The 2003 Toyota Corolla and the 2003 Honda Civic might be tied for best used car under $4,000. If you can find one with 150,000 miles on the odometer, you may be able to double it.
Is the 2003 Toyota Corolla a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – Reliable, surprisingly spacious, and fun to drive. One of the best used cars on the market today.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Average sized adults will have no complaints. If you’re a bit on the tall side or broad the shoulder or hip, it might be a bit of a tight fit. Trunk space is limited, but adequate for a compact.
- Reliability 9/10 – There are still a ton of 2003 Corollas on the road today, and a lot of them will still be on the road ten years from now.
- Safety 7/10 – The 2003 Corolla earned solid crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but the safety tech is pretty much out of date by now, and there’s a recurring issue with the airbags.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – At 24/33 miles to the gallon, city/highway, it’s almost hard to believe this car came out twenty years ago.
- Value 9/10 – You won’t find a better used car at this price.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2003 Toyota Corolla?
Consumer Reports praised the 2003 Corolla’s roomy interior, fuel-efficient performance, peppy acceleration, tight handling, and nimble body design. Their one complaint: Some drivers find the seating uncomfortable.
Edmunds came to basically the same conclusion, stating that the car was efficiently built with a roomy interior and a lot of get-up-and-go. Their biggest criticism had to do with the pricing, which was a bit high on release but has, of course, come down in recent years.
Kelley Blue Book drivers love how much money the car saves them at the pump and they love how cheap and easy it is to maintain the vehicle. The harshest review comes from a driver who saw the transmission fail at 100,000 miles, which doesn’t seem to be a common problem, but it’s a risk you take in any used car.
What Common Problems Does the 2003 Toyota Corolla Have?
Airbags have been the leading cause for concern in the 2003 Corolla, generating 355 complaints, nearly half of the total 756 on file with the NHTSA, and 8 recalls. The problem you’re likely to run into is going to be a recall parts shortage. If your Corolla hasn’t already been repaired, you might wind up on a waiting list.
Transmission problems are thankfully scarce, with just 66 reports on file. A driver reported in 2014 that the transmission blew as they started to accelerate from a green light, and a few others have reported rattling noises.
A rare but seriously concerning issue sees the engine overheating as a result of coolant leak. This usually points to a cracked engine block, which will cost you more than the car itself to replace. All you can really do about this is keep an eye on the engine temperature during the test drive.
Toyotas are famously reliable, and the 2003 Corolla is no exception. But, no car is perfect. The 2003 Corolla has 14 recalls on file, most of them for recurring airbag issues.
How Long Will the 2003 Toyota Corolla Last?
RepairPal reports that older Toyotas, those from 2007 and earlier, will start at around $247 in average annual repair costs. The most expensive repair you’ll likely be covering will be a new exhaust pipe starting at $668.
Ask a Toyota dealer how long a Corolla will last and they’ll tell you 300,000 miles. That’s a best case scenario, but with proper maintenance it’s not really an exaggeration. It all depends on the previous owner, but 250,000-300,000 is a reasonable expectation for a Corolla in good shape.
The muffler is on upside down. The air conditioning went out but it was fixable. There is a small oil leak.
Yes it’s still going strong. No major repairs, no major body damage. It handles long trips well, gas mileage is consistent.
It is an extremely reliable car, I don't ever worry that It is not going to start in the morning. Never any issues beyond regular maintenance.
It is very reliable with very minimal problems, you can use it for years without so many problems, so it is very reliable
The Corolla is a very reliable little car and the only problem I have had is a fuel line leak. It was 16 yrs old when that happened.
Only problem in 16 years was replacement of starter. Otherwise this is a very reliable car. Of course I also replaced tires and battery and regularly get oil and other fluids changed.
It is very reliable, especially for an older car. It does have problems that have been creeping up now that she is so old.
The Toyota Corolla is very reliable. It hardly ever breaks down even after all the years we have had it.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is outdated but satisfactory. The entry level CE comes with a CD player, and this is back when that used to cost extra.
Safety technology is likewise outdated but solid for a car from 2003, featuring a then-cutting-edge passenger airbag and passenger restraint system.
Is the 2003 Toyota Corolla a Good Value?
The 2003 Toyota Corolla is one of the best values on the market today. At 150,000 miles, most cars are getting ready for retirement. The Corolla is just getting started.
An entry-level CE starts at around $2,578, with a luxurious LE’s fair market range going up to $4,063. Realistically, typical listing prices are in the four thousand dollar range, and if you can find one at that price, and in good shape, it might just last you longer than a new car would.
What are the Different Models of the 2003 Toyota Corolla?
The 2003 Corolla has just three trim levels available, from the basic CE to the top-tier LE.
The entry-level CE features:
- Four speaker sound system with AM/FM radio and CD player
- Four way adjustable front seats
- Remote release for fuel door, hood, and trunk
- Power side mirrors
- Manual door locks and windows
With a mid-range S you’re adding:
- Power door locks
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Fog lamps
A top-of-the-line LE adds:
- Keyfob for remote keyless entry
- Power windows
What Engines Come In the 2003 Toyota Corolla?
- No matter your trim level, a 2003 Toyota Corolla comes packed with a 1.8L Twin, delivering 130 horsepower and 125 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission and configured in front-wheel drive, with a 13.2 gallon fuel tank.
What Colors Does the 2003 Toyota Corolla Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2003 Toyota Corolla?
The 2003 Corolla is much roomier than you might guess from the outside. Smart design gets the most out of every cubic inch, so you should have no trouble comfortably seating up to four or five average-sized adults.
That said, it’s still a compact. Taller individuals might find the ceiling a bit low, and the back row can get a bit tight for more than two people at a time if they’re a broad at the shoulder or the hip.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2003 Toyota Corolla Have?
The 2003 Corolla is an excellent grocery-getter, but that’s pretty much the extent of its hauling potential. With 13.6 cubic feet of trunk space, you’ve got room for three full-size suitcases. Anymore than that and you’re going to be asking your passengers to carry stuff on their lap.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2003 Toyota Corolla is regarded as the first of the E120, or 9th Generation, in North America, although production dates back to the 2000 model year in Japan. The E120 was retired with the 2007 edition.
2003: The E120 debuted in North America with a more luxurious interior and a more powerful engine, delivering 130 horsepower in a 1.8L inline-four.
2004: Japan saw a front-end redesign in 2004, but the North American version of the car was pretty much the same as a 2003 Corolla.
2005: Side curtain airbags were added as an option for 2005. A sport-tuned edition, the XRS, was introduced.
2006: No major changes for 2006. Toyota generally followed an “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” philosophy for most of the 9th Gen.
2007: Corolla dropped the XRS model in 2007.
How Does the 2003 Toyota Corolla Compare to the Competition?
Toyota’s chief competition to the Corolla is the notoriously reliable, affordable, low-maintenance Honda Civic. Picking one over the other is splitting hairs, but the Corolla is a little more powerful, doing 130 horsepower over the 2003 Civic’s 110, while the Civic sells for about $100 less.
The 2003 Hyundai Elantra deserves mention, as well. The Elantra starts out at under two grand in the Blue Book with engine performance roughly on par with the Corolla, but it can’t match the sheer life expectancy of the Corolla or the Civic, usually hitting the scrapyard at around 200,000 miles.
There’s plenty to love about all three of these cars. The Elantra wins for lowest price, but not necessarily for greatest value. The Civic and the Corolla are effectively tied for best 2003 compact on the used market today, so test drive both and see which you prefer.
Do Owners Recommend the 2003 Toyota Corolla?
It’s okay. The engine has no pep, the radio is terrible, and the seats are uncomfortable. But it is reliable enough.
Yes. I've made many long distance trips. I've replaced the battery 2x in 16 years. I've replaced the tires a couple times. Interior is in great shape. The roof paint is faded but the rest of the body is good. One rear accident, several scrapes but overall body & paint are good
Yes it is dependable and a great every day driver. I've never had any major issues beyond regular maintenance.
Yes it is a very good vehicle, I personally love it so very much, I use it to go everywhere I want to go
Absolutely a great little car. Great on gas and very easy to drive. The bucket seats are very comfy and car itself is sporty.
Yes. It has been very reliable. Only tech problem after 16 years was replacement of starter. Easy to drive, solidly built, good looking.
Yes, I love my Toyota Corolla. Its last 15+ years now, with only a few minor issues. And I hope it will get us through a few more years.
Yes the Toyota Corolla is a good vehicle and is very sustainable. It has served my family for years and hopefully it will be able to serve us for more years to come. It's a very good car to have.