my sister went and bought a Corolla SE. It's a nice enough car for the money.

 

In Canada, that would the Acura CSX (same lights, same wheels, same mirrors, obviously different grille and a bit more chrome). Our NA Civic is lot more plebian.

 

The editors in the article have a point........if you're going to buy a pocket-rocket, don't get the Corolla XRS. There are much better reasonably-priced sporty compacts out there if you want a pint-sized sporting machine.......Mazda3, VW GTI, Honda Civic Si, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, Subaru Impreza GT/WRX, Chevy Cobalt SS, to name a few. Not that the Corolla XRS is a bad car......it is not, by any means. It's just that the Corolla platform, in general, doesn't offer the type of reponsiveness that a lot of pocket-rocket buyers are looking for; the XRS is just an economy car with smoothness/refinement, some added body trim, and a slightly larger engine.

No, the Corolla, IMO, is a better deal for those who, like with the Hyundai Elantra, want a well-built small car with refinement, quietness, a smooth automatic transmission, and a reasonably smooth ride. There, the Corolla excels.....especially in the LE or, better yet, the XLE version with the wood trim inside. With the XLE version, for less than 20K, you've got yourself a mini-luxury car that will be reliable and last a long time.

So, my advice is forget the XRS and shop for a Corolla only if you want refinement and quietness in a small car....and get the LE or XLE. If you want sportiness, forget the Corolla, period, and go with another make.

 

I see the Corolla S model very often. Same tacked on bodykit, but with tiny wheels. I saw the XRS a couple weeks ago in blue. DOesnt look bad with the stock 17in 5 spoke wheels.

 

I'm not paying 24k for any Civic, Corolla, Jetta, etc.....
XRS is nice, needs a drop

 

I know i may get bashed on here, but i was looking forward to trading my GS in for an XRS Corolla, but the last generation (Manual of course) But I cannot find one at all.

 

i also have an 06 S and it's awesome. i never care about parking, gas, or ricers annoying me. i picked it up for only $15,500, i believe the sticker was around $18k.

 

I test drove one and it was great. More then enough power, looked great but the ***** and buttons felt cheap and the seats in my tester car were easily scratched up. Anyone have any pics of a modded XRS to share?

 

Those cheap, wobbly, poorly-mounted center-dash climate ***** are a problem in several newer Toyota models, not just the Corolla.

 

I assume you mean the CE right? There is no Corolla SE

 

I am sorry guys, I just cant get excited talking about a Corolla

 

Same can be said about all the Lexus cars (minus the F-lineup)...

You want safe, reliable, bland go Toyota/Lexus. I know I did.

 

Unfortunately, the XRS lacks the performance-tuned engine to match the sporting appearance.

 

really all?

 

Well, it depends on your definition of "Excitement".

"Excitement", to some people, doesn't necessarily mean dragster acceleration, 1G cornering, and braking action like you hit a brick wall.

Some people get excited at the prospect of a good, reliable, economical, attractively-priced commuter car that will get them back and forth to work every day (with a little dose of refinement to boot) without breaking down every time it's raining. For them, the Corolla.....and Hyundai Elantra......are excellent choices.