2003 Toyota Corolla CE from North America - Comments

-Dashboard noise.

-Rubber trim on top of roof had to be replaced.

-Oil leak discovered.

-Cruise control does not work even though I studied the manual and know how to set it.

-All four door panels had to be replaced over $400 Dollars later.

What in the world has happened to Toyota? I bought this vehicle new in Jacksonville, Florida (West-side Toyota) because I had a 1984 Toyota pickup that just would not quit so I figured I would keep the tradition going since all we have ever owned were a Toyota. Great gas mileage, but hard to believe not as good as much older Corolla models. This vehicle only has around 32,000 miles on it and is babied and not abused like my truck was and I see a mysterious leak under the vehicle and turns out a 3 1/2 year old car with low miles on it was leaking oil. The dealership fixed the oil leak, but I was stuck having to replace the door panels which cost over 400 dollars. This is not supposed to be a problem with Toyota, especially a new one. When I told the dealership about all the problems, they told me I was one in a million. What a great attitude for a dealership to have when they are to stand by their product. Before I bought this car, I test drove a 2002 Honda Civic and for a slightly smaller engine, it had a lot more power than my Corolla and was so fun to drive, I didn't wanna get out of it. I either bought a lemon or I swear this car hates me. Bottom line: If I buy another Toyota, it will be 20 years old or more, but not a new one. They're not what they used to be. I'll take back my old truck for this any day.

Underpowered? The Corolla came that year (but since 2000) with a 125HP 126LB-torque VVT-I engine on all trim level including the base model which was very good specs for a small 1.8 liter engine of that time.

Lets compare with the competition of that year:Cavalier Sunfire-115HP, Civic-115HP, Neon-132 (on a 2 liter engine) Sentra-126HP, Esteem-122HP, Saturn S-100HP, Elantra-140HP (yeah right) Golf-115HP, Protege-105HP, Focus-110HP.