Generation Gap: Toyota Corolla Edition [1987 - Present]

"Amoore100" (amoore100) 03/23/2016 at 22:51 • Filed to: Generation Gap, Toyota Corolla

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Welcome to Generation Gap where we ask you about your favorite generation of a certain multi-generational car nameplate. Then, explain why your choice is right to the rest of us uneducated folks.

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Last week we covered the first five generations of the vaunted Toyota Corolla, the last of which was FWD but still offered RWD coupes. These next Corollas are all FWD and only offer AWD, with RWD being a thing of the past. They also tend to be more aerodynamic than their predecessors, becoming more and more rounded as safety and style moves into the 21st century. Also, we begin to see a separation present between the North American and International models later due to size restrictions and styling preferences of different markets. Which of these beigemobiles would you take despite an utter lack of Jalop status?

The options:

Sixth Generation [1987 - 1991] E90

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Seventh Generation [1991 - 1995] E100

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Eighth Generation [1995 - 2000] E110 and International model

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Ninth Generation [2000 - 2006] E120-30 and International model

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Tenth Generation [2006-2012/3] E140-50 and International model

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Eleventh Generation [2012/3 - Present] E160 and International model

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Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Amoore100 03/23/2016 at 22:54

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Where’s the option for E70?

Yes I realize why this can’t be. So I went for 10th gen because if I’m in a FWD corolla, I might as well listen to the music on my phone.

Amoore100 > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 03/23/2016 at 22:57

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Hah, you must have missed last week. I like to break it up this way so that popular generations (like the E70) don’t steal all the attention from contemporary models, especially considering it isn’t really a fair comparison at that point (RWD v FWD, really light v somewhat heavy, sprightly v rather dull). Why not 11th gen if you’re playing the tech card? I’d personally take an ASEAN 11th gen since in my eyes at least it’s the most attractive.

mrbwa1 > Amoore100 03/23/2016 at 22:59

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Where is my option for Geo Prism? Those things were the deal of the century becuase nobody bought them so they sole super cheap: nevermind that it's just a rebadge.

carcrasher88 > Amoore100 03/23/2016 at 23:04

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I didn’t go for the poll, because my decision is split.

8th gen for US and Europe, 10th generation for Japanese market Corolla Axio and Fielder.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Amoore100 03/23/2016 at 23:04

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I didn’t miss last week. I even said in my reply that I know why the little e70 wasn’t an option.

Amoore100 > mrbwa1 03/23/2016 at 23:04

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That’s right! How could I forget! They were manufactured just half an hour’s drive away from us at the old NUMMI plant and my dad said we would visit someday. We never did but perhaps now that Tesla owns it they might offer tours. Rebadges are the best IMO , as they offer plenty of interesting stories to read! Anyways, for completeness’s sake, here are the three generations of Prizm (no Nova as that was closer to a Sprinter than a basic Corolla.)

dogisbadob > Amoore100 03/23/2016 at 23:05

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Of course the international models look cooler than what we got :(

The E100 is from when Toyota was absolutely at the top of their game. Everything they made then is the best lineup ever. From the Corolla and Tercel, all the way up to the LS400 and Supra, and of course their tuff trucks, and that cool Castrol livery. Absolutely untouchable. And of course, the last generation that the wagon was sold in the US.

The E120 was available with the awesome 2ZZ, and the Matrix/Vibe, too. Of course we never got the Fielder or Runx, which is a shame, but at least we still got the 2ZZ :)

Amoore100 > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 03/23/2016 at 23:05

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Oh, haha, read too fast. Disregard the above.

Amoore100 > carcrasher88 03/23/2016 at 23:06

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Interesting. Care to elaborate why? (also, for 8th gen the US and Europe are different, the lower is EU upper is US)

PorkchoPlissken > Amoore100 03/23/2016 at 23:10

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I would gladly drive a GT-S in good condition

djmt1 > Amoore100 03/23/2016 at 23:11

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Whatever generation I could get the T Sport in.

Amoore100 > dogisbadob 03/23/2016 at 23:14

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Definitely. The E100 was the vestiges of their indestructible era having a last hurrah before it fell away to beigeness. The Camry was actually great, and Lexus was unstoppable. And we musn’t forget the Supra which managed to become an icon along with the Castrol livery which now sits among the best with Martini and Alitalia.

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The E120 was surprisingly good for a little beige box, and the Vibe/Matrix were even better. I wouldn’t cry over not getting the Fielder/Runx though because after reading contemporary European reviews it sounds like it had the great engine with possibly the world’s worst chassis. Shame, really. They [the Europeans] should have wished they could have had the Matrix/Vibe/Voltz instead.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Amoore100 03/23/2016 at 23:16

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I do the same rather frequently.

Amoore100 > djmt1 03/23/2016 at 23:17

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Matrix XRS > T-Sport

Amoore100 > PorkchoPlissken 03/23/2016 at 23:18

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10/10 agree. The wedge, turned 90's (almost).

Amoore100 > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 03/23/2016 at 23:19

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Life. It gets to your head sometimes.

flyingmetalbird > Amoore100 03/23/2016 at 23:22

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To whoever chose ninth gen...

Explain. I mean all of them are just beigemobiles, but the ninth gen is just the saddest sad mobile ever. It makes me sad to see:(

Unless it’s an S! Then it’s...

SORT of sad

PorkchoPlissken > Amoore100 03/23/2016 at 23:23

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Yeah, it’s an odd an between decades shape. And it’s awesome, would daily.

Amoore100 > flyingmetalbird 03/23/2016 at 23:29

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Well the ninth gen would be a perfectly sensible and reliable commuter IF the sixth gen Civic hadn’t come along and been exceptionally better in every respect. This was the last great Civic, and it’s been sad to see Honda trying to repeat it ever since. The tenth gen held promise but I cannot physically get over the “haha, it looks like a hatch BUT YOU ONLY GET A TRUNK UNLESS YOU BUY THE HORRENDOUSLY UGLY HATCH” dilemma.

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See Honda, this is already a very pleasant and elegant liftback shape (e.g. see Skoda Superb, etc.) so there’s no need for...

Aaaaaugh! The horror!

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Amoore100 03/23/2016 at 23:31

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Dat 9th gen taxi in Japan do. What you know about auto door poppers and auto back seat recliners bruh.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > flyingmetalbird 03/23/2016 at 23:32

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See my other reply. If you have ever been to Japan or Okinawa you will know what I’m in about.

Amoore100 > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 03/23/2016 at 23:36

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But Crown taxi > Corolla taxi any day.

flyingmetalbird > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 03/23/2016 at 23:38

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I see now, you make an intriguing point

flyingmetalbird > Amoore100 03/23/2016 at 23:43

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I agree with you completely.

I’ve always been a Honda guy sort of and I just can’t think of a Corolla I would take over a Civic... Maybe an older AE86 but that’s it. And I’d still take the first gen Civic RS over every single Corolla

So cool

Boxer_4 > Amoore100 03/23/2016 at 23:46

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E90 all the way, but Sprinters rather than Corollas.

They had awesome body styles, awesome engines available (4A-GE 16 Valve, 20 Valve (in ‘91 in Japan), and Supercharged), and were still quite simple inside and out. We also had a Chestnut Metallic ‘90 Prizm for a while, so there’s that...

I’d love to find a GSi at some point, no matter how hard it may be.

RazoE > Amoore100 03/23/2016 at 23:50

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My wife had one when I met her, but it was an SR5. We added the GTS wing, side skirts, ES300 fogs, GT-S strut bar, intake, and a few other things. Unfortunately it got creamed by a drunk driver at 3 am parked in front of our house. =(

not for canada - australian in disguise > Amoore100 03/23/2016 at 23:52

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I simultaneously understand and don’t understand why people still buy the ‘Rolla. Sure, it’s a great commuter car, and it’s reliable, it’s practical. But so are these.

I’ve suddenly forgot about the Corolla.

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > Amoore100 03/23/2016 at 23:55

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Yeah if I had to buy a corolla I’d get nothing but the newest, nothing really redeeming about getting am older one unless it’s something special like I see you guys all posting lol :p but I’m no expert on corollas.

RazoE > Amoore100 03/23/2016 at 23:55

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The Prizm was more Sprinter, though.

Also, the Prizm GSi was the only 4 door 4AGE-powered car offered in the US of A.

Fookin' Prawns > Amoore100 03/24/2016 at 00:03

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E90. My dad had a silver SR5 coupe, and I always got to sit in front and watch him shift. Sad it only lasted until 2003; it would have been a fun first car.

Amoore100 > RazoE 03/24/2016 at 00:10

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An American car that’s more Japanese than the Toyota! Who knew?

Amoore100 > 66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash 03/24/2016 at 00:11

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Me neither but I’m learning a lot through these conversations, which is what I love about it. No shame in going for the newest and most sensible choice though, as these are all meant to basically be cheap commuters.

Amoore100 > Fookin' Prawns 03/24/2016 at 00:19

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The coupes were definitely the coolest despite being rather plebeian in their heritage. Definitely would use as an interesting but dead reliable daily.

Amoore100 > Boxer_4 03/24/2016 at 00:20

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So simple! So classy! So Japanese! The Sprinter/Prizms outdid the Corolla when it came to JDM cool, shame it didn’t continue past the 90's though.

Amoore100 > RazoE 03/24/2016 at 00:21

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Man, that sucks. Sounds like a great little car that you two bonded over! Losing cars to history is the worst, but at least you got some good memories from it!

Amoore100 > not for canada - australian in disguise 03/24/2016 at 00:44

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This is why the Corolla doesn’t even end up in the top ten in Europe, not with things like this:

The fact that even the Auris is more exciting than a Corolla speaks volumes. The European hatches may not be that much more involving but at least add some variety. I couldn’t imagine going straight to the Corolla amongst all this choice, and apparently neither do the Europeans. Well, for them that’s the Golf, but at least that’s a car with some actual merit.

ly2v8-Brian > Amoore100 03/24/2016 at 00:46

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The ones with pop up lights, rest are garbage.

Amoore100 > ly2v8-Brian 03/24/2016 at 00:51

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General rule of the universe.

RazoE > Amoore100 03/24/2016 at 00:52

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It was for the best, as her next car was a MKIII Supra with a 5-speed manual, sport package, LSD, targa top, and adjustable suspension. She learned stick in it, as she liked my Supra, which I learned stick in.

ly2v8-Brian > Amoore100 03/24/2016 at 01:00

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The Opel kills me. The fact that such a great looking hatch like that is made by GM and they won't sell it boggles the mind.

Amoore100 > RazoE 03/24/2016 at 01:05

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She sounds awesome! Mk III’s are some of the best, but they are just so overshadowed by the II and IV that no one blinks a second eye. That’s a good thing in my book though, and I’d love to have a clean one to learn stick on as well!

Amoore100 > flyingmetalbird 03/24/2016 at 01:08

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I’ve always preferred Honda > Toyota ever since we got the Ody. You can (or at least could) tell that they were cars made by people who understood that you needed practicality but tried to make it as fun as possible. Nowadays that’s Mazda’s job but for a long time it was Honda. From the first Civic to latest, the Legend, the Odyssey, the CR-V, the Accord, and so on, they’ve all been great and it looks like we might be getting back there again.

Amoore100 > ly2v8-Brian 03/24/2016 at 01:10

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Very true. Call it the Buick Verano hatch and we Americans might even buy it! The Renault is a kicker as well; it’s based on the latest Pulsar from Nissan but we still get the awful Note and Sentra in the States instead. Volvo flat out won’t give us the V40 until the next generation, which sucks, and the C’EED will never go beyond Europe (mainly because it’s named after Europe). At least we get the Auris soon, as if that’s some sort of consolation.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Amoore100 03/24/2016 at 01:11

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Stop it! I am pained to never even consider taking out a poorly thought out purchase on these forbidden fruits.

Amoore100 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/24/2016 at 01:12

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Well you can’t for another 25 years, so let that serve as a restraint, at least for now ;) Still, Goo-Net is a mighty big place full of things ripe to bring in, like a pristine XM from ‘91, good starting April. Oh, the possibilities!

ly2v8-Brian > Amoore100 03/24/2016 at 01:16

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It won't sell, because people are dumb. The Volvo wouldn't sell either, because let's be frank here Volvo is way overpriced as a brand.

Amoore100 > ly2v8-Brian 03/24/2016 at 01:28

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Well yeah, Opel as Buick was never that great of a fit. Saturn worked better, but people didn’t buy that either. Also, I don’t mean to sound offended or anything, but I’m genuinely curious as to why you think Volvo is overpriced in the States. The new S90 starts ~$3000 less than a base 5 Series and the XC90 starts at a full $10k less than the base Q7. The XC90 is definitely at the top of its class, so there’s reason to believe the S90 could also become a practical competitor to the 5 Series for a fraction less cash. Sounds like a great deal to me.

ly2v8-Brian > Amoore100 03/24/2016 at 01:49

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Personal oppinion is all. The base S90 may be cheaper but that’s a FWD sedan your getting. At least it’s an attractive package (not as good as the boxy greatness that was my parents 740). The S60 was the one that really bugs me, all that money for a FWD midsize sedan? (I really don’t like FWD) It isn’t even that great inside and the infotainment was really not that user friendly. I like Volvo, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be disappointed with them. Good cars, just not exciting or what I want.

Amoore100 > ly2v8-Brian 03/24/2016 at 02:15

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Ah, well FWD doesn’t really matter to the average buyer since all they want is a big luxurious status symbol, but I can see what you’re saying. I personally am not a huge fan of the way Volvo (and the future of cars, honestly) is going. If I headed Volvo I’d pawn off all the FWD platforms and give them to Geely and spend the profits developing a new RWD platform with longitudinal inline 5's and 6's and maybe even 8's which could run on ethanol/biodiesel for better earth saving. Then have Geely buy NEVS, and position Saab as a FWD brand in a Hyundai/Kia type of relationship. In the recent past, though, I feel like Volvo has provided at least our family with just the right cars at just the right time. Cheap enough, economical enough, handle excellently (for FWD), but at the same time not as dreary or plebeian as a Camry or Accord yet without the BMW/German car stigma.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Amoore100 03/24/2016 at 03:51

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where is the “none of the above” option?

Amoore100 > pip bip - choose Corrour 03/24/2016 at 04:25

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Right here:

The point is, “none of the above” is staring us straight in our faces, yet we still continue to blindly buy the Corolla.

carcrasher88 > Amoore100 03/24/2016 at 07:19

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For the US market one, I always thought that the 8th gen was the best looking one of them all. In fact, I think some of the best looking US market Toyotas come from the late 90's-early ‘00s.

As for EU ones, the main reason...

...because rally car.

And then I just really like how handsome and understated the 10th generation Axio/Fielder looks, plus it’s basically the only version of the Corolla still available in a wagon form...though the recent facelift leaves a bit to be desired...

ly2v8-Brian > Amoore100 03/24/2016 at 07:37

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That's another thing. You mentioned status symbol. Volvo really doesn't have much of that here, especially compared to their competitors.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Amoore100 03/24/2016 at 07:55

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Sometimes..... I have been in more than a few that are starting to have that old car, old-man-what-hasn’t-washed-in-days scent.

Amoore100 > ly2v8-Brian 03/24/2016 at 10:30

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True, but to people like us it’s just something different that doesn’t group you with the German car a**holes who are pretty prevalent in our area, and for others it’s basically a Swedish VW. Some Asians will buy anything European, so they have a leg up there, and if they continue on the S90/XC90 trend then they should boost their reputation for luxury, since no one else likely cares about their technical drawbacks. In addition, they’re probably gonna see huge sales in China since it’s one of the aforementioned European brands but is backed by their own Geely, and the Chinese are a very patriotic bunch.

Amoore100 > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 03/24/2016 at 18:40

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True, but fender mirrors!

Captain Brotatohead > Amoore100 03/26/2016 at 08:00

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Man, I had a 1990 Corolla SR-5 coupe with a 5 speed as my ‘first’ car (The dad and I split duty between it and the minivan). It was an absolute blast, we had it from 2000-2007 up until I got my first big boy job. At that point, my parents basically said “you’re buying a new car and we’re selling that because your commute is too far for a car on its last legs.” Granted, they helped out a bit with the new car as a graduation present, but I wish they had never sold it (it was never in my name). It was sold to a teenage friend of a friend and it died within 2 years. Did I mention that we liked it so much that we bought two? Yeah, we had a second one in the family that looked virtually identical to the GTS above, except it was actually a rebadged SR-5 with an automatic transmission... The transmission neutered the car :(

Another thing about the car that I’ll never understand was the fuel economy, it was rated to like 26 mpg combined - I regularly got 35-40 mpg out of the thing.

Amoore100 > Captain Brotatohead 03/26/2016 at 18:35

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Wow, what an awesome story! I wish we could have done that with our old 740 turbo wagon, but we got rid of it before I could drive. Actually that entire story sounds eerily similar to ours except with Volvo 740s instead of Corolla coupes. My parents had a 740 GLE SE sedan/auto when I was born and liked it so much that they bought a 740 manual turbowagon after I was born. Once, the sedan left us stranded due to a bad solenoid on the starter which frightened four-year-old me enough that I would never get back into it. They bought our Ody, and the two 740s became sidelined with little issues (both had >300K miles). Eventually they donated them to charity four years ago, after my months of protesting after I had realized how special they were. I hope I can find them again someday, or replicate them in the future. What did you buy as its replacement? For us, my dad got himself an ‘01 V70 T5 and got me a ‘05 V50 2.4i, both of which have been relatively pleasant DD’s. It is true that old cars manage amazing mpg ratings: both of the two tanks (740s) got 20-30 mpg even though they had 110 hp and weighed over two tons.

Boxer_4 > Amoore100 03/26/2016 at 23:24

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There was a lot that Toyota/Geo could have done, too. I wish this was brought over as a Geo.

Amoore100 > Boxer_4 03/27/2016 at 01:54

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True, that would have been awesome!