Overview & Reviews

For the 1997 Toyota Corolla, the Classic Edition (CE) debuts and the slow-selling DX Wagon gets the ax.

• Excellent build quality, reputation for bulletproof reliability

• Poor value

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 67.00

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  Almost Flawless - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By pat - November 5 - 7:46 pm

  A member of my family bought this car new in 97. I took ownership in 05 with 130K miles. This car has never been a problem!! Besides scheduled maintenance there has been little work done. It now has 190K miles on original wheel bearings, axles, exhaust, alternator, starter, engine, tranny, you name it. We have never seen a Check Engine light or had any sort of breakdown. I would drive it cross-country tomorrow if I had to. The only problem that has come up, besides just starting to use oil (1 quart in 2000 miles) is that the AC wont work in cool weather to defrost the windows but works fine in summer heat. Absolutely the best car Ive ever owned.

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  a good reliable car - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By sjones - September 30 - 10:00 am

  i recieved thhis car from my mother and the mileage was already high(97000). this car has given me no problems so long as i kept the required maintenance done,...trans, tune up, iol change, wipers, tires. shes getting up there but can move with the best of em on the highway,..the interior is durable, she climbs hills well,the ride is good and it turns on every morning, heat, defog or air needed. you wouldnt be sorry,......we are 134.000 strong,..its a tru love affair

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  500 miles per week commute - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By rshots2001 - May 21 - 11:10 am

  This is by far the best, most reliable car Ive ever owned. Bought it in 2000 with just 27,000 miles. Now at 248,000. Have only replaced brakes and an AC condenser. Still gets 36-39 mpg on highway. Great in winter with quality directional snows all around. Expect to get at least 350,000 out of this one!

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  Most reliable car ever owned - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By brad - February 28 - 7:50 am

  Purchased used with 40K. While I maintained it, it never gave me one bit of a problem. Was getting 33 mpg. It was a pleasure to own this car. The reliability and fuel economy were unmatched. I could surprisingly lug around my toddlers car seat, stroller, and daughters softball equipment with no problem. Solidly built through and through.

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  Keep on making them rollas - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By Brandon Wilson - May 31 - 2:36 pm

  My 1997 Corolla has been the only car that I ever owned and no doubt that I will probably let this baby go anytime soon. I had this car for 6 years and its got over 215,000 miles on the original motor and automatic transmission. I purchased this car on 6/2003 with 52,352 miles at a dealership. The only major service work done on my corolla was a valve cover gasket, timing belt, and a water pump. Other than that, this car has never left me stranded on the road.

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  Safety outweighs fun! - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By DrPhil321 - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Its 2010 and I got this car over a year ago, has 70,000 miles. No problems! Looks old, and Im 62" so its hard to fit in it. The A/C also poor. This is a point A to point B car.

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  The Corollinator as shes well known as. - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By Jon Austin - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car out of college cause it was a decent looking car and it had all the options extra options I was looking for like CD, power roof, alloy wheels, spoiler, wood trim, etc. at 12, 000 mi. I detailed cars for a living through school and she gets a good hows your father once a summer. It now has 93,000 and Ive only had to put one set of front brakes and tires on it. Thats it. I took it in for brakes at 60k and they told me "Nah, you got another 20 some odd thousand left on them. To this day, the car has a great finish, one crack in the vinyl on the side of the drivers seat. If you want a decent car that runs like a tank....Corollinator!

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  none - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By johnhart44 - July 10 - 12:23 am

  nice car overall - fun to drive. A good value for the money. Would buy another one.

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  Great small car - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By sasycdb - June 17 - 10:00 am

  If you want a dependable, reliable car with good gas mileage, this is it! I have 73K miles (purchased used with 27K miles) and no problems or repairs (except normal oil change, tires, air filter). Tho not fancy, I can depend I will get where I need to go, Ive never been stranded, and love my Corolla! Also good acceleration for a small engine/car.

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  Love what you do for me! - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By HiMilesDriver - February 17 - 10:06 am

  I bought my 1997 Toyota Corolla from a rental car company. It is a 4-door automatic. It came with 24k miles and Ive put another 70k on it since then. I have had NO unexpected mechanical problems with it (other than the time my husband ran down the battery by leaving the keys in it all night!)I would still feel comfortable driving it on a trip. I would recommend this car to anyone, especially for a student going to college who will be driving back and forth a lot.