by Gabrielle DeSantis

Toyota has a long history of making reliable cars that last years and through multiple owners. If you’re shopping for an affordable model, you’re in luck. There are many options to choose from both new and used. Here’s everything you need to know about the cheapest model and how to shop for a Toyota.

The Corolla is Toyota’s cheapest model

Previously, the Yaris sedan was Toyota’s least expensive new car, as AutoGuide mentioned. However, Toyota announced that the entire Yaris line was discontinued as of the 2021 model. With that change in mind, the ever popular Corolla is now the cheapest car that Toyota makes, with prices starting at $20,075 for the 2022 model.

According to Kelley Blue Book, the Toyota Corolla has been a top best-selling car in the world for 12 generations of the car. It’s not only an inexpensive choice, but also a safe one. The Corolla also has easy upkeep and equally great resale value. There are several different variations of the Corolla to best suit your needs. Just keep in mind that the prices for these different options vary, and the least expensive version is the 2022 Corolla L sedan. 

The Corolla L has great performance and safety features stock. The engine is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder, which delivers 139 hp and 126 lb-ft of torque. The car has LED headlights and accent lights as well as an integrated backup camera and a seven inch media touchscreen inside that’s compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. According to Toyota, additional safety features include 10 airbags and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 which has all kinds of driver assist features like lane departure alert, automatic high beams, and pre-collision pedestrian detection. 

Used Toyotas are also affordable

There are great used Toyotas available for around $5,000. Though these are older models, they don’t skimp on reliability. In that price range are cars like the 2006 Camry, 2007 Corolla, and the 2008 Avalon. 

U.S. News and World Report adds that the 2009 Scion tC is also another solid used car option from Toyota brands. It’s sporty but still roomy enough to be a practical coupe with good cargo space and room for occupants. Even though the Yaris has been discontinued, used models are available for under $5,000 as well for a 2009. The Yaris is compact for sure, but it’s great for easy handling of tight city streets and decent comfort while driving.

How to find an inexpensive, reliable Toyota

Beginning your search for a reliable car begins with setting your expectations, according to USA Today. Figure out how much you are looking to spend and know that your price point affects the age of a car, but just because a Toyota is an older model doesn’t mean you won’t have years more of use when you buy it.

See what’s available in your area as well or reasonably nearby. Although a particular model like a 2009 Yaris might be a goal, if there aren’t any available close to you, you should be flexible and have other models in mind. If you’re shopping at a local private dealership, Edmunds suggests researching the dealership online and checking reviews to be sure that the dealership has a good reputation and good customer service.

After you’ve narrowed search parameters to include your desired price range and make or model, use a car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) to run a car history report online. This is a good gauge of what the overall condition is and what to expect in terms of reliability. There are many online retailers that include vehicle history reports available for free. The vehicle history report will indicate important information like reported mileage, accident history, title status and even things like owner history. 

It’s always good to ask questions as well, whether you are shopping at a dealership or online. It’s best to do research on the car beforehand if possible. Common questions might be if the car is still under warranty, if the owner has had any issues, why they are selling the car, and where and who performed service and maintenance on the car. 

RELATED: The Most Satisfying 2021 Toyota Models According to Consumer Reports

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

When you first hear about someone grafting an RX-7 back end to a Miata, all kinds of horrific images pop into your brain. It doesn’t even seem possible to pull off. But when you see the Miata with the RX-7 tail, there is a certain synergy in combining the two, and it looks kind of good.

This Miata/RX-7 mashup looks almost factory fresh

These images popped up on a Yahoo! Japan auction site. From the rearview, it blends together almost too well. “It works,” as they say.

Pulling off a mashup like this is not easy, even when you’re dealing with the same manufacturer’s pieces. Being a first-gen Miata, it updates the looks of the popular sports car. 

And if you fall in love with it you’re in luck. You can buy it, but you’ll have to import it from Japan. Oh, and you’ll also have to deal with right-hand drive. But converting it to left-hand drive still sounds like a much easier proposition than crafting an RX-7 tail to a Miata. 

The Miata rear quarters slope down a bit

From certain front-end angles, the rear quarters slope down a little too much. It could be that to get everything to match up the builder had to position the quarter panels like this? But we wonder if cocking the panels up just a tad might have eliminated that sloping-down situation?

But we’re being picky. It is amazing how well this came out. This Miata also has a sprinkling of aftermarket body items. Things like the vented front fenders and front air dam. 

It also features a low, cambered suspension, aided by Cusco suspension. With the glass front fenders and tail replacement, we’re assuming this was a theft recovery or totaled car. But that’s OK as long as the bent stuff was replaced and everything was pressed out. 

You can always check out Miata trunk shut lines to see if it was hit hard

With the decklid bonked into the middle of the rear quarters, it is sometimes easy to tell if a Miata has been hit hard. Those shut lines will get wider or narrower at one corner relative to the others. That’s something anyone looking for a used Miata should look for.

And speaking of used, this Miata has just under 100,000 miles on its ticker. That’s not terrible mileage, but this is no creampuff. It is powered by a 1.8-liter engine so it is probably a 1994 or later Mazda. That gives it 128 hp, assuming no mods were applied to it. Too bad it isn’t a rotary engine instead. 

The Miata’s stock tallights are listed in the Museum of Modern Art

Interestingly, the stock Miata taillights can be found listed in the Museum of Modern Art catalog. A gift from Mazda, the company must have been proud of its design. You can look it up as object number 242.1998.1.

If you’re thinking about doing this yourself, be forewarned. While finding a used Miata is fairly easy, finding a wrecked RX-7 won’t be. And complete RX-7s aren’t cheap. Still, we’d love to see one here with our own eyes.

RELATED: 8 Best Performance Mazda Miatas Ever Built

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