2007 Toyota Corolla S

Maintenance/Repairs
1

Hello,

I’m looking for another used car but I wanted to get your guys opinion on this year of corolla.

I have found a 2007 Toyota Corolla S with 101,000 miles for $5000.

It is a one owner car with a clean car fax and the owner is moving and cannot sell it for a month because he is still driving it until the move. I feel like that is a good sign. It’s not somebody just trying to sell a junker quickly.

I have heard a ton of good things about corollas but I wanted to see if anyone else owned this year and what you opinions might be.

Of course I will still be having a mechanic look it over before purchasing and taking it for a test drive before purchasing.

The originaly owner had it but moves often because he is in the military. It looks like it was in IA, TN, and MD which is where it currently is. Just to give you an idea of the part of the country. i will checking for rust to make sure the frame is good.

2

You pretty much covered the basics by intending to show it to a trusted mechanic for assessment and by checking the seller’s story for “shady business” hints.
Check the “private party” price estimate on kbb.com.
Check on carcomplaints.com for what usual problems this model/years would have, it is 12-years old car in the end, it will have problems, so be prepared to deal with it or decide for yourself if it is too much risk.

3

It is 12 years old so how relevant can other peoples opinion be . At that age a vehicle has to be evaluated on its current condition.

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4

check to make sure this engine doesnt use a timing belt otherwise that would be a big bill you would have to deal with right away . If its a chain it should be ok .

5

I believe 1997 was the last model year for a timing belt for Corollas sold in the USA

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6

The 2007 Corolla has very few problems according to

Just make sure you get the car inspected by a trusted mechanic before making a decision.

7

We have a 2007 Corolla CE with the standard engine and so far the only repairs have been a serpentine belt ($46), rewelding the heat shield ($100) and front brakes ($400).

These cars have timing belts, good bodies (better than Nissan or Mazda) and hold up well.

Our car with lower mileage has a Gold Book retail price of $4200 and that would be my maximum bid.

The fact that it is an S model and has been in the military is cause for caution and your mechanic will carefully assess the vehicle.

In short, this is the world’s most reliable and unbreakable compact car, and not because we own one. We also have owned Fords and Nissans and our other car is a Mazda.

P.S. I meant they have timing CHAINS, unlike may other compact imports.

8

You say a 2007 Corolla has a timing belt . . .

yet my sources all point to the engine using a timing chain

my point is this . . . since the car in question has a timing chain, op wouldn’t have to worry about a large potential expense to replace the (non-existent) timing belt

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9

Yes my sources show a timing chain as well.

I do plan to try and get it for a little cheaper if negotiable on the price. The vehicle belongs to a person in the military which explains the reason it has been in many different states. It is his personal vehicle. Not used for any commercial type use.

10

Edmunds rates the cost for this car in clean condition and a lot of options at $4330. Subtract anything your mechanic finds wrong from that price. This is the price in Central Maryland for a private sale. The sellers asking price is way too high.

11

Price is too high by about $1100 in clean condition in Los Angeles . . . as per edmunds private party value

However . . . there are 2 2007 Corolla S models for sale here and they’re asking about 5K, but I’d be surprised if they sell for that much

12

@db4690 Sorry, I meant they have NO timing belt, all 4 cylinder Toyota engines have chains now.

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13

The car is currently in MD from the prior messages, so equilibrium price is closer to the $4,300 than to $5,000, but it is perfectly normal for the seller to raise the price above expected final price.

Hell, as I was recently listing my old Altima for $9,500, expected to get anything above $8,000 and was totally happy to settle for $8,600 where it finally sold.

OP should ask for below $4,300 and negotiate toward that minus any out-of-ordinary wear items.

14

From what I’m seeing the “S” variety of the 2007 Corolla uses the same engine as the other varieties, 1zz-fe. That’s a good thing, as a “S” Corolla using a different performance engine is often configured for higher compression, which can result in more repair and maintenance $$$ . About the only problem of note I’m seeing for the 2007 Corolla is cracked solder joints on the ECM, for which there was a recall. Just make sure all the recall work has been done, and if you like it otherwise, you should be good to go. I don’t like the visual aesthetics of the S as much as the LE/CE versions myself, all the tack-ons are a little too much, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Note: the ECM is apparently different for the S compared to the LE or CE. So that may add some complications your shop will have to deal with for diagnosis and repair.

15

I’m of your opinion, for what it’s worth

I like the “S” rims . . . but not the body kit