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.

 

[Bill7]

She continues to be very happy with it.

Thanks for the thread. It was very interesting reading.

I recently purchased a 2008 Toyota Corolla CE with 60,000 miles on it from an original owner. I had offereded $4,000 and they accepted the offer. It belonged to an older woman (still alive) and her children were selling it for her as she doesn't want to drive anymore.

From the Carfax, they were the original owner, and the only repair done to it was a new Water pump installed at the Toyota Dealer about 10 years ago. It's so amazing to me that this vehicle is 16 years old, and the only repair was 1 water pump with a genuine OEM replacement part at the Toyota dealer.

After picking the car up, I did an immediate oil change with a High Mileage Full Synthetic 5W-30 to treat the engine seals for the next 5,000 miles.

Consumer Reports' magazine has this year as a sea of Much Better than Average / better than average reliability across engine, transmission, etc. I'm able to get 40 MPG on it on the highway by driving it at the speed limits (55 MPH / 65 MPH), and coasting as much as possible with a gradual pulse and long glide hypermiling technique.

From what I've read on toyotanation forum, even when these Corollas reach 200k miles, they remain very reliable and their owners trust them to go on long trips.

 

[D60]

Thanks for the thread. It was very interesting reading.

I recently purchased a 2008 Toyota Corolla CE with 60,000 miles on it from an original owner. I had offereded $4,000 and they accepted the offer. It belonged to an older woman (still alive) and her children were selling it for her as she doesn't want to drive anymore.
From the Carfax, they were the original owner, and the only repair done to it was a new Water pump installed at the Toyota Dealer about 10 years ago.

It's so amazing to me that this vehicle is 16 years old, and the only repair was 1 water pump with a genuine OEM replacement part. The seller also just replaced the battery with a genuine Toyota 84 month battery at the Toyota dealer.

After picking the car up, I did an immediate oil change with Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage Full Synthetic 5W-30 to treat the engine seals for the next 5,000 miles.

Consumer Reports' magazine has this year as a sea of Much Better than Average / better than average reliability across engine, transmission, etc. I'm able to get 40 MPG on it on the highway by driving it at the speed limits (55 MPH / 65 MPH), and coasting as much as possible with a gradual pulse and long glide hypermiling technique.

My plan for this vehicle is different than the Odysseys I own.
I just want to do very low cost adequate maintenance on the Corolla and drive it from it's current 60k miles to 200k miles over the next 7 years @ 20k miles a year = 140,000 miles future driving due to a long commute to work. I've found 2 Toyota dealers on the web (with the help of other BIGOG posters) whose parts departments sell the parts close to wholesale prices. I want to only use OEM Toyota replacement parts from these, and have my local mechanic install them (should this vehicle ever require a repair - it seems quite reliable from what I've read).

From what I've read on toyotanation forum, even when these Corollas reach 200k miles, they remain very reliable and their owners trust them to go on long trips.

I'm considering gradually selling the 3 Odyssey's I own. I really like the Odysseys, but the high repair costs (ex: sliding doors, and many other items) is something I want to avoid as they get higher and higher miles.

I'm now sad to hear you own three mini-vans. Mini-vans make me sad. Now my day is ruined.

I was going to say we need to stage an intervention for you, but perhaps I need the intervention.

To all the mini-van lovers: the above identifies as humor, or at least humor-fluid (to steal a line from a particular radio program)

 

[Bill7]

I'm now sad to hear you own three mini-vans. Mini-vans make me sad. Now my day is ruined.

I was going to say we need to stage an intervention for you, but perhaps I need the intervention.

To all the mini-van lovers: the above identifies as humor, or at least humor-fluid (to steal a line from a particular radio program)

The Odysseys (with Navigation and DVD screen on the ceiling), offer the most luxury per dollar (in my opinion).
8 passenger soft leather seating, smooth powerful engine, strong air conditioning, being able to cruise comfortably on long highway cross country trips. Nimble handling like a Honda should have. When you sit in each of the 8 seats, you feel that that particular seat is the nicest most comfortable seat in the van.
Also, these Odysseys are among the safest vehicles on the road, with one of the lowest deaths per million vehicle years as rated by the IIHS.

I really like the Odysseys (and always will), but the higher repair costs (ex: Sliding doors, many other items), make them gradual money pits over the long term.

 

[cptbarkey]

I'm now sad to hear you own three mini-vans. Mini-vans make me sad. Now my day is ruined.

I was going to say we need to stage an intervention for you, but perhaps I need the intervention.

To all the mini-van lovers: the above identifies as humor, or at least humor-fluid (to steal a line from a particular radio program)

Dont worry. Minivans are still out there. They are just renamed to less minivan-like names, like Pilot, Passport, Palisade, Explorer, and other manly words. You get less utility with them too which I guess is a bonus for being less capable.

 

[D60]

The Odysseys (with Navigation and DVD screen on the ceiling), offer the most luxury per dollar (in my opinion).
8 passenger soft leather seating, smooth powerful engine, strong air conditioning, being able to cruise comfortably on long highway cross country trips. Nimble handling like a Honda should have. When you sit in each of the 8 seats, you feel that that particular seat is the nicest most comfortable seat in the van.
Also, these Odysseys are among the safest vehicles on the road, with one of the lowest deaths per million vehicle years as rated by the IIHS.

I really like the Odysseys (and always will), but the higher repair costs (ex: Sliding doors, many other items), make them gradual money pits over the long term.

Jason Bateman loved 'em in Ozark fo sho! He even tried to offer it to a drug kingpin as payment. Surprisingly, the drug kingpin was not interested.....?

The above identifies as humor-fluid

 

[rinkevichjm]

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 worked on it a few times over the last few years. According to my records, it received the following work over the last few years:

4/2018, 125K - ATF Flush (Amsoil SS), Brake Fluid Flush, Spark Plugs, Drive Belt, Coolant Service, Reboot Passenger Side Axle, VCG, Air/Cabin Filters, Timing Chain Tensioner O-Ring, HLR, Intake Manifold Gasket, Radiator Cap and 1 caliper.
8/2018 - Front Pads (OE) and A/M Rotors, Rear Shoes (OE) and A/M drums
3/2019, 132K - A/M Front Lower Control Arms and Alignment

Mechanically, the car is in decent shape. Cosmetically, it is a bit below average, mainly because of the paint that is starting to fail on the roof.

My sister wants this car to be reliable for the next few years. She also plans to take some semi-long trips with it. After inspecting the car and with those goals in mind, she has agreed to move forward with the following items:

- Oil and Filter Change w/HPL Engine Cleaner
- Installed a new Kirkland 35 AGM Battery
- Installed 4 new Michelin Defender T+H tires
- Replaced Engine and Cabin Air Filters
- Replaced Wiper Blades
- Removed the fuel injectors for bench cleaning (clogged injectors are an issue on high-mileage 1ZZ-FE engines)
- Perform a Headlight Restoration
- Perform a Brake Fluid Flush
- Perform a Power Steering Fluid Flush
- Replace a failed Exhaust Donut Gasket (manifold to cat converter connection)
- Clean the Throttle Body and Replace Gasket
- Reseal the Timing Cover due to light seepage at the timing cover to cylinder head "t-joint." Will also replace the crank seal, VCG and timing chain tensioner o-ring in conjunction with the repair.
- Replace the Water Pump and Thermostat using OEM parts
- Replace the Radiator and Radiator Hoses using A/M parts
- Install a Sony XAV-AX150 Stereo and Boyo Back-Up Camera; @nthach will be helping me with this
- Install a new set of factory carpeted floor mats

Total investment will be $1650.

For $4650 (plus taxes and registration fees), I think this car should serve her well for a few years. When she is done with it, she should still be able to recoup most of her investment.

Here are some pictures of the car after a preliminary wash and vacuum to triage its condition. At some point it will receive a full interior detail:
View attachment 83283
View attachment 83287

View attachment 83284
View attachment 83288
View attachment 83285

You might want to replace the timing belt/chain since Toyotas often break those at this point

 

[The Critic]

You might want to replace the timing belt/chain since Toyotas often break those at this point

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

 

[blueglide88]

. A Koyo radiator is only $65 and Gates hoses are only an extra $28. The cooling system is already being drained for the timing cover reseal.

Several years ago my buddy replaced the radiator on his 2001 Blazer with a cheap aftermarket one. At the time his Blazer had about 250k on the clock and it ran fine. He loved that truck and his financial state kept him locked in to fixing it. Just a few months later, the radiator had failed and he had to junk the Blazer because it either took the engine or trans with it.. Don't recall the exact details but afterwards he bemoaned the fact he put a cheap aftermarket radiator in it. Just saying.....maybe an OEM would be a more reliable choice.

 

[cptbarkey]

You might want to replace the timing belt/chain since Toyotas often break those at this point

very doubtful.