<img data-attachment-id=”1739186″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics/00-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-in-colorado-junkyard-photo-by-murilee-martin/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/00-2002-Toyota-Corolla-CE-in-Colorado-junkyard-photo-by-Murilee-Martin.jpg” data-orig-size=”3000,1688″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”2.4″,”credit”:””,”camera”:”SM-G960U1″,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”1603458546″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”4.3″,”iso”:”50″,”shutter_speed”:”0.0013071895424837″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, LH front view” data-image-description=”
2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, LH front view – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars
” data-medium-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-12.jpg” data-large-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1739186″ src=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics.jpg” alt=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, LH front view – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars” width=”610″ height=”343″ srcset=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics.jpg 610w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-11.jpg 75w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-12.jpg 450w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-13.jpg 768w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-14.jpg 120w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-15.jpg 800w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>
Not long ago, I became curious about the production longevity of the good old three-speed automatic transmission in North America. The first really successful true automatic had four forward speeds and the two-speed Powerglide delivered the slushbox to the masses, but the three-speed Detroit automatics of the 1960s truly converted the continent to the two-pedal religion. During the last couple of decades of the 20th century, the three-speed got sidelined by more sophisticated transmissions. What was the final new car you could buy with a three-speed transmission in North America? That’s today’s Junkyard Find: a 2002 Toyota Corolla CE, found in Denver last week.
<img data-attachment-id=”1739216″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics/47-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-in-colorado-junkyard-photo-by-murilee-martin/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/47-2002-Toyota-Corolla-CE-in-Colorado-junkyard-photo-by-Murilee-Martin.jpg” data-orig-size=”3000,1688″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”2.4″,”credit”:””,”camera”:”SM-G960U1″,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”1603458513″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”4.3″,”iso”:”50″,”shutter_speed”:”0.001727115716753″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, rear view” data-image-description=”
2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, rear view – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars
” data-medium-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-17.jpg” data-large-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-1.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1739216″ src=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-1.jpg” alt=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, rear view – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars” width=”610″ height=”343″ srcset=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-1.jpg 610w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-16.jpg 75w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-17.jpg 450w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-18.jpg 768w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-19.jpg 120w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-20.jpg 800w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>My search for the last three-speed-equipped new car (yes, car — three-speeds stayed in trucks a bit longer here, and that’s a story we’ll discuss later) took months of poring over sales brochures, EPA data, reference books, and online comments from your enraged uncle who clearly remembers his neighbor buying a 2005 Cavalier with a three-speed. In the end, the winner of the Keep That Reliable Hardware In Service Forever trophy goes to — of course — Toyota. The 2002 Corolla CE and the base version of its NUMMI-built twin, the Chevrolet Prizm, had three-speeds, a year after Chrysler went to four-speed automatics in the Neon and Caravan and GM abandoned the three-speed in the Metro and Cavalier.
<img data-attachment-id=”1739202″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics/20-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-in-colorado-junkyard-photo-by-murilee-martin/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20-2002-Toyota-Corolla-CE-in-Colorado-junkyard-photo-by-Murilee-Martin.jpg” data-orig-size=”3000,1688″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”2.4″,”credit”:””,”camera”:”SM-G960U1″,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”1603458423″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”4.3″,”iso”:”50″,”shutter_speed”:”0.016666666666667″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, automatic gearshift” data-image-description=”
2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, automatic gearshift – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars
” data-medium-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-22.jpg” data-large-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-2.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1739202″ src=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-2.jpg” alt=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, automatic gearshift – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars” width=”610″ height=”343″ srcset=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-2.jpg 610w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-21.jpg 75w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-22.jpg 450w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-23.jpg 768w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-24.jpg 120w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-25.jpg 800w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>Toyota believes in selling stuff that works, regardless of current fashions and/or the derision of automotive journalists, which is why you’ll see that near-identical cruise-control stalk in so many Toyotas and Lexuses from the early 1990s through a few years ago. It’s also the reason that Toyota was the last holdout selling new cars with four-on-the-floor manual transmissions here (the 1996 Tercel). I’m working on pieces about the final three-on-the-tree and three-on-the-floor cars you could buy new, so check in later for those.
<img data-attachment-id=”1739188″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics/04-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-in-colorado-junkyard-photo-by-murilee-martin/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/04-2002-Toyota-Corolla-CE-in-Colorado-junkyard-photo-by-Murilee-Martin.jpg” data-orig-size=”3000,1688″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”2.4″,”credit”:””,”camera”:”SM-G960U1″,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”1603458331″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”4.3″,”iso”:”50″,”shutter_speed”:”0.0053763440860215″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, decklid badge” data-image-description=”
2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, decklid badge – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars
” data-medium-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-27.jpg” data-large-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-3.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1739188″ src=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-3.jpg” alt=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, decklid badge – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars” width=”610″ height=”343″ srcset=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-3.jpg 610w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-26.jpg 75w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-27.jpg 450w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-28.jpg 768w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-29.jpg 120w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-30.jpg 800w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>Toyota USA probably says “CE” stood for “Cheerful Edition” or “Competitive Edition,” but I’ve always believed that the C in this badge stands for Cheap. The CE-badged Toyotas lacked the luxury features of their upscale brethren, but they were Toyotas and they would do that Point-A-to-Point-B thing like no-hassle clockwork, for decades. Sure, you could get an ’02 Daewoo Nubira for much less than a Corolla CE, but then you’d have a Daewoo.
<img data-attachment-id=”1739200″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics/17-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-in-colorado-junkyard-photo-by-murilee-martin/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/17-2002-Toyota-Corolla-CE-in-Colorado-junkyard-photo-by-Murilee-Martin.jpg” data-orig-size=”3000,1688″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”2.4″,”credit”:””,”camera”:”SM-G960U1″,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”1603458419″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”4.3″,”iso”:”125″,”shutter_speed”:”0.016666666666667″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, overdrive switch block-off plate” data-image-description=”
2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, overdrive switch block-off plate – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars
” data-medium-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-32.jpg” data-large-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-4.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1739200″ src=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-4.jpg” alt=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, overdrive switch block-off plate – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars” width=”610″ height=”343″ srcset=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-4.jpg 610w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-31.jpg 75w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-32.jpg 450w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-33.jpg 768w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-34.jpg 120w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-35.jpg 800w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>That said, the fact that the CE got a 200-yen block-off plate in the spot where the overdrive button lived on the higher-end Corollas … well, it must have been a depressing sight when coupled with the view of that grim, forklift-seat-grade upholstery. Note the little rectangular indentation where the OVERDRIVE label would have gone in a Corolla S or LE or Prizm LSi.
<img data-attachment-id=”1739210″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics/29-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-in-colorado-junkyard-photo-by-murilee-martin/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/29-2002-Toyota-Corolla-CE-in-Colorado-junkyard-photo-by-Murilee-Martin.jpg” data-orig-size=”3000,1688″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”2.4″,”credit”:””,”camera”:”SM-G960U1″,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”1603458444″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”4.3″,”iso”:”50″,”shutter_speed”:”0.0033783783783784″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, interior” data-image-description=”
2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, interior – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars
” data-medium-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-37.jpg” data-large-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-5.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1739210″ src=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-5.jpg” alt=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, interior – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars” width=”610″ height=”343″ srcset=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-5.jpg 610w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-36.jpg 75w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-37.jpg 450w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-38.jpg 768w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-39.jpg 120w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-40.jpg 800w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>I think most of these cars were sold to fleet operators, not individual buyers torn between the Nubira CDX and the Corolla CE, and so the Super Indestruct-O gray interior was a strong selling point.
<img data-attachment-id=”1739190″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics/05-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-in-colorado-junkyard-photo-by-murilee-martin/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/05-2002-Toyota-Corolla-CE-in-Colorado-junkyard-photo-by-Murilee-Martin.jpg” data-orig-size=”3000,1688″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”2.4″,”credit”:””,”camera”:”SM-G960U1″,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”1603458333″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”4.3″,”iso”:”50″,”shutter_speed”:”0.0064516129032258″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, decklid badge” data-image-description=”
2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, decklid badge – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars
” data-medium-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-42.jpg” data-large-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-6.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1739190″ src=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-6.jpg” alt=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, decklid badge – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars” width=”610″ height=”343″ srcset=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-6.jpg 610w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-41.jpg 75w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-42.jpg 450w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-43.jpg 768w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-44.jpg 120w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-45.jpg 800w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>Maybe a few years operating out of the Budget counter at DIA, then auctioned-off to a commuter who just wanted cheap, dependable wheels.
<img data-attachment-id=”1739192″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics/08-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-in-colorado-junkyard-photo-by-murilee-martin/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/08-2002-Toyota-Corolla-CE-in-Colorado-junkyard-photo-by-Murilee-Martin.jpg” data-orig-size=”3000,1688″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”2.4″,”credit”:””,”camera”:”SM-G960U1″,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”1603458347″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”4.3″,”iso”:”50″,”shutter_speed”:”0.0071428571428571″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, wheel” data-image-description=”
2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, wheel – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars
” data-medium-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-47.jpg” data-large-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-7.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1739192″ src=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-7.jpg” alt=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, wheel – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars” width=”610″ height=”343″ srcset=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-7.jpg 610w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-46.jpg 75w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-47.jpg 450w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-48.jpg 768w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-49.jpg 120w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-50.jpg 800w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>Speaking of wheels, dig these Nissan rims! Thanks to the magic of the ubiquitous 4x100mm bolt pattern, every junkyard offers dozens of affordable aluminum wheel choices to Corolla CE owners tired of their grimly utilitarian steelies.
<img data-attachment-id=”1739194″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics/10-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-in-colorado-junkyard-photo-by-murilee-martin/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/10-2002-Toyota-Corolla-CE-in-Colorado-junkyard-photo-by-Murilee-Martin.jpg” data-orig-size=”3000,1688″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”2.4″,”credit”:””,”camera”:”SM-G960U1″,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”1603458355″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”4.3″,”iso”:”50″,”shutter_speed”:”0.0079365079365079″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, broken door handle” data-image-description=”
2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, broken door handle – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars
” data-medium-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-52.jpg” data-large-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-8.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1739194″ src=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-8.jpg” alt=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, broken door handle – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars” width=”610″ height=”343″ srcset=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-8.jpg 610w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-51.jpg 75w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-52.jpg 450w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-53.jpg 768w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-54.jpg 120w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-55.jpg 800w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>The most annoying failure on the low-end Corollas and Prizms of this era was the finger-slicin’ busted door handle. Always the driver’s door, of course, and I’ve seen some innovative field-expedient repairs of this problem in junkyards.
<img data-attachment-id=”1739204″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics/23-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-in-colorado-junkyard-photo-by-murilee-martin/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/23-2002-Toyota-Corolla-CE-in-Colorado-junkyard-photo-by-Murilee-Martin.jpg” data-orig-size=”3000,1688″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”2.4″,”credit”:””,”camera”:”SM-G960U1″,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”1603458430″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”4.3″,”iso”:”250″,”shutter_speed”:”0.016666666666667″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, HVAC controls” data-image-description=”
2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, HVAC controls – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars
” data-medium-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-57.jpg” data-large-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-9.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1739204″ src=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-9.jpg” alt=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, HVAC controls – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars” width=”610″ height=”343″ srcset=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-9.jpg 610w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-56.jpg 75w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-57.jpg 450w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-58.jpg 768w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-59.jpg 120w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-60.jpg 800w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>What’s this? Air conditioning? 2002 Corolla CE buyers could get the “Extra Value Package,” which added A/C, a cassette deck, and a digital clock. Since rental-car customers were getting soft by the early 2000s, Budget Rent-a-Car must have felt compelled to fork over a few extra bucks on this car.
<img data-attachment-id=”1739196″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics/11-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-in-colorado-junkyard-photo-by-murilee-martin/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/11-2002-Toyota-Corolla-CE-in-Colorado-junkyard-photo-by-Murilee-Martin.jpg” data-orig-size=”3000,1688″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”2.4″,”credit”:””,”camera”:”SM-G960U1″,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”1603458404″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”4.3″,”iso”:”50″,”shutter_speed”:”0.016666666666667″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, window crank” data-image-description=”
2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, window crank – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars
” data-medium-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-62.jpg” data-large-file=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-10.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1739196″ src=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-10.jpg” alt=”2002 Toyota Corolla CE in Colorado junkyard, window crank – ©2020 Murilee Martin – The Truth About Cars” width=”610″ height=”343″ srcset=”http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-10.jpg 610w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-61.jpg 75w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-62.jpg 450w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-63.jpg 768w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-64.jpg 120w, http://greatoldtrucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/junkyard-find-2002-toyota-corolla-ce-last-of-the-3-speed-automatics-65.jpg 800w” sizes=”(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px”>Even with its gray-on-grey-on-gray interior and 1965-technology transmission, this bargain-basement car got the job done for 18 years before getting discarded.
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My fingers are stuck together!
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Drive your dreams.
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I’m pretty sure only the Budget Town Cars got the aromatherapy candles.
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They had good drugs in those late-1990s Budget brainstorming sessions.
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You sure this high roller wouldn’t prefer the Corolla CE and its bulletproof three-speed, rather than risking a Jaguar breakdown?
For links to 2,000+ additional Junkyard Finds, visit the Junkyard Home of the Murilee Martin Lifestyle Brand™.
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Today’s Buy/Drive/Burn trio are the 2008 versions of the same Japanese compacts from last time. Many of you were split on the relative goodness of 1998’s Civic versus Corolla, but agreed Sentra should burn. Do those views change when the cars are from 2008?
The eighth-gen Civic is in its third model year in North America, where it’s available in sedan and coupe formats. Civic is a bit edgier and serious-looking than its older Nineties sibling but promises the same overall value. In 2008 there are seven total trims That range in price from $14,800 to over $23,000. The most affordable sedan is a DX trim with a five-speed manual transmission. DX uses a 1.8-liter inline-four good for 140 horses and asks $15,010.
Sentra entered its sixth generation in 2007 and continues unchanged for the 2008 model year. Sentra is available only as a sedan and rides on the same C platform as the Rogue. Unlike Civic which offers standard automatic transmissions, Sentra is offered only with a six-speed manual or a CVT. Five trims are available that range in price from $16,140 to $20,570. The base 2.0 has a CVT, so we upgrade to the 2.0 S for its six-speed manual. 140 horses arrive via the 2.0-liter engine. Nissan asks $16,370.
The Corolla is in its ninth generation, and its final model year; it’s been on sale since 2003. Not to worry, Corolla was refreshed for 2005 to keep with the times! North America receives only the Corolla sedan, though wagons and hatchbacks are available elsewhere. Trims are three and have a narrow price range of $14,405 to $16,250. The cheapest CE with a five-speed manual asks $14,405. A trailing 126 horses arrive at the front wheels from the 1.8-liter engine.