Toyota Corolla Engine Problems

No matter which brand of fuel you use, you shouldn't be getting a pungent smell through the air vents. It sounds to me like there's a problem with a seal not doing its job in the engine bay, or around the plenum chamber.

Any of those oils would be perfectly ok for your car. If you are doing really short trips and want the engine to warm up a little faster, and reduce wear during that period, you could use a 10W-40 oil, but I would use a 20W-50 oil as a good all-rounder.

Yes, you won't have caused any damage, the starter won't have engaged.
 

No, it isn't normal. You should take your car to the dealer and have them investigate it. Leave it with them overnight if necessary and even be with them when they start it, so you can point out to them the noise that you are concerned about.

The only way to resolve a problem is to report it, first to the dealer, then to the carmaker if that doesn't solve it. After that it becomes difficult. My view is that there should be an industry ombudsman who can resolve issues between carmakers and their customers.
 

The coolant change period does seem too long, the initial change is at eight years, which would seem way too long. I would be looking to change the coolant every couple of years, that's 40,000 to 50,000 km. As for the automatic transmission, carmakers now employ a fill-for-life strategy, which means they fill the trannie in production and never touch it again. My view is that it's a flawed approach, particularly if you plan to keep your car for a long time, as you say you are. I would have the fluid changed every 50,000 km and have the transmission serviced every 100,000 km.

I don't know what he's trying to tell you, but it sounds like the "rubbish" is coming from his mouth. But I would continue to have it serviced every six months as you have been doing, that should be more than sufficient to keep it in tip-top shape.

You shouldn't have let the car out of your sight; instead you should have had it inspected by an independent mechanic for possible damage that might have been caused in the fire. Even now I would get it inspected for damage, anything could have been damaged in the   fire, wiring, hoses, paint, plastic components, you won't know until it's properly checked. You should also consider consulting the consumer affairs people with a view to further claims against the people who did the servicing.

Given the your low annual distance traveled and the fact that it's out of warranty, I would think you could stretch the oil change period to 12 months, but no longer.

Like most current model Toyotas it has a timing chain.