• Our Opinion

• Buy with Confidence

• Legal Disclaimer

Our Opinion

Our Opinion

We Like:

Sturdy, reliable, dependable, comfortable, compact, practical, economical, reasonably fun to drive

We Don't Like:

But no driver's car, cramped rear seat

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.

Buy with Confidence

Buy with Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay Australia and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Check the car's value and determine how much you want to pay. Use the Completed Listings search option to get an idea of how much a similar model has sold for recently.

• Check if the car is covered by eBay Australia's Vehicle Purchase Protection.

• Ask for a test drive or consider getting a History Check or a Vehicle Inspection if you can't inspect the car yourself.

• Read the description carefully. If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay Australia (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay Australia are not covered by eBay Australia protection programs. Classified Ads are not covered by Vehicle Purchase Protection.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• Cars listed by Sellers with a feedback rating less than 0 are not covered by a Vehicle Purchase Protection program.

• Some car dealers may have a low feedback rating because classified ads do not generate ads. But they will have a icon next to their user name.

• Depending on the car, some car dealers provide a limited warranty. Do they offer a warranty on the car you are buying? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, you may be covered by the Vehicle Purchase Protection program

• Vehicle Purchase Protection: When you buy a car online through eBay Motors, you may be covered for up to $20,000 of FREE Vehicle Purchase Protection insurance*.
  
  * Terms and conditions apply.

eBay Australia Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay Australia's quick and efficient resolution tools.

Legal Disclaimer

Legal Disclaimer

Buying Guides are intended merely as a guide or review for members when considering what products or services they may be interested in bidding on or purchasing. eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the accuracy of the information or content contained in these Buying Guides. Furthermore, eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the nature or performance of the products or services appearing in the Buying Guides. eBay is not affiliated with nor does it endorse the use of any particular product or service.

The content of this guide is licensed from GoAuto © 2006