Used Toyota Corolla Models
Now in its tenth generation, the compact Toyota Corolla is the best-selling nameplate in automotive history. And with good reason: This is the quintessential economy car. It's small, inexpensive, fuel-efficient and reliable. Put gas in it, give it the occasional oil change and it will provide dependable transportation well past the 100,000-mile mark. That's why more than 200,000 Americans, from high schoolers to retirees, buy Corollas every year.
Since its 1968 introduction in the U.S., the Toyota Corolla has come in a variety of body styles, including sedan, coupe, hatchback and wagon. The current car, which is available only in sedan form, is larger, heavier and more expensive than early models, but still provides most of the usual benefits of Corolla ownership, along with a substantially more refined driving experience. However, the competition has caught up to the Corolla or even passed it, with several fellow economy sedans offering a more pleasant and/or sporty driving experience, more features for your money and better build quality. The latest Corolla isn't a bad choice, but it's lost some of the luster that made it history's best-selling nameplate. Older, used models are still an excellent choice for an economy car, however.
The ninth-generation Toyota Corolla was produced from 2003-'08 and came in CE, S, LE and XRS trim levels. The CE was a basic economy car but came with essentials like air-conditioning, a height-adjustable driver seat and a CD player. The Corolla S offered a few more conveniences, while adding a lower body kit, rear spoiler and smoked headlamps for a faux sport sedan look. The LE did away with the sporty add-ons in favor of a more upscale feel -- it was the one to get if you wanted faux wood interior trim. Finally, there was the XRS, the only truly sporty member of the Toyota Corolla family. In addition to all the cosmetic touches from the S model, the XRS had a more powerful engine, a firmer suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and alloy wheels.