1997 vs 1998 Toyota Corolla

vs

Each year's own entries sit side by side, then what both share. Warnings of different generations are listed apart even under the same name, because what to check can differ.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

1997

Nothing that 1998 lacks.

1998

  • Burning oil All years

    What to check: Check the oil level and ask how much it uses between changes. Look for blue smoke at start-up and oil fouling on the plugs.

    On CarComplaints.com's page for oil use in the 2002, an unofficial source, 59 owners report it at about 99,200 miles on average, at rates from about a quart every 1,000 miles to one every 150 to 300, and 14 had the engine replaced. In a BobIsTheOilGuy forum thread, also unofficial, two owners report their 2001 and 2002 Corollas burning oil.

    Owners' reports (unofficial)

Rare catches

1997

Nothing that 1998 lacks.

1998

  • Rare Front side airbags and anti-lock brakes Package

    Very few cars had this option A published reference

Recalls

1997

  • 97V043001 1997

    A sharp jolt soon after starting, such as slamming the seat back or releasing the parking brake suddenly, can set off the airbag. NHTSA

1998

Nothing that 1997 lacks.

What changed between

After 1997, up to and including 1998.

  1. 19988th gen begins.
  2. 1998New generation, sedan only, in VE, CE and LE trims, with a 120 hp all-aluminum 1.8L and optional front side airbags. Edmunds, a published reference

What it came with

1997

Engines
1.6L four-cylinder A published reference
Transmissions
Automatic A published reference
Trims
Standard A published reference, DX A published reference, CE (Classic Edition) (1997) Edmunds, a published reference
Packages
Anti-lock brakes Edmunds, Integrated child seat (1996–1997) Edmunds, Gold emblem package A published reference

1998

Transmissions
4-speed automatic A published reference
Trims
VE (1998–2000) A published reference, CE A published reference, LE A published reference
Packages
Touring Package A published reference, Front side airbags and anti-lock brakes Edmunds, a published reference

Both years

Engines
1.8L four-cylinder Toyota, a published reference
Transmissions
5-speed manual A published reference, 3-speed automatic A published reference
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive A published reference
Body styles
Sedan A published reference
Packages
Power sunroof A published reference

Colors

1997

  • Cashmere Beige Metallic 4M9, 1996–1997 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Super Red 3E5, 1993–1997 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Sunfire Red Pearl 3K4, 1993–1997 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Dark Emerald Pearl 6M1, 1996–1997 An owners' registry (unofficial)

1998

  • Sandrift Metallic 3M5, 1998–2002 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Light Copper Mica 4N4, 1998 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Ruby Pearl 3L3, 1998 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Mystic Teal Mica 760, 1998–2002 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Both years

  • Super White 040, 1998–2002 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Satin Black Metallic 205, 1998–1999 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Bright Ivy Pearl 6P5, 1998 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Brilliant Blue Pearl 8K8, 1998 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Misty Plum Metallic 932, 1998 An owners' registry (unofficial)

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

1997

  • Sought after: Built to last All years

    SlashGear ranks the 7th gen third of twelve, crediting a quieter, more refined car. To Curbside Classic, an unofficial source, it is the best Corolla of all, well built and cheap to repair, and of ten owners commenting there, seven praise their cars' durability, three past 200,000 miles. SlashGear, Curbside Classic, owners' reports (unofficial)

  • Watch for: The three-speed automatic All years Less sought after One source so far

    Two owners commenting on Curbside Classic's article, an unofficial source, criticize the three-speed automatic. Owners' reports (unofficial)

1998

  • Sought after: Cars that do not burn oil All years One source so far

    Not every engine burns oil. In a BobIsTheOilGuy forum thread, an unofficial source, two owners report theirs uses none, one at about 235,000 miles. Owners' reports (unofficial)

  • Avoid: Oil burning, 1998–1999 and 2002 All years Less sought after

    A published reference reports a flawed piston ring design on the engines without VVT-i, which made higher-mileage cars burn oil. CarComplaints.com, a complaints site and an unofficial source, rates the 2002 the worst Corolla year, with excessive oil use its top problem, and SlashGear says to avoid the 2002 for the same reason. SlashGear, a published reference, owners' reports (unofficial)