If you want a fast car, don't buy auto... standard transmission always make slow cars feel fast, which is probably why your Civic friends think they're fast.
I agree, a mild kit (not ricey), a decent drop and some nice wheels and ANY car can look good.
The last two Corolla generations were not as bad for looks, as long as you had the S or XRS with the OEM kit, the car looked decent after a drop and wheels... now if you had a CE or even an LE I can understand since they were more stripped down and geared towards older people who just need a car to get from a to b.