I would like to respectfully differ on the part that one has to make "huge investment" for 1.6 variant. It's just a difference of 125,000 rupees and then you can begin to do whatever upgrades you like. I personally feel no need for any upgrade or shashka, even for me EuroStars do the job well.
Secondly, as enthusiast, you cannot do much with a 1.3 lit car, it would be bogged down by all those accessories, body kits, and 17 inch rims with wider imported tires and with lowering springs. No matter how much you spend, it will remain like that. It will not give you any excitement. I still like 2NZ-FE because of its fuel economy and ample power, but since I have moved to 1.6 1ZR-FE, it has changed my driving habits. I feel fully in control and the car has lizard grip even with Euro Stars. It moves like a knife in warm butter when it comes to wading through the swarms of cars on Islamabad Expressway.
I travel daily on one of the messiest tracks in Rawalpindi-Islamabad and when I reach home or office, I am fresh and relaxed and enjoy little boosts of excitement.
It's true, I would not have enjoyed a 1.3 Corolla and that too Automatic, after driving a Civic, but the 1.6 with a better and newer power plant coupled with reputed Aisin Warner automatic transmission gives a different feel.
Test drive is Hazir if you desire.