2003 Toyota Corolla Sportivo 1.8 VVTL-i

Summary:

Don't get a Corolla. Add on $10,000 and get yourself a Mazda 6 Luxury Sports

Faults:

Well it had to be taken it to the dealers to fix the handbrake because you had to pull it right up to the top for it to work, yet it still failed to work properly.

The sound system (which is a 6- stack 260watt system) had eaten all six of my cd's and we had to take it to them so they could dismantle it and get my cds out.

The leather on the seats has began to crease and open. it is not bad at the moment, but you would expect this to happen after ten years not eight months. It looks as if it will crack open and get much worse.

General Comments:

Besides the Cd eating stereo, non-responsive handbrake and the tearing leather, the car has been good.

Mine is silver, but I recommend people not to get silver. Get black, it looks better in black. When in silver you can see the lines of the body which make it look cheap. get black to eliminate those lines and to make it look way more sportier.

If you do get one because the body kit looks good, make sure you get the full thing. When getting a basic sportivo it has front and side skirts which fool you to believing they are body kits. They are not, they are simply kits nailed on the front and sides to look real. If fake skirts pretending to be kits turn you on about the car, then don't forget to get a rear kit, it don't come basic with the car. instead it has mud-flaps at the rear and no kit. GET A REAR KIT, it will look much better. Make sure, if you decide to get one, get it with a genuine sportivo one.

These cars when transformed from a Corolla Ascent to a Corolla Sportivo go through many changes, one change it lacks in is its height. Ascents and Sportivos are the same height. Because of the side body kits being on the car it does make the car look a bit like a very big Mitsubishi Nimbus. Make sure you lower it. At least 3 ich. When done properly it will not void your warranty though will up the premium on your insurrance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th May, 2005

17th Sep 2005, 23:14

Yes I agree with this review truely. I own a 2003 Corrolla Levin. I should have got a mazda six. Corrollas don't handle well. Levin and Sportivo are over priced.

6th Aug 2007, 02:19

Add on $10,000? That's a whole different market. Not everyone who spends thirty grand has another ten to spare! I am very happy with my Sportivo. A bit gutless at low revs, but insane fun when it's screaming past 5000rpm. As for the comment saying that Corollas don't handle well - have you driven a Sportivo? There's a BIG difference!

1st Aug 2008, 22:42

Yes add "another" $200k and get a 911. No worries.

26th Nov 2008, 06:33

Sportivo's are nice cars, especially with the YAMAHA designed 147kw VVTL-i engine, same as Celical ZR, is very zippy.

Theres nothing wrong with a different designer, just sounds weird being made out of a Hi-Fi/Motorbike/Outboard laboratory...

The car is great except the very hard sports clutch and the high CO2 emissions, which was the main reason of being discontinued.

I was about to buy an '03 Corolla Sportivo, but then decided not to. No reason whatsoever.

6th May 2010, 04:05

Leather - Ever heard of re-conditioning? All leather will do this. Get up and clean your leather.

Accents have 15 inch rims and the Sportivo have 16 inch rims with sports suspension. Hmmm...

All of the comments given were opinions based on aesthetic parts of the car. Easily rectified by some simple modifications or simply order one with the full options. You get what you pay for.

Get a Sportivo if you want a Sportivo; the extra 10k will get you a supercharger and tid-bits put on by a local performance shop. What a ride that would be!!!

28th Sep 2010, 10:34

When I get mine I'll review it on performance rather than appearance.

2003 Toyota Corolla Levin 1.8 VVti

Summary:

Good price all rounder! Excellent build

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

I was afraid of buying a Japanese car. I am someone who really emphasises safety, especially when it comes to crash safety.

This is why I had a Mercedes Benz for a previous car. The Mercedes was great, but I was not used to the feel of the steering wheel. The Mercedes C Class last generation uses gear box power steering system rather than rack and pinion, so it feels less communicative to the wheels.

This Corolla I must admit, unlike the previous Corolla, which feels a bit tin can and light, this model feels much more solid, and I must say, it's almost got the solidness like the German makes. It's very comfortable, very good head room, better than the last model C Class, and this model C Class. For the price, the comfort, the head room it offers, the 4 air bags, the running cost, I believe this car is very well made. :)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st September, 2003

2003 Toyota Corolla Levin 1.8

Summary:

Reliable

Faults:

Cigarette lighter faulty.

Right hand side vent faulty cable fell off.

General Comments:

Very nippy car for a 1.8 liter engine.

Comfort is good for a small car, drove for more than 4 hours and still able to walk after driving for this long.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th May, 2003