c2105026

I always drive to the conditions, regardless of limit. Sometimes i am above, sometimes below. Like, on a dirt road, I rarely get above 80ish in a 100/110 zone. But doing the traditional 10% plus a tad may be more common in other environments where the risk is much lower.

When my fuel light comes on, I have used up 40L, meaning 10-15 to go. I once drove around for 5 days on the light.

I owned one for 2 and a half yrs, here is what I found (owned an auto though) economy - got about 7-7.4L/100km on highway, 11ish in town. A manual would better this, but I don't know how much by. performance - only really lacked on hills, but use all the gears and revs you'll get there....could cruise all day in excess of speed limits, if you so desired. mods - CAI works well, but is technically illegal. 8th gen corolla has independant rear suspension which is good for handling. reliability - reliable, watch for steering rack rattles and oil leak around distributor. replace the cambelt every 6.5yrs/150000km and you'll be right. follow service handbook too.

REPLACE *oil *oil filter *spark plugs *air filter *brake fluid *auto trans fluid (if done severe service) *fuel filters (both of 'em) CHECK *Valve lifter clearance (need workshop manual for this - one for the '03 - '05 US corolla is now available here, and is 90% common...) *Air con *Cooling System *Brakes *CV boots *Suspension etc... hope this helps

When I got my 9th gen new I originally ordered the hatch, but the following day when they rang me up to confirm date of delivery I changed my mind; the sedan looked better (didn't like the facelift front end), was lighter, more aerodynamic (By about 0.01CD) and had a big boot; it is only 40 litres less than my parents VT commodore. The styling has really grown on me, it looks sleek, refined and luxurious whilst I reckon the hatch looked a bit dumpy.

According to the handbook, the transmission will not change to 4th whilst the engine is cold, to help it warm up. Does this problem happen when the engine is cold, or warm? Do any service indicator lights come on?

those are for the US model. front end styling is completely different

You cna mod it just as with a manual, but remember that the transmission is a delicately engineered item that won't tolerate much abuse. I have heard from US corolla circles of people boosting power by 50-70% without transmission problems, but no more...so you can forget the nitrous system. But the regular well-worn track of CAI/exhaust/timing can be done without need for transmission upgrade, I have heard. As for a turbo/blown motor you may want to consider mods to the transmission to allow it to cope with more power. These would be mega $$$$$$.

I have a 9th gen '05 model, I did consider getting the 10th gen sedan model (conquest in manual). I took one for a spin to see how it went; the manual went hard enough I suppose but the dynamics were so very very much better than the '05 I have...the best ride I have ever experienced, the handling and steering whilst not as good as my brother's '01 astina was noticeably better. Gearshift was great, the interior design was top-notch. Resons why I did not get it? well... the hatch was too small for my needs and I don't find the sedan at all attractive (well, for now at least), looks too american. That and the changeover would have meant that my new house would need to be put back 9 months or so..... as for mods I suppose one could go down the track of lowering/big wheels/ big stereo. Unlike on the 9th gen, the 10th gen conquest is worth it - for $4500 you get cruise control, alloys, leather wheel, shift knob, safety pack and, yes, power rear windows. That and they are already doing deals on conquests....

I find it disconcerting that a) car buying will shift towards small cars due to environmental awareness, high petrol prices in the short term and social trends, and B) Australia does not build any small cars. GM, toyota and ford need to get assembly lines for the astra, focus and corolla up and running here if there is to be any local auto industry by 2025. Hey, they could rename the astra 'gemini'...

SIFNT :P In any case, welcome to the club well, from what I have read whilst the 2zz has more power the torque curve is skewed towards the top end, which means one has to wring it out to make any decent progress. As for strapping one to an auto, forget it. I have not driven one, this judgement is based on road tests I have read. Does this match the experience of sportivo owners? My 85kw/1160kg '00 was quick enough to get me 6 points on my licence, so my 100kw/1100kg '05 is more than enough. A 141kw/1100kg corolla, for what I use my vehicle for, would be kinda pointless. The 1zz uses less fuel, too....

On my '00 I had a similar issue. When I was in newcastle during 2004 I scratched my bumper. Stupid me went with the cheapest quote and the job was botched. My '00 was Electric Blue, which is a difficult colour to match. The repaired area came back purple. I then went and got it re-done at an NRMA/AAMI approved repairer for only a little more (still under the total cost of dearest quote), it looked super dooper. The trick is to a) match colour VISUALLY, not to just use the paint code and b)blend in with surrounding panels - esently they repaint 1/4 of your car. poor quality/el-cheapo shops don't do these. My brother's '01 astina (champagne gold) had an incident; that is a hard colour to match but to turned out ok. That is a reason why I got my '05 in white - for chips I dab some paint on, use a cutting polish and looks like new :)

The 100,000km service isn't a major service for the 1zz motor (2zz requires new plugs). Its just an oil change and inspecting a lot of things (incl drive belts, radiator and hoses, exhaust, battery, fuel lines and cap, brake pads and discs, driveshaft boots steering linkage etc.) So, if you have the tools/equipment why not service it yourself? I mean at 100k its going to be leaving the warranty period, anyway. Using bits from supercheap auto you could do it for under $30. There is no extra flushing or replacing. But if you are not confident in doing the service, have a lack of tools or space then up to $200 sounds about right if done thru a toyota dealer. Golden rule is do NOT let them do anymore than needs to be done in your service book. Consider taking to an independant mechanic (NOT a franchised chain), they typically do a better job for a low price... I took my '05 to an independant mechanic twice and had no problems; I have taken my cars to a franchised chain twice and had problems. took it to a toyota dealer once and paid nearly $400 for a 40,000km service that was not done properly.

Well, actually, other upgrades I have made include colour-coded mudflaps and silver highlights in the interior a la levin/ultima. I am considering adding a sportivo grille (which would slot right in, I imagine) and the foglights. I think the current grille is ugly. So, visually, my conquest is becoming a sportivo sedan, I guess. Don't know if i'd want the sportivo motor though....

Thank you, Saiya. I nearly got a hatch but at the last second changed it to a sedan, for i didn't like the hatches front end. In addition, the sedan is lighter, more aerodynamic and has a bigger boot. I got the auto for at the time I hadn't driven a manual by myself in traffic, but by the time it was delivered I had learnt; am kicking myself about it. Could've got ABS and rear parking sensors, instead of the auto.

Hello all, I am a newbie to this forum. My forum name is c2105026. I drive a March '05 corolla sedan auto conquest, which I bought new. It has 30,000km on the clock. It is bog stock, with the exception of the sound system which features a clarion MP3 head unit, clarion speakers and an alpine amp. Previous corolla experience was with a 1990 holden nova on which I learnt to drive, and a 2000 conquest liftback that was traded in for the current vehicle. About myself, I am a 23 year old single male who is employed as a civil engineer. I currently reside in Rural NSW. I look forward to much corolla related discussion with you all....

You don't enjoy driving, do you?????? You probably drive like a PUSSY!!! ← judging from your nickname up there, if he drives like a pussy, i dun even think your sting would be 'man' enough. point is, road racing is a sensitive issue. posting that thread up there publicly admits it. it could potentially bring this whole place down. perhaps some discretion next time. ← Well, one who has accumulated 6 points on his licence must drive like a pussy.

Yuo may want to try a TRD CAI.........genuine toyota performance part I believe. TRD parts are available in OZ, I believe, from a few select outlets.

Yes they tried to sell fabric/rust/paint protection to me - the only way they could recoup the losses when I screwed them down to $3600 below retail...heheheheh...

Mrbee, are you from NSW by any chance? You are very lucky a copper didn't catch you; if caught street racing the cops are legally entitiled to confiscate your car and charge you for storage/towing etc..........a potentially expensive little outing.........