Is the Toyota Corolla actually as good as they say? | ReDriven

If you're after a second-hand Corolla, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Toyota has made over 45 million Corollas since 1966 and this model, the 11th generation 2012 to 2019 Corolla, was one of the world's highest-selling cars when it was new, meaning there are loads to choose from on the second-hand market, but while there are loads of these available, the real question is, should you buy one? Let’s find out.

Additional videos and images are used for illustrative purposes, under the provision of 'Fair Use'.

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At ReDriven, we’ll be taking you through the pros and cons of a huge range of used cars to see how well they’re going now that they’re a few years old, have thousands of kilometres on the clock, and are coming toward the end of their warranty, or maybe don’t have one at all.

Plus, thanks to our resident mechanic, Jim, you’ll find out what commonly goes wrong with them and what might need to be fixed.

Most importantly, we want to make ReDriven a voice for the most in-the-know used car experts there are...you guys.. See, you’re the ones that actually buy, live with, love and sometimes unfortunately hate the cars we’ll be reviewing.

So we want to hear your thoughts. Hit us up in the comments, or on Instagram and Facebook.

We’d love nothing more than for you to give us as much feedback as possible, so we can make this channel the best it can be.

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[ravingmad]

I bought a 1989 carolla with 180, 000km. Drove it to 250, 000. Gave it to me sister, she drove it to 320000 then sold it for $1000. It never skipped a beat. So no shame in saving a bit of money and buying a high km car. It will still last you.

[grooveyman]

Bought a 2016 Ascent Sport brand new. Had zero issues. The only negative is that sometimes the CVT transmission does not seem to know what gear it needs. The most reliable car I have owned in 35 years of driving.

[User-cbjm]

I’m starting to see why they’re so popular. I know it’s kinda obvious but I think this is the byword for reliable and that really is the number one thing people look for. The more I look around, you can spend 4x as much on something to get you from A to B, but unless it’s a Lexus, it will probably give you more trouble which is ironic. Your prices were also pre-pandemic which makes me realise how good a deal it was to snag reliable transport in 2019.

[galahadthreepwood]

I bought a 2015 ascent. Bloody good car, does everything I need with no fuss and low cost.

[daryl]

I have one of these, bought new late 2012. Have done 60000km. Absolutely nothing has gone wrong. Huge contrast to the Renault Clio I owned before it

[TheAthavanleon]

I have to say - First time I have seen a realistic review on a Corolla. keep up the good work mate.

[iamnotwan]

I literally just bought a used 2016 model with only 68, xxx kms on and bloody loving every bit of it! Definitely no regrets!

[carleebrown]

Your video was the whole reason I just bought my 2016 Toyota Corolla and she’s a bloody beautiful car it’s perfect in everything it does 🤟🏼

[CliveRose]

I have a 2009 Toyota Corolla which has 260, 000 km so far. Finally needed a new clutch at about 250, 000km’s and a new alternator. That’s the only problems I’ve ever had with this car. May not be the most flashy car, but holy shit these cars will probably outlive me and I’m only 21

[filipebergamialves]

Great chanel mate, I can sense the outstanding amount of work put on and the production quality is top notch. Carry on the great work and soon you will stack up fans. Shout from the UK

[cylac]

Uk viewere here. Thanks for the channel, not may focusing on used cars, so great to see. I bought a 2018 one of these to replace a 2009 mk II mazda 3. Gorra be honest, I miss the mazda's driving, but not it's issues (engine seals, corrosion, brake calipers, kneock / air sensors). In comparison to the mazda, this thing handles like a tug. It's very front heavy and the 1.2 manual has very noticable turbo lag, which makes pulling out in town frustrating, add to that it's very much less than stellar performance even when the turbo finally kicks in.

You find yourself waxing nostaligic for old naturally aspirated, predictable power performance, more so than expected.I'd say the trurbo kicks in at mid band rather than low band. The variable valve was fun and predictable in the Mazda, but since it was a ford design, I tried to stay out of it. However, it still had enough grunt to pull away from stand still into traffic, with confidence, unlike the toyota. The old Mazda 3 was a fun car to drive though, especially in the twisties where I could put many more expensive german brands to shame, and the mpg between the two is not as great as I had hoped (it's around an extra 5mpg for the toyota, and you have to drive like a granddad, the car wont really let you do otherwise). Plus I really miss the cabin of the Mazda, proper knobs and buttons with dual zone climate contol (that leaked). I could operate everything without taking my eyes off the road, unlike to Toyota. It also looked better and was betetr designed egonomically. I could reach the streeing wheel with both arms, resting both elbows, one on the door rest, and the other on the centre console. Unlike the Toyota where you can only rest one the centre conole cos the door rest is too low down.

So why did I buy one over a similarly priced civic, mazda or seat?
It's because I can magically find the lemon in any car lot and buy it, and I'm hoping toyota relaibility, or at least it's new extended warranty, will let me buy a used car that doesn't cost the best part of a grand in maintenance and repairs every year. 10 years from original registration, rolling, as long as it's serviced by a main dealer every year, this is applying to any toyota bought from anywhere (UK). Hopefully that pays off in the long run. As it is, I can live with the car, it's comfy enough to sit in, and it's not the worst car I have driven. The uk spec ones have more features as standard, but smaller engines if your not choosing the hybrid. Worth noting though, the catalytic converters for the hybrid and automatic engines are frequently stolen, but you can buy an optional security brace to deter this.

[montyspearo]

Just towed a 1000kg caravan 700kms with sons 20yr old 250, 000km 1.8 wagon. Our new car had some issue hence need to borrow corolla. No problems doing 90kmh in 5th on flat and will still climb most hills at 80kmh in 3rd or 2nd.
The 1.8 is brilliant engine and surprisely flexible.

[TheBluesman]

HI mate. Watching your videos. Very valuable info about sc hand cars. Thank you. I have toyota Corolla 2016, exactly the same model. Gone 70K andi drive it since boght in Toyota dealer shop. I don' t drive too many kms. Never happened anything bad. Just battery replace and tyres. Car is super reliable and i do regular service.

[realvibephotography]

One in NZ that's done 2 million km. He drives daily out of Wellington on a newspaper run

[martinboudville]

I've had no issues with the corrolla, gets you where you want to go with ease of mind, reliable vehicle

[tonychestnut]

I've had my 2016 Ascent Sport for over and it hasn't put a foot wrong. Easy to drive, zippy around town, quiet on the highway, I can't fault it. My only gripe is that I'm 6ft and I'm tired of bumping my head getting in and out. I would so like to love it, but continue to consider a Subaru xv just for the extra height.

[contaminankl]

I've got a 2005 Ascent Hatchback model. It was looked after beautifully and mechanically, its perfect. Bought it about a year ago and literally not a single problem with it. Look after em well and they'll probably outlive you haha

[iquiax]

There is a 2007 JDM model called Blade Master.
It has a 3.5L engine in a Corolla body, the torque is so insane that new tyres are often required every 20k.
The suspension is the same as normal corollas, therefore a suicide mission if u go too fast into a sharp bent.
Many of these came into NZ.

[bart]

Bought an early 2015 Toyota Auris Hybrid (I'm in Europe) today as a first car. 62k miles for 18k AUD, lots of options and well kept. Thanks for your awesome videos, they helped a lot deciding.

[mattthambirajahpt]

Just got a 2006 corolla ascent sport in manual.

Love it and its such a reliable car!