2005 Toyota Corolla Consumer Reviews

2005 Corolla good value

Vehicle

2005 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

On a recent 800 mile trip I got 36 miles to the gallon. This is driving 70 -75 miles an hour. The check engine light came on during this trip. Code P0456 was the obd code and after looking it up found that Toyota has a technial bullentin for this issue and is related to the upgraded ECM module that was done on the car. Has to be upgraded again apparently. Going to take to dealer this week. The car has plenty of power and considering the gas mileage it gets I can't complain at all. There is some wind noise but nothing bothersome. The original tires were noisy but new tires at 50k fixed that problem. Plenty of room in the trunk and back seats.
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Piratical A-to-B car

Vehicle

2005 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Understand this review is based 100% on the amount of money I paid for it in comparison to others cars at the time. Havening owned the Toyota Corolla LE Automatic for a little over 6 years now I’m glad I bought it. This car is exactly what you would expect for about the 15.5k or so I got mine brand new. I’m 5’11” barefoot, 220lb and I can make peace with the seating and steering orientation. The only negative thing about it is the fact that’s it’s a little under powered for my tastes, but then again I have a 530 HP(give or take) truck I play in. Also a lot of people say that it makes a lot of road noise. Let me ask you a question, how often have you heard a 2800 lb or so car not make road noise??? I also have a 97 Continental that is just as every bit noisy when you put in on the firm ride setting. And the engine in a 4 banger, this one and about every other I’ve driven does too. The fact on gas milage are this, the thing get about 95% of the rated 34/MPG highway (that’s about 32/MPG) that the EPA says it should. And yes 34/MPG is the correct MPG for this model, the 06 is the one with the 40 or whatever mpg. I know because I saw it on the chemical back in February 05!!! Not to mention the fact if you multiply the 13.2 gallon tank buy 34 you get about 450 miles. I averaged about 390~420 miles to a tank on the highway so that’s all the confirmation I ever needed. I will admit the city mileage took a pretty steep nose dive to around the 25-27/MPG mark. It seemed to fluctuate from 290/tank to 320/tank. Then again the way I’m used to driving my truck that probably has a lot to do with it LOL!!! IT does not get stuck easy with good all terrain tires (trust me I’ve got it stuck doing dumb stuff in it). The paint job is a little iffy on the lower parts of the unibody, but overall it’s very smooth and even with the clear coat. The fold-down seats, don’t fold all the way down per say, but it makes plenty of room for an 8’ Christmas tree or a few 10 foot fly rods. If you really REALLy want to decide for yourself if this is a car worth buying, see if you can work a deal out somehow to drive one around for a weekend. I test drove several cars several times before I chose this one, it was the right price for what I was getting. I did not buy this car because “it was the car for me” I bought it as a practical, reliable to way get to around and not completely bite it at the pump. I mean why do you think I got in in automatic???
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Amazingly Reliable But Bland

Vehicle

2005 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

This is my first Japanese car. I became disgusted with the past 3 gm cars I have owned. This car changed my view on Asian cars, I used to think they were junk. This car proved me wrong. Purchased used in 2007 with 15,000 miles it now has 63,000 miles with ZERO issues. The only things it needed were tires, brakes, and oil changes. Not by any means an exciting car, if your looking for reliability and economy this is your car, if you are looking for excitement you will be bored of this car after a short while. Overall it's a great commuter car for the person who just wants to get from point A to B.It's has fairly peppy acceleration for it's class of vehicle. This car is a great value for the money.
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Best car I ever had

Vehicle

2005 Toyota Corolla S 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought my corolla in 04 with only 9miles on it. As of July 2010 i have 242,000+ miles on it and it still drives great. My first clutch lasted up for about 188,000 miles before it was replaced. but its not something to be driven in the snow.
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2005-2006 XRS is good to have one

Vehicle

2005 Toyota Corolla XRS 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 6M)

Review

I had my 1986 Corolla GTS before and now I have chance to own a XRS. Though Corolla is an entry level of Toyota but still surprises me after many years! After 9 months driving, I am really satisfied with it. As a used car, the price go down a lot to a reasonable amount. However, the cornering still need to be improved by upgrading aftermarket parts. The original tuned suspension is unable to handle this car anymore which I feel too soft. 0-60 mph only 7.2 sec with top speed 130 mph (Lock by limiter) and 28 mpg with mixing freeway and local (I live in SF Bay area) If you plan to buy Scion tC, I would recommend you to have this one instead if you don't mind have a used car.
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Be very careful when buying a corolla

Vehicle

2005 Toyota Corolla CE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

After owning for 40 days, the fuel pump died in my corolla with 67,000 miles. The big problem is that mine was made in Japan. Because of that the fuel pump will cost over $800. If my corolla had been made in North America the fuel pump would cost $130-250. Why on earth would Toyota want to do that to their customers? Right now my car is still in the shop because I don't know what to do and neither does my mechanic. If the VIN starts with J that means it was made in Japan and you should not buy it!
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Overall, good vehicle

Vehicle

2005 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Bought the car used in Aug. '06 with only 3,300 miles on it from a private owner. Complaints are only minor: sun visor on driver's hits the rear-view mirror every time you pull it down and put it back up, it's annoying to have to readjust the mirror every time the sun is in your eyes. Other major complaint is driving position, I'm 6' tall and have to have the seat pushed all the way back for leg room, when I do that, the steering wheel is too far, since it does not telescope out( corrected on '09 and newer Corollas).
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Great Mileage, Poor comfort

Vehicle

2005 Toyota Corolla CE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Bought new for wife. At 5ft 2in tall she loves it! I (at 6ft 2in) found it to be more uncomfortable than my old 1990 Corolla. The steering wheel is too far away and not adjustable. The armrests on the doors are very hard and my left arm goes to sleep when driving even short distances and the seats provide little thigh support for taller people. The serpentine belt squeaks constantly, (tensioner?) The valence panel below the front bumper is very flimsy and easily cracked.. Be careful when loading the trunk. The curved support arms may crush items when the lid is closed.
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05 Corolla

Vehicle

2005 Toyota Corolla CE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

My wife and I bought this car new!! Being that I was a Ford owner I bought the Corolla with a 200k/6yr powertrain warranty! In 195000 kms warranty covered ECM, Fuel Punp, Wheel Bearing and Timing chain seal!! The pump and ECM failure is odd but not totally unheard of, but compared to the 97 Ford Taurus, the toyota quality is unsurpassed! I too have a strange whistling sound from windscreen at higher speeds! Oh ya...door seal were replaced after on yr!! One cam loose so dealer changed them all!!! Great dealer service!!!
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Powerful little car

Vehicle

2005 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

It's my mother's car but I drive it every now and then to make sure all is fine. It has been very dependable, never in the shop for anything except brake pads, battery and regular maintenance. Did have problem with weather strip around the front doors. The dealer replaced them under warranty and the whistling noise went away. Every time I drive it, I'm amazed by the power it gives. Merging onto freeway is a breeze and the pick up from stop is also great for 1.8L. This is the 3rd Corolla in the family. Can't beat the overall value.
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