2003 Toyota Corolla

The 2003 Toyota Corolla was a great car to drive, and I regret trading it in for a minivan. I drove a 1976 Corolla for over 100,000 miles (used), and it was a reliable means of transportation. This Corolla is a worthy successor, with better styling, and the same reliability as its predecessors.

Pros: Contemporary styling, great gas mileage, high reliability, good heating system, nice supplied sound system with CD.

Cons: Small for a family, can be cramped for a tall person, although I did not have any problems at 6'1". The engine is small, so you'll need a little more time to ramp up to speed on the freeway. Also, the interior furnishings are of a lower quality than you'd get in a more expensive car. Cabin noise is a little high, but the CD system will drown that out.

This is a great car for people who are commuting. I used it to drive 120 miles back and forth to graduate school for two years. It definitely saved gas money and I never had a mechanical problem on the road. It's also a good car for students and singles who don't need a lot of extra room. It's not a good car for a family with two small children or more. The trunk won't hold all the extra stuff you'll carry around with you.

My most memorable moments with this car were driving back and forth to graduate school. I loved driving in this car much more than the minivan I owned later.