Automobile: 2009 Toyota Corolla XRS
11-11-09, 09:48 AM
#31
Lexus Fanatic
11-11-09, 11:39 AM
#32
Lexus Fanatic
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: A better place
Posts: 7,285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
In the *real world* however, especially in cities and locations where there are cold winters and hot summers as well as hilly terrain, cars with stiff sporting handling are a poor choice IMHO. Their suspensions crash, bounce, and stutter much of the time on rough or uneven pavement, which is exactly the sort of pavement common to cold winter/hot summer areas. Many of these cars also transmit road imperfections through the chassis, making for a hassle-filled an annoying ride. Hondas are notorious for this. Honda vehicles for the most part only have a decent ride on silky smooth pavement. On any pavement that is less-than-perfect, Hondas don't have a great ride.
Most race car drivers will tell you driving any race or sporty car with stiff handling on rough roads/pavement does not inspire that much confidence.
There is a reason why most race tracks have silky smooth surfaces.
In my area, I would choose an XRS over any other car in it's class simply it the suspension does not get nervous that much on rough or uneven pavement.
That's funny, you posted in this thread with a reply which means you are talking about the Corolla, and had enough interest to make a post in the first place.
11-11-09, 11:47 AM
#33
The Corolla is a decent car but for my son,I went with a new '08 Civic LX sedan and it's been bulletproof for 36K miles.
My son and I both like the exterior and interior over the Corolla and you can't beat the Civic's MPG and it still has some spunk.
I would go Camry over Accord,though.
My son and I both like the exterior and interior over the Corolla and you can't beat the Civic's MPG and it still has some spunk.
I would go Camry over Accord,though.
11-11-09, 11:53 AM
#34
Lexus Fanatic
The Corolla is a decent car but for my son,I went with a new '08 Civic LX sedan and it's been bulletproof for 36K miles.
My son and I both like the exterior and interior over the Corolla and you can't beat the Civic's MPG and it still has some spunk.
I would go Camry over Accord,though.
My son and I both like the exterior and interior over the Corolla and you can't beat the Civic's MPG and it still has some spunk.
I would go Camry over Accord,though.
11-11-09, 12:23 PM
#36
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
24k is too much for a Corolla. I know it's not the same class, but you can get a V6 Camry LE Or a I4 Camry SE for around the same price, which is a total upgrade in every category (Except compactness). If the draw of the Corolla is comfort, reliability, and build quality over its competitors rather than performance, then I'd get a Camry instead.
Now that I look at the Toyota website, it looks like the XRS starts at 20k, which is more reasonable as long as you don't load it up with optional accessories and packages.
Overall, if the Corolla is going to compete as a sporty car, it needs to be sporty, not just look sporty.
Now that I look at the Toyota website, it looks like the XRS starts at 20k, which is more reasonable as long as you don't load it up with optional accessories and packages.
Overall, if the Corolla is going to compete as a sporty car, it needs to be sporty, not just look sporty.
11-11-09, 01:20 PM
#37
F is for Fraud
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Québec
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
24k is too much for a Corolla. I know it's not the same class, but you can get a V6 Camry LE Or a I4 Camry SE for around the same price, which is a total upgrade in every category (Except compactness). If the draw of the Corolla is comfort, reliability, and build quality over its competitors rather than performance, then I'd get a Camry instead.
Now that I look at the Toyota website, it looks like the XRS starts at 20k, which is more reasonable as long as you don't load it up with optional accessories and packages.
Overall, if the Corolla is going to compete as a sporty car, it needs to be sporty, not just look sporty.
Now that I look at the Toyota website, it looks like the XRS starts at 20k, which is more reasonable as long as you don't load it up with optional accessories and packages.
Overall, if the Corolla is going to compete as a sporty car, it needs to be sporty, not just look sporty.
11-11-09, 02:27 PM
#38
Lexus Fanatic
In the *real world* however, especially in cities and locations where there are cold winters and hot summers as well as hilly terrain, cars with stiff sporting handling are a poor choice IMHO. Their suspensions crash, bounce, and stutter much of the time on rough or uneven pavement, which is exactly the sort of pavement common to cold winter/hot summer areas. Many of these cars also transmit road imperfections through the chassis, making for a hassle-filled an annoying ride. Hondas are notorious for this. Honda vehicles for the most part only have a decent ride on silky smooth pavement. On any pavement that is less-than-perfect, Hondas don't have a great ride.
Most race car drivers will tell you driving any race or sporty car with stiff handling on rough roads/pavement does not inspire that much confidence.
There is a reason why most race tracks have silky smooth surfaces.
In my area, I would choose an XRS over any other car in it's class simply it the suspension does not get nervous that much on rough or uneven pavement.
) but, I believe that the XRS has stiffer underpinnings/tires than other Corolla models. Still, as you note, it is not likely to be that uncomfortable by pocket-rocket standards.
11-11-09, 02:59 PM
#39
F is for Fraud
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Québec
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I will have to concur on this one. The 'voies rapides' as they call them in France, are fantastic... but as soon as you stray away from the major arteries, it's sometimes even worse than here in Quebec, and we have the worst roads in North America here.
11-11-09, 03:09 PM
#40
Lexus Fanatic
11-11-09, 04:09 PM
#42
F is for Fraud
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Québec
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm wondering why they don't simply put the 2.5L V6 from the IS250 into the XRS... at least it will make 200 hp and be able to compete with the Sentra SE-R and Civic Si.
11-11-09, 07:18 PM
#43
Lexus Fanatic
Probably because the 2.5L V6 is designed and mounted in a fore/aft, RWD/AWD setup in the IS250. It might not be able to serve in a transverse-mount, FWD Corolla setup.
11-11-09, 07:24 PM
#44
F is for Fraud
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Québec
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm fairly certain that the people over at Toyota are smart enough to be able to modify the engine's design to make it fit a FWD platform.
11-11-09, 10:30 PM
#45
Though the whole Great Lakes Region from Wisconsin to western New York State has deplorable road conditions from freeze/thawing, potholes, and frost heaves, in general, Michigan's are considered the worst, as it sits right in the very center of the region. I can't comment on the roads in Canada because I know little about them.........I'll leave that up to you.
. Their infrastructure is falling apart and that definitely includes roads. I must say Manitoba isn't that much better either.