Toyota Corolla 1998 - 2000 Review

The car was primarily offered in Egypt with a 1300cc carburetor engine and a 5-speed manual transmission, producing power up to 88 hp. Limited versions were also available with a 1600cc engine, automatic transmission, and fuel injection. These engines outperform the Lancer Crystal, which has the latter engine, in terms of performance. Limited versions of the car are also available with a 1300cc automatic.

The car offers good on-road performance with adequate traction thanks to its 1300cc engine, which, given its small size, contributes to fuel economy. Some owners claim it can reach 500 km per refueling. Despite its small size, the engine can comfortably reach speeds of up to 160 km/h. The engine noise is also low and doesn't cause strong vibrations in the car.

The car's transmission delivers good performance and smooth shifting. Owners said there's only one issue with replacing the clutch cylinder after using it for a while, as it's prone to problems that require it to be replaced periodically.

The Toyota Corolla Eye features a comfortable interior, and its interior is well-equipped and features good upholstery in some models. One of the car's most impressive interior features is its powerful air conditioning, even at low speeds. The interior's upholstery materials are also fairly good, but the dashboard and equipment are very simple.

The car's interior is cramped in the rear seat, making it unsuitable for families who need a wider rear seat, especially if the driver's seat is moved back, as this adds more rear space. Consequently, those sitting in the rear of the car will not feel comfortable, which is different from the previous generation of the car, which was wider in the rear. Furthermore, having more than one person in the rear makes the car closer to the ground and more likely to rub against bumps.

Many car owners have confirmed that spare parts are readily available and reasonably priced. Toyota models are known to be slightly more expensive than Korean models, and even more expensive than the next generation of the car.

One of the drawbacks of the car's spare parts is that they have become increasingly scarce due to the lack of demand for this model and its age, but they are still readily available. However, original car spare parts are known to be durable and long-lasting.

Mechanical spare parts can be considered readily available, given their similarity to other generations of the Corolla, especially the more prevalent ones. However, less common are the car's exterior spare parts, especially the headlights. However, Taiwanese-made ones are available, while Japanese exterior spare parts are less available.

The car comes with a soft suspension that provides flexibility in handling roads and bumps. It also has a long-lasting suspension and provides a comfortable ride, making it a durable car. The Corolla's simple suspension also reduces maintenance costs.

The car's drawback is its low ground clearance, and if more than one person is in the rear, bumps become more difficult to handle. However, the car's low ground clearance and proximity to the ground provide excellent stability on the road, according to many owners, reaching speeds of up to 160 km/h if the suspension is fault-free.

The Toyota Corolla isn't considered a good resale car in Egypt. Its sales were initially slow compared to previous generations of Corollas due to its unpopular design, which slowed sales. Since then, the car has developed a negative reputation and image, making resale difficult and slow. Its sales price was also poor during its introduction from 1998 to 2000. However, its current price has doubled in the used car market due to the natural price increase.

It can be said that it is one of the most undervalued cars in Egypt, as demand for the previous and subsequent generations is much higher, which makes models like the Lancer Crystal more desirable in the resale market. Even when the car was introduced in Egypt, it was sold for less than its official price due to low demand. Its market price reached 45,000 Egyptian pounds, while its official price started at 55,000 Egyptian pounds. The average price of this car in Egypt, if it's in excellent condition, is currently 95,000 Egyptian pounds.

There are also rumors about the car that diminish its resaleability, such as claims that it's Chinese, that its top speed does not exceed 130 km/h, and that it has poor stability. However, the only point in its favor is that it's not a youth car, and therefore the car's aggressive handling is not like that of the Crystal models.

The car doesn't have many modern safety features, and there's considerable debate about whether ABS is available due to the lack of information about it. However, it's likely available in the Gulf models with the 1600cc automatic engine, not the 1300cc manual models.

The car features a strong body sheet, which makes it heavier than the Lancer Crystal and safer in accidents. The same applies to strong collisions. It also features a central locking system, but many have confirmed that the car's brakes aren't very good, and it doesn't have airbags or anti-lock brakes.

 لاتحمل السيارة العديد من التجهيزات حيث أنها قدمت في فترة لم تكن التجهيزات الحديثة متوفرة في السيارات وشملت التجهيزات الأهم فيها :الباور والجنوط 13 بوصة والتكييف فيما يتوفر للسيارة زجاج كهربائي وريموت كنترول مع توفر نسخ بمرايا كهربائية وفتحة AUX وراديو وفرش قماش أما الخليجى الكامل منها فيأتي بفتحة سقف. 

والنسخ الكاملة من السايرة توفرت بفرش جلد ومصابيح ضباب وفتحة USB وبعض الاضافات الأخري البسيطة مثل الجنوط.