Probably Getting a 2003 LE Corolla - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

***Eye8Pussies*** · 02-23-2006, 12:21 AM

hello TN corolla folk...my family's thinking abour getting a 2003 LE w/ abs to replace a car that my sister totalled

since this is the first year of the current generation of corollas, is there anything that I should look out for? leaks? noises? problems of any sort?

any and all advice is welcome.

thanks ppl!

ToyotaMan1281 · 02-23-2006, 01:15 AM

hello eye8pussies this will help you out.

http://shopping.com/xPR-Toyota_2003_...RD-57560698500

http://www.corollainfo.com/

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/...01-corolla.htm

I have a 06LE 4 speed auto and have driven it hard before going on 7K miles no problems yet. This car is a small tank and I never feel unsafe in it.

Raddman · 02-23-2006, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eye8Pussies

hello TN corolla folk...my family's thinking abour getting a 2003 LE w/ abs to replace a car that my sister totalled

since this is the first year of the current generation of corollas, is there anything that I should look out for? leaks? noises? problems of any sort?

any and all advice is welcome.

thanks ppl!

Nice name by they way

...I have an 03S...One of the first off the line going on 4 years this month...I have never had any major problems just a few nickle/dime things, I did have the passenger side headlight fog up and replaced .. Mines silver and fully loaded, the little things, the paint chips easy(probably 04-05-06 do the same) The CD compartment breaks easy(04-05-06) have the same, the OEM tires are terrible and I upgraded since then. I'm averaging 32-36 city/road mileage....Other then those few things mine is just fine, quiet engine/interior, all trim inside and out is a perfect fit, smooth shifting, 53K now and running/ looking just great even the stock 6 speaker radio has a good sound...... Good Luck...Radd Guy...

***REN69*** · 02-23-2006, 01:57 AM

As far as I know everyone is saying to stay away from the 05s.. drive by wire. The 03s, haven't heard too many bad comments yet.

karazy · 02-23-2006, 03:03 AM

55k and no unscheduled maintenance.

***Eye8Pussies*** · 02-23-2006, 12:58 PM

sounding good so far

and damn, ren....are you in EVERY section of this board??? haha...

ToyotaMan1281 · 02-23-2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eye8Pussies

sounding good so far

and damn, ren....are you in EVERY section of this board??? haha...

you getting it in manual?

fkl118 · 02-23-2006, 02:16 PM

Here's another article on the 2003 LE:

http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdr...corolla_le.htm

I have this car and I've had no problems with it at all. The ABS has saved me from accidents on several occasions.

***Eye8Pussies*** · 02-23-2006, 05:20 PM

I'm starting to look forward to driving this thing and seeing how it actually feels...

and it'll be an auto- the car my sis totalled was a saturn sl1 5spd, but my mom thinks that an auto is safer, since my sis doesn't drive too much, so her reaction w/ a clutch and gears is slower

and this way, my dad can drive it too...lol...

***REN69*** · 02-23-2006, 05:47 PM

No.. mainly in the Corolla forum.

ToyotaMan1281 · 02-23-2006, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eye8Pussies

I'm starting to look forward to driving this thing and seeing how it actually feels...

and it'll be an auto- the car my sis totalled was a saturn sl1 5spd, but my mom thinks that an auto is safer, since my sis doesn't drive too much, so her reaction w/ a clutch and gears is slower

and this way, my dad can drive it too...lol...

sounds good. auto is fun too

Raddman · 02-23-2006, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Eye8Pussies]I'm starting to look forward to driving this thing and seeing how it actually feels...

Hate to burst your bubble but a Corolla is no Lamborghini, Its just an average $16-18K compact car and your not going to get a fireworks display while driving/owning it...Its a great reliable car for the money, but there's nothing special about driving it that will rock your world, its just like any other car in its class, In a couple days/hours it will seem old to you. If your going for looks a S model blows the LE away, but driving both their just the same, so no meteor shower here just a nice reliable car....just my opinion...Radd Guy

Old Dood · 02-24-2006, 06:46 AM

I agree with you there Raddman. I have a 06 LE on order. I am not expecting all that much except great gas mileage and creature comforts. The S versions has a little more "spark" to it's look, but I really don't care about that either. I want a car that will become as invisible as possible. (Like my Buicks

)

The only thing about the LE's that annoys me is that you can't get Fog Lamps on them. They have the "spot" for them....why are they not available? To me they are a function more then a look. Most people do not know how to use fog lights correctly anyways. I want them for when I am actualy driving in fog..hehe So I guess I will have my Local Mechanics take a look at them and see about installing third party lamps.

A couple of questions please. (Sorry I do not mean to highjack a thread but you are all here and you all know what you are talking about)

1) Why is "Drive by wire" so bad? I take it is is on the 06 as well.

2) Seems like everyone says the OEM tires are horrible. I was going to have my Local Tire store (they are way better then any chain store, service wise) put on some Cooper LifeLiner Touring SLE. I liked them on my Buicks. Worked well in all types of weather in Michigan. Any thoughts on that?

3) I ordered the JBL sound system. Any feedback on this? I figured it has 270w of power. I am not a guy that needs THAT much power...just clarity.

Thank you for any input. Once again I am not trying to highjack a thread. I did try searching on all of these topics...nothing is that current for my situation.

Another note of interest. The Leather Package is just NOT available. This was a big annoyance to me and my wife. I do not get this. I am ordering from the factory and it is still not available. Anyone know why? I personally can live with it since you cannot get heated seats. Leather is cold in the winter...cloth is allot "warmer".

caddymac · 02-28-2006, 12:14 AM

Old Dood, what kind of Buicks did you have? I used to have a 2000 Regal GS and currently I have a 1994 Park Ave.

While I don't really care for the DBW on my '05 LE, I can't say it's horrible either. I think if I had an auto I probably wouldn't even notice the difference all that much.

As for the JBL, I am not impressed by it at all. There seems to be almost no bass and the highs are muddled with the mids. Overall, I'm pretty happy with my LE, but it's just a reliable basic car for Point A to Point B trips.

rolla_dink · 02-28-2006, 03:15 AM

If you are going for the auto don't get too excited. The 5-speed is much more peppy and more fn to drive IMO. The auto does get up and go for cars in its class.

I own a '03 S supercharged and haven't had any problems with it and I love it! I did however do some work on it to get it where it is today but straight out the dealer floor I worked the TRD springs, Front Strut Bar, and TRD muffler in the deal installed. with that in mind and a set of sticky tires your should be good to go and relatively happy for the money you will spend which should not be very much.

They get great mpg and even after 3 years no rattles and it drives and sounds solid.