more about this model
Toyota says the Corolla is the world's all-time best-selling passenger car, with more than 25 million units sold in 142 countries. Yes sir, that's a lot of Corollas. Not that we've had much to do with that.
In our 2000 Economy Sedan Comparison Test we ranked the car seventh out of nine cars. We disliked the uncomfortable front seats, tepid styling, high price and soggy handling.
For the 2003 model year, Toyota has introduced an all-new Corolla that addresses many of the car's deficiencies. It's bigger, has more power, is more crisply styled and has higher levels of refinement.
Built utilizing an all-new platform (one that also serves the 2003 Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe), the '03 Corolla is longer, wider and taller. Overall length is now 178.3 inches, as compared to the '02's 174.0 inches. The wheelbase is also correspondingly longer at 102.4 inches.
While this super-sizing boosts curb weight (by about 50 pounds), it does provide more interior room. The big winner is rear legroom. It now measures 35.4 inches, a significant gain of 2.2 inches. Most of the remaining front-and-rear interior dimensions are either about the same, or slightly more. Sitting in back, we noticed the increased legroom immediately. The rear seat is nicely contoured, and two adults should be comfortable, though rear headroom is still less than some of the competition. Trunk space is up from 12.1 cubic feet to 13.6 cubic feet.
For the front passengers, Toyota updated the dashboard and controls for better ergonomics. The audio system is now on top of the center stack, a change from its previously low-mounted location. This was done to make it more accessible, though our initial impression is that it's still hard to reach. Entry and exit is improved thanks to higher-mounted seats, and those seats have additional bolstering for more support. As is typical of Toyota products, the controls and switches have a solid feel to them. The quality of the materials is nothing to get excited about, however, as most of the panels are hard plastic and there's no padding for the driver's armrest.
Of more importance is what you're getting for your money. On this front, the Corolla should certainly satisfy. As before, trim levels continue to be the base CE, the better-equipped LE and the sporty S. More features are standard this year, and even the lowly CE comes with air conditioning with micron filtration and rear floor ducts, a CD player, power steering, power mirrors, an outside temperature gauge, 60/40 split-folding rear seats and 15-inch wheels.
The LE comes with wider tires, variable intermittent windshield wipers, fake wood trim, color-keyed exterior trim, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, map lights and a driver-seat height adjuster. The S model includes "sporty" trim such as even more color-keyed exterior items, smoked headlights, foglights, special gauges and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Options include upgraded audio systems, ABS, side airbags, cruise control, leather seating and a sunroof. Compared to similarly equipped '02 models, Toyota says the '03 Corolla is actually less expensive.
In terms of its powertrain, the new Corolla is pretty much a carryover. Under the hood is a 130-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. Thanks to a variable valve timing system (Toyota's VVT-i), this engine provides a broad torque output. It's also clean enough to allow the car to earn ULEV emissions status. Transmission choices are either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Last year's doggy three-speed automatic has been mercifully removed from the lineup, and fuel economy is rated at 32/40 mpg for the five-speed and 30/38 for the automatic.
On the road, the Corolla makes for comfortable and pleasant transportation. Despite Toyota's hype that the car is more exciting than before, it still offers little inspiration, even in S trim. Acceleration is certainly on par with or better than most other economy cars, and the ride is smooth. For 2003, the rear suspension has been changed to a non-independent torsion-beam design. While perhaps a step back on the technological scale, it's been tuned to a high degree with special shocks and bushings. MacPherson struts are used up front, just as before. Though our drive in the '03 car was brief, this Corolla did seem more stable. The steering is sharper, too, thanks to a relocated steering rack.
While we expect to have a full-road test available soon, our prediction is that the new Corolla will continue to sell to people looking for a safe and dependable economy car. Though the prices are higher than last year, the actual amount of stuff you get for the price is more. And what's wrong with extra stuff?
Used 2003 Toyota Corolla listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2003 Toyota Corollas for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 1,624 used and CPO 2003 Corollas listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 3,125 and mileage as low as 69,641. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2003 Toyota Corolla. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 151 on a used or CPO 2003 Corolla available from one of 2,630 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2003 Toyota Corolla ?
Save up to $151.1 on one of 16 used 2003 Toyota Corollas for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $3125 as of Apr 26, 2018, based on data from 15 dealers and 87 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 3 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2003 Toyota Corolla trim styles:
The used 2003 Toyota Corolla S is priced around $5494 with average odometer reading of 126388 miles.
The used 2003 Toyota Corolla CE is priced around $6000 with average odometer reading of 132747 miles.
The used 2003 Toyota Corolla LE is priced around $4044 with average odometer reading of 119484 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, Virginia. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
What options are available on the 2003 Toyota Corolla?
Available Toyota Corolla 2003 Submodel Types: Sedan
Available Toyota Corolla 2003 Trims: SE, S Plus, L, XLE, XSE, LE Plus, S Premium, LE Eco, Base, Special Edition, LE Premium, LE Eco Plus, LE, CE, S Special Edition, DX, S, VE, 50th Anniversary Special Edition, LE Eco w/Premium Package, XRS
Exterior Colors: Black Sand Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Slate Metallic, Barcelona Red Metallic, Falcon Gray Metallic, Galactic Aqua Mica, Blue Crush Metallic, Blizzard Pearl, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Brown Sugar Metallic, 4Evergreen Mica, Nautical Blue Metallic, Desert Sand Mica, Silver Streak Mica, Indigo Ink Pearl, Blue Streak Metallic, Impulse Red Pearl, Phantom Gray Pearl, Tropical Sea Metallic, Sandy Beach Metallic, Hot Lava, Impulse Red, Cactus Mica, Lunar Mist Metallic, Sandrift Metallic, Speedway Blue Metallic, Capri Sea Metallic, Charcoal Gray Metallic, Moonshadow Gray Metallic, Mystic Teal Mica, Pebble Beige Metallic, Silverstream Opal, Super White, Venetian Red Pearl, Woodland Pearl
Interior Colors: Ash/Dark Gray Fabric premium cloth, Black/Brown Fabric premium cloth, Black Mixed Media Fabric leatherette/cloth, Ash Fabric cloth, Black Softex/Black Fabric leatherette/cloth, Black Softex leatherette, Ash cloth, Almond Fabric premium cloth, Vivid Blue Mixed Fabric leatherette/cloth, Ivory Fabric cloth, Steel Grey Fabric cloth, Dark Charcoal premium cloth, Bisque cloth, Black Softex/Steel Blue Fabric leatherette/cloth, Orangezest Mixed Media Fabric leatherette/cloth, Amber Fabric cloth, Dark Charcoal cloth, Beige cloth, Stone cloth, Dark Charcoal/Orange cloth, Light Charcoal, Light Gray, Black, Black Softex/Black Amber Fabric leatherette/cloth, Pebble Beige
Popular Features: Tire Pressure Warning, Aux Audio Inputs, Stability Control, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Trip Computer, Bluetooth, USB Inputs, Upgraded Headlights, Back-up camera, Auto Climate Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Pre-collision safety system, Sunroof/Moonroof, Keyless Entry/Start, Alarm, Navigation, Power Driver Seat, Heated seats, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Remote Start
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: MANUAL, AUTOMATIC
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
Used 2003 Toyota Corolla Overview
The used 2003 Toyota Corolla is offered in the following submodels: Sedan. Available styles include LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A), CE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A), and S 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A). Pre-owned Corolla models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2003 Corolla comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 4-speed automatic.
