Bought a 2005 Toyota Corolla

[michaelluscher]

that's arguably the best Corolla out there, 2003-2008 model

It'd be nice to find a good one
5 speed S or LE with the side airbags, sunroof, and a decent set of alloys

 

[nthach]

I had a 2009 Scion xB. Love the room, power was good, but between the generations I'd take the 1st gen any day, as long as it's a 5MT. Always liked the look of the 1st gen, and the better fuel efficiency is a huge bonus. I can live without the extra power. Heck, I commuted on a 49CC scoot for 7-8 months, so for me MPG>WHP all day long. Overall the 1.5L 1NZ-FE in xB1 is a much more reliable and efficient unit than the 2.4L 2AZ-FE in xB2. To me the 1st gen is like a legal chance to own a Kei car with a big block lol. Considering JDM kei cars only had 0.6L of displacement. We'll call it Kei+.

The funny part is, the Prius 1NZ-FXE is an absolute dog - even a loaded down bus can out-accelerate me. Even worse than a Nissan Quest(Ford era, not the Altima-based, adapted for America Nissan Elgrand with the VQ35DE) from the 1990s or a Mercedes 240D. The Echo/Yaris/xB using the non-hybrid 1NZ-FE pulled above their weight.

 

[The Critic]

Project Corolla received some TLC:

- Genuine Toyota Front Struts, Front Strut Mounts, Upper Insulator/Boot, Lower Insulator and Bump Stop

- KYB Rear Struts

- 555 Front Stabilizer Links

- 555 Ball Joint, L/F

- API/PEC Lower Control Arms

- Genuine Toyota Upper/Lower Radiator Hoses, new clamps and ST Asian Red Coolant

- Furaba Radiator Cap

- Clean/Lube/Adjust Rear Brake Shoes

- New Cabin Air Filter

- Alignment

 

[silversport]

some love???...I should say...nice job

Bill

 

[The Critic]

some love???...I should say...nice job

Bill

Thanks - yes, about $1100 of parts.

 

[Trav]

that's arguably the best Corolla out there, 2003-2008 model

I had an 86 GTI that was excellent, so much better built inside and out than the 2006 and a lot faster. It was genuine competition for the Golf GTI.
The 03-08 models cant touch them in any way. I let it go after almost 20 years, it always passed TÜV with flying colors.

 

[macarose]

I have probably bought and sold over 40 of those Corollas of that generation if you throw the Vibe into the mix.

Here in Georgia they just last forever. Smooth roads. Plenty of daily driving between 40 to 60 mph. All you have to do is follow the maintenance schedule, keep up with traffic, and add in a trans fluid drain and fill every 50k and you are pretty much guaranteed to his 250,000 miles and get over 30 miles per gallon.

Only real weakness is no side airbags or ABS on certain models. Other than that it's the perfect commuter car.

 

[The Critic]

Here in Georgia they just last forever. Smooth roads. Plenty of daily driving between 40 to 60 mph. All you have to do is follow the maintenance schedule, keep up with traffic, and add in a trans fluid drain and fill every 50k and you are pretty much guaranteed to his 250,000 miles and get over 30 miles per gallon.

Only real weakness is no side airbags or ABS on certain models. Other than that it's the perfect commuter car.

Agreed. Granted we made this one mechanically perfect because I could, but if I had to pay someone, the situation would be different.

 

[macarose]

Agreed. Granted we made this one mechanically perfect because I could, but if I had to pay someone, the situation would be different.

I think about the idea of the perfect commuter car quite a bit. Probably more than I should.

I think the 2008 - 2012 Honda Accord with the four-cylinder gets the top honor. A bit safer than the Corolla and offers a better overall package than the Camry from the same era. The subsequent Camrys and Accords have transmission issues although the Camrys can be overcome with a 50k drain and fill regimen.

If you live in a rust free climate the 2016 and newer Mazda 6 models are also quite good.

 

[michaelluscher]

How's the Corolla doing?

 

[The Critic]

How's the Corolla doing?

She continues to be very happy with it.