Shopping for a Corolla (anything to lookout for?)

[yfzracer912]

I am the proud owner of an 03 Matrix and finally convinced my gf to see her van to get a toyota. At first we were looking at an Echo for fuel efficiency but noticed that the Corolla isnt too far behind.
Budget is around 8 grand, looking for a model between the years of 2003-2007.
Does anyone here know if there is something I should be looking for in particular while test driving or inspecting the vehicle?
Any changes to transmissions over the course of the 9th gen corolla to make em more for fuel efficient?
Are the "type S" corollas harder on fuel because of their more aggressive fuel mapping? ( I know its the same engine just with body trim package)
Thanks guys.

[gideon1331]

S has the same gas mileage. It is identical to the CE and LE in every way under the hood.

Substantially more sound insulation was added for 2005. Also added was the electronic throttle. Cars with VIN's starting with 1 and 2 have Delphi (GM) gas pedals which are worse than ones that start with a J. Those were made in Japan and have Denso pedals. Both have a slight delay to them, but the Delphi is worse. You get used to it with an auto quickly, but many say it's constantly annoying if you have the 5 speed.

05-07 are known for ECM failures (again with 1 and 2 VIN numbers...Delphi part), but those are being replaced under a recall, so just make sure that gets replaced if it hasn't been already.

Listen for strange vibrations while test driving...sometimes described like marbles under the hood. That's a sign the belt tensioner is bad. If you hear anything, make sure it's replaced before you buy the car.

I definitely recommend trying to find an 05-07 with the ABS/Tire Pressure Monitor/Side Airbag package. Nearly all others don't even have ABS, but the side airbags are the difference between death and minor injuries in a side impact. The Corolla was best-in-class when equipped with the side airbags.

[mikered30]

If you want to stay under 8K Canadian, you will be hard pressed to find a later production 9th gen. I would go with an 04 or an 05. Find out if the appropriate recalls have been performed on the vehicle and the normal stuff like maintenance history and accidents. Check the undercarriage and wheel wells for rust and inspect under the oil cap for sludge. If auto, check the color and smell of the tranny fluid. The storage cubby under the clock is known break very easily. The serp belt and tensioner are weak, just like on your matrix (same engine, except throttle body on 05+). Also, a big problem is the intake manifold gasket shrinks and hardens and messes up the idle and may set a Cel. It presents itself in cold conditions.

Also, very important, check under the floor mats for salt stains. Hopefully the previous owner was smart enough to have all weather mats, the factory mats are known to be sucky and the salt eats the floor from the inside out.

[yfzracer912]

Thank you very much guys! All good points that I will be looking at.

I have found a few 2006 for 8 grand and a very nice 2003 Type S which the original owner is selling.

2003 Type S
http://cornwall.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...AdIdZ264482931

2006 CE
http://cornwall.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...AdIdZ257024203

[mikered30]

The 03 may have the origional battery or someone paid too much at the dealer for a new battery, check for a date sticker on the battery. The dark brake fluid also has to be exchanged/bleed and with 84 K Km, brakes may still be original. Brake fluid should be bleed every 2-3 years. The 03 has an all weather mat on the drivers side, but I noticed something odd. The cruise control maybe aftermarket. The CC stick is on the other side of the wheel (actually in the wheel, not the column) in the US and does not look like the one in the pic. Almost looks like there is a green led on the stalk, but not sure, surely not like the standard CC in the US. Not sure why Toyota would change the side and type of stalk on the Canadian version. Might want to check other cars to see if they are the same. Does that 03 have an alarm (looks aftermarket), I cannot read French. I see that it also has wind up windows, I dont think that was available on the S in the US, but I could be wrong.


I would not get any 05+ with out the ECU recall performed before you buy. The Canadian versions must be different. The CE in the US did not have nice wheels, they look like they are off an S and I have not seen a CE with a sunroof, and the CE in the US did not have CC. The CE in the US was a bare bones car and they had ugly black molding down the side of the doors (not color coded to match the car and the side mirrors were black, didnt depend on the color of the car). Not sure what that tracking system is, but you may have to pay a monthly fee for it or something. Price for the 06 seems a bit high for that mileage.

Dont forget to check under the oil caps for sludge or build up on any car you buy. Can you get the maintenance history on any of the vehicles? Intake manifold gasket ever been changed on them? Both are auto, so you can inspect the fluid.

[silver04rollas]

Not to be picky, but it is a "Corolla S" not "Type S".

Originally Posted by yfzracer912

Thank you very much guys! All good points that I will be looking at.

I have found a few 2006 for 8 grand and a very nice 2003 Type S which the original owner is selling.

2003 Type S
http://cornwall.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...AdIdZ264482931

2006 CE
http://cornwall.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...AdIdZ257024203

[yfzracer912]

Thanks guys for the replies. Yeah sorry about the Type S lol

Yeah the 2003 S model is a Quebec car and its mandatory to have some type of anti-starting device. Thats what the Led is. As for the CC I have never seen one in a corolla or matrix. The strange thing is that he says that it has audio control in the steering wheel. I dont see anything but did toyota actually do that?

I was looking at this S model until I noticed that it did not have the front valance pieces.
http://cornwall.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...AdIdZ267457160

I know what you guys mean about the CE. I found a few like this one,

http://cornwall.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...AdIdZ252331503

http://cornwall.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...AdIdZ268143931

They dont have any options. Yet I found a few other ones with the same wheel, power everything and sunroof. Some people refer to them as "SE" but there is no such thing. Rims are 15" vs the S which are 16"

http://autocatch.com/used-cars/2007~...lla~516409.htm
http://autocatch.com/used-cars/2007~...lla~498307.htm

I wouldnt mind this one

http://autocatch.com/used-cars/2006~...lla~411948.htm