Toyota Corolla

sozbox

Looking to buy a 02/03/04 Corolla saloon/hatchback soon, what are the main things to look out for on these?

bazz26

Hatchbacks are more desirable than saloons so fetch a bit more money. Gearbox bearing can go on them so listen out for a whining from the gearbox or if the gear change is notchy.

Terra model is the Irish base model and not very pleasant. Luna is the higher spec model on the saloon and comes with air con. T3 or TR would be higher spec UK imported hatchback models and most of them come with air con too.

sozbox

Thanks for that, very helpful. Budget is 2k, seems to be a good few options for that.

Any thoughts on this, no NCT which seems odd

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-2003-low-miles/10029046?offset=1

mhackett102

Last time that Corolla was in a test centre was 27 months ago, just bear that in mind!

I bought a '03 Corolla saloon about a month ago.. Payed a good bit more than that one linked but mine had over half the mileage, taxed, nct'd and new tyres. Very nice car to drive (Im doing both short and long journeys weekly, between motorways and rural roads) and have no complaints about it just yet. A relative of mine has one for the last 4 years and also has no complaints about his.

sozbox

Glad to hear that. yeah, seems odd. Sep with the valid tax. I won't be going near it

bazz26

sozbox wrote: »

Thanks for that, very helpful. Budget is 2k, seems to be a good few options for that.

Any thoughts on this, no NCT which seems odd

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-2003-low-miles/10029046?offset=1

That's a UK imported T2 model which is similar to the Terra spec we have here. The fact it hasn't been NCT'd in nearly 18 months would concern me. Also the claim that it only needs a new wheel bearing to pass. If that's all it needs then why hasn't the seller replaced it? A fresh NCT would make it a more attractive buy.

enda1

There's a poster on here might be able to flog you an old IS250. Unfortunately it's no head turner and is in the undesirable manual version. At least though it's got a loud CD player so you can turn that up to cover the sound of the unbalanced engine within.

Gould have no trouble getting it for a steal too, not many interested in such a bland car in Ireland.

sozbox

enda1 wrote: »

There's a poster on here might be able to flog you an old IS250. Unfortunately it's no head turner and is in the undesirable manual version. At least though it's got a loud CD player so you can turn that up to cover the sound of the unbalanced engine within.

Gould have no trouble getting it for a steal too, not many interested in such a bland car in Ireland.

Any link to the ad? Looking for something boring, cheap and cheerful after spending 10 yrs on the exp side.

enda1

sozbox wrote: »

Any link to the ad? Looking for something boring, cheap and cheerful after spending 10 yrs on the exp side.

One pinch size dose of salt may be required. Plus about an hour.

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057465431/

Toyotafanboi

sozbox wrote: »

Thanks for that, very helpful. Budget is 2k, seems to be a good few options for that.

Any thoughts on this, no NCT which seems odd

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-2003-low-miles/10029046?offset=1

bad spec, no test, you already know it needs some work and it looks in very tatty condition. i literally wouldn't pay half the asking price for it. you could do better with 2k.

Toyotafanboi

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-1-4-3dr/9972873?offset=5
new NCT for the same price, the ad suggests tax too.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla/10021105?offset=6
new NCT, higher miles by Irish standards, asking €500 less

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-2002/10020151?offset=8
8 months NCT, 3 months tax too! i'd say you'd haggle that to €1750-1800 pretty easy

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2002-t-spirit-toyota-corolla/9978615?offset=24
really nice T-Spirit, only 5 months test and it is a 1.6 but the 1.6 is surely handier on fuel than the 1.4 and the tax is only €100 a year more. This has factory alloys, front fogs, "brushed aluminium" interior, climate control, sunroof, nicer seats etc etc. worth a look.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-t3-high-spec/9971441?offset=25
another nice 1.6 wildcard. good t3 spec too, air con, front fogs etc.

and that's just the first page of donedeal searching Corollas in Cork under €2500. they are all better value for money.

sozbox

Thanks for this, very helpful.