Well, congrats on getting the XRS. This car for sure is very different than what you have driven and a challenging car to get the most out of, but once you learn after practicing a lot how to get the most out of the ultra high-revving engine, you will be rewarded.
I have had my XRS for 6 years and did all the modifications to improve handling and response through shedding weight.
Finding an XRS is already a near impossible thing since there were only 6600 ever made and finding one with only 24k miles is virtually impossible and you found one so that is a good sign to begin with.
Anyway, here are the things you need to look for:
1 - Make sure the clutch works properly. A lot of drivers end up burning the clutch since XRS comes with a lightweight flywheel, which makes it a bit challenging to get off the line smoothly so they end up slipping the clutch too much. Make sure that works properly.
2 - Check through every gear, shifting works fine and there are no gears that are difficult to shift too. Synchro problems are possible in some cars that are abused a lot.
3 - Take the car to an empty road where there is no traffic and rev it all the way up to 8350 rpm in first gear and then shift to 2nd. You should feel a very very distinct and noticeable kick in the back of your seat at 6500 rpm, which is the high power camshaft (VVTL-i or lift) kicking in and it should pull very hard uptill 8350 rpm. This will ensure the engine's lift bolts and camshaft lift is working properly.
4 - Make sure the suspension is stiff. The car should handle very very well since it had a lot of focus on handling in the design. If it excessively rolls, either the suspension is shot or the tires are worn out or probably not the stock high-performance Michelin summer tires.
If you have any questions, do let me know and I will be happy to answer.
__________________ SSM 05 Corolla XRS 6 Spd VVTL-i 2ZZ-GE /04 Corolla S 1ZZ-FE (sold)
The suspension is very stiff.. very nice. The previous own was an older gentlemen who also had another corolla that was an automatic. To he only used this car for fun. Pretty sure it's been in a garage most of it's life and hasn't seen much snow at all. And judging from how well the car is taken care of I doubt he abused the car at all.
Today we found out it takes premium gas... O well. small price to pay for a fun sporty car.
Wow! You are lucky considering how few XRS there are. You found one in nearly showroom condition.
Congrats on it. Yes, you need to put Octane 91 or higher in the XRS, but that is primarily for lift (the high power cam that kicks in at 6500 - 8400 rpm) where the high cam lift results in very high compression (11.5:1)
If you plan on using only the midrange (1000 - 5000 rpm) then even regular will work just as fine (though, I would still get premium since the difference is not that big).
Also, remember the lift engagement is not activated till the engine has reached its optimal operational temperature (needle midway on the gauge).
I would recommend trying lift out and revving up to 8400 rpm in 1st gear and then shifting to 2nd on a desserted empty road since considering you mentioned the previous owners was an old person, I doubt he had ever revved the car over 5000 rpm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by deezeejoey
The suspension is very stiff.. very nice. The previous own was an older gentlemen who also had another corolla that was an automatic. To he only used this car for fun. Pretty sure it's been in a garage most of it's life and hasn't seen much snow at all. And judging from how well the car is taken care of I doubt he abused the car at all.
Today we found out it takes premium gas... O well. small price to pay for a fun sporty car.
__________________ SSM 05 Corolla XRS 6 Spd VVTL-i 2ZZ-GE /04 Corolla S 1ZZ-FE (sold)
I know it only has 24k miles on it but I would change each fluid that has not already been changed.........cheap insurance!
__________________
2006 Vibe, White, 1zzfe, auto ( Toyota type IV), AWD, PW, PL, CC, AC, 161,000(5/12/2012)
1998 Camry LE, 4 door, Puke Green, I4(5S-FE), CA Emissions, Auto(A140E), 122k(3/22/2012), AC,CC, ABS, Built in Japan 04/98. Grandmas old car(acquired 7/22/2011), work= precat Denso A/F sensor, NGK wires.
Fuel economy depends greatly on your driving style.
If you are going to drive conservatively and keep the revs below 4500 - 5000 rpm at all times, you will get good fuel economy around 30 mpg or so (still less than 1ZZ due to the short gearing of the 6 speed box).
However, if you rev to the 8400 rpm and hit lift a lot then the fuel economy will go down drastically.
It is always addictive for the sensory overload as the engine completely changes character after 6500 rpm. The sound completely changes making it sound similar to a sport bike and definitely the much stronger pull to redline.
If you become modded like I am then the fuel economy at high revs will be even lower.
This video is a sample for you of two Corolla XRS going at it at the race track. You will not miss the sound at very high revs as to how dramatically it changes. Ofcourse, they are modded (trap speed close 100 mph on it) so they sound more aggressive than stock, but you get the idea
What kind of timing belts does the car have? I know in my 98 camry if the belt goes out your car will be okay. but on some car if your belt goes out you can really screw the car up. So what about the XRS?
What kind of timing belts does the car have? I know in my 98 camry if the belt goes out your car will be okay. but on some car if your belt goes out you can really screw the car up. So what about the XRS?
XRS has a chain and is an interference engine just like the 1zz fe.
I have owned and modified an XRS for over 7 years. I recently responded exactly to an identical thread a few threds down. I am merging the two threads:
Well, congrats on getting the XRS. This car for sure is very different than what you have driven and a challenging car to get the most out of, but once you learn after practicing a lot how to get the most out of the ultra high-revving engine, you will be rewarded.
I have had my XRS for 6 years and did all the modifications to improve handling and response through shedding weight.
Finding an XRS is already a near impossible thing since there were only 6600 ever made and finding one with only 24k miles is virtually impossible and you found one so that is a good sign to begin with.
Anyway, here are the things you need to look for:
1 - Make sure the clutch works properly. A lot of drivers end up burning the clutch since XRS comes with a lightweight flywheel, which makes it a bit challenging to get off the line smoothly so they end up slipping the clutch too much. Make sure that works properly.
2 - Check through every gear, shifting works fine and there are no gears that are difficult to shift too. Synchro problems are possible in some cars that are abused a lot.
3 - Take the car to an empty road where there is no traffic and rev it all the way up to 8350 rpm in first gear and then shift to 2nd. You should feel a very very distinct and noticeable kick in the back of your seat at 6500 rpm, which is the high power camshaft (VVTL-i or lift) kicking in and it should pull very hard uptill 8350 rpm. This will ensure the engine's lift bolts and camshaft lift is working properly.
4 - Make sure the suspension is stiff. The car should handle very very well since it had a lot of focus on handling in the design. If it excessively rolls, either the suspension is shot or the tires are worn out or probably not the stock high-performance Michelin summer tires.
If you have any questions, do let me know and I will be happy to answer.
__________________ SSM 05 Corolla XRS 6 Spd VVTL-i 2ZZ-GE /04 Corolla S 1ZZ-FE (sold)
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