Toyota Corolla Hatchback (2002 - 2006) 1.8 VVTL-i T Sport 3d (04) Owner Review

After having 2 sub-£1000 bangers that both failed me, I was in need of a car that was both practical and yet somewhat fun when I was in the mood for a B-Road blast.

How I Came To Buy The Car And Reliability

A friend of mine was using this car as his daily for nearly 2 years, until he bought himself an NA MX-5, at which point he no longer needed this Corolla. Knowing I was in need of a car, he offered it to me for £1600. I didn't hesitate and bought it. At the time of buying, it needed pads and discs all around but he already had them, so he left them in the boot for me to fit. Changed them 2 weeks later with my mechanic along with fresh brake fluid for peace of mind.

So far, it's only needed regular service parts. It's had new pads and discs as I've said, along with having 3 oil changes every 8k miles since I bought it, along with a new air and cabin filter. It did have a small oil leak from the timing chain tensioner, but the O-ring was £8 from Toyota. A mechanic where I work did this for me, legend that he is. While we were there, he also recommended a new rocker cover gasket, so this was also changed. It now needs a clutch as it does slip every now and then but it's amazing that the original part has survived 126k miles. That's the kind of reliability Toyota is known for, after all. There are a few other bits it needs but nothing too expensive or major.

Interior

Inside, its quite comfortable. The dash and switches are all logically laid out and everything is easy to get to. The standard stereo and sound system deserve high praise, along with just how practical it is. On more than one occasion, I've had 5 people on board and even then it was perfectly fine. Even I, at 6ft, sit comfortably in the back. The boot is very large and there isn't too much of a load lip either. The throw on the gearbox is short and feels sporty. You could say it encourages you to misbehave when you're in the right mood.

The Engine And Handling

The T-Sport is a great everyday Q-car. Mine, being a pre-facelift, besides the multi-spoke alloys, 9k RPM gauge, subtle boot spoiler and T-Sport badges, it doesn't look too different from a regular 3dr Corolla. The ultimate version of this car, is a pre-facelift 5dr. They're rare but they're an even better Q-car than my 3dr. However, when you boot it, and that RPM needle moves past 6.2K, you quickly realise that this is no ordinary Corolla. This engine, the 2ZZ-GE, is the same motor that Lotus borrowed from Toyota and placed in the Elise. It features VVTL-i, which in short terms, is basically Toyota's version of Honda's famed VTEC. This was done with help from Yamaha, who have a good track record on engine projects with Toyota. This is the only time that Toyota ever used this technology in an engine they built.

Boasting 192 bhp @ 7,800 RPM and 133 lb/ft torque, this engine is a screamer. It revs all the way to 8.2K RPM and when the Variable Valve Lift engages, it really does shift. Unless someone knows what they're looking at, they will absolutely not expect this car to go how it does. I have surprised plenty of people in this car, one of which even asked me, as we turned off the M40, "What the f*** is in that thing?!" The gearing may split opinion, as its very short. At 70 mph on the motorway, it's at around 3.5K RPM. It's not for everyone but for me its fine. Maybe because I'm still young.

As for the handling, it's decent. Maybe I'll come back to this review once my one has fresh tyres and suspension as they'll pretty tired. Either way, it's good enough for me to keep up with my mate's R53 Cooper S on a back road, so it's definitely not a bad platform. Importantly, when you're not doing your best Lewis Hamilton impression, engine screaming as you slot the brilliant 6-speed box into the next ratio, the ride is very good. It deals with potholes well but some larger bumps can make it a bit unsettled.

Summary

In conclusion, if you're after a good value car, that should stay reliable and won't break the bank on repairs, do consider the Corolla T-Sport. It's a great left-field choice for someone who wants some fun but doesn't need to be the star of the show. It's not anywhere near as showy as an EP3 Civic Type-R, which is what Toyota made this car to compete with. On the flip side, it's nowhere near as hard-edged as a Type-R as well. If you want fun and speed all the time, the Type-R will run rings around the T-Sport. However, if you don't want teenagers asking you to rev it every time you drive it, or other drivers trying to race you on the motorway, and you want to appreciate this car while staying near invisible to the world, this is the car for you.

Thank you very much for reading!