1999 Toyota Corolla Review

1999 Toyota Corolla

Ubiquitous subcompact.

by: Dan Jedlicka

The ubiquitous Corolla is among the top-selling auto nameplates in history. Each new-generation model has been significantly improved. The 1998 Corolla was made bigger, more powerful, quieter and more fuel-efficent. So the 1999 model is virtually unchanged.

The subcompact Corolla is so quiet and refined that it almost feels like a compact or even mid-size auto. It's sold as the entry-level VE, mid-range CE and top-line LE, with base prices ranging from $12,218 to $15,668. Even the VE has a decent amount of standard equipment.

Key options include $550 anti-lock brakes, $125 integrated child seat, $250 side-impact air bags, $735 power sunroof and $250 cruise control.

There's also a $499 rear spoiler, but the car's styling is so smooth the spoiler looks like a tacked-on item.

All models have a smooth 1.8-liter, 120-horsepower four-cylinder, which has dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, instead of the usual two.

The Corolla is offered with a standard five-speed manual transmission and a three- or four-speed automatic.

Opt for the fairly slick manual or responsive four-speed automatic; the three-speed automatic lacks an overdrive gear and causes the car to be noisier and the engine to work too hard at highway speeds.

The Corolla is no fireball, but its aluminum, low-emission engine delivers good performance. The manual allows the fastest acceleration, but the 0-to-60 m.p.h. time is a lively 10.2 seconds even with the four-speed automatic.

Fuel economy is a definite strong point. The Corolla delivers an estimated 31 m.p.g. in the city and 38 on highways with the manual and 28 and 36 with the four-speed automatic. You get 28 and 33 with the three-speed automatic.

The LE has larger standard tires that provide better handling, and you can get this model with a racy $510 Touring package that contains such things as alloy wheels and color-keyed rocker panel extensions. An LE with this package looks significantly more sporty--especially when painted black.

Four 6-footers easily fit in the quiet Corolla, but a tall left-rear passenger will find leg room tight if the driver moves his seat all the way back. Also, a tall driver will wish his seat moved back farther to get a more comfortable distance from the steering wheel. The center of the rear seat is soft enough to allow a third rear adult occupant to be comfortable on short trips.

The easily reached controls work smoothly, but rear seatbacks don't fold flat enough when flipped forward to enlarge the cargo area. And the pass-through area from the trunk should be bigger. However, the trunk is large and has a low opening for easy loading.

The power steering is quick, with good road feel and handling of the lower-line Corollas is decent. A rigid body and supple all-independent suspension provide a remarkably good ride for a small car, and the brake pedal is easily modulated for quick stops.

Fit and finish generally are excellent, but the car isn't perfect; I noticed a 1999 Corolla with a rear door that fit badly and that had paint blemishes in inner door and inner trunk areas.

Even old Corollas tend to run nearly forever with minimal maintenance, so the 1999 model should last a very long time with regular maintenance.

Dan Jedlicka

Dan Jedlicka joined the Chicago Sun-Times in February 1968 as a business news reporter and was named auto editor later that year. He has reviewed more than 4,000 new vehicles for the Sun-Times--far more than any newspaper auto writer in the country. Jedlicka also reviewed vehicles for Microsoft Corp.'s MSN Autos Internet site from January, 1996, to June, 2008.

Jedlicka remained auto editor at the Sun-Times until October, 2008, and continued writing for the newspaper's AutoTimes section, which he started in 1992, until February, 2009. While continuing his auto writings at the Sun-Times, he served as assistant financial editor of that newspaper from 1970 to 1973, when he began his automotive column.

He has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including NBC's "Today," ABC's "20/20" and "The CBS Evening News." He was a host, consultant and writer for Fox-TV Channel 32's 1991 New Car Preview show and that Chicago-based station's 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 Chicago Auto Show Previews.

Jedlicka's auto articles have been printed in national magazines, including Esquire and Harper's. His auto columns have been reprinted in U.S. government publications and economic textbooks and he is profiled in the "World's Greatest Auto Show" history book about the Chicago Auto Show. In late 1975, Jedlicka was host and technical advisor for three one-hour television specials, "Auto Test 76," which aired nationally on PBS and were the first nationally televised auto road test shows.

In 1995, Jedlicka was the recipient of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois Inc.'s Consumer Education Award, given annually to a person who has gained distinction in the field of consumer education. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Media category and inducted into the Legends of Motorsports Guild at the Carquest World of wheels custom car show in Chicago in January, 2006.

Jedlicka was a member of the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury, composed of a select number of auto journalists from throughout the country, from 1995 until 2009. From 2010 to 2012, he was a member of Consumer Digest magazine's auto experts panel that gave Best Buy new vehicle recommendations.

He is a 1987 graduate of the Bob Bondurant Race Drivers School and later of the BMW "M" and Skip Barber Advanced Driving schools. He was a member of the U.S. team that participated in the 1987 1,000-mile Mille Miglia race/rally in Italy and has been a race winner at the Chicago area's Santa Fe Speedway.

Jedlicka has owned 25 classic cars, including 1950s and 1960s Ferraris and 1950s and 1960s Porsches, a 1965 Corvette, a 1967 Maserati and a 1957 Studebaker supercharged Golden Hawk. Jedlicka resides with his wife, Suzanne, in the Frank Lloyd Wright historic district of Oak Park. They have two children, James and Michele.

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