11th Apr 2007, 23:10

You may have bought a Corolla that was intended for a colder climate. This may explain the overheating. The 1996 Toyota doesn't have a carburetor because it's fuel injected.

21st Apr 2007, 04:15

I will never accept anyone saying that Toyota Corolla has cheap spare parts available easily. No way... this is completely wrong. Compared to other cars of the same models, spare parts are expensive and it really is a pain in the neck to try to find them with the dealers.

28th May 2007, 19:49

I think your experience is quite frightening and I do hope that your next vehicle is much reliable than this one. For your next purchase here are few things that you should consider:

1. Most Saudis are not known to be good drivers. THey know how to abuse their car. They know how to drive over speed bumps at high speeds. At corners where you slow down to check for incoming cars, they speed up to race with incoming cars.

2. They're oblivious to regular and preventive maintenance.

3. Since they don't believe in regular maintenance, I have never seen anyone even 'thinking' about service books or records.

4. There are a lot of cheap parts in the market that are least reliable. I can honestly tell you that your car was repaired with them. That huge price difference in parts is there for a reason, but unfortunately your previous owner didn't know anything about it.

2nd Sep 2007, 02:53

I've got a 96 corolla. Right now it has a mileage of over 350,000. Over the years I've used this car over steep hill climbs and pothole-ridden roads, summer or heavy rains. I've driven over really rough roads of mud, dirt and gravel. And right now it's still working pretty OK. I think the reliability and performance of the car goes hand in hand with proper maintenance of the car. Any brand and type of car, when poorly maintained will surely cause any kind of driver all kinds of headaches. I believe a car is an extension of a driver's personality. Poor performing/unreliable car? Well, that says a lot about it's driver/owner doesn't it? ;)

24th Feb 2008, 05:49

First of all 96 corolla doesn't have a carb, it's fuel injected! What are you talking about? And about the braking problem; it happens when you don't put in enough braking fluid. It's under the hood, check it out. My 96 corolla is running 246K, and still in pristine condition. The best value car I've ever driven.

1st Apr 2008, 01:15

We have a 1996 and it only has 103,00 on it, it is in great condition!! Besides the regular basic maintainers tires/oil changes/flushes...etc.. It has been GREAT!!! We love ours and hope to get a lot more out of it!!

8th Apr 2008, 04:30

I'm driving a corolla XL 98' 1.3 L. It's run by carburetor, not fuel injector, and it's running 419829k.. probably need to change the engine soon..

Can I fit a Corolla 1.8 engine in this??

25th Apr 2008, 14:06

I have owned a 1996 corolla since November 14, 1995. The car has close to 300,000 miles. I do have a problem now. The car stalls when it stops. Although I haven't put a lot of money into the car i.e., struts, brake jobs four times, timing belt twice, tuneup every other year, a starter, 3 batteries: the maintenance of the car is very low. The car has excellent gas mileage; performs well.

19th Jun 2008, 18:26

I have a 1996 Corolla that has treated me very well. But it vibrates. Anyone know why?

29th Sep 2008, 22:22

I own 96 corolla, 370,000 mileage. but still run like a racing car. 1.3 corolla is the best car.

13th Nov 2008, 02:23

I own a Corolla 96 XL. It has a 1.3 carburated engine (2E). While the car already has 117K on the odometer, it still runs like new. The engine is still smooth and quite. I never had problem with overheating.

Fuel mileage is good considering that it's carburated (18km/10km Highway/City).

The only problem I had was with the engine burning oil due to a worn valve seal.

18th Nov 2008, 01:13

To the poster who asked why his car was shaking...

Normally, that's as simple as having the tires balanced, or maybe broken engine mounts.

Also, maybe the brake rotors need turning. Or a front end alignment is needed as well. That's a starting point anyway.

2nd Aug 2010, 14:20

I drive a 97 1.3 XLi estate... had a new engine fitted 2 years ago, old one was leaking oil, approx 105,000 miles...

Recently started cutting out, occasionally, would start OK on tow, no problem, changed fuel pump, no difference... Eventually found out that there was not enough power going to the pump, had that sorted, now the car'ss running like new...

No problems so far with the suspension or shocks, just passed NCT, so good for another 2 years...

No problem ever sourcing spare parts in local breaker yards...

22nd Feb 2015, 18:49

I have had one for 7 to 8 years now, and it has never let me down. I am driving a van now, and I'm not sure I want to sell the Corolla.

11th Dec 2018, 12:51

Offered a 1.3L 1997 Corolla with 265k km. Well maintained by a family. Concerned because it is carburetor. Your comments and suggestions will be appreciated

12th Dec 2018, 08:19

The only real cons of having the carburettor would be relatively lower power and slightly higher fuel consumption than the same engine which has the fuel injection. Also, depending on where you are, they can be a little finicky in very cold weather (you must know how to use the manual or automatic choke). The advantage though is the sheer simplicity - there are infinitely less electronics to malfunction, no computers, no expensive sensors, no injectors, and even the fuel pump, if it fails, is likely mechanical and cheap. Just make sure that your local mechanic you use has staff that can still repair a carb. There may be times when you may need to have some carb gaskets changed or the carb jets cleaned.