It's not often that two of the world's largest automobile manufacturers produce and market the same car. But in the mid 1980s Toyota and General Motors did exactly that, getting together at the behest of Roger Smith, then chairman of GM's board. Out of that meeting came an agreement to build a plant in Fremont, Calif., in which the two companies would mutually produce a small car based on Toyota's Corolla.
    GM's idea was that maybe some of the design and manufacturing excellence for which Toyota was famous would rub off into the GM culture. This Corolla-based car would be marketed as a Chevy Nova, the second car to bear that name. In later years the car became known as a Geo Prizm, and in 1998 the name has changed again to Chevy Prizm. For 1999 the two cars are just about identical. The Prizm and the Corolla are manufactured in the United Motors factory, which is run by Toyota for the GM/Toyota partnership. The U.S. Toyota Corolla also is built in this plant.
    Over the years the Corolla has earned a reputation for high quality and longevity. The car, however, has never quite obtained the reputation for overall excellence that the Honda Civic has achieved. The Corolla has been perceived as somewhat boring and ordinary, whereas the perception of the Civic was a more user-friendly and sporty car — a better drive. The 1999 Corolla and Prizm have almost caught up. These models are quite refined, and very capable automobiles.
    None of the Japanese small cars look distinctive from the outside. All are variations on a jelly bean theme and the Corolla styling falls into that category. The 1998/1999 Corolla doesn’t just look larger than its predecessor; the interior actually is a little bigger, making it very comfortable for four passengers and it has seatbelts for five. The Corolla and Prizm interiors are somewhat plain, with a neutral colored durable-looking cloth. As a nice touch, there is an optional outside air temperature digital readout in the center of the speedometer. The seats are comfortable and give you the feeling that you could travel a long way in this car without fatigue.
    The 1998/1999 Toyota Corolla and Chevy Prizm are quiet and frisky with the new standard 1.8 liter, 16-valve, 120 hp engine, coupled with a smart, smooth four-speed automatic transmission. On the road, one quickly feels at home in this car. Its response is quick and it rubs out all but the roughest of roads. The cornering ability is now almost on par with the best small cars. On the freeway, it is snappy on the on-ramp; very smooth at the speed limit.

    The top of the line Toyota, the LE, is priced at $15,668 including a four-speed automatic transmission. Air, dual power mirrors, door locks, windows, 60/40 fold-down rear seat for luggage pass-through, and an AM/FM stereo cassette radio are standard on the LE. Adding a moonroof ($735), cruise control ($250), anti-lock brakes ($550), six-disc changer ($550), and security system ($399) makes this a small luxury car with a luxury price — $18,172. An equivalent Chevy Prizm, without the six-disc changer and security system (not offered, although your dealer can provide aftermarket units) comes in at $17,559.
    The CE is the intermediate Corolla, priced at $13,708. With a touring package and value package's larger tires, front stabilizer bar, rear mudguards, tachometer, white-faced instruments, air, power windows and door locks it comes to $15,653. Driver and passenger airbags are standard and side-impact air bags can be had for $250 on the Corolla and $295 on the Prizm. There's a blizzard of radio/stereo/speaker options for the Corolla and a few less for the Prizm.
    For your college student, a bare bones Corolla VE with five-speed transmission, power nothing, three cup holders, two airbags, windows down in summer, will set you back $12,218 plus $420 shipping. An equivalent Chevy Prizm is almost identically priced at $12,268 plus $430 shipping, but the California emission equipment costs an extra $170, whereas it is standard on the Toyota.
The Corolla and the Prizm both have a three-year/36,000 mile basic warranty, however the Toyota has an additional five-year/60,000 mile power train warranty. In its place, Chevrolet offers a three-year/36,000 mile, 24-hour Roadside Assistance plan on the Prizm.
    Fuel consumption for these cars is impressive with an EPA rating of 31 miles per gallon city and 37 mpg highway. With a manual transmission, 28/33 mpg for the three-speed automatic and 28/36 mpg for the four-speed automatic.
    Although $17,000-plus may seem like a lot of money for a well-equipped small car, few cars with this level of equipment are priced lower. Yet for those who take the deal, they will own a very capable automobile which has one of the finest reputations for build-quality and longevity in the world. Remember, these are the guys who make the Lexus.

Motoring since 1952, Austin Lynas has owned 54 cars and at one time raced mini-sedans in England. An aerospace engineer, he was instrumental in developing the anti-skid systems used in British military aircraft that preceded today’s ABS systems. Lynas can be reached by e-mail at  osten@aol.com.