Toyota Corolla

readytobuy8 · February 2002

Can you all please list the prices that you paid?

lfan · February 2002

$15700 before tax and tags
Corolla S, 5 spd, Lunar Mist Metallic with following options:
AM/FM/CD Combo
All Weather Guard Package
Cruise Control
PP Power Package
SP Sport Plus Package
Car mats

As I mentioned the car shipped with steel wheels though it contained the Sport Plus Package. The factory aluminum wheels still on order! I am insisting on a free oil change for my troubles to return to the dealer for installing the wheels. The factory Corolla S floor mats are also on order.

dave594 · February 2002

Which dealer did you get that at? I bought an '02 corolla S with pretty much the same options except the aluminum wheels for $13.5k before tax. Seems the dealers can get away with asking for high prices with the new models. By the way, I got the "S" model floormats, and they are cheap. I've already worn out the fabric down to the base where my left foot rests under the clutch pedal, had to go to Walmart to get a rubber mat to cover the hole.

readytobuy8 · February 2002

Thanks for the price info. I am trying to buy one in Dallas... trying to make sure I do not pay to much .
The economy is very bad down here. The car is in very short supply.

claywaterfill · February 2002

I don't think Ifan did too badly compared to you. He only paid $2200 more than you, and he bought the aluminum wheels. Take them out and it's probably only about $1300 more than you. Consider his is bigger and more powerful, it's probably about right.

digiturbo · February 2002

I went to the dealers in Virginia Beaches, VA.
Dealers overthere are very happy since they can sell corolla at the stickered price. I had like 10 min to look at the car because it's sold to the customer before me.
Well, I probably have to wait for a while.

lfan · February 2002

Wow, $13,500 for a '02 S. . .
I assume you got AM/FM/CD, 6 speakers, All Weather Guard Package, Cruise Control, Tilt steering wheel, remote keyless entry, Power windows and locks, map lights, spoiler, and Car mats. Plus you must of had an opportunity to get Toyota subsidized low financing also.

But to be honest, I had never considered the Corolla until the 2003's came out. I guess I paid the price of admission for getting the latest and greatest.

claywaterfill · February 2002

I'm like you. The Corolla was never on my list of possible next cars. But, after seeing the 2003 model, it's probably what we will get. We basically just need a commuter, so we don't want to spend more than about 14 or so. We were looking at Sentra GXE in the 13's, Elantra for less than that, and Civic LX for about $14,200. I was having a hard time believing a car stickering for close to $16k would come without a CD player--and be equipped with a 115HP sohc engine. After reading a little about the Corolla and seeing ALL Corollas come with the same 130HP dohc vvt-i engine, a CD player and 15" wheels, I thought I'd give it a look. It is nice! A Corolla CE with auto stickered for $14,800. We want a manual, so that'll get the sticker closer to $14k. Plus, I expect to get a little off that. Sure, I'll give up the power windows and locks, but I'll gain a better engine and standard CD player--an exchange I'm willing to make!

sandman46 · February 2002

with the new Corolla! One of my customers got one yesterday and I got a real close up view of it today, outstanding! It was an LE model in the green color and it was a real eye catcher. It looks like a mini Avalon or Camry from the side and the front drivers seat was raised higher than the passengers, a nice touch for an economy car. The white gauges on the instrument panel looked way cool, just a real impressive car! I'm in love!

lfan · February 2002

As a frame of reference, the dealer I bought from (www.fitzgeraldautomall.com) had a CE Auto, only options were power locks and all weather guard pkg. The "no-haggle" price was $14100 before tax and tags. I managed to haggle and knock another $100 off my "S". So for a 5spd CE, under $14000 should be well within reach.

Good luck with your car hunting.

readytobuy8 · February 2002

Thanks for the pricing info, I think I am going to order one in the next few days

sleazyrider · February 2002

hello!!

we are seriously thinking of the corolla for the next car (commuter). currently have an 89 camry that has been typical toyota: rock solid dependable.
has anyone purchased a corolla with leather seats ? any comments on the quality of the leather ? thanks for any input...

take care,

:dave and krystyna

vmaturo · February 2002

Yesterday I stopped at Toyota to sit in the Corolla ( already looked at it when the dealer was closed ). The salesman gave me the key to start it. It idled at 2000 RPM. That's racing to me. It did eventually come down to about 1300 RPM. I'm in Florida. So it wasn't like it needed to rev high because of cold. Most cars idle at about 800 RPM. Anyone else notice the engine idle to be very high?

I love everything about the looks of this car. A little of Jetta in the looks. It definately looks substancial (Beefy). Very nice interior on the LX. Nice dash/armrest-storage/seats. Upscale interior except for the cheap headliner and engine sounds. My very first Japanese car was a Corolla wagon in 1980. Put 102,000 fun mile on it. Now seven Japanese cars later, I don't think I can ever buy another Big Three car. ( maybe a truck).

Here's something interesting. The salesman was definately not a kid ( about 55 yrs old ). I asked him if the engine had a timing belt or chain. He went to open the hood to show me. Now I'm wondering how he was going to do that??? Open the engine up? I'm laughing inside. He points to the accessory drive belts. " See it's a belt". I informed him that was not the timing belt. When I explained it to him he commented " see how much I know about cars". He went inside to find out. He was told it has a chain.
I'm amazed at how little some salepeople know. Especially when they say " we just got these cars in a few days ago, so I don't know much about them". I always know more about their cars than they do. It shouldn't be that way.

machiavelli · February 2002

I agree with Clay and Sandman above - I never really liked the Corolla until the 2003 model. IMO, it's a huge upgrade. It's like a mini Camry or Lexus now, especially in the LE. Definitely my top choice in this class - beats the Civic by far.

vmaturo - about the salesman, yeah, I have yet to meet a car salesman that knows a lot about cars.

claywaterfill · February 2002

Thanks for the heads-up. It will be about April before we buy. We have tax refund coming and my wife gets her annual bonus and raise in March, so we are waiting until after then. I'm thinking by April Corollas should be plentiful and dealers should be more willing to deal. Plus, they are in the process of building a new Toyota dealership about 8 or 9 miles from me, so maybe we'll catch them in a "200 Must Go This Weekend Grand Opening Sale!"

readytobuy8 · February 2002

Guys I bought it today 03 LE it has cruise 6 speaker upgrade and it had the extra mile add on ( 876.00 window etching, carpet set 5 pc, pin stripe, cargo net, 3yr\ 36000 mile roadside assistance ) I did not pay for the extra mile package they wanted me to pay 400.00 for it but I did not do it. They would not take a check with out running a credit report on me, so I went and got a cashers check for them.
I know I could get it cheaper If I waited, I paid 15,495.00 +ttl.
It was the only one on the Lot
It was hard for me to part with that hard earned money

mbt1 · February 2002

Does anyone know what the crash test ratings on the new Corolla are, or is it too soon to know?

alpha01 · February 2002

I think it will be awhile before the crash test ratings are out: The 2002 Camry and Altima, for example, have still not been tested either by the IIHS or NHTSA, or at least, results are not out yet.
~alpha

readytobuy8 · February 2002

Sometimes when I start mine it has been revving up 2000 rpm then it drops down after a few mins.
The salesman told me it had a timing chain and said it was a non interference engine ( If the timing chain breaks it will not damage the engine ) I hope this is true

jeprox · February 2002

i believe the salesguy is telling you the truth.

on some older toyota/honda cars, if the timing belt snaps and you happen to be driving real fast - you can kiss your engine goodbye!

claywaterfill · February 2002

Wow! Just got back and I think it is definitely our next car. I'm 6'2" and with the seat back for me, there was room for me to sit behind the seat. Not many cars like that in its class. Plus, the brochure said the car has a rear beam susension--but the sticker said 4 wheel independent suspension--nice! The timing chain vs belt is nice for future upkeep--plus the salesman said the engine is designed to go 120,000 miles before the first tuneup. Pretty hard to beat in this class.

readytobuy8 · February 2002

My wife likes my 03 Corolla more than her 01 Civic, she is trying to get me to switch out with her My opinion it won't be long until they are giving the civic a run for their money.
I will get a list of her reasons and post them this weekend

jeprox · February 2002

is it just me or do you guys feel the same. i sat in a 2003 LE corolla with leather seats and the seats seems to be thicker than regular cloth seats.

just wondering

2003corolla1 · February 2002

I was going to buy a Civic, but I believe the 2003 Corolla has me sold. I went and looked at them last night and I'm just waiting for my tax refund to show up and then I'll be there. They didn't have any 5 speeds on the lot--all automatics! I want a manual because I feel it is more fun, you get slightly better mpg, and long term maintenance seems to be cheaper with the manual. I just need to decide which model to get. The basic CE stickers for about $14,800 and the basic LE stickers for about $16,100--both with automatics, so manual will be cheaper. The CE as all I NEED--air, CD, 130 hp vvt-i engine, etc. I just need to figure out if I want to pay the extra $1300 for the power win/locks/mirrors, cruise, slightly wider tires, map lights, and height adjustable seating. I know I would like to have them, but the $1300 would be about $30 a month. I know $30 does not sound like a lot of money, but $30 here and $30 there adds up to real money! Please keep up updated with the 2003 Corollas out there!

machiavelli · February 2002

I think it definitely gives the Civic a run for it's money. You have to get an EX Civic to get a comparable engine, for one thing. I think the interior of the Corolla LE is much nicer than the Civic EX, just IMO. They have definitely made big strides. I preferred a '02 Civic over an '02 Corolla, but the new '03 Corolla is my choice in this class now.

machiavelli · February 2002

I'd spring for the LE if it was me. That touch of wood grain (Ok, I know it's fake wood) on the dash makes it look like a junior Lexus or at least a junior Camry XLE.

machiavelli · February 2002

jeprox - I haven't sat in one with leather yet.

2003corolla1 · February 2002

What colors do you like? By looking at the brochure, I thought I would like the Mineral Green more than I did. I thought it was to going to be darker. I think it is strange that the brochure says they have a beam rear suspension, but the sticker said 4 wheel independent suspension. I called 800-go-toyota and they put me through to another line. The woman there did not know, but she gave me the standard "Sometimes Toyota makes changes from the time the brochures are printed to the time the cars are made." Now, I could understand if it was the color of a dashboard light or the shape of a radio knob; but, you'd think they would know what kind of suspension they were going to use by the time they printed the brochure! That is a pretty major item on the car, is it not?

samsvr6 · February 2002

The only way to tell is take a peek underneath. If it is an independent suspension, you won't see any physical link between the left and the right suspension arm (thats why they call it independent!)
Or sometimes, they have the semi-independent torsion beam but claim it to be independent.

claywaterfill · February 2002

It was cold, windy, and dark when I was there last night, so I didn't feel like crawling underneath, but you are correct. I'm wondering if the dealership prints the stickers up themselves and they entered it wrong?

machiavelli · February 2002

I'd go with Silver, I think they call it Lunar Mist

claywaterfill · February 2002

You are right, the silver is nice. It does seem, IMO, to be rather bland. Not a real bad color, just, I would get tired of looking at it after 6 or 7 years. I think if buying a CE, black is the best way to go. Since the mirrors and side moldings are black on the CE level, people would not know by quick glance you were driving a CE because the mirrors and molding would be "body colored."

britton2 · February 2002

I've had my '01 LE for almost a year now - this car has exceeded my expectations (got 32.4 MPG on last tank with 4 speed auto) - it has been flawless and I just love it - having said that, I have seen pics of the new '03 Corolla and I kind of wish I had waited because I really like the new design - but I was so ready for a new car I could taste it - I had driven my '86 Honda Civic for 14 years/7 months and it was time for a new car...anyway, hope you '03 Corolla owners are as pleased with your Corolla as I am with mine.

alpha01 · February 2002

that in 2001 Silver passed white as the most popular color? Ok well maybe I am making that up, but I swear I remember reading it somewhere. Can anyone confirm.
~alpha

jeprox · February 2002

is the best color i've seen so far on the 2003 model. looks real sharp.

tint the windows, leather seats, mags, the works!
people would think u drive a lexus!

ghostbuster23 · February 2002

You're close. Silver passed green this year.

britton2 · February 2002

You are correct sir! I heard that the most popular color car in the US was silver, white came in second, then beige - my Corolla is Mystic Teal - love the color - only I think lighter colors are easier - don't show dirt or scratches as easily -

repietz · February 2002

We just picked up our Mineral Green LE with ABS, side impact, moonroof, weather guard package (Minnesota) and cruise. We had to pay sticker price of $17,585 but will be well worth it when we hand it down to our kids in 8+ years.

When we visited the dealer on Feb 2nd, they said they had a Mineral Green due in. Based on the color in the brochure, we liked that color the best. But be warned. We were very disappointed when we went to pick it up and discovered that it was virtually identical to our 2002 Honda Odyssey Granite Green. The "green" appears in the right light at the right angle but most of the time it looks gray. It will take some getting used to having two vehicles that virtually have the same color.

Otherwise we love the car. I have only put about 120 miles on it but it feels like a more substantial car than the 1990 Corolla that we just got rid of.

machiavelli · February 2002

If you go to an autoshow, almost every car there is shown in Silver. It's very popular now. It's also a nice easy color to maintain - it always looks clean.

I have a '00 Sienna minivan in Desert Sand Mica, sort of a champagne biege. It also always looks clean, easy to maintain.

Black is a nightmare to keep looking clean! Although, you're right if you get the CE it makes the mirrors, side moldings,etc... look body colored.

2003corolla1 · February 2002

Black is a pain, for sure--but when it's clean, it sure is nice! I think small cars look bigger in black as well--maybe that's just me. I agree with the folks who just bought the mineral green LE that it does seem to need to be more green, but I still like it. I saw an indigo SE at the dealership the other day. It is nice, but a little too "purple: for me. I guess that's why it's called "indigo"! I'm sure autoshows use silver because it probably reflects the fluorescent light the best or something.

claywaterfill · February 2002

I like the black from the pictures myself. Have not seen a black one in person, though. Hey, 2003, I think it's "S" instead of "SE", isn't it? It does seem like "SE" would fit in the lineup with "LE" and "CE" better, though.

machiavelli · February 2002

Just IMO, I don't like the "ground effects" plastic stuff on the '03 Corolla S - it makes the wheels look too small. I'd get an LE, myself.

claywaterfill · February 2002

I am not a fan of them either. I will say, though, that in person, they look much better than in pictures. I saw a white Corolla S with a sunroof and it looked bigger and fancier than the others. The S does get a leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter, a different set of guages, and a nice black interior. However, you are right about the set up. Exactly the same whether it's a stripped CE or a leather equipped LE.

mpgman · February 2002

It wouldn't have taken much to make a real sporty version. Can you believe that the 02's rear seats didn't even fold down on a "Sport" model?

lfan · February 2002

The dealer I bought my 2003 S from said they are due to receive about 20 Corollas in Feb; three S(s), four CE's, 13 LE's. They list the cars online as soon as they arrive. I noticed that every S has been purchased within 2 days of arrival. LE's and CE's take a few extra days generally. Same thing for the local CARMAX Toyota Dealer which also lists their stock. Of course there are far fewer S models showing up initially. But maybe, just maybe, the demand for S may exceed what Toyota is initially estimating. Also the S has gotten more press and perhaps buyers are targeting it.

Though the add-ons, especially the side and rear skirts, generate polarize opinions as to their attractiveness, they are a great value if you like their looks. I estimate the exterior appearance add-ons and the fog lights along optional spoiler/aluminum wheels would cost at least $1500 if one buys them as accessories or after-market.

Finally, the interior charcoal (black) is a bit drab but classy nonetheless IMO. I plan to get a Toyota accessory leather shift knob if it becomes available. I would also consider any available interior chrome or Titanium appearance add-ons.

black03 · February 2002

I now consider myself an expert on late model corollas...lol...I bought a used 98 CE from our local toyota dealer in oct 2000 and and had a great car until Jan.18 of this year when an uncoming car lost control and wrote it off ( my passenger and were only scratched and bruised thanks to the airbags) the insurance company gave me a new Sunfire for a rental car, witch I promptly returned the next day and got an 02 CE, my 98 had more options, but the 02 did have more power. once the insurance company sent me a check for my 98, the 02 had to go back and we had to decide what to get next, we almost bought an 02 LE demo from our Dealer, but decided to wait for an 03...the manager lent me the shop car (a 96 corolla) for 2 weeks until our black 03 CE showed up 2 days ago, we picked it up yesterday and we are very happy, it is better then our 98 was in almost every way, and I was very happy with the 98. the CE does not have cruise, but our dealer is pretty sure they will sell a dealer installed version for the 03 in a short while...funny how things can change in a month

claywaterfill · February 2002

The rear seats of the S model do fold down. We checked this out at a dealer Wednesday night.

canadaodyowner · February 2002

may I ask how much you paid and in which province your dealer is located? I am interested in buying a CE with package B. thanks.

erikheiker · February 2002

I'm starting to get the impression you can't use the old paper clip trick to retrieve the codes on newer Toyotas with OBD II. What's out there to retrieve them and where can I find the code list?

Thanks,

Erik

glenglen · February 2002

A word of advice. Do NOT get a silver colored car. It is the hardest color to see on a rainy day. Think about it. On a rainy day, the sky is grey and the pavement is a shade of grey. Can you say "accident waiting to happen"?

Toyota Corolla

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