Toyota Corolla 2003-2008 review

2008 Toyota Corolla. Click for larger photo (Photo: Toyota Canada)

2008 Toyota Corolla. Click for larger photo (Photo: Toyota Canada)

With comfortable roomy interior, smooth ride, good safety ratings and excellent fuel economy, the 2003-2008 Corolla is one of the top picks in a small family car category. The Corolla is easy to maintain and very reliable. If maintained properly, it will last you for a very long time without major problems.

The 2003-2008 Corolla has front-wheel drive with a 4-cylinder 1.8L DOHC VVT-i engine and 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmissions. The sporty XRS model (available only for 2005 and 2006) offers more powerful 170-hp 1.8L 4-cylinder VVTL-i engine and 6-speed manual transmission borrowed from Toyota Celica. The Corolla has MacPherson struts in front suspension and torsion beam in the rear. The ABS and side airbags are optional.

Inside, the 2003-2008 Corolla feels roomy for a small car. The dashboard design is simple - nothing flashy - but very practical. Controls are conveniently laid out and easy to use. Front seats are comfortable, but somewhat lacking side support. Rear seat space is pretty generous for a small car. The trunk is spacious; the 60/40 split rear seat folds down to accommodate longer items.

On the road, the Corolla handles comfortably, although it's far from being sporty. The ride is smooth and fairly quiet. The suspension is soft; the steering is light. On the down side, the engine is noisy under acceleration and some body lean is noticeable on curves.

In the NHTSA frontal crash tests, the 2003-2008 Corolla scored five stars for both, the driver and the front passenger.
In the frontal offset crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2003-2008 Corolla received "Good" overall rating.

Engine

2008 Corolla 1.8-liter engine. Photo: Toyota Canada

The 2003-2008 Corolla comes with the 1.8-liter 16-valve DOHC engine with the VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing). This engine uses a long-lasting timing chain; there is no timing belt to replace.

The XRS model features the VVTL-i version of the 1.8-liter engine - the same as in the sporty Celica - with more high-end power achieved by variable valve lift. This means that at higher RPMs valves open wider allowing the engine to "breath" better. Either of these two engines is very reliable if maintained properly.

Strengths

- Great fuel economy
- Reliability
- Holds value well
- Easy to maintain
- Smooth ride
- Comfortable roomy interior
- Spacious trunk

Weaknesses

- Plain interior design
- Engine is noisy at acceleration
- Paint chips easily
- No telescopic adjustment on the steering wheel
- Some interior plastic could be better

Overall

Toyota Corolla is one of the best choices for a city commuter or a small family car. It is very simple and economical, it has smooth ride and can last forever if you maintain it well. The Corolla is one of the most reliable vehicles in its class. It's also easy to work on and doesn't require too much maintenance. The 2003-2008 Corolla doesn't have a timing belt; a timing chain is used instead. Parts are moderately priced and any repair shop can handle the repairs. One note though, if you are looking for something sporty or fun-to-drive, the Corolla isn't the perfect pick. Look for something like Mazda3.
Check more used small car reviews

What to look for when buying a used Corolla

As a first step, check used car history records. A history report may help you to uncover some of the problems the car might have in the past such as accidents, flood damage, rolled back odometer, rental use, etc. Follow this link: How to check car history records by VIN number
- Check the service records if available - it's important to verify that the car was properly maintained.
- If the "check engine" light is on, have the problem assessed with your mechanic or a Toyota dealer before buying a car; in worst cases repair might be quite expensive.
- Black soot in the exhaust may indicate excessive oil consumption.
- Blue smoke at start-up may indicate engine problems - avoid such a car.
Learn more what to look for when buying a used car
- Prior purchase have the car inspected by a mechanic of your choice.
Shop wisely, check few cars to compare; it's worth to pay a little extra for a well-maintained vehicle in good condition. Check our step-by-step used car buying guide for more information.
Some models may be costly to insure. Get the insurance quotes first.

Few maintenance tips

- Wash and wax your car regularly to protect the paint.
- If you live in the area with high humidity, rustproofing can help protect the car body from corrosion.
- Regular oil changes are very important to keep your engine in good shape.
- Check engine oil level regularly - running the engine low on oil could lead to serious problems.
- Synthetic oil can offer extra protection for the engine.
- Avoid overheating the engine - it may cause serious problems.
- Follow recommended maintenance schedule and keep all the fluids clean and topped up.
- Have your car inspected, at least once a year, in a garage on the lift (e.g. when doing tire rotation) to keep it safe. Many components (e.g. brakes, steering, suspension) cannot be properly inspected by simple visual inspection at fast lube places; the vehicle must be on the lift.
- No matter where you service your Toyota, stick with original Toyota parts; they are reasonable priced.
Check more car maintenance tips

Toyota Corolla Specifications (2004 model)

Links

Repair Manual for your Corolla

If you want to find more technical information about you car such as repair manual, check engine codes description, electrical diagram, diagnostic procedures, vacuum line diagram, fluid type, maintenance schedule, component location, technical service bulletins, etc. follow this link: Where to find repair manual

by Vlad Samarin