liked. It was fine in the passenger seat though. Of course the 2003+ is bigger and may be different. The interior is comfortable, sort of soft. I’m not sure it seemed quite right, to me it looked like a miniature midsize interior. Some other econoboxes seemed somehow better on the inside to me.
Service was easy, for instance the oil filter was straight down on the bottom of the block and you could change the oil without jacking up the car. (If you’re not too thick.)
We just purchased a 2007 model for our son (college car). I think it is one of the best designed and most efficient driving machines ever made. He’s been getting mileage in the high 30’s (37-39) on the highway. It is roomy, peppy, comfortable and cheap (Yes, I occasionally appropriate and drive it just because it’s fun :p). We upgraded the sound system for him, so that adds to the enjoyment.
Disclaimer: We’ve only had it a coupla months.
I’ve owned and/or driven a '75, a '96, a 2000, and an '03, and they are all absolutely bulletproof (even the '75 which i drove twenty years later). And the newer ones are fast.
No nasty surprises with a Corolla (though I’m not fussed on this decade’s styling over either generation, but my '96 was cute).
I’d still be driving and loving my 2001 Corolla if it hadn’t been totalled in an accident a couple of years ago. I immediately replaced it with a 2005 Corolla…which I’m also loving.
The 2005 is definitely bigger than my other one, and is very comfortable to drive.
The first Corolla my father bought converted him from a die hard Chevy driver.
I have a 2003 Corolla S, and I think it’s great. I get around 35 mpg highway (37 if I drive the speed limit), and it is a peppy little car. I’m 6’3" and I don’t have any problems with leg or head room. It’s surprisingly roomy for such a little car.
One of my close friends is on her third or fourth Corolla. She drove the previous ones a really long time and loved them. Last one had to be replaced because she was in a freak accident and the car was considered totaled. She wasn’t hurt (and the car didn’t actually look that bad). She replaced it immediately with a new Corolla.
I drive an '07 Matrix, which is just a sub-model of the Corolla (in fact the manual calls it a “Corolla Matrix”). My Mother drives the straight-up Corolla.
It’s the best car I’ve ever owned and I can’t recommend it enough.
Thank you all for the advice (and keep it coming!). My head is being turned from the Civic. 
We had a 2000-ish Corolla. Never a problem.
Replaced it with a 2004-ish Matrix (whatever was the 1st model year) simply because the Matrix has vastly more rear seat headroom - and our kids had grown considerably taller over those 3-4 years. Only problem we had concerned the unit on the driver’s side door that operated the power windows and door locks. Something underneath came loose, so that when you pressed a button it just kept depressing further into the door. It was under warranty and they replaced it no problem.
We are currently driving out 3d and 4th Toyotas (the other is a Sienna). Never had a significant problem with any of them. But we’ve never kept one beyond 100K. May be hanging on to the present 2 for quite some time, tho. Both are currently between 50-60K. They are at the point where the regularly scheduled service calls are somewhat more expensive. Last time I believe we needed to replace brake pads or something. But I figure the cars are paid for, and once replaced, the new parts will be good for another 50K or so. Cheaper than payments on a new car.
I have a 99 Corolla. I love it to death and most definitely plan to get another should this one ever get wrecked.
There is not one thing I dislike about my Corolla.