Possibility of Modding the 2009 Corolla S (making it similar to the XRS)
I've been looking around to buy my first car and the corolla XRS's exterior design is very appealling to me. After browsing around on toyota.ca, I found the price of the 2009 XRS to be $27417.25 after taxes. After looking some more, I saw the 2009 S model at $23794.05. A whole 4k difference! However, I really like the Sport Bucket Front Seats of the XRS (look + comfort), the "Coloured Full Skirt Package, Coloured Mirrors, Door Handles & Rear Spoiler, Power Moonroof with Sunshade", and the "17-inch Aluminum Alloy Wheels". On the other hand, the S model has the 1.8L engine which is more fuel efficient and therefore makes it much more attractive due to the rising gas prices. So here is the question, if I were to buy a 2009 Corolla S with the sport package, would I be able to swap out the seats for the XRS sports seating and 16-in tires for 17-in/18-in ones? Also, how much would it cost?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
I'm thinking of doing something similar, but just changing the wheels and tires of the S to 17" rims, possibly from the XRS. I'd like to hear what the experts have to say on the costs of doing this too.
A set of 17" wheels and tires from some place like TireRack will run around $1000 +/-. The seats from the XRS should bolt in but chances are you'd have to get them from a dealer which means mega $$$. Of course you could go with any aftermarket seat, or a complete custom leather interior from Katzkin or Classic Soft Trim for somewhere around $1200.
If you go with the XRS you're stuck with their wheels and their interior, whereas with the S you could get any wheels you wanted, any interior you wanted, save 5mpg and get $2000 in your pocket. The XRS includes other things too so that's not the only difference though.
That's right. It's better to get an S since it looks exactly the same as the XRS, except for the wheels. Getting other wheels from TireRack would be better... it will make your car more unique compared to other Corollas.
Where would I get 3rd party seats with the same type of sport fabric?
I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
I was also wondering if there is any other good places to stuff like dual pipe exhaust here (or online).
Thanks for all the replies!
btw, how much is it to choose the Full Coloured Skirt Package? (I can't find a price for it online) or is it cheaper to get custom ones?
I'm not familiar with Canada. Also, if you buy from a U.S. vendor, you might get slapped by taxes which would jack up the price. Check online for stores that sell racing seats like sparco or corbeau. My scion came with Alcantara seats and IMO > *. They're not racing seats but the support is great. They look and feel great. Alcantara feels close to suede. Suede > leather imo.
I wouldn't go the dual exhaust route. You're going to kill whatever low end torque you have for a gain of about 2hp.
It's cases like this when people should really consider buying a Civic over a Corolla. Corolla owners have a bitch of a time looking for aftermarket support for their cars. If you have a Honda, there are choices all over the place and they're much cheaper too.
Untampered daily driver, Corolla wins. If you plan to do any modifications, forget the Corolla.
As far as I know, you can't get the XRS seats from anywhere right now besides the dealership in Vancouver BC. The car hasn't been out long enough for someone to wreck one either so the junkyards are out of the question.
If you want a dual exhaust look for your Corolla Phycok21, there's a place in Coquitlam that custom bends pipes. There's also a place on No.3 Rd and Bridgeport in Richmond that does it. Beyond that, there's virtually no aftermarket support for our cars yet. Waiting a year or so is probably your best option right now.
If money isn't an issue for you though, you could always try Garage5 or the AJRacing Garage in Richmond. Im sure they'd be able to custom make whatever it is you want for your car for the right price.
Last edited by ZenithTheTV; 04-08-2008 at 08:36 PM.
I've never sat in the XRS just the S... what is different?
Also now that I'm thinking about going w/ the XRS trim, can anybody tell me what is the "preferred accessory package "Z1" that listed in the "build your own" site. I can't find it.
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07 SR5 DC 5.7 4WD TRD (White)
09 Corolla XRS 5spd M (White)
Aside from the wheels, the XRS doesn't have anything else that makes it stand out. Now if someone out there could get these wheels to us on the cheap, i'd be all over it.
I've never sat in the XRS just the S... what is different?
Also now that I'm thinking about going w/ the XRS trim, can anybody tell me what is the "preferred accessory package "Z1" that listed in the "build your own" site. I can't find it.
I considered buying a Civic SI Coup (lambo door would be really nice on these) but the price after taxes went up to $$31,449.25 and thats before anything else extra (such as the Full Skirt Package) so with that type of money, i would rather just buy the XRS or Civic Hybrid.
I m considering on waiting a year or so to buy the Toyota S this way I can qualify for the TFS Graduate Program ($500 ), and hopefully by that time the Canadian governemnet will add the 2009 Corollas to the list of cars that qualify for the ecoAuto Rebate Program (Federal Rebate for fuel efficient cars), which is another $500!
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Possibility of Modding the 2009 Corolla S (making it similar to the XRS)
2009 Toyota Corolla
), and hopefully by that time the Canadian governemnet will add the 2009 Corollas to the list of cars that qualify for the ecoAuto Rebate Program (Federal Rebate for fuel efficient cars), which is another $500! 
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