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-   -   Old is Gold - Tale of Two Toyota Corollas - AT and MT (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-term-ownership-reviews/93575-old-gold-tale-two-toyota-corollas-mt-4.html)

Great! Would love to see pictures of the set up at night!

Have you faced any issues with the uneven wear on the tyres? Do keep a check on this, especially after any small shunts. On our Corolla, it came down to the point of replacing tyres with 5000-6000kms, with us constantly getting it rectified. But then again, the Corolla was an unlucky car for us, with others getting so attracted to the color and design that they couldn't help but kiss it. Even when parked!
However, we did sort out the issue of uneven tyre wear quickly, from an independent S.S.

I'll post pics for sure .

Uneven wear - having read stories on this,I am keeping a watch ; got the alignment done once at a Bridgestone Select shop and the guy aligned and TD the car thrice saying that the Corolla needed repeat fine adjustments

I could not understand as after all, only the toe needs adjustment and that requires just one nut to be opened for adjustment.

the steering wheel , which was slightly offset before alignment surprisingly came bang in the center automatically post alignment ; in all my earlier cars,I had to get the steering wheel adjusted post alignment.

alignment values for toe BEFORE +4.4mm, -0.5mm ; AFTER +0.5mm,+0.1mm

In my approx 4k kms use,I have not seen any probs

kissing - I'm fortunate that there are mostly retired people in the Apt I stay so kissing perhaps is not their forte:D ; I always,though, keep the cover on to keep horny guys at bay !!!!

It would be appropriate to link my experiences with the ac to this thread

Som's corolla-ac-problem-diagnosis-solutions-experiences

Som's corolla-ac-evaporator-replacement-steps-pics

I am attaching a pic of some DIY DRLs - they look great at night but I am not able to get a perfectly clear nightshot , hence the daylight pic

i have been going through lot of threads on corolla. Planning to buy a pre owned car. As you are using a pre 2005 model. Wanted to check apart form suspension issues was there any other change. Also i have a budget around 4 Lakhs. I have seen couple of cars on sale, some pre 2005 models and some post 2005 models. What would be the recommendation to go for a post 2005 model or a pre 2005 model. My usage is going to be pretty less. Only for drives on the weekend and out station trips twice in an year. Max my running would be around 500 kms a month, hence going for petrol and comfort car. I could increase the budget a bit more and go for automatic but i do not have any experience of owning one. Though i always wanted one. So any inputs on automatic version would also help. Currently my search for a used Corolla is on.

^^ for your low usage,I'd suggest you go in for a Type2 viz. a post Aug2005 Corolla which you should be able to get in 4 lacs.

Type1 vs Type2 Corollas

• Type1 has better looks with its six spoke alloys and a better grille
• Type2 is better on other counts - improved suspension,adjustable headlamps and a dark brown wood finish inside which looks better
• Type2 body spares are more easily available - at least that is what I have seen

Some Points:

1. get a car which has service history with the owner's manual and all keys.
2. Don't bother if the tyres are bald ; that presents you an opportunity to get good ones on.
3. check if the center console ashtray and the compartment lid over that open with a springy action ; if not,the dashboard has not been taken apart properly when the ac evaporator coil was serviced.The cigar lighter must also be there.Any deviations point to a not-so-cared for car
4. There is only one belt driving the pulleys ; make sure that does not show cracks
5. There should be no vibrations from the engine when started - if present,they are a pointer that the engine mounts are bad - cost approx 7k to replace
6. Parts are hard to source outside ; and are expensive.So it would be good to get a well kept example.

Please ask or PM me if you have finer queries on any sample cars you've seen.I'd be glad to help

Thanks for the inputs Vigsom, I got worried with no responses to the thread for a long time. Unfortunately I already closed the deal and have finalized a car. I have given 10k advance to the seller for the same.

I had seen and spoken to many used car dealers, also visited the user car showroom of Nandi Toyota at Hosur road but the experience was horrifying. He should me 2 cars. First one was a 2008 old model which had done 71000 kms and the interiors were in bad shape, the tyres were bald and one of the headlight was badly scratched. It had a cognizant sticker on it. Price quoted was 6.9 Lakhs . Post inspection I asked him why the left headlight is so badly scratched, was there an accident or some other issues. He did not respond and was silent. Finally after pushing him hard he said that maybe they had a delivery of another car and the headlight assembly was switched. Hearing this I was shocked like hell, imagine this coming from a Toyota Dealer. I walked off telling him I did not like the car.

He said he is getting a 2008 H1 model , 36,000 kms done which is in good condition and I can see the same tomorrow. I said ok and walked off.

Next day went with mechanic to do the test drive of the silver 2008 model H1. First surprise it was a 2007 model registered in 2008. Anyways I asked for a test drive as I got a mechanic with me.


Post test drive some findings :

• Car was used more than what the odometer was showing. He said it can’t be 36,000 kms done as this engine has done at least 65,000.Also that the km reading has been changed. Don’t know if it is still possible to do that on the new cars.

• On inspecting the car we found out that the entire left side was repainted. The rear right door had rusting on it. Inside the interiors were ok. The exterior had lot of scratches showing bad handling on the car.

• Response from sales representative was that Bangalore every day scratches would happen and you would need to get a touchup done. He said give us some time we will touch it up and it would be as good as new. I told him the reason I came today is to see the car in original condition and not after they have done all touchups.

• I told the Toyota guy, I may not go for the car. First response I got from him was the price dropped from 5.75 Lakhs to 5 Lakhs, without negotiation even starting, then he started to ask me what is the mechanic saying and where the problem is. I told him I have few others cars to see so will get back to him. Then he said the mechanic wants his cut, we will not give him a cut so he would say car is not good. I told him don’t worry will see other cars and then take a call. I did not negotiate on the price and left the place.

Finally decided and closed the deal for a H5 2006 black.

• It’s a May 2006 model H5 Black, so I guess it would be a Type 2 and spares availability would not be a concern.

• It’s done 46,000 kms and has been serviced by Nandi Toyota ( Have to check out the service history from them, Owner said next service is due on 52,000 kms)

• It has yokohoma tyres with 2 tyres in good condition and 2 needing replacement in another 5000 kms. The stepeny is also good.

• I did not check the center console entirely but it was shiny as new and in good condition, overall interiors have been maintained well.

• I had got a mechanic to test drive and check the car and he said everything was good and the condition was good.

• Did not feel any vibrations from the engine when the vehicle was started and it was smooth.

• The car is currently with second owner and he has maintained it well , original paint non accidental.

• I closed the deal at 4.6 Lakhs ( Keeping my fingers crossed hope all goes well )

Few quick questions : -

• After taking ownership of the car should I get it serviced or wait and get it done at the 52,000.

• I checked the insurance and registration papers is there anything else I need to check

• The owner will get the transfer done in my name and then handover the car to me

• To check service history can I call Nandi Toyota and give them the vehicle number and ask for the same

• Anything else to look out or watch out for ? Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated

I know it’s a lengthy post but I thought I should pen down my experience to help other owners looking to buy a Corolla.

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Congratulations Dushie ; prima facie seems to be genuine stuff.

A few suggestions alongside your queries

1. when did the second owner get the car and why is he selling?
2. what date can be seen on the two old tyres? how about the spare tyre?close to date of manufacture of the car?If yes,your mileage is genuine.
3. how many keys does the owner have?
4. Owner's manual, jack+tommy ,warning triangle , wheel spanner available?
5. the battery should have been changed sometime in 2010.just check
6. the windscreen and all glasses around should show ....06 which means all of them are original

post some clear pics if you can - front ,rear,sides,inside

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Hi Visgom please find my response below : -

• The second owner got the car when it was 11,000 km done and he is selling as he is going for a Skoda Rapid now.

• The owner changed the original car tyres on 36,000 kms to Yokohoma.

• He has 3 keys for the car.

• The battery was changed 2 weeks back, he has put in a new Exide Champion battery now.

• I did not check the glasses as they looked original, will check them out on my next visit.

• Also will check on owner’s manual, jack was there inside the car when I checked the stepeny will check for warning triangle.

I had clicked a few pictures for the exterior of the car, did not click any for interiors, will copy them to my notebook and post them shortly.

^^

Good job

The car looks genuine to me ; so go ahead and enjoy :-)

Yes,if the pics come along,it will be nice to see them(and also attach a pumpkin with a moustache to ward off evil eyes)

i have bad news, unfortunately the deal did not go through, the seller was delaying giving us the documents of the car for verification and later on came up with a request for a marriage in the family due to which he will need the car till 15th March and will not be able to give it to us before that.I told him that this was not the case before and now you are coming up with this. So i am back to square no one and will have to start looking all over again for a car to buy. The entire experience has been highly frustrating with lot of highs and lows. Overall it is difficult to judge if the seller has given a genuine reason or not for this as he may have got a better deal and to avoid backing out he came up with this. God only knows.

Anyways i am back on the road again looking for a car. Unfortunately not finding any decent models. Saw a 2004 model H2 that had done 82,000kms on the odo with all servicing being done at Nandi Toyota. Car is first owner condition is ok. They are asking for 3.95 lakhs for the car which is too high. I think they will give at 3.5 lakhs, but its a 2004 model and it had few issues with suspension and stuff. So i am having second thoughts as 2005 onwards there was a change in the model and few improvements were there.
Thanks for all your inputs, will keep the thread updated if i come across anything exciting. As currently most cars i am finding are belonging to dealers with a very high price tag , way beyond my budget.

There are three cars on sale here in kolkata that I have found on the net.
The details are as follows-
1.Used Toyota Corolla H2 1.8E Car for Sale year 2003, month not mentioned
Odo- 38000 Price Rs. 2,74,999/-
2. H2,1.8E golden metallic odo-58000, February 2005 for Rs. 2,99,000/-
3. Another H2, 2004 price 2,90,000/- from Mahindra first choise

Has the price of used cars gone down? Carwale values these at 3,75,000 - 4,25,000

Dushie, you could come down to Kolkata to check these out!

Fog lights are in now.

Spent a small packet on a mid term restoration last month

• front bumper had gashes on both sides(refer the earlier pic) ; got the bumper redone after a fair amount of grinding (to remove excess filler)
• two of the four engine mounts had collapsed ; the one behind the engine was the worst affected - got a set from Mumbai and voila - the vibrations have disappeared
• the old painted fog lamps have given way to a new set
• added some mesh in the Air Dam to check how it looks - it works well to prevent moths from getting sucked into the radiator

Total damages 13k

take a look

The car is looking great!
Absolutely love the color! Keeps on reminding me of our old 03 model.
Personally, I really like the mesh on the bottom. I would advice you to keep it!

@vigsom; The mesh just looks great. Who knows Toyota may adopt it - then you must demand fee for the IPR from them!!

I bought a 2003 e model corolla yesterday. The car has travelled 80k k.ms. and is in pristine condition. The suspension is fine, interiors very well kept, off white colour. Tyres st the end of life, need replacement. The deal was sealed @ 2.5 lacs, seemed like a sweet deal. Loved driving it thru yesterday night. The car drives exceptionally well. No rattles or squeaks.