04my T-sport Buyers Guide

[St3ve]

Hi Folks,

Newbie here :D

Am thinking about getting an 04 or 05 Corolla 1.8 TSport, but dont know if there anything I can read about the cars??? i.e what to look out for.

Also, I test drive one yesterday, but I could really hear the engine at motorway cruising speeds, is this something common or could it have been a one off?

Any pointers appreciated

Cheers

Steve

[MJG]

Hi Folks,

Newbie here  :D

Am thinking about getting.......SNIP

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Others will jump in, but a few things to note.

- Check for the fit of the radio/vent unit - sometimes they can be a poor fit.

- Some owners have reported clutch problems (Burning, various scraping noises)

- Some owners have reported an irritating buzz/vibration from behind the dash.

- It is not uncommon for dealers to sell ex-rental/hire cars. Usually gets you a great car at a great price (like mine) and not really a problem as yours will be under warranty anyway, but something to be aware of when buying.

- engine noise, yes these are a bit noisier but that goes with the territory, these are a fast sports saloon with a sports exhaust afterall........

- When you test drove did you manage to get it above 6,200 rpm in second and third?????? :o

If you didn't get yourself back to the dealer forthwith and try it.......once you do you will know this is the car for you..... good luck

[albundy]

all of the above is very true as iv had most of the problems sorted under wanarty but i wldnt change any of it infact if anythin i think its a good thing cause now there all new parts its more like a new car go on try it after all its a toyota!!! (and 189bhp fun fun fun) lol

[Twincam.GTi]

Also there was a massive posting about 'Lift' bolts breaking on the engine. If these break than theres no 'lift/ acceleration' at a certain rev band.

[St3ve]

Sounds like I could have tested a duff one then

TBH the alarm bells were ringing when I got into it. It didnt have the white dials, allow pedals or part-red seats. It did seem a bit flat when driving it. Will try another one.

Dont mind the engine noise myself, but there are those times when I just want to cruise and chill out on the morotway.

Saying that, my mates Teg sounds about the same :D

Did I read right, that the book 0-60 is about 8 seconds?

I know a ZR160 and VTEC Teg appear quicker with less power

[The Gooner]

Did I read right, that the book 0-60 is about 8 seconds?

I know a ZR160 and VTEC Teg appear quicker with less power

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The engine comes alive at 6200 rpm so you do need to get it there otherwise it can appear flat,

was it a pre face lift model as these dont have the white dials or red piping on seats, it should have had alloy pedals though.

The book time 0-60 is 8.4 secs, but when you drive one in the lift you will know it is quicker, I did a 0-60 in mine other day and missed the change slightly from 1st to second but still hit 60 in 7.3 secs. There are others who have done a more accuratly controlled time with the correct gear and have recorded 7.2s ect.

Try another one and make sure you hit 6200 keep it going through 8 before you change, YOU WILL SMILE

I have found though on geasy roads accelerating hard from exiting roundabouts ect can be a wee bit scary when you hit the lift, I have had the front wheels start to spin a few times as the lift comes in. The change on the gears is tight as well, you need to be on the rev llimiter whenyou change otherwise the revs drop just below the lift and you feel the drop in power

[St3ve]

Did I read right, that the book 0-60 is about 8 seconds?

I know a ZR160 and VTEC Teg appear quicker with less power

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The engine comes alive at 6200 rpm so you do need to get it there otherwise it can appear flat,

was it a pre face lift model as these dont have the white dials or red piping on seats, it should have had alloy pedals though.

The book time 0-60 is 8.4 secs, but when you drive one in the lift you will know it is quicker, I did a 0-60 in mine other day and missed the change slightly from 1st to second but still hit 60 in 7.3 secs. There are others who have done a more accuratly controlled time with the correct gear and have recorded 7.2s ect.

Try another one and make sure you hit 6200 keep it going through 8 before you change, YOU WILL SMILE

I have found though on geasy roads accelerating hard from exiting roundabouts ect can be a wee bit scary when you hit the lift, I have had the front wheels start to spin a few times as the lift comes in. The change on the gears is tight as well, you need to be on the rev llimiter whenyou change otherwise the revs drop just below the lift and you feel the drop in power

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TBH I dont know if it was a pre-facelift model. I'm an MG ZS man at the moment, but want something Jap...

All I remember is that it was an '04' plate with tinted windows, so could well have been a pre-facelift.

How does the vvti work? Is it similar to VTEC where is uses high pressure oil to 'change' the cam? Does it not allow you to go into vvti whilst it's cold, etc?

Cheers :D

[PaulT]

TBH I dont know if it was a pre-facelift model. I'm an MG ZS man at the moment, but want something Jap...

All I remember is that it was an '04' plate with tinted windows, so could well have been a pre-facelift.

How does the vvti work? Is it similar to VTEC where is uses high pressure oil to 'change' the cam? Does it not allow you to go into vvti whilst it's cold, etc?

Cheers  :D

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The alloy pedals are not a standard feature on the pre-facelift models, so it may not have had those.

VVTL-i is similar in spirit to some of the Vtec types. At 6200rpm, hydraulic pressure causes a small pin to join the valve cam rocker to one which follows a larger cam. This pushes the valves further into the cylinder and allows a lot more mixture in. There is a significant gain in power and torque as a result, which can be a bit odd as the maximum torque from the engine is at about 6800rpm, rather than lower down the rev range.

There's no mistaking the extra shove from the engine, and it drinks petrol above 6200rpm :D

You cannot go above 7000rpm when cold, and it might not even switch to the bigger cam. Never tried pushing it until warm.

Paul.

[St3ve]

Thanks for the reply's guys :D

Just one last Q - has anyone worked out their MPG driving normally? (As well as you can do with VVTi )

[Fmrl]

Just one last Q - has anyone worked out their MPG driving normally? (As well as you can do with VVTi  )

I get 36.1mpg on mine (checked it this morning).

[St3ve]

Even Better...

Is that with some 'Lead foot' action too? :D

Just one last Q - has anyone worked out their MPG driving normally? (As well as you can do with VVTi   )

I get 36.1mpg on mine (checked it this morning).

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[Fmrl]

Even Better...

Is that with some 'Lead foot' action too?  :D

Only when my girlfriend lets me

70% motorway driving, 20% pootling around busy A/B roads, stuck in traffic jams, supermarket carparks, etc.

Maybe 0.1% lift!

[rust]

Even Better...

Is that with some 'Lead foot' action too?  :D

Only when my girlfriend lets me

70% motorway driving, 20% pootling around busy A/B roads, stuck in traffic jams, supermarket carparks, etc.

Maybe 0.1% lift!

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I get about 32/33 MPG on mine and thats 50/50 on B roads & the M25. Also use lift daily - so thats not too bad.

[St3ve]

Cool, so thats about ~300-320 tank ? (Tank being 55l and not being able to get more than about 45-48l in at each fill)

Even Better...

Is that with some 'Lead foot' action too?  :D

Only when my girlfriend lets me

70% motorway driving, 20% pootling around busy A/B roads, stuck in traffic jams, supermarket carparks, etc.

Maybe 0.1% lift!

←

I get about 32/33 MPG on mine and thats 50/50 on B roads & the M25. Also use lift daily - so thats not too bad.

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[PaulT]

Cool, so thats about ~300-320 tank ? (Tank being 55l and not being able to get more than about 45-48l in at each fill)

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Yes, probably a bit more if your journeys are long. Anything on A roads at about 50mph takes you well into the 40s per gallon.

Paul.

[St3ve]

Cool, so thats about ~300-320 tank ? (Tank being 55l and not being able to get more than about 45-48l in at each fill)

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Yes, probably a bit more if your journeys are long. Anything on A roads at about 50mph takes you well into the 40s per gallon.

Paul.

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Cheers Paul :)

[Fmrl]

Cool, so thats about ~300-320 tank ? (Tank being 55l and not being able to get more than about 45-48l in at each fill)

I filled up yesterday after doing about 320 miles over the bank holiday weekend (mostly motorway driving) - tank was about 1/3 full.