28th Dec 2003, 20:35
Thanks for the thoughtful comments. I have been trying to adapt to these things because I don't want to lose several thousand dollars (I already lost $7,000 when I traded in my used Echo). When the sulphur smell starts, I put it on recirc and that keeps it from coming in. I have to use fresh air sometimes though, obviously, when the car is steamed up. I bought this car mostly for its ice cold air conditioning because of the killer summer we had and they are getting worse every year. So when I got in the Corolla I fell in love with it. It was ice cold, it was comfortable, it was beautiful, there was lots of room in the back seat for my relatives. And it had many rave reviews. I am trying to love this car for its good points.
The dealer put in a whole new exhaust system and catalytic converter, and Esso started selling low-sulphur gas here, but I am still having the sulphur smell - so there is no simple answer.
4th May 2004, 01:02
Could that sulfur, rotten egg smell have anything to do with the battery? Spilling over while you make a sharp turn? On the other hand, I once had a car with the battery under the back seat-making it very difficult to remember to check. As a result one time that sulfur smell was very strong, I checked the battery and found that the battery was low on water.
24th Dec 2003, 23:21
I've noticed this smell once or twice on my corolla, but it was so short (like turning a corner and then the smell is gone) I'm not concerned about it, and furthermore, it does not happen consistently . This is the first I've heard about the issue (I thought it was me!), and although I'm not a mechanic, I've had cars with cat converter problems, and even neglecting them for months on end with the "check engine" light on, the vehicle is fine, and continues to be fine to this day. I would doubt that this would cause the vehicle to completely fail, I think you would see bulletins from Toyota to it's owners on this one, if many different lines of Toyota cars started failing for bad cat converters.
My recommendation would be to keep the car for a couple of years and then sell it, the warranty would cover you for a couple of years regardless, and then in 2 years you can easily sell the vehicle for a profit. I've done the research, and 2 year old Corollas are still going for a fortune - even with not so many options. As well to mention in Canada the Emissions warranty is 96 months/130,000kms which covers the cat converters and oxygen sensors - as well a 5yr/100,000kms warranty on the engine if it did "self destruct".
Toyota is a good car, and the hype is deserving for many reasons, even if resale value alone, and that is good enough for me. Many North American cars lose $10,000+ in the first year alone, and you won't see that in Toyota, but you will see it in Korean Automakers, I believe that those cars are a little over-hyped. They are cheaper, but in the end will cost more for sure (repairs), and if you have to resell the car for any reason, your more than likely not going to get what you owe on the vehicle.