Corolla SE
3-day returns
Why r/BuyItForLife recommends it
14 mentions from real owners
- #1Aug 6, 2025
Toyota or Buick to drive for many years
toyota.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #2Aug 4, 2025
Toyota or Buick to drive for many years
Toyota unless you find a Buick for the right price.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #3Aug 4, 2025
Toyota or Buick to drive for many years
I've had My corolla for 20 years with no problems... and I bought it used from a Hertz lot, one of the best decisions I have ever made. People look askance at buying a rental car but if you are buying a used car, my opinion is that Hertz, or any other rental agency, is going to be more diligent about staying on top of oil changes and other maintenance than many typical individual car owners.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #4Aug 4, 2025
Toyota or Buick to drive for many years
For 4 cylinders and all-around, the Corolla is going to be hard to beat. GM small block V8s are good, but that limits you to trucks, Camaros and Corvettes. I wouldn't vouch for much else from the GM stable.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #5Jun 6, 2025
What’s one item you bought that way outperformed its price?
My Toyota Corolla
View on Redditopen_in_new - #6Jun 6, 2025
What’s one item you bought that way outperformed its price?
A few things: 2006 Toyota Corolla— bought in 2012 for $7k, and it’s still going strong today. IKEA ektorp couches— bought them in 2016/2017 because the covers are removable and washable. They’ve survived 4 kids and a German shepherd (who used to play in the mud and then come in and jump on them)… probably washed the covers at least once a month, sometimes even multiple days in a row due to kids/dog, and they still look great today! We bought an extra set of covers just in case, but we’ve still never had reason to open them. Uppababy Vista stroller— bought in 2018, and have used (and abused) it ever since. It’s survived 4 kids, often having 3 in it at the same time. Fun fact: the basket underneath is super strong, and can hold a 2 year old and 4 year old together, while having an infant in the bassinet above. We’ve used it as a portable bassinet in the house, daily walks on sidewalks, at parks, over mulch, gravel paths, 12 hour days at Disney, on cruise ships, etc. It’s probably the best baby purchase we ever made. I don’t think there’s been a single day in the past 6 years that it hasn’t been used.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #7Jun 3, 2025
What are your favorite niche BIFL items that are currently available?
Sure thing!
View on Redditopen_in_new - #8May 2, 2025
Which is better for BIFL - electric or gas-powered transportation?
>TLDR: Do I go for a used Model 3 or go for a used Corolla under 20k, and how BIFL-worthy is it in the long haul? Unless you can do all your own maintenance no car is BIFL as you'll eventually get a repair bill that makes ownership untenable. My advice if you are getting an apartment is to go with a Corolla or if you can find one, a Gen 3 Prius with under 100K miles.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #9Apr 4, 2025
Closest to BIFL car I can purchase in Europe?
None of those lol. Toyota Corolla. They last forever, light on fuel, cheap parts.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #10Apr 3, 2025
Closest to BIFL car I can purchase in Europe?
For Switzerland there are strict rules in case of speed, so no matter how fast car you have, you can’t drive over the limit, so Toyota Corolla can be a good choice that’s worth considering
View on Redditopen_in_new - #11Feb 6, 2025
What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?
Toyota Corolla.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #12Feb 6, 2025
What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?
The honeywell air purifier in the corner of my living room is at least 8 years old, and shows no signs of slowing down. For pet stuff, like litter boxes and food/litter storage bins: Iris USA. Durable, solid, the bins are airtight and come with casters. Based on anecdotes: Toyota. My father drove a '98 Corolla coast to coast and back when it was \~15 years old, without any difficulty. My mother just parted with a '05 Corolla with about 350000km or 200k miles on it, and she only gave it up because there was a crack in the frame, it ran *fine*.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #13Feb 6, 2025
In an age of things designed to be replaced, what currently-produced 1) trucks, and 2) cars come closest to BIFL?
Toyota for the win! I’ve got a ‘16 Corolla that’s about to hit 200k and the only issue is some paint scratches.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #14Feb 6, 2025
In an age of things designed to be replaced, what currently-produced 1) trucks, and 2) cars come closest to BIFL?
Toyota 4Runner/Tacoma/Land Cruiser (last generation—not the new ones, at least for now). Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Camry are all top of game for longevity. That said, check out current Volvos. I would favor the T5 models over T6 due to less engine complexity. They also offer an optional comprehensive 12 year 150,000 mile extended warranty on new cars, and at least until recently their CPO cars could get 10 year unlimited mileage. My family has had Volvos since the 1950s, and I find the current ones still have many of the qualities of those cars. They are very solid, well-made, overall reliable, but do have some nickel and dime problems. People on the Volvo forums all like the longevity, reliability and ease of repair of models from the early to mid 2000s, aside from a few years (2014-2017) when they first came out with the current 4 cylinder engines.
View on Redditopen_in_new
