First time poster, Second time owner

[juicedz]

Just wanted to say hello. I recently acquired a 2003 Toyota Corolla S with 96,000 miles on it. Bought it off of the original owners who moved from Southern California to Southern Florida last year. So yea, the underbody is spotless . This is my second toyota corolla, as my first was a 1995 corolla that I purchased with 98,000 miles and drove until 176,000 miles. I must say that they've made some dramatic improvements since then!!! I plan on lowering the car with S-tech's and installing a pair of 16in or 17in rims. Other than that I wanna keep this thing for as long as possible. Long live the might Corolla

[Kiwi-Corolla]

Welcome to Toyota Nation!

Congratulations on the purchase of your Corolla. The S-techs should provide a nice drop. The wheels should set it off nicely too. Feel free to post some pics once you're done, or even some before and after pics

We have a large Corolla community here, so you're bound to learn a lot and find all the information you'll ever need.

Enjoy the forums

[TrailDust]

That Corolla sounds like a great find. You sure as heck won't find any underbody rust, etc., coming from a vehicle from Southern California. BTW, has the timing belt been changed on it yet? One of the things I'd be looking at with almost 100K miles on it.

to the nation!

[juicedz]

Originally Posted by TrailDust

That Corolla sounds like a great find. You sure as heck won't find any underbody rust, etc., coming from a vehicle from Southern California. BTW, has the timing belt been changed on it yet? One of the things I'd be looking at with almost 100K miles on it.

to the nation!

I'm not sure if the timing belt has been replaced or not. I know I never replaced it on the 95 with 176k miles and the person who purchased it was sorta disgusted with me after I told him that I hadn't done that. I did take it to a mechanic though and he said it was in great shape. The only thing they did was a wheel alignment, cleaned/tightened up the rear drum brakes, and rotated the tires. I replaced the a/c cabin filter (easy as pie) and put a new air filter in it. I also picked up a gatorback belt but that's in the trunk until I feel it really needs it.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by juicedz

I'm not sure if the timing belt has been replaced or not. I know I never replaced it on the 95 with 176k miles and the person who purchased it was sorta disgusted with me after I told him that I hadn't done that. I did take it to a mechanic though and he said it was in great shape. The only thing they did was a wheel alignment, cleaned/tightened up the rear drum brakes, and rotated the tires. I replaced the a/c cabin filter (easy as pie) and put a new air filter in it. I also picked up a gatorback belt but that's in the trunk until I feel it really needs it.

I'd look into it and see if it was done by the previous owner. I'd still replace it at 90K whether it looks good or not, and inspect the water pump at the same time.

[juicedz]

Oh, one thing that is broke on the car is the top center console door (driver side of the door appears to be snapped and is hanging on by the internal clip). Is there a specific place I can get this or does it need to be purchased at the stealership?
Oh, and it appears as though the 03 corolla runs off of a timing chain, not a belt.
03 corolla s timing belt or chain

[Kiwi-Corolla]

The 2003 Corolla S has a timing chain as opposed to a timing belt. In a lot of cases, the timing chain will actually outlive the life of the engine. The only time you should consider changing it is if it begins to get noisy

[juicedz]

Well, seems that the center dash door is a common breakage in the 03-08 corolla's. I'll probably just take the broken top door off and call it good.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by juicedz

Oh, and it appears as though the 03 corolla runs off of a timing chain, not a belt.
03 corolla s timing belt or chain

I'll have to log that in my memory.

Edit: I just pulled this off the web...I'll have to add it to some of the DIY stickies if they don't have it listed already:


Model Year Engine Belt/Chain/Gear

4Runner 1990-2000 4 Cylinder Chain
1990-2002 V6 Belt
2003-2008 V6 Chain
2003-2008 V8 Belt

Avalon 1995-2003 V6 Belt
2004-2008 V6 Chain

Camry 1990-2001 All Belt
2002-2008 4 Cylinder Chain
1990-2006 V6 Belt
2007-2009 V6 Chain
Camry Hybrid 2007-2009 4 Cylinder Chain

Celica 1990-1999 4 Cylinder Belt
2000-2005 4 Cylinder Chain

Corolla 1990-1997 4 Cylinder Belt
1998-2009 4 Cylinder Chain

Cressida 1990-1992 L6 Belt

ECHO 2000-2005 4 Cylinder Chain

FJ Cruiser 2007-2008 V6 Chain

Highlander 2001-2007 4 Cylinder Chain
2001-2007 V6 Belt
2008 V6 Chain
Highlander Hybrid 2006-2008 V6 Belt

Land Cruiser 1990-1992 L6 Gear
1993-1997 L6 Chain
1998-2007 V8 Belt
2008 V8 Chain

MR2 1990-1995 4 Cylinder Belt
MR2 Spyder 2000-2005 4 Cylinder Chain

Matrix 2003-2009 4 Cylinder Chain

Paseo 1992-1997 4 Cylinder Belt

Previa 1991-1997 4 Cylinder Chain

Prius 2001-2008 4 Cylinder Chain

RAV4 1996-2000 4 Cylinder Belt
2001-2008 4 Cylinder Chain
2006-2008 V6 Chain

Sequoia 2001-2007 V8 Belt
2008 4.7 V8 Belt
2008 5.7 V8 Chain

Sienna 1998-2006 V6 Belt
2007-2008 V6 Chain

Solara 1999-2001 4 Cylinder Belt
2002-2008 4 Cylinder Chain
1999-2008 V6 Belt

Supra 1990-1998 L6 Belt

T100 1993-1998 4 Cylinder Chain
1993-1998 V6 Belt

Tacoma 1995-2008 4 Cylinder Chain
1995-2004 V6 Belt
2005-2008 V6 Chain

Tercel 1990-1998 4 Cylinder Belt

Truck 1990-1995 4 Cylinder Chain
1990-1995 V6 Belt

Tundra 2000-2004 V6 Belt
2005-2008 V6 Chain
2000-2008 4.7 V8 Belt
2007-2008 5.7 V8 Chain

Yaris 2007-2008 4 Cylinder Chain

Per Toyota:

If your vehicle is a 1999 model year or newer and is equipped with a timing belt, you should replace it every 90,000 miles or six years, whichever comes first.