The 2005 Corolla can last over 300,000 miles with only minor paint quality and gas cap issues. At $5,999 – $7,495, it’s a great affordable compact car you can count on.
Is the 2005 Toyota Corolla a Good Used Car?
- Yes, 2005 is a good year. Owners really like the smooth engine, good gas mileage, and economical maintenance costs.
- Reliability ratings are great. Models from 2005-2008 all are good choices, with some engine problems on the 2009 model.
- Performance is weak from both of the 4-cylinder engines.
- The Corolla is a safe car, getting 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests.
- Fuel economy is excellent at up to 31 MPG combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Corolla?
- Consumer Reports finds the Corolla to have a quiet interior with high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Corolla 4.8/5, liking the roomy cabin, but says the driving position is awkward.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Corolla a 4.7/5 and enjoy the dependable engine, but mention ignition coils failing.
What Common Problems Does the 2005 Toyota Corolla Have?
Problems with the 2005 Corolla are relatively minor and include peeling paint, check engine lights, and harsh shifting between gears.
Peeling paint is the most common complaint at around 120,000 miles. The hood in particular is prone to peeling when left in direct sunlight, and repainting the panel costs around $1,000.
A check engine light is another frequent issue at around 80,000 miles. Many owners have found replacing the gas cap for $30 fixes the problems, while others have had to spend up to $800 on various sensors that have worn out.
Harsh shifting between gears is also mentioned by owners at roughly 95,000 miles. Resetting the transmission control module for free fixes the problem for many people, and others replace the controller for about $700.
There are 11 recalls, with the most serious being for stalling engines. Toyota will replace the engine control module for free in affected vehicles. The rest are minor, covering air bags and lights.
How Long Will the 2005 Toyota Corolla Last?
A properly maintained 2005 Corolla should last over 300,000 miles, about 50,000 miles more than top competitors including the Honda Civic. Regular annual maintenance costs are extremely affordable at only around $250 per year, according to Repair Pal.
Most Corollas from 2005 will have over 100,000 miles, so shoppers should be prepared to replace steering knuckles for $625, shocks and struts costing $500, and door lock actuators which cost $450.
Other than the engine recall and the recent airbag recall, both due to the same manufacturer that Toyota had issues with this specific year, I have had no major issues or surprises while owning this car. It is 15 years old and drives better with no parts failures compared to many a third its age.
It is very reliable. There have been no issues at all. It is my most favorite car I have ever owned. Verisafe.
Yes it's reliable. Toyotas are known to be hard to kill. I bought mine used so there are a few things minor wrong with it but that is the chance you take buying used.
Mechanically, it is very reliable. I have had no major problems. I have put a new battery in, new tires, and new brakes.
Yes it is very reliable and has never had problems with me besides it not being good in the snow which is expected.
The car is reliable problems are only due to age. I have had many expenses related to replacing the brakes, gas leak, others.
Yes very reliable, I have never experienced any problems with this car. I have driven to another state multiple times, and does great in the winter.
No real problems. Tires and muffler changed this year. Mileage is still good with regular gas, oil changes every 3000+ miles.
How Much Is the 2005 Toyota Corolla Worth?
Blue book values range from $5,999 – $7,495, making the Corolla about $1,000 more expensive than a Ford Focus or Nissan Sentra. When new, the price range was $13,780 to $17,555. Depreciation is better than average, only losing around 5% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Corolla?
There are four models of the Corolla available. Technology is very outdated and there’s a complete redesign for the 2007 model.
CE is the entry-level model with:
- 15-Inch Wheels
- Air Conditioning
- Cloth Seating
- 4-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo system
S is a step up adding features including:
- Unique Front Bumpers
- Fog Lights
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Power Door Locks
LE is next in the lineup and adds:
- Keyless Entry
- Power Windows
- Wood Interior Trim
- 6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System
XRS is the sporty model and has:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cruise Control
- Rear Spoiler
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System
What Engines Come In the Corolla?
- The base engine is a fairly weak 1.8L 4-cylinder with 130 horsepower that gets up to 31 MPG combined.
- The XRS model features an improved, more powerful 1.8L 4-cylinder making 180 horsepower and getting 25 MPG combined. Performance is better, taking 7.8 seconds to go 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Corolla Come In?
How Big Is the Corolla?
The 2005 Corolla is an average sized compact sedan, similar to the Mazda3 and VW Jetta. Passenger room is good in the front, but legroom is limited in the back seats for taller adults.
Cargo space is above average with a 13.6 cubic foot trunk which can fit 3 to 4 full size suitcases.
How Does the Corolla Compare to the Competition?
The closest competitor is the Honda Civic, which starts at about $500 cheaper. Where the Civic wins is with a more fun driving experience, but the Corolla has better long term reliability ratings. We recommend the Corolla, but both are great compact cars.
The Toyota Camry is another rival, costing only about $200 more. Passenger room and power are both better in the Camry, but ownership costs are lower on the Corolla. We recommend the Camry since prices are so close and you can get a more practical car for your money.
Do Owners Recommend the Toyota Corolla?
Yes. It is highly reliable - meaning I never have to worry about it breaking down. It gets very reasonable mileage for a gasoline-fueled vehicle - roughly 35 miles to the gallon. It is a stick shift, so I have multiple means of slowing down during wintery conditions. It also has fog lamps, which help me see during rainy, foggy and snowy conditions. And help others see me. Furthermore, the parts are not ridiculously expensive to replace like for many cars.
Yes. It is great on gas and safe for my kids. I have never had any problems with this vehicle. It is the best one I have had.
Yes. It gets great gas mileage. It has a lot of get up and go. It's a small car so you can reach things easily.
Yes. I have had it for 14 years, and it is still dependable. The gas mileage is great. Toyota makes a good car.
Yes, I enjoy it a lot and drive it everyday for many years now. It will be my first best car that I've ever owned in my life.
Yes, a sturdy car 15 years old just minor repairs due to age/wear and tear. Mileage is good, and this car drives smoothly.
Yes I love this car, I have had it for 4 years now and it still runs great. Never had any serious problems!
With over 200,000 miles, it still gets excellent mileage. The parts and service are available and reasonable.
