Toyota Corolla

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Comments

  • lfanlfan Member Posts: 61
    Thanks for the link regfootball.

    I noticed the center console and shift knob Titanium trim and they looks nice in offsetting the otherwise charcoal interior like in the 2003 S US version. I have been browsing the Toyota accessory vendors for a shift knob just like that. If anyone has leads on if and when such accessory may be available in the US please advise.
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    The interior of the link above of the Corolla Hatchback in England is from the T-sport (Titanium-like trim also available in other Corollas also in different markets). Also the shifter is from the 6-speed manual, similar knob to the Matrix XRS.

    Check out www.toyota.co.jp for more Corolla hatchbacks (Runx & Allen).
  • coolguyky7coolguyky7 Member Posts: 932
    It's Allex.
  • dmundy1dmundy1 Member Posts: 37
    Check out www.canadiandriver.com for a review of the 2003 Corolla S. The reviewer mentions he is taller and had trouble finding a comfortable driving position, similar to the problem mentioned by people on this board.
  • coolguyky7coolguyky7 Member Posts: 932
    My left rear power window seems to not be working. Earlier in the winter it would stick when the car was turned on for the AC, not the engine (whatever state that is called). When the engine was turned on the window would usually work. Now the window doesn't work most of the time. Anyone know what this might be and what it costs to repair? FYI, I have window tinting on my windows which hasn't presented a problem for other windows. Also, i have a post production power sunroof. It was working last week and now when opening, it get stucks at certain spots. I have to push it over that few millimeters then power will carry it on until the next sticking spot. Same for when its closed. Any suggestions?
  • sandman46sandman46 Member Posts: 1,798
    I have the same problem with my driver side rear window also, it works sometimes and not other times. It seems to fix itself so can't offer any solutions, but you're not alone. Mine's a '96 DX also
  • coolguyky7coolguyky7 Member Posts: 932
    At least its not an isolated incident. Oh well, better that window than mine.
  • martylawmartylaw Member Posts: 51
    Has anyone been able to get a 2003 Corolla LE with ABS and Side Air Bags. I called a number of dealers (in New Jersey) and they told me that they don't have any with side airbags and don't know when they will be shipped. Anyone know about availability?

    I know that Toyota sometimes announces features in its catalogue and never actually builds and ships the cars with them (i.e. Lexus ES300 with HID headlights in 2000-never built)
  • nivloc1nivloc1 Member Posts: 10
    MartyLaw.. You have great timing. I ordered a 2003 Toyota Corolla S on April 15. I got a call from the dealership last Friday to let me know that my order has been marked "unbuildable/recycle". The reason given, the demand for the Corolla's (and others) with ABS and side Air bags is greater than the capacity of the vendor supplying the components. Just ducky!!!! A decision was made to temporarily put a halt to equiping the Corolla's ABS and sides until this as been resolved. No timeframe was given
  • bxkidbxkid Member Posts: 8
    I ordered a CE about 7 weeks ago and I just received it. I ordered side a/b cruise control and cassette. There were dealers that told me that either I could not get a CE with these options or that it would take 4-6 months. I was Lucky to find a dealer that told me the truth! I did tell my dealer that I wanted abs about 2 weeks into my order but he told me it was too late to order it. Try to find a no haggle no commission dealer. you will be happier!
  • coolguyky7coolguyky7 Member Posts: 932
    The Corolla board slipped off the first sedan page! I shall save it! Wheww!
  • terceltom1terceltom1 Member Posts: 150
    In the manual for my "01" Corolla it states that the cruise will not resume if you fall under 40 MPH.
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    At 2 months and 2000 miles, our '03 LE automatic continues to impress and more than meet our expectations.

    There have been no problems at all after I fixed the glove box door on the first day. Both power and fuel economy continue to improve as the engine loosens up a bit - I think it is quieting down somewhat on hard acceleration as well, but that may just be my imagination.

    Ride, handling, comfort on extended drives, and the incredible amount of room in the trunk are all strengths. This still feels like the best value in this class.

    Ours used a smidgen of oil [estimated 1/8 of a quart] during the first 1000 miles, and nothing since - exactly what you want from a modern engine that was assembled properly. And, the oil is still clean at the 2k mile mark - you have to get in the right light to read the dipstick because the oil color is still that transparent.
    I always use synthetic oil in all of our cars, and had intended to change the oil at 2500 miles, but now will probably wait until 5000, just to make sure breakin is thorough.

    Overall, I highly recommend this car to anyone shopping in this class who can fit in the driver's position comfortably [we've already beaten that topic to death, so I won't add more words to it]. Overall fuel consumption is about 32 mpg, which is about 70% suburban stoplight to stoplight kind of running, and 30% on the highway at 75 mph or so. Great car so far.
  • britton2britton2 Member Posts: 305
    would you mind telling us what you paid for your '03 LE - OTD price?
  • terceltom1terceltom1 Member Posts: 150
    Most dealers and automechanics will recomend that you change the oil and filter after the first 1000 miles to get rid of any fine metal filings that could be in the oil from the new motor being broken in. Its a small price to pay for a lot of assurance.
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    In Sacramento in mid-March, the price for the car including cruise control and mats was $15.6k plus tax/lic.

    The old saw about changing the oil at 1000 miles simply no longer applies. I'm old enough [57] to have seen an entire era pass on the topic of engine and oil technology. Mercedes used to insist on seeing the car at 600 miles [1000 km] to change everything...now they go to 10000 miles and more on the first oil change. With the new generation of emission controls, it makes no sense at all to dump the oil at 1000 miles; as I said, it was my plan to change to synthetic at 2500, but the oil is too clean to justify that.

    What "auto mechanics" recommend depends, it seems, on how close they are to the technology and when was the last time they were in training. The manufacturer says 6 months or 7500 miles, which is pretty average as recommendations go these days - on all our recent cars, mostly MBs and Honda products, I have never changed the initial oil in the crankcase before 3500 miles - once changed, I generally use 5000 mile intervals with synthetic oil. This is overkill - and about as conservative as you can be with today's technology.
  • terceltom1terceltom1 Member Posts: 150
    Todays "new technology" is exactly why the oil should be changed at 1000 miles. Clearances and tolerances on todays engines are much more precise then years ago. Hence the switch from a heavier oil 10-30 to a much lighter 5-30 weight in todays vehicles. Any tiny filing caught up in your block some where can add to premature wear witch you would not know anyway til much later in the cars life.
    Continued good luck with your new vehicle !
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    ...but I simply disagree. I know all about the arguments regarding "metal particles", etc.

    All of our cars in the past 20 years have gone well past 150k miles with no engine-related problems. They generally wind up in the hands of friends and family after they leave our garage, so I have a pretty complete history on everything we've owned from new since about 1983.

    As I said, everyone is entitled to do what makes them feel best...
  • vic19vic19 Member Posts: 56
    We decided to buy a car for our 16 year old daughter. For American car manufacturers, my daughter's view of things is very troubling. I still have a $1,000 Citibank credit card rebate for any Ford product, so I took my daughter to the Ford dealer and she turned her nose up at everything. The Taurus was a mom's car, sad, I could have got it for about $14,000. And everything else was equally frumpy. GM same. Chrysler, out of the question, not only frumpy, but crude.

    Toyota dealer, wow, the new Corolla S. She fell in love with a Corrolla S with the 15 inch wheels and the spoiler in Impluse Red.

    It is a nice car. She learned to drive in a BMW 5 series, and she says her new car doesn't drive quite as well, but close. I tend to agree.
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    What would be troubling is if you let a 16 year old decide what she will drive. It really is YOUR decision. If it isn't, shame on you! Frankly, 16 year olds don't need new cars, but that, again, is YOUR decision. Not mine, but not hers either. Unless it is her earned money...
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    Who are you to judge, and who are you to say that a 16 year old shouldnt be able to pick out their own car? Shame on you, I say, for condemming someone you dont even know. I think that for those parents who have the means to do so, allowing a teenager to pick out a $17K compact is very fair. Your comment about "her earned money" indicates to me that you feel just because her parents bought her a car, the 16 year old female doesnt know the value of money... which may be the case, but may not.....
    ANYWAYS... I suppose that Toyota is reaching the youth market they are intending to, at least to some degree. Sweet!
    ~alpha
  • bpibpi Member Posts: 120
    LOL
    I guess that fact that a 16-year-old learns how to drive in a BMW 5 series is troubling to some people.
  • coolguyky7coolguyky7 Member Posts: 932
    If you have the money, spend it. What's the point of working hard in some high pay job if you can't enjoy the benefits of it. If you can't agree with that, go to China, they love communists. Obviously vic's family has money, he driving a BMW. At least he has the money for a new car for a child. Some parents don't have a significant wealth and still get their kids new cars. And a lot of times its the reverse. I would have been much happier with a 2003 Corolla versus my 1996, but hey, I'm looking forward to a gently used Lexus when I get out of my high school.
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    I am following this board because it looks like I will have to buy a car for my mother-in-law this summer, and I am thinking that a Corolla LE would be just about perfect. That said, I just brought home my new 530i this afternoon, and there is a very good likely hood that I will still have it when my son learns how to drive. Given that he wants to drive a stick shift, and the all too dwindling availability of cars with three pedals, I may have to keep it until he is of driving age just to offer him the option of learning a clutch.

    So, while I am not made of money (far from it in fact) I may also provide my son with a 5-Series to learn how to drive in (in about 7 years time that is).

    Now, back to our regularly scheduled discussion on Corollas. ;-)

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    No judging here. All I said, and I stick by it, is PARENTS should decide what they want and will provide, not that kids should decide what they get. Interesting how some read that!
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    But you still never state WHY it should be the PARENTS who make that decision, do you have an argument to back up your opinion or is it just what you think with no real reason. If you tell the kid what your max spending limit is, why does it matter whether you choose the car?
    ~alpha
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    Safety for one thing. Certainly a lot depends on the kid...There may be nothing wrong in some instances, a lot in others. Like all general rules, a stereotype.

    Carry on....
  • vic19vic19 Member Posts: 56
    We've very fortunate in having a daughter that is a straight A student taking advanced placement courses at school.

    The fact is my daughter like most 16 year olds will be on her own making her own decisions in about a year. Large universities excercise zero supervision over the personal lives of their students. I went to a large public university, I know. Some of my freshman friends played poker all night and some flunked out. It was completely up to each individual. It's imprudent to mirco manage a kid until they go to college. Learn to make their own decisions gradually, but by their junior year in high school, they'd better be managing their own lives or they'll be in a lot of trouble.

    But to get back to Corollas. My daughter drove us to dinner last night in her new car and it's really an impressive little car. The 2003 is so different from the 2002. A full sized feel v a mini car fee.
  • britton2britton2 Member Posts: 305
    do like the new styling of the '03 Corolla, I have a '01 - and while it doesn't look as good and has less room in the back, it has performed flawlessly for the past 14 months and I would highly recommend - the gas mileage is great (32MPG city last tank) and it continues to impress me -
  • coolguyky7coolguyky7 Member Posts: 932
    Big deal. I'm sixteen. Just got through the 10th grade. So far I have a 4.0 GPA (not a 3.99997, its a solid 4.0). I will be taking 4 AP classes out of 6 my senior year. Big whoop. What does that add up to really? Nothing. Just because I have the money and the responsibility doesn't mean I can get a new car. Nor does it mean that I have a better ability to drive over someone who has straight Cs. And for the record, I have achieved nothing with my grades. I don't have parents who give like $20 per A. Parents who do that are ridiculously bribing their children. When those kids have real jobs, will daddy still be paying them for perfect attendance and a job well done?

    On the other hand, my grandparents bought my cousin (who lives with them) a new 2001 Cavalier about 2 years ago. They bought it because it was a good value and "safe." I know they didn't check its safety ratings because it received an amazing one star in driver (I believe) side impact. Within its first year of ownership, the automatic shifting cable snapped and its fuel gauge is goofy. Aren't we glad we drive Corollas where this crazy stuff doesn't happen? My cousin wishes she had the 2003 Corolla.
  • britton2britton2 Member Posts: 305
    I admire you for your GPA - that's certainly commendable and you should be proud! Yes, I am glad I drive a Corolla - it may not be the most stylish car on the road (mine's a '01) but so what, reliability and gas mileage are more important to me - besides, I like the way my car looks - how's your '96 doing?
  • liufeiliufei Member Posts: 201
    Hehe, when I graduated from HS, the only thing I have is a rusted bike with flat tires. :)

    As long as it is done responsibly, whats wrong with buying a car for your children that they actually like and enjoy, instead of giving them some old beater ?
  • lfanlfan Member Posts: 61
    Let me relay an experience I had with "advising" a teenager on a car purchase. My nephew (17) wanted to buy a Del Sol as his first car a few months back. His parents wanted me to "advise" him on the purchase, slanting him towards something more practical. I test drove the Del Sol w/ him and pointed out the pluses an minuses. I told him to look at other like an Accord or Civic but stay away from the Integra which he also liked. Well, he got an '97 Integra and it was stolen early this month (just as the news came out about the Integra being the most stolen vehicle.) I guess the lesson is the driver is the one who has to ultimately make the decision and live with it.

    Back on subject, my '03 Corolla S is settling in nicely. The dash rattle is fixed with the serviceman installing foam around the instrument cluster. I am getting 36-38 mpg consistently. As my purchase was somewhat impulsive, I had been debating on the merits of having a Camry SE or CRV instead (my #2 and #3 choices). Here's my conclusion, for my 90 miles daily commute, the Corolla is nearly the ideal commuter car. When its time to replace our '95 Accord then I will get a higher line car.
  • britton2britton2 Member Posts: 305
    does your S have a stick or auto tranny?
  • lfanlfan Member Posts: 61
    My S is a 5 spd; the mid-atlantic region Toyota distributor did not seem to like combining the Auto with the sport appearance pkg (Alum wheels + spoiler.) I went with the wheels and spoiler pkg instead of Auto.
  • jimbeaumijimbeaumi Member Posts: 620
    Thank goodness there are still parents out there teaching their children the joys of driving a stick! I trust you are one of the few who also teach their kids the joys of using turn signals and the joys of only using the left freeway lane for passing. We are grateful.
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    That will be affirmative in another 7 years or so, by the time my son starts his (formal) driver training, I intend to have the basic rules engrained in his head. At the ripe old age of 8, he already aware of one on my mantras, "Keep right except to pass". Interestingly enough, my wife and I just got back from picking my car up in Munich, and then driving round trip to Paris for a long weekend. On the way back to Munich, I was tooling along with the cruise control set at about 125 when a guy on a fairly large bike pulled out in front of me doing something less than 70. Not wanting to get blood and motorcycle parts all over my new car, I stood on the brakes, hard enough to engage the ABS at about 120, ultimately coming within two feet of his rear wheel before our rate of closure started working in his favor. It seems to me that that guy owes his life to the BMW braking system designers and to the “Goddess of Luck” that he pulled out in front of a car that just happened to have the optional Sport Package (including wider, stickier tires, among other upgrades). Again with the mantra, “Keep right except to pass. Keep right except to pass…” ;-)

    As for turn signals, YUP, I -like/use/believe in/insist he uses- them too. ;-)

    Happy motoring.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • hecep1hecep1 Member Posts: 2
    Greetings! After "scoping out" the competition for the past month, I'm now fairly certain that my next car will be a 2003 Corolla LE; considering its price, it seems to have much going for it. With that said, I'm a bit disappointed that there aren't many sound system aftermarket choices available to help round it out. Crutchfield only lists replacements for the rear speakers. It lists tons of head unit replacements, but every one of them – I mean ABSOLUTELY every one – requires that the installer attack the dash with a hacksaw. Very disappointing. Has anyone out there made any successful sound system upgrades that didn't make the interior look as if a small explosion had taken place? If so, what was the upgrade, in particular? Thanks!
  • hecep1hecep1 Member Posts: 2
    Just so everyone doesn't think I've gone insane, the &#8211 in my previous message should have appeared as long hyphens! Thank you.
  • corollarockscorollarocks Member Posts: 27
    I feel your pain. I just had an mp3/cd player
    installed in my last vehicle less than six
    months ago..then I decided to get the 03 Corolla.

    I got the standard cd player (without the cassette) and I played a bunch of my
    home made audio cd's made from my mp3
    files and it sound great.

    I just got my car yesterday and i was pleasantly
    surprised..seems to be pretty powerful stereo..not
    sure what the watts per channel are.

    The audio controls on the dash have a large
    vertical footprint. Not sure how you could
    put in an aftermarket deck without it looking
    hideous, especially because it is mounted
    very high on the dash. I think in about a year or so, i may upgrade the rear speakers anyhow,
    that will be fine for me.
  • hecephecep Member Posts: 10
    It's encouraging to hear from someone that the factory system sounds great. (I believe it's made by Fujitsu Ten.)

    One of my concerns was CD changer capability. Corolla's web site lists the a changer as an available accessory, but when I tried the site's "Build Your Own" car feature (lets you choose options, etc.), the changer never pulled up. This seems to indicate that it isn't available in my zip code location; I tried a couple of other Los Angeles zips, and still no changer. Hmm. We'll see.

    I recall reading in an older issue of Car Stereo Review that one installer was able to wire a factory head unit's controls to a hidden aftermarket unit. Sounded like the best of both worlds to me, i.e, in terms of astetics and security. Something to consider.

    BTW: Do you happen to know what size speakers are in the front?

    Anyway, thanks again -- and note that size 6X9 speakers fit in the rear. Good Luck.
  • corollarockscorollarocks Member Posts: 27
    I just went out and got the manual out

    of the glove box. There isn't a book

    for the stereo, but it's listed in the

    regular manual. They have the 2 units,

    regular cd and cd/cassette in there.

    And for both of them in parenthesis

    is says "with compact disc auto changer

    controller". I think that's what you are

    referring to ? One of those things that

    holds multiple cds ? Also when describing

    the 'random' feature, it says "to randomly

    play all the tracks in the magazine"


    You might want to give your local Toyota dealer a call
    and ask them about it to be sure. :-)


    The front speakers are in the door. They

    look to be 5 inchers but that's just my

    guess. :-)


    If anybody finds knows how many watts per

    channel the stock player has, please post

    that info. I'd like to know what it can

    drive.


    One other thing, although the cup holders

    do not handle the large drink cups, you

    can put an entire 'biggie' drink from Wendys

    inside of the center storage compartment

    and even close the door on top of it. Probably

    not with a straw in it though :-)


    BTW..here's my car !
    I showed my Corolla to some friends yesterday, and
    they were oohing and aaahing. One of them has
    a 2001 Civic Coupe and she loved it ! ;-)

  • hecephecep Member Posts: 10
    Thanks for looking up the cd info! Are we talking about in-dash units?

    I e-mailed a sound system info request to Toyota in Torrance, California. We'll see how that goes. Sometime next week? C'mon, Torrance!

    In the meantime, www.carstereohelp.com/toyota.htm shows a jpg for a head unit described as Toyota/ Panasonic-Matsushita, and it bears a striking resemblence to the Corolla's unit. I had assumed that "our" Corollas' would be of the Fujitsu variety. But, then again, I noticed that the Toyota Corolla Altis' (2003 Corolla clones sold in S-E Asia) have Eclipse (made by Fujitsu Ten) head units, or Alpines based on trim levels and option packages. I doubt that Alpines applies in our case. Still, the mystery grows.

    FYI: According to www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc/headunit.htm, the maximum wattage that even "high power" head units can put out is 20W/channel (based on battery voltage). I seriously doubt that the Corolla unit has the pre-amp outputs required to attach an amp (that is in the case that the 20W wasn't enough for a particular speaker upgrade you had in mind).

    BTW: Saw your pix. Quite the interesting little chick-o-renno magnet, isn't it.
  • 03corolla03corolla Member Posts: 2
    I just received my 2003 Corolla S - Lunar Mist Metallic yesterday, and it's a beautiful car all-around, but one thing has occurred that I have heard about frequently and just wanted a little help from someone who ran into the same thing.

    The problem is that the dash rattles a few times usually during acceleration. This likely isn't due to a temperature change or anything else - car has been running fine otherwise, but I know a few other people have run into this, and I was wondering if I should see my dealer - it doesn't seem like a big problem just is a little annoying.
  • vicarouzavicarouza Member Posts: 18
    I just installed a DVD Navigation system (Kenwood KNA-DV2100)in my 03 Corolla LE. The "head-unit" part of the setup is a retractable in-dash MONITOR/CD-player/AM/FM/TV receiver (Kenwood P-907)which, when fully retracted is the exact same size as a SINGLE-DIN head unit. There is a VERY SPECIFIC DASH ADAPTER KIT from www.metraonline.com (This company is a wholesale distributor of aftermarket sound system adapter kits etc. and only sells to installers) which has just introduced a "FACTORY-FIT" adapter for the 03 Corolla, which conforms to the unique contours of the radio opening (go to "product showcase" and it is part number 99-8204. The final result looks just as if it were from the factory with a neat little "pocket" below where the SINGLE-DIN unit neatly slots. The "frame" around the unit perfectly merges with the dash - NO GAPS, NOTHING!!.....hope this helps

    BTW I am right now looking at the factory radio that was pulled out from my Corolla LE (The 6-speaker upgraded/premium one) and it says MATSUSHITA (Panasonic) on it Model No: 86120-02280 and Ref No: CQ-JS7260X.....and there are no preamp outputs or anything on the back....just 3 "unique" sets of factory multi-pin type receptacles and a slot for antenna input.
  • vic19vic19 Member Posts: 56
    Rattles drive me nuts. We just took delivery on an S and it is absolutely tight. No rattles. You should have the dealer fix it. It's not part of the optional equipment.
  • corollarockscorollarocks Member Posts: 27
    Vicarousa: That sounds totally awesome..you
    gotta post pictures of that !

    Rattles: Vic..you are right. I've only
    had mine for 2 days and I have not encountered
    any flaws yet and mines from Fremont.

    With the windows rolled up,
    this puppy is very quiet..and rattles would
    definitely mar the tranquility. :-)
    Take that car into the dealer 03corolla.
  • mralanmralan Member Posts: 174
    Edmunds list $14,351 as the TMV for a 03 Corolla CE automatic. Has anyone paid this much, or less?
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    ...is being widely advertised in the SF area for less than $14k. That means it is even less in SoCalif.
  • corollarockscorollarocks Member Posts: 27
    Under 14 advertised..thats low
    Wonder if that includes the destination charge
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