2003 - 2008 Corolla Experience with high miles?
- Thread starter RobbS
- Start date
I had a 2003 that was fairly new at the time maybe 4 years old. It had 223,000 miles on it and I drove it another 12,000 or so before I sold it. The car was bullet proof and drove like a dream. I sold it and bought a Suzuki Forenza which was junk compared to the Corolla as far as ride, comfort, looks and noise. The Forenza was a cheap car and I sold it a month later. It was a theft recovery that I purchased from a repairable vehicles lot and it just needed some cosmetic treatment. I purchased one of many civics after that Corolla. I have always been a believer in buying vehicles which obtain good gas mileage because I love to drive around aimlessly.
Elkins45
Site Donor 2026
My 2007 was bought new and sold 10 years later with 178k miles. The only repair it ever had was the intake gasket, and that was mostly preemptive. It was still on the factory rear brake shoes when I sold it. I paid <$15k including tax so I certainly got my money’s worth.
218k on our 2008 Corolla CE. 120K on the 2009 Corolla Matrix. Love these cars 
221K on my daughter's 2006 Vibe...previous owner replaced all struts and a caliper at 195K. I have replaced all fluids and intake and valve cover gaskets along with multiple o rings. Still can't believe how rock solid of a platform this car is. Rides and drives great...and is driven daily. I also fluid filmed the crap out of it this Fall...rust will probably be what dooms this car.
Close to 268k on my '03. Best car I've owned and it's not even close! First actual repair was at around 230k; which was the starter. After that it was 1 wheel bearing, intake manifold gasket, valve cover gasket, leaky p/s hose, belt tensioner, motor mounts, and timing chain tensioner. I've done other things, but they fall within routine maintenance. I'm always impressed with how well it runs.
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They sound like great cars, maybe I should buy one.
Best Corolla generation imo. It’s got nicer interior material than new econoboxes you can buy today for a lot more money. They somehow worsened them starting with the Gen 10 Corolla. In laws bought it brand new (for about $14k, ‘05 S model) and we got it 100k miles. Dealer serviced 3k OCI and 5k OCIs with us.
Currently at 223k miles. Last year was the first year where it needed u schedule repairs (LF caliper, master cylinder). Outside of that, over the years its need 1 wheel bearing, 1 valve cover gasket and water pump (pulley went bad) outside of consumables. It’s taken us everywhere from Maine to Key West and to OKC and San Antonio.
The in laws got rid of their Gen 10 Corolla and went to a Camry hybrid - much better car overall. The Gen 10 1.8 had head gasket issues at higher miles and the 2.4s burnt oil. Had a rental Corolla LE recently (w/15,000 miles), made me wonder how much Toyota lost their way with making econoboxes feel less crummy.
Currently at 223k miles. Last year was the first year where it needed u schedule repairs (LF caliper, master cylinder). Outside of that, over the years its need 1 wheel bearing, 1 valve cover gasket and water pump (pulley went bad) outside of consumables. It’s taken us everywhere from Maine to Key West and to OKC and San Antonio.
The in laws got rid of their Gen 10 Corolla and went to a Camry hybrid - much better car overall. The Gen 10 1.8 had head gasket issues at higher miles and the 2.4s burnt oil. Had a rental Corolla LE recently (w/15,000 miles), made me wonder how much Toyota lost their way with making econoboxes feel less crummy.
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Technically, my sister did. But the car is mine until reconditioning is complete.
It is a 2005 CE with 140K miles. Paid $3K.
My sister lives in the city and needed an inexpensive car for weekend errands. Her plan is to keep the car for a few years and upgrade to something newer.
This Corolla was purchased from a friend of mine. It was their family's spare car for 3.5 years and was no longer needed. They only drove it for 15k miles for the duration of their ownership.
When my friend's family purchased this car in 2018, they had me bring all maintenance up-to-date. I also...
It is a 2005 CE with 140K miles. Paid $3K.
My sister lives in the city and needed an inexpensive car for weekend errands. Her plan is to keep the car for a few years and upgrade to something newer.
This Corolla was purchased from a friend of mine. It was their family's spare car for 3.5 years and was no longer needed. They only drove it for 15k miles for the duration of their ownership.
When my friend's family purchased this car in 2018, they had me bring all maintenance up-to-date. I also...
A lot of you may remember “Project Corolla.”
My sister drove the car for 34 months and 17,863 miles.
She experienced zero breakdowns. I did replace the starter due to a solenoid issue, but this was something I noticed before it became an actual reliability issue.
The car was sold to another BITOGer. I will let him identify himself if he chooses to. I think the car served its intended purpose and I hope it serves its new owner well.
My sister drove the car for 34 months and 17,863 miles.
She experienced zero breakdowns. I did replace the starter due to a solenoid issue, but this was something I noticed before it became an actual reliability issue.
The car was sold to another BITOGer. I will let him identify himself if he chooses to. I think the car served its intended purpose and I hope it serves its new owner well.
I am a huge fan of these Corollas. @JeffKeryk knows why.
2006 Corolla CE with the c59 5 speed manual transmission. Bought it off the original owner in 2009. Out of all the cars I own it would be the last one I'd ever sell. All things considered these are probably the best cars ever made. IYKYK.
Unfortunate, but some people get bored of them and/or become convinced to want something nicer... "don't know what you got till it's gone..."
Unfortunate, but some people get bored of them and/or become convinced to want something nicer... "don't know what you got till it's gone..."
Yeah, after owning a long runner, some may assume all cars are that way. 2 of the best cars I've owned are my 64 Bug and 06 TSX.
What's funny is, I hear the current crop of Toyotas don't always measure up. My old Tundra seems to be bullet proof as compared to the new, big $$ Tundra. Plus insurance and reg on the 2001 fit my wallet better...
Had an 06 matrix w just over 230k miles, was running good (daily vehicle), sold it to a high school kid, she’s loves it, her dad loves it better because it’s cheap and easy to maintain vs newer cars
Then bought an 05 Vibe w 155k, replaced the lower control arms, starter, valve cover gasket, and it running like new. Got 178k miles on it going strong.
Then bought an 05 Vibe w 155k, replaced the lower control arms, starter, valve cover gasket, and it running like new. Got 178k miles on it going strong.
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