toyota corrola: 2001 version vs 2003

dada44

Hello,

Looking to get a corrola. There is a significant price difference between the two models http://goo.gl/jVIwT http://goo.gl/fwWxW

I was wondering if anyone has any experience between the two? I am primarily looking for a car that has a high mpg, and very comfortable suspension (even if it means poorer handling) and quietness.

I have looked at the figures and the web. I know the official mpg's are similar. If anyone has any practical experience, would be grateful to hear!

gilbert_and_sullivan

I'd be wary of the one from the scrap yard..;)

Very little goes wrong with either of these models, but Toyotas are well known for being able to stand a lot of neglect and abuse, so tend to end up in the hands of buyers who do both.

Either would make a good car, the Diesel versions will be the most economical, but non of them are heavy cars and will be reasonable on fuel driven with care, all drive nicely, if it doesn't walk away.

Note they are cambelt engines and it will need replacing at some point.

Buy on condition and history.

Meself i liked the older model more, especially the 5 door, but can't quite put my finger on why.

JCP

I've got a 2003 Corolla.
Had it from new and planned to keep it 3 years - 8.5yrs later, nothing has gone wrong with it and I've still got it.

I average about 49mpg from it at the moment - calculated not from computer - which I think is reasonable for a 1.6 petrol engine. From new it has averaged 44mpg (over 80k+ miles) according to the on board computer.

It isn't an "exciting" car, but it does the job. Fairly comfortable, even over longer journeys (350 miles +)

In fact the lack of excitement is possibly the only thing that'll make me change it - I need something to get me through my approaching mid life crisis

dada44

thanks for your replies. I also happen to like the older model. I test drove the newer one - and it seemed a bit too nippy - even the slightest touch on the accelerator and it zoomed off. It may just have been that the specific car I was trying needed tuning.

gilbert and sullivan - does that mean most engines are beltless these days? thanks!

i'll be looking for one with full service history

forgotmyname

2001 old shape 2003 newer shape, 2006 newer shape.

Nothing in their range springs out to me as being very fuel efficient?

What do you call good on fuel? Filled up sat morning and averaged over 55mpg, Sat AM traffic and A roads.
If i didnt boot it off islands i probably could have done better.

gilbert_and_sullivan

dada44 wrote: »

gilbert and sullivan - does that mean most engines are beltless these days? thanks!

i'll be looking for one with full service history

Many cars still have cambelts, but others having timing chains instead.

Many owners want timing chain, and they should last indefinately assuming the car is serviced correctly, poor servicing will ruin a timing chain's guides and possibly the chain itself, big repair job that can be.

Meself i don't mind cambelts, they need to be replaced at a fixed term, some cars have silly replacement costs, but far as i'm aware Toyota's costs have always been fair.


The rapid Corolla you tried wasn't the very rare T Sport Compressor was it, wolf in sheeps clothing indeed if it was, i've always fancied one of those, stick a D4D badge on it and no one would have the foggiest.

rodenal

Can't remember if they done the 1.8 vvti in the 2003+ version, but if so and you are considering one then check it particularly carefully - its a decent engine in the (lighter) mr2 and is chain driven, but they can suffer from excessive oil consumption through oval bore. Basically requires either a full rebuild or new engine. 2005 onwards cars with this engine would be better.

Flearoy

We have a 2001 Corolla, the older of these two shapes. It is a 1.4 vvti engine and has a cam chain rather than a belt, the upshot of which is, barring any hideous rattles developing, it is likely that we don't ever need to worry about it. It does use a fair bit of oil though, to the extent that I actually use cheap 10w/40 in it rather than the actual specified grade which is more expensive. At 95,000 miles I'm not really bothered about the consequences of doing this as the damage had been done before my other half got the car years ago. Aside from it's oil consumption it is a very good car. It is very economical, capable of 50mpg when driven by me, 45 more realistic for most people.

The only things I've had to do with the car are replace the battery and take the clocks out as somehow, the speedo needle went behind the zero stop and got stuck. 10 minute job and dead easy if it ever happens to you.

The handling is not great, plenty of body roll in corners but it is a comfortable car. Not a bad used buy.

dada44

thanks all for your answers !

the one i test drove that was nippy was a 1.6. I don't believe it was a sport model, but it definately felt like it. I think the engine may have needed some tuning.

flearoy - 50mpg!? I thought they average around 30-35? Yes - that's one of the things i love about toyota cars - the comfort and soft suspension, even if it means rolling around corners (not that i drive fast anyway). Too many cars lately like the focus, astra, golf etc, ended up making their suspension a lot stiffer in their 04+ models. Only lately with the new cars are we seeing a compromise between suspension and comfort - though those models are too expensive for me.

Flearoy

dada44 wrote: »

thanks all for your answers !

flearoy - 50mpg!? I thought they average around 30-35?

Yes, honestly, 50mpg. I was using it to for commuting (76 miles per day) on a mix of dual carriageways and county roads, with a maximum speed of about 50-55mph, on fairly flat terrain too. The trip computer usually was 'optimistic' on fuel economy by 1 or 2%, but filling it up and working it out from miles travelled and volume of fuel added confirmed it. It must be said it took some serious econo-driving, but I'm not very well off so it was worth the effort! I've got a diesel Mondeo estate now (53 plate, 115bhp) and on the same run I can better 65mpg now a(nd go slightly faster than I did in the Corolla too) in doing so.