Buying a used Toyota Corolla (2007-12)

The reborn Corolla that greeted buyers in 2007 was bigger and better-equipped than any previous model. However, it was also struggling to remain as the standard by which other cars of its ilk were judged. 

The model that began life as a scrawny 1.1-litre two door had really packed on the metal during ensuing years, taking itself out of the 'small' car category that once was its own.

Just for comparison sake, consider that in 2007 the 152R Series sedan was longer, wider and 40kg heavier than a 1989 Camry. Losing its crown in the small-car world meant Toyota needed to broaden its ambitions. No wonder Holden was worried that the Commodore's market leadership was under serious threat.

Conservatism was therefore rampant, allowing the Corolla to steadily slip behind more adventurous models from Mazda. Mitsubishi and European competitors.

The 152R delivered four model streams, with sedan or five-door hatch bodywork available to Ascent and Conquest buyers. If you wanted a Levin it would be hatch-only, with four doors mandatory for ultra-conservative Ultima buyers.

Although built on the same 2600mm wheelbase, four and five-door cars were so different in design that only in Australia did both carry Corolla badges. In other markets the hatch with its distinctive shape and interior design was called the Auris.

Local prices began at $21,000; that money buying a five-speed Ascent sedan or hatch with air-conditioning, power steering, power front windows, ABS, a CD player and remote locking. Toyota's four-speed automatic transmission was rapidly being overwhelmed by other manufacturers' five-speed or CVT systems, however it still got away with charging a hefty $2000 for the outdated auto.

Next step up was to a Conquest with alloy wheels and chrome embellishments. Inside, the seats were improved, all of the windows were electric and there was cruise control, a CD stacker with MP3 input and a leather-bound wheel. Most significant was the standard package of five additional air-bags.  

Minimal corporate interest in the $32,000 Ultima meant that very few were sold and you will struggle to find one in used-car land. If you do, these lavishly-decorated sedans will cost only marginally more than a Conquest of similar quality and come with leather seat trim, climate-control air-con, rain-sensing wipers and Xenon headlights.  

That leaves us with the sporty Levin hatch. Saddled with the same 100kW, 1.8-litre twin-cam engine as was obligatory across the 152R range, Levins are no faster than stock-spec six-speeds but come in SX or more opulent ZR trim levels.

As is Toyota's way, the 152R remained in production and fundamentally unchanged for almost five years. An upgrade that appeared in mid-2010 addressed the omission of switchable traction control from early Ascent and Conquest versions.

Unlucky punters will get a 'pool' car or ex-rental; renowned for their abilities to spend long periods straining against the rev-limiter and bouncing over gutters in a manner no privately -owned car would attempt.

Mechanics hate the 1.8-litre Toyota motor. In addition to being one of toughest small power units available, the days of timing belts snapping and causing damage ended when a chain was employed to run the twin overhead camshafts.  

If you regularly need to carry four adults and a lot of luggage, the sedan provides decent leg-room for everyone plus a boot almost as large as in the Aurion. If you normally need space for only one or two occupants plus the versatility to carry odd-shaped objects then a hatch might be the better choice.

From the driver's seat there are big differences to be noted between the two versions. The sedan layout is conventional Corolla, with grey plastic almost everywhere and controls you can find with your eyes closed after only a few hours of familiarisation.

Basic models come with white-on-grey major dials but up-spec versions have garish Optitron instruments. The hatch version's big point of difference is the 'bridge' console that positions the gear-lever closer to wheel level and puts the handbrake at an annoying angle.

Rear vision, especially from the hatch, is ordinary and you need a decent sense of awareness or accessory-kit camera to feel confident when reversing.   

Performance when pitted against similarly-sized and priced cars is less than involving.

Even with six speeds, the manual Corolla isn't a rocket and you can forget brisk overtaking on the highway. Pitted against a five-speed Mazda 3 manual, the Levin was a full second slower from 80-120km/h.

The auto has its issues as well but around town and in traffic they aren't obvious. Without testing one in a rural setting and laden with family members it's hard to be sure just how it might perform, however the outlook isn't positive.

Where these cars will most endear themselves is in service and running costs. The original sales package included fixed-price services at just $120 each and when you visit a Toyota service centre there is never a line of abandoned 'problem' cars as occurs with some other brands.

Safety is pretty good, however without the additional Safety Pack, Ascents will lack side, knee and curtain air-bags. ABS is standard, most do have traction control and all Corollas of this age score at least four stars in crash-test evaluations.

The 16-inch diameter, lower-profile tyres that were standard on all but the Ascent are worth having. The 55 Series Yokohamas originally fitted didn't compromise ride quality too badly and the front end stuck to the chosen line more easily than with stock 15-inch rubber.

The 152's robust structure and extra equipment generate additional weight that even not even the extra manual gear ratio can offset.  Fuel consumption from a six-speed Levin came in at a neat 10L/10km average but an automatic used constantly in an urban setting will use 10-15 percent more.   

USED VEHICLE GRADING
Design and Function: 13/20
Safety: 14/20
Practicality: 15/20
Value for Money: 15/20
Wow Factor: 13/20 (Levin)
SCORE: 70/100

ALSO CONSIDER: Mazda 3, Holden Cruze CDX, Subaru Impreza RX