2003 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8 from North America
Summary:
Boring but extremely reliable
Faults:
- Starter.
- A/C relay.
- Plugs and wires at 80 thousand - could have went longer, but I was just bored and looking for something to do one day.
General Comments:
I bought the car (with 18,000 miles and 2 year old) for my daughter to go to college. Became my wife's car for a few years, and now my youngest daughter will take it to college in the fall of 2015. One day it will finally filter down to me. I'm using it as a test case to see just how many miles a properly maintained Corolla will run. I've used only synthetic oil, and have done the majority of the maintenance myself.
There is nothing spectacular about this car, other than it always starts and gets from point A to point B with little maintenance, and gets superb MPG doing so. It's not fast, showy or sexy, but it just keeps going. I'm a little surprised by the rust in front of the fender wells (we live in eastern Tennessee), but it has always been kept outside, uncovered since 2005. Nothing a little body work won't fix.
We've driven it to the Outer Banks numerous times and consistently delivered MPG in the high 30s at 70+ mph. Mostly driven around town, and I haven't checked it, but I imagine high 20s to low 30s MPG.
I've owned dozens of cars in my 54 years, and I can say without a doubt this has been the most reliable, trouble free car I have ever owned (to date). Boring yes, but very dependable.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 17th March, 2015