2002 Toyota Corolla Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

Lukey on March 23, 2024

My stepbrother who was a drug addict and tore this car up had it for about 2 years. Backed it up over curbs at speeds of 15 an hour a few times and eventually i got it and drove it with 2 misfires. Wheel bearings that were in pieces and 2 broken engine mounta for a year and a half. I grew up a littlw and began to take care of my car and she still runs like a brand new car after ive iust replaces the coil pack bearings and 02 sensors. Ive not even done the engine mounts yet and shes still running like a smooth new car. Wyen my 02 dies out im getting a 2017 corolla

Ayden on March 4, 2024

Anybody hating on this car must have been very unlucky. Ive been flooring mine since i started driving it 4 years ago. ( i used to go over 100mph in it quite often till i got pulled over and grew up a little lol) I also used to floor it through very bumpy and muddy dirt roads for work(at least a mile long) to the point my car would be completely covered in mud, never got stuck and the suspension is still good. Ive drifted in it many times, 2 of my siblings drove it all of there highschool years before i got it as well. over 210k miles on it and im still flooring it to this day. This car out lasted a brand new 2015 Honda Odyssey that my parents had. I will forever support Toyota and the most reliable car ever made! Ive even driven it months at a time with extremely low to no oil in it, Yes i know thats dumb but its a great example of how good this car is. Only Toyota. Im debating building it for some extra fun. (mainly because i really dont want to get rid of it lol)

Heather on June 5, 2023

I bought my girl Dec 2001. She has been a great car. Almost to 200,000 miles. The only major work she has needed was because of accidents. I plan to gat another Toyota soon, but she is not going anywhere. My son wants her when he starts driving!

Ray Harless on April 20, 2023

The 2002 Corolla is a car that you can count on to take you wherever you need to go. It gets very good gas mileage It's a great car to own.

kj26569 on November 8, 2022

This vehicle was the biggest piece of garbage I have ever owned. The few years I had it were the worst experience I have ever had with a vehicle. It barely made it to 150,000 miles. I had to replace 2 catalytic converters in that time. I have never spent that much money with so few miles just keeping a vehicle on the road. I never went over 5000 miles between oil changes (many were every 3000) and all routine maintenance was done in a timely manner. Apparently it was too much to ask that a car I bought brand new actually perform decently and last. Toyota really phoned it in with 2002 Corolla.

Jason on December 21, 2019

this is car met all of my need. it has plenty of legroom in the front and back , the ride is great compared to other cars i tested .

SteffieRolla02 on November 30, 2019

This is my favorite Generation Corolla (8th Gen - 1998-2002) I’m a petite woman at 5 feet tall. It’s hard for me to fit properly in a lot of cars due to my legs or the seat and petals not being adjusted properly. I fit in this car perfectly. I like cars that are a bit older (pre-touchscreen radios era) and I did easily replace the cassette radio with a newer CD/Bluetooth radio. I like a lot about this car. The headlights in this particular generation have an extra set of bulbs that come on when the high beams are on. (My 2002 Chevy Cavalier didn’t - the lights just shifted.) This helps make the road significantly brighter in these situations. Mine also has automatic headlights/tail and dash lights for when it’s dark. It also has daytime running lights. A lot of newer 2010s cars don’t even have that! The interior is comfortable and has everything that you really need while driving. It has lots of room for you and your passengers (even if you are tall.) The cup holders pop out when needed and can be hidden when not needed. There is plenty of storage to store your umbrellas, important papers, CDs, etc. This car has pretty much power and can pick up speed pretty well. This car is for men and women of all ages. I’m in my 20s and I intend to have this as my car when I have children one day. My boyfriend enjoys driving this car sometimes also. This car is EXCELLENT on gas. I commute mostly back and forth to work, and maybe shopping sometimes. I fill up once, maybe twice a week in gas. I think it looks great, a lot nicer than many cars these day. I absolutely recommend this car. 🙂

SteveBr on November 7, 2019

I just bought it today 🙂 lets hope it’s as good as everyone says it’s out to be. My dads owned a Toyota for the past 16 years. I know they hold up

Birdwatcher on November 5, 2019

My wife put the first 260,000 trouble-free miles on this car until we bought an ‘09 Corolla. Over the next five years my son and his wife ran it up to 320,000 trouble-free miles but didn’t keep up with oil changes or checking the dipstick. At 320,000 it still ran but burned oil. In 2013 I had a 120,000 mile salvage motor from a wrecked ‘02 put in, always a gamble. God bless the previous owner, the salvage motor runs great and doesn’t burn oil, 170,000 on that motor now. So it’s a 370,000 mile car with a 170,000 mile motor. Interior door handles break, $10ea to replace. And two clutches in 320,000 miles. Headliner is toast. Struts replaces at 320,000 with the motor. Had a wheel bearing go out at 350,000 miles. That’s it. I LOVE that car. Starts up every time I turn the key. Fun to drive, torque right where you need, just a cable and no computer between the gas pedal and the motor. Turns on a dime in U turns, parks where other cars can’t fit. Excellent all-round visibility from the driver’s seat. My little granddaughter loves this car too, because she can see all around outside when she’s back there in her child seat 🙂

John on July 12, 2019

This car is very reliable. It uses too much oil. I currently have about 120000 miles on the car. I bought it used around 4 months ago. It uses 1 quart every 1300 miles