Toyota corolla hatchback

SpringProtea

Hi I’d be grateful for some advice please

I’m looking to buy a used Toyota Corolla hybrid 1.8 hatchback.  For various reasons I need a deepish boot which I can get as long as the hatchback is not fitted with a spare wheel in the boot. Unfortunately both cars I’m interested in have the spare wheel fitted.  The Toyota dealer selling one car says it is easy to remove this spare tyre/fitting neatly whereas the other dealer says it isn’t possible.  Does anyone know who is correct?  (I don’t really want to get an  estate model)

Also one car has some slightly jagged damage of about 6” length on the outside of both right and left front alloy rims.  This seems more than the usual kerbing damage or do alloy rims damage more easily than regular wheels.  Any idea what would cause that sort of level of damage or is it a red flag.

 

CliveOfIndia

SpringProtea said:

The Toyota dealer selling one car says it is easy to remove this spare tyre/fitting neatly whereas the other dealer says it isn’t possible.  Does anyone know who is correct?

 

Unless I'm missing something, you can just take out the spare wheel and associated gubbins?  Not sure this would give you any more useable boot space though, and what would you do if you have a puncture?

SpringProtea said:

Also one car has some slightly jagged damage of about 6” length on the outside of both right and left front alloy rims.  This seems more than the usual kerbing damage or do alloy rims damage more easily than regular wheels.  Any idea what would cause that sort of level of damage or is it a red flag.

 

Alloy is a lot softer than steel, so does tend to damage easily.  Are you able to tell whether the damage is just cosmetic?  If so, I wouldn't worry about it (though you might be able to negotiate a bit of a discount).

SpringProtea

Thanks Clive, the spare wheel unit is like a kitchen sink with draining board each side with the tyre going in the 'basin'.  Without it the whole boot is deeper by the width of the tyre, about 9"ish which is enough for what I need.  Would have to compromise on the spare tyre and use the tyre repair kit which is the default standard on the model. 
Will have to look again at the alloys.

Grumpy_chap

SpringProtea said:

I’m looking to buy a used Toyota Corolla hybrid 1.8 hatchback.  For various reasons I need a deepish boot which I can get as long as the hatchback is not fitted with a spare wheel in the boot. 

AIUI, the hybrid battery makes the boot shallow in the Corolla - are any regular ICE versions available?

SpringProtea

I believe since something like 2019 it only comes in petrol/hybrid

photome

I had a Corolla estate new in 2020 , lovely car to drive , smallish boot for an estate though, anyways that’s not my point…if the boot is too small why not look at a different car