Couple of Corolla T-Sport questions!

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Akagi

Akagi

Akagi

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Hi all, I know at least a couple of you have, or at least have had one of these.

I have a couple of questions...

When I test drove one, there seemed to be a slight whine at low revs at partial throttle and when releasing the throttle at low revs - is this indicative of an issue, or is this just the nature of the engine?

Is the clutch bite naturally quite high and the clutch fairly firm/springy? The only things I have driven by comparison are VW's and Audi's which had feather light clutches, and a Nissan which had a very stiff clutch.

Some of them had an issue with the heater not blowing hot air, and only blowing "warmish" air, which could present an issue when clearing windows and so on, this is related to the heater matrix I believe. Any ideas what needs to be sorted out to fix this? The one I looked at had this issue for example.

Should be going to view another soon, and the first one I looked at is back up for sale again also.

Please don't bother posting if all you have to offer is negativity towards the car, or an attempt to discourage me from getting one - I have had quite enough of that already.

Taa. :)
 
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Good cars, the suspension is a bit soft but they can be firmed up easily with new springs. My mum had one and did 150k miles in it without any major issues. It never made that whining sound though so it doesn't sound right.
 
mine had a strange whine from the gearbox off throttle in third whilst decelerating, it wasn't always present, I took several Toyota mechanics out, some could hear it some said they didn't, they didn't do anything about it in the end an I gave up, it never actually materialised as a problem. I wasn't alone and some people said it was to do with the springs on the clutchplate, not sure myself but it was a rare annoyance rather than problem. overall its not that quiet a drivetrain, all aluminium and chain driven its noisier than most.
 
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The noise I heard was also in third, off throttle while decelerating! And it didn't happen every time I tried to re-create it, only some of the time!

Sounds like the same thing. I'm wondering if it is actually anything to be worried about...
 
Acme said:
Please don't bother posting if all you have to offer is negativity towards the car, or an attempt to discourage me from getting one - I have had quite enough of that already.
Click to expand...

Not going to try to dissuade you, however...

Isn't rejecting advice how you ended up lumbered with a Polo that you want rid of?

I'm interested as to how you have arrived at the decision that of all the mediocre/luke warm hatchbacks out there, you've decided on the Corolla?
 
Sounds like that noise is a gearbox whine rather than an engine whine. Can't say I ever heard it on my mums car, and I did drive it a fair bit; but that's not to say it's a common issue. Be worth investigating more.
 
One of mine whined the other didn't, the one that did I put over 20k on it without issue

The heater problem can be fixed, I fixed it on one of mine there's a guide on corolla club but its a pain, once its done it works well though

The corolla t-sport is a strange car, people **** them off and its always people who haven't lived with one, I love them and if they weren't so old, hard to find and I could make use of the engine on my current commute I would have another in a heart beat, great cars that get no unwanted attention as no one knows what they are, quicker than the book figures state, very reliable and relatively cheap to run, I dont think you'll regret it at all
 
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Why don't u just go and test drive a few more to compare rather than talk about them 24/7 on here :p
Your looking at a 2.5k 10yr old car there all going to have some niggles etc
 
Acme said:
Hi all, I know at least a couple of you have, or at least have had one of these.

I have a couple of questions...

When I test drove one, there seemed to be a slight whine at low revs at partial throttle and when releasing the throttle at low revs - is this indicative of an issue, or is this just the nature of the engine?

Is the clutch bite naturally quite high and the clutch fairly firm/springy? The only things I have driven by comparison are VW's and Audi's which had feather light clutches, and a Nissan which had a very stiff clutch.

Some of them had an issue with the heater not blowing hot air, and only blowing "warmish" air, which could present an issue when clearing windows and so on, this is related to the heater matrix I believe. Any ideas what needs to be sorted out to fix this? The one I looked at had this issue for example.

Should be going to view another soon, and the first one I looked at is back up for sale again also.

Please don't bother posting if all you have to offer is negativity towards the car, or an attempt to discourage me from getting one - I have had quite enough of that already.

Taa. :)
Click to expand...


I've got a facelift model and the issue I had was that the waterpump pulley went. It has a whining squeaky noise at low revs.

Warm air is the heater matrix. Just needs replacing.

Clutch is different. Feels more like my old Yaris rather than the VAG group.

If I were you I'd go for a Facelift as they have better suspension and have loads of other updates as well. Mines on 112k and still going strong. Just make sure that the lift bolts have been changed and that lift works correctly.

As people have said with the right tweaks to the suspension it can be a great car and won't get looked at by the scum as they don't know what it is.
 
I'm going to look at another on Saturday, another facelift with 84,000 miles on the clock, private seller this time, asking a very fair price for it. No alacantara interior - just normal red & grey cloth, only one key, and the drivers seat is jammed but the seller has spare seat runners. It is £2K though, which leaves lots of change for fixing the seat runner, buying a new set of tyres, and maybe even getting a second key done.

paradigm said:
Isn't rejecting advice how you ended up lumbered with a Polo that you want rid of?

I'm interested as to how you have arrived at the decision that of all the mediocre/luke warm hatchbacks out there, you've decided on the Corolla?
Click to expand...

No that isn't really why I have the Polo, plus I loved the Polo as a first car, and still do, it is just that mine isn't a good example of one!

And i'm not surprised you are interested, confused even! So I'll sum it up quickly... Out of all of the hot/warm hatches, it has the lowest fuel consumption, the lowest tax, the lowest insurance, the lowest price, they are meant to be very reliable, they are cam chained so I don't have to worry about changing the belt, they are less common than their more popular counterparts, they are less desirable to steal, they have thatcham approved alarm systems, VVTL-I goes BWAAAAAAAAAAH, they are a bit sleepery, and I personally like how they look.
 
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Interior is fine but if you put bucket seats in you won't be able to see over the bonnet. I've got Celica Gen7 seats in mine. Also You'll want a short shifter kit. Makes the gear changes tones better.
As long as you look after it, the car will run forever. Mine feels better than the day I bought it.
Also remove the inlet pipe to the airbox. Its stupid and tiny. Get some piping and route a new one. Better ecomony and better flow.
 
No plans for bucket seats!

Possible plans for a short shifter, induction modifications, and suspension. :)

Wheels at a later date maybe, but in the mean time a set of nice tyres will do!
 
No oils problems at all that I've heard. Was your celica a 140? I know they use oil a bit and so do the early 190s.

I wouldn't recommend an induction kit unless it's one that goes to the bottom of the engine bay or an enclosed one. The engine gets way too hot. Decat and cat back is a good way to get a little more power. Definelty get some suspension mods. Coilovers are nice but are pricey. Plus you'll be having a harsh ride.
 
adam cool dude said:
If you ever do have some spare change laying about look up Se7en stage 2 cams. There is a video somewhere which compares stock vs stage 2 and it is relatively cheap too at 700ish for the cams and fitting.
Click to expand...

I have already looked up the cams, and explored a lot of other opportunities for modification as well! :D

I have offered the seller of this T-Sport £100 to remove the advert (eBay listing ends on Thursday) and secure the car until Saturday.
 
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