Used Cars Worth Considering: Corolla

The 2003-2008 Corolla makes all of the lists as a recommendation for a small family car offering a comfortable, roomy interior, smooth ride, good safety rating and excellent fuel economy. The Corolla is easy to maintain and very reliable. If maintained properly, it should last you for a very long time without major problems.

The 2003-2008 Corolla has front-wheel drive with a 4-cylinder 1.8L DOHC VVT-i engine and 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmissions. The sporty XRS model (available only for 2005 and 2006) offers more powerful 170-hp 1.8L 4-cylinder VVTL-i engine and 6-speed manual transmission borrowed from Toyota Celica. The Corolla has MacPherson struts in front suspension and torsion beam in the rear. The ABS and side airbags are optional.

Inside, this model feels roomy for a small car. The dashboard design is simple – nothing flashy – but very practical. Controls are conveniently laid out and easy to use. Front seats are comfortable, but somewhat lacking side support. Rear seat space is pretty generous for a small car. The trunk is spacious; the 60/40 split rear seat folds down to accommodate longer items.

On the road, the Corolla handles comfortably, although it’s far from being sporty. The ride is smooth and fairly quiet. The suspension is soft; the steering is light. On the down side, the engine is noisy under acceleration and some body lean is noticeable on curves.

In the NHTSA frontal crash tests, the 2003-2008 Corolla scored five stars for both, the driver and the front passenger.  In the frontal offset crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2003-2008 Corolla received “Good” overall rating.
If you’re checking out dealers that have used cars for sale, there’s a good chance you will find one or more Corollas on the lot.  It could be the perfect vehicle for you.