1998 vs 1999 Toyota Corolla

vs

Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.

Watch out for

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

1998

Nothing that 1999 lacks.

1999

Nothing that 1998 lacks.

Both years

  • 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

1998

Nothing that 1999 lacks.

1999

Nothing that 1998 lacks.

Both years

  • Rare Front side airbags and anti-lock brakes Package

    Very few cars had this option A published reference

What changed between

After 1998, up to and including 1999.

  1. 1999The VE gets a standard stereo, and five new colors arrive. Edmunds

What it came with

1998

Nothing that 1999 lacks.

1999

Nothing that 1998 lacks.

Both years

Engines
1.8L four-cylinder Toyota, a published reference
Transmissions
5-speed manual A published reference, 3-speed automatic A published reference, 4-speed automatic A published reference
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive A published reference
Body styles
Sedan 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, Power sunroof A published reference

Colors

1998

  • Light Copper Mica 4N4, 1998 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Ruby Pearl 3L3, 1998 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)

1999

  • Silverstream Opal 1C4, 1999–2002 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Venetian Red Pearl 3M8, 1999–2000 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Dark Emerald Pearl 6M1, 1999 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Aqua Blue Metallic 762, 1999 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Twilight Blue Pearl 8M8, 1999–2000 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)
  • Sandrift Metallic 3M5, 1998–2002 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Mystic Teal Mica 760, 1998–2002 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

1998

Nothing that 1999 lacks.

1999

Nothing that 1998 lacks.

Both years

  • 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)