Want To Get A Corolla - But... 2.0 D-4D Or 1.4Vvt?

[Kinamod]

Basically, I'm starting my graduate job after uni and have been driving a Rover 214 since I passed my test. I'm fed up of having to get it fixed, and have decided to go Japanese. Additionally, where I live everyone has a Civic, and I'm not feeling that route. Basically, I like the look of these new Corollas and have heard nothing but good about them.

Essentially, it comes down to this. Should I get the 1.4 VVT or the 2.0 D-4D? I'd like a nippy car, maybe a bit of motorway driving as I'll be moving away form my family down to Southampton and I'm from Birmingham. Is one amazingly faster than the other? I've looked on Parkers.co.uk but I'd like some human views. Doe's the Diesel "feel" slow? Is it noisy? I don't really know about diesel cars.

Additionally, are there any massive reasons why I should get a T3 over a T2? I'm choosing from these two for insurance reasons, so a 1.6 and definitely a 1.8 comp or T-Sport are out of the question :(

Thanks :)

[KPARRIS-JONES]

The diesel will be nicer for the motorway and for lower end power around town.

They are amazing all rounders. The CTS is some serious fun.

Although they do have a problem with burning a little too much oil if you go for the petrol model but that is it. ;)

[Mr_T_Sport]

Hi mate. I think i would choose the diesel especially with motorway driving. As for trim level i think best thing would be to compare for yourself! Have you thought about the 2.0 D-4D SR, looks a lot like a T Sport, And still has cheap ins group etc.

[Kinamod]

Have you thought about the 2.0 D-4D SR, looks a lot like a T Sport, And still has cheap ins group etc.

Interesting point. Any idea as to a good place to find pics of all the different Trims? I know what I know mostly from Parker which isn't to good a specific pics. Or should I just look in the corolla pics topic?

[CorollaD4D]

definately go for 2.0d4d, i have one and would be willing to answer any questions.

as for trim levels if you are planning to keep the car then you will find it much much much easier to live wiht day to day in the t3 spec. if you buy t2 now you may feel it a bit under equiped which may lead you to buying another car. spending slightly more on a t3 or higher spec now will mean apart from regular servicing you can keep the car as long as you like.

the diesel is not slow at all, it has good low and midrange punch and although its no speed demon it is more than fast enough for overtaking etc or carrying a full compliment of passengers and luggage. on the motorway the diesel will cruise forever at 70mph or above if that's your style of driving while still returns frankly silly fuel economy. i've seen 55mpg on a london to leeds run in the past. additionally it's weight means it is smooth and stable on the motorway, none of this shaky or drifting around business you get with some lighter cars.

[-Ish]

im 21 witht he 1.4 vvti petrol, quite nippy for a 1.4 very economical and a beauty to drive on the moterways just got 400 miles from my full tank and never had oil burning problems. im not sure about the 2.0 diesel as im not a fan of diesels on a whole but changing from a 1.6 corolla (t3) to a 1.4(t2) cut my insurance down to 700 fully comp. Only downside was i had to add additional spot lights as they dont tend to come on t2

best If you want the sporty look you can allways do the mods such as alloys spoiler and sideskirts as usuall.

[Kinamod]

Looked up the SR, I like the splitter you get on the front and the spoiler. And yes, same Ins Group as the T2/3. Only problem is it only seems to be 06 onwards? So I imagine I may not be able to afford it. Although, if I see one for a couple hundred more, I guess it'll save the cash of getting the spoiler and splitter myself later.

What have you guys paid for your cars? Anything in particular I should look out for?

Also, trim-wise. This is what I needed: http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/toyota/corolla-hatchback-2002.aspx?page=7

[Shahin]

Hi,

I'm from Wednesbury, just off J9 on M6. what part of Birmingham are you from?

I'm 21 and bought a 53 plate 1.4 VVT-i T-Spirit in January. I drive it every day and I must say, it's an amazing car. It's comfy, smooth, accelerates OK ish (you can get about 115mph from them, and if you're interested 0-60 is about 10secs) and mpg is quite good if you drive it sensibly.

I get about 34mpg with mainly start-stop city/town driving and average about 36/38mpg on motorway journeys at 70mph and when I "pedal to the metal" it I get around 27mpg on motorways. but I don't do that, it's not allowed ;)

If you're gonna do a lot of mileage then definitely go for the diesel.

As far as trims are concerned, the T3 is the most common I think and is the best equipped in terms of bang for buck imo. The T-Spirit, which I have, i think has a few extras like electric sunroof alongside A/C, unique 6 spoke alloys over the T3.

I paid £5600 for my car, but it was pretty low mileage (50,507) and from a dealership (Westlands Toyota, Stourbridge) although, in hindsight I think I was overcharged by about £600.

What is your budget btw?

Regards,

Shahin.

[CorollaD4D]

i got 54 plate 2.0d4d with 76,000 on the clock. full toyota service history and when the guy who had it before me bought it service history switches to jap specialist who also did the timing belt. car is immaculate inside and outside i paid £5000 cash from a honda main dealer as the previous owner part exchanged this corolla for a brand new accord.

if you can get your hands a diesel to drive it i would definately say drive one and see how it feels. then drive the petrol and compare the 2. the colour collection is a nice spec but may be more expensive to buy compared to a normal t3. i've just bought another corolla for my cousin for 3300 cash 2002 57,000 on clock t3 with full toyota history timing belt done at 55,000 so as you can see they are readily available with good histories and good condition you just gotta find it :)

[Rolla_SR]

The diesel's are the way forward for high milage, I had an SR which I sold for £5500 back to a main dealer and it was a great car, mine had an extra nippyness to it and there wasnt any day where I was dissapointed with its performance.

[eddieinvader]

Petrol all the way for me

[Mooly]

The 1.4 is great, we have a 2003 4door Corolla. 100% trouble free and it's surprisingly rapid too. Older diesels may have expensive repairs lurking... injection systems, turbos and so on.

I seriously considered diesel... but after weighing all things up, and driving them I know I made the right choice with a petrol Auris 1.33L (Sorry guys :))

[CorollaD4D]

The 1.4 is great, we have a 2003 4door Corolla. 100% trouble free and it's surprisingly rapid too. Older diesels may have expensive repairs lurking... injection systems, turbos and so on.

I seriously considered diesel... but after weighing all things up, and driving them I know I made the right choice with a petrol Auris 1.33L (Sorry guys :))

not to start an argument but i've been dealing with the 2.0d4d in various body styles and models for years now. not once i have i had any 'expensive repairs lurking'. the diesel is a solid engine nothing goes wrong it's not a vag that the turbo will go after 100,000...neither do you have to change water pump with the timing belt as you do with VAG diesel. the highest mileage i've seen was 2.0d4d in 2002 avensis last i saw it had 400,000 on the clock and the turbo had not been replaced nor had the injection system. the clutch had been changed and the flywheel (which are both part of regular servicing at those mileages).

[Kinamod]

@CorollaD4D: You're right I do just need to find some to test drive. I'd love to see how they feel, because I'm still on the assumption that all diesels are tanks, but I'm being told all the time that they've come a long way. I really do need to get up to date.

@Shahin: I'm from near Highgate and the like, and on working it out, I think my budget will allow for like 200ish a month so that gives me £6k for a car. Don't want to spend that much though, but I will if I fall in love.

I really liked the idea of gettin an SR too, I like the little spoiler it has (I'm fickle like that). Are they easy to get and attach if I were to get a T3? So excited!!

[CorollaD4D]

the 'tank' diesels are long gone my friend. the modern diesels are equally as powerful and as smooth as their petrol counterparts and the amount of torque diesel engines put out is very high. the only gripe is that for some reason diesel engines still can't match the 'zing' you get from a high revving petrol engine, that i do concede. for example in my 2.0d4d i can happily do 30mph in 5th gear around town, the odd hill may require a drop down to 4th so you can imagine the fuel economy resulting from this. an equally powerful (in bhp terms) petrol car would probably go up those same hills in 4th or 3rd as i do in 5th or 4th.

but that's enough salesman-ing from myself lol. best way is to drive both and compare them. if you're a lazy driver like me then you'll enjoy the diesel drive however if you don't mind changing gears or working the gear box then you'll enjoy the petrol more since it can be argued a petrol drive is more 'involving'. best of luck with your search.

regarding the tte spoiler it is easy to get. you can buy it new or from the scrap yard and then get your local body/refinishing shop to spray and put it on the car for you. if you get a diesel then you can find some diesels (definately within your budget) which already have the full body kit on ;)

[Kinamod]

Regarding the tte spoiler it is easy to get. you can buy it new or from the scrap yard and then get your local body/refinishing shop to spray and put it on the car for you. if you get a diesel then you can find some diesels (definately within your budget) which already have the full body kit on ;)

Cheers for that :) Just did a quick eBay and found out these Corollas are "E12" right? And they have stuff like this : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TOYOTA-COROLLA-E12-02-04-BODY-KIT-/200490892913?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2eae303e71#ht_3795wt_1116, so If I see and SR and a T3 for a lot less, I know I can pretty much go for the cheaper one and just get the kit myself (maybe do some bargain huntin round the scrap yards too. Although I will have to factor in getting it sprayed. Or I could just leave it all a different colour for effect.

(Yes that IS my style :P)

[Edit]

Gettin one of these too - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2x-NEVERBEEN-NURBURGRING-STICKER-DECALS-/170492752116?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27b228f0f4#ht_1929wt_890

Edited July 9, 2010 by Kinamod

[Shahin]

@CorollaD4D: You're right I do just need to find some to test drive. I'd love to see how they feel, because I'm still on the assumption that all diesels are tanks, but I'm being told all the time that they've come a long way. I really do need to get up to date.

@Shahin: I'm from near Highgate and the like, and on working it out, I think my budget will allow for like 200ish a month so that gives me £6k for a car. Don't want to spend that much though, but I will if I fall in love.

I really liked the idea of gettin an SR too, I like the little spoiler it has (I'm fickle like that). Are they easy to get and attach if I were to get a T3? So excited!!

That's cool, I'm not too far from you then.

There are quite a few SR's out there and look the danglies :) but, I don't think there are any in your budget.

There are however some T3's and T-Spirits for you. If you have the choice, go for the T-Spirit, it'll have extras like electric/automatic air con etc. It's the highest spec version of the normal corollas (i.e. not sr or t-sport). The Colour Collection is a face lifted T3, I think, with side skirts and subtle body kit except the spoiler :(

Have a look at these:

Petrol ones

There's a few petrols near highgate for £4.5 to £5k.

Alternatively, this diesel doesn't look too bad:

diesel one

Whichever one you choose, you will not regret it. Just make sure you do all the necessary checks before you go ahead with any deals.

[Kinamod]

There's a few petrols near highgate for £4.5 to £5k.

Alternatively, this diesel doesn't look too bad:

diesel one

Whichever one you choose, you will not regret it. Just make sure you do all the necessary checks before you go ahead with any deals.

Like the look of the diesel. Gna have to try and get some test drives sorted.

[Kinamod]

There's a few petrols near highgate for £4.5 to £5k.

Alternatively, this diesel doesn't look too bad:

diesel one

Whichever one you choose, you will not regret it. Just make sure you do all the necessary checks before you go ahead with any deals.

Like the look of the diesel. Gna have to try and get some test drives sorted. And find out how cheap I can get these SR body kits. I guess I wouldn't mind A/C rather than Climate Control if it saves me like £500 as most of the cosmetic differences I can make up as I get the cash. And elec windows in the back? I don't sit in the back :P

Although I guess the sunroof is something I may like. But I've never had one before so I doubt I'll miss it...

We shall see.

[KPARRIS-JONES]

The SR kits will be very expensive, something that you will suffer when buying Toyota parts.

I have a feeling that the overall cheapest and risk free method is to get the SR anyway. ;)

[Kinamod]

The SR kits will be very expensive, something that you will suffer when buying Toyota parts.

I have a feeling that the overall cheapest and risk free method is to get the SR anyway. ;)

I'm guessing you have an SR right? I'd love one, but have a look : http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201027362670152/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-to/6000/maximum-age/up_to_10_years_old/quantity-of-doors/5/fuel-type/diesel/body-type/hatchback/model/corolla/make/toyota/radius/100/page/1/postcode/b129tl?logcode=p

Is that too cheap?? I'd pounce at that, but I'm impulsive like that

Also, I'v seen the full kits around for like £200. If I save a grand, that like net £800 gain :P

[SAM LOVERS HER TOYOTAS]

Hi there mate...you speak of your nightmarish rover...currently i have a nightmarish Toyota avensis...and like you iv'e heard a lot about the Corolla...and im glad you've asked the question before me...i've done my research on this topic and decided the 1.6SR is the way forward for me...yes if i found a cheaper T3 with all the bits i'd go for that on the spot coz its a 1.4 and cheaper to run...but im obsessed with the SR looks...its clean lines...sporty looks...bland dash though but solid...it'll look new for a long time to come...yes its a lot more expensive tha a T3 but you will find one...hope i do 1 day soon...bet when i do it will be in black...and i'll wish it was sexy silver...or silver and wish it was that beauty metallic blue...or blue and wish it super fast RED...thats me...never satisfied lol! regards....Sammy

[Huz0786]

What is the actual difference between the t2 and t3 model

[Kinamod]

What is the actual difference between the t2 and t3 model

Once again: http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/toyota/corolla-hatchback-2002.aspx?page=7 :P

[Mr_T_Sport]

There is a nice 06 2.0D SR on autotrader for £4995. 88000 miles