Bought a 2005 Toyota Corolla

[VersatileGuy]

Yo are really taking her to the cleaners for stuff that ‘might’ fail, eh?

Rad - these can last the life of the vehicle. If no leaks or seeps, why replace?
Injectors - these can also last the life of the vehicle. If no loss of performance, no need to touch.
Slight oil seep - try tightening the cover, or maybe a High Mileage oil. If not actually dripping, will not cause a problem.
Spark plugs - are they actually due? Some are designed to go 80k.

But, you work for a dealership. You guys are pretty bad for scaring people about what might become a problem.
I manage a retail garage for a living, and I pride myself on only repairing for customers what needs to be done.

I know it has been a couple years between posts but some thoughts.....

If the coolant fluid was timely replaced, I'd keep using the old rad. But, I know running it for 10 years and slightly under 100k is a formula for radiator failure. We don't know if the prior owner stayed on top of coolant drains and flushes.

Fuel injectors actually get clogged or otherwise "interfered with" well before death, around 100k. I know for a fact my mom's Matrix had a tedious idle relearn by that time and was running lean. Probably a combo of injector and fuel pump already deviating from factory new performance.

The fuel pump is also nearing its time to die given the fuel filter(not the sock) is not serviceable.

 

[Bill7]

Tensioner was only extended a minimal amount. I reused the chain.

In these 2003 to 2008 Toyota Corollas, is the original timing chain usually good for 300k+ miles.

I've been watching too many videos on the Ford Ecoboost F150 trucks, where timing chains typically wear out faster than a timing belt would have.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

I've been watching too many videos on the Ford Ecoboost F150 trucks, where timing chains typically wear out faster than a timing belt would have.

Motorcraft Synthetic Blend oil is / was not a good timing chain protector. OCIs above 5 don't help the cause either

 

[Bill7]

Motorcraft Synthetic Blend oil is / was not a good timing chain protector. OCIs above 5 don't help the cause either

I agree. Synthetic blend is likely nearly all Group I and Group II conventional oil with just a small amount of Group III synthetic.
In a high heat situation, I wouldn't trust it. I would never use a Synthetic Blend in any engine I cared about.

 

[spiderbypass]

Remember test driving one when they cane out new. Loved the gauges-felt more upscale-while I am taller… arms are a bit shorter.. and felt steering wheel was too far away.. was really only main thing that dissuaded me from the purchase.

 

[The Critic]

Just wanted to conclude this thread in case anyone missed the final outcome. After 34 months and 18K, the vehicle was sold to another forum member, @JeffKeryk

Details are here:

Thread 'Sold the 2005 Corolla'

Nov 24, 2024

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.

• The Critic
• Replies: 49
• Forum: Vehicles

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[JeffKeryk]

@The Critic stepped up when my niece needed something to help with the crazy CA gas prices. You may recall 2 years ago the huge eucalyptus tree fell on her condo in Capitola. It's been quite a ride. The Corolla continues to perform flawlessly. All I've done is oil change services; easy peasey. I couldn't be more pleased or satisfied. My niece and her 2 sets of twin girls as well.

I wonder if this is the day we picked it up? @The Critic took a spin in the M3P, but kinda backed off the go-pedal...

 

[dishdude]

Fight over it!

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9lzZmdYg/2005-toyota-corolla-le

 

[JeffKeryk]

Fight over it!

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9lzZmdYg/2005-toyota-corolla-le

Stunning... Here's mine viewed through an exotic red bark Japanese Maple. Not for sale... She's a looker!

 

[buster]

Great cars. Current gen is very nice looking.

 

[ccs368]

This is my last memory of my wife’s 2003 Corolla LE. Sold in Sept ‘24 with -216K for $450 for scrap. By far the most reliable vehicle we have ever owned though it had a strange appetite for alternators.