Used 2003 Toyota Corolla Consumer Reviews
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Thought it was reliable
SteveMA, 02/08/2010
2003 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
I had no trouble with this car and felt it was highly reliable, like the Toyota reputation suggested. I bought the car new and always took car of the maintenance. Then at 59,000 miles, the transmission completely failed. No warning, no symptoms, just stop at a light and when the light turned green, the car would not move. Turned it off and turned it back on, and when I put the car in drive, the car made a horrible grinding sound. Called Toyota and they would do nothing for me. 6/60000 miles was the warranty. Guess they had it figured out just right. I'll never buy a Toyota again.
Very Happy!
NatNic, 07/28/2003
2003 Toyota Corolla CE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Did a lot of research for my first car and the new style Corolla won! I ended up being the winner in the end though. Only problems have been with some interior things... My friends can't drive it because they're too tall (seat doesn't back up enough); I broke off a compartment door on the center panel within the first month - dealer replaced with no problems though. I added cruise control after market - it's not the prettiest thing sticking out my steering wheel but it works!
Bad car quality
jmei, 06/07/2002
2003 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Poshed up version of same old car, except that it breaks now. Engine is potent if you want to push hard but handling is left far behind. Minor build quality flaws. Check Engine light comes on every so often for no apprarent reason.
Love my baby Lexus
BabyLex, 04/30/2003
2003 Toyota Corolla CE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Bought a 03 Corolla for my wife in January. Love that car so much, I bought one for me in March. Build quality is excellent, it's quiet, smooth, refined. The engine is peppy, I'm getting 28MPG in the city and it's not even broken in yet. Not enough can be said about it's exterior styling...I turn heads everywhere I go, people are shocked to learn it's a base model Toyota. The steering is precise, the brakes are excellent, and there is a ton of trunk space. I'm not that tall, but there's plenty of leg room, both front and back. The dash and controls are well laid out, very logical. Overall I am SUPER happy with these cars!
Not As Dependable As Is Widely Believed
dethark, 06/09/2011
2003 Toyota Corolla S 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
10 of 27 people found this review helpful
Purchased my Corolla in March 2002. At this time (June 2011) there are 49800 miles on it. Here is every problem I've ever had with it over 9 years in chronological order: - steering wheel was slightly out of alignment, tilting to the left a bit; Toyota straightened it under warranty - AC cut out while I took a 600 mile road trip; only happened once, didn't need to fix it - squealing started off and on from the engine/belt; had belt replaced but squealing continued; sources online say it's a belt tensioner problem; happens inconsistently; haven't fixed it yet - crackling distortion began from rear speakers - rear wheel bearings needed replacing, $1260 for parts + labor