GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

Car reviews - Toyota - Corolla - Seca CSi 5-dr hatch

Our Opinion

We like
Sturdy, reliable, dependable, comfortable, compact, practical, economical, reasonably fun to drive
Room for improvement
But no driver's car, cramped rear seat

1 Aug 2003

THE Toyota Corolla has been a favourite of small car buyers since introduced into Australia in 1967.

Over the years it has become synonymous with good value for money, low running costs and reliability.

A completely new range of Corollas was released on to the market in 1989. The Seca Liftback shared the same wheelbase as the sedan and hatchback models but was the longest overall, which increased luggage space behind the rear seats.

The low waistline and large glass area gave the Seca interior an airy, spacious feeling. Mild styling changes and equipment revisions were introduced in 1991 to keep the Corolla competitive with its younger rivals.

The Seca was offered in a choice of two equipment levels, CSi or Ultima.The CSi equipment list included power steering, AM/FM radio/cassette and rear window wiper/washer.The Ultima added alloy wheels, power windows and a CD player.

The CSi version of the Seca remained on the market until discontinued in early 1993.

The Seca uses Toyotas’ 4AFE, 1.6-litre engine which features electronic fuel-injection, two overhead camshafts and a power output of 76kW.

Transmission choices are either a five-speed manual or an optional four-speed automatic with overdrive lock out.

Typical fuel consumption in suburban conditions should be 8.5L/100km to 10.0L/100km and 7.0L/100km to 8.5L/100km on the highway. With a fuel tank capacity of 50 litres, the touring range can exceed 700km under ideal conditions.

Underbody mechanical layout is conventional front-wheel drive with transverse engine and transmission.The suspension is softly sprung which provides a good ride for a relatively short wheelbase but at the expense of outright handling and cornering ability.

Toyota's conservative and proven engineering ensured the Corolla would be reliable and durable.

There are no inherent weak points or common problems. But cut price service which skips essensials such as cambelt changes or regular brake fluid replacement will eventually lead to expensive repairs.

A competent and comprehensive pre-purchase check is essential to uncover any potential problems. Look for a documented evidence of regular service and maintenance. Cars which travel very short annual distances should have had service intervals based on time rather than distance travelled.

These precautions prevent expensive repairs later on in life caused by failure of components such as corrosion damage to aluminium engine components and brake systems.

Local production and assembly of many Corolla components ensures spare parts are readily available and reasonably priced.

The Corolla Seca combines reliability, small car running costs with almost medium car interior space and the convenience of a liftback.

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

GoAuto can help you buy a new Corolla

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Corolla pricing

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here