Which Corolla?

[EGHolmes]

Hello everyone, my name is Eric. I am new posting here. My wife and I are in the market for a new car and we came across the Corolla. We both really like the looks of it, but I have no background or experience with Toyota. I have been researching the different models and now I would like the opinions of the readers on this forum. I know you will be biased toward the Corolla but that is fine. We are leaning toward a Corolla or an Altima coupe.

I like the was the Corolla S and the XRS come with the flares and side skirts. But do I understand right when I read that the XLE is the only one that comes with power windows standard? I thought the XRS was the highest model.

Anyways, just please throw in your input about the Corolla and Altima (as mentioned earlier). I will appreciate all your help. And if we do get a Corolla, you will see a lot more of me on here.

[suplol]

The XRS is the "best" engine wise since it's a 2.4L engine instead of the 1.8L. It doesn't come with power windows standard, but it focuses more on the engine. Getting the power package or sport package for the power windows etc.. will cost a bit more, but if you want the side skirts and front/rear lips, you're gonna have to pick up the S or XRS model. If you don't really care about the lips, you'll be happy with an XLE/LE, but if you must have the lips, get the S if you care more about gas mileage, and the XRS if you care more about speed.

Obviously you're on a Corolla forum, so I'm going to be biased towards the Corolla over the Altima, but I picked up the Corolla because of quality. I didn't do too much research on the Altima (so someone correct me if I'm wrong), but its a fairly old (somewhat unreliable) motor and its pretty loud..

[sinnaever]

The Altima is a very nice car aswell. Nothing but good things to say about it. The Corolla is a very reliable car aswell. And up here in Canada the XRS comes with Power Locks, Windows, moonroof, keyless entry... basically everything but Navigation system...

But check with some USA owners of the XRS to verify that.

[EGHolmes]

Thanks, I am less about the speed now that I am married. Sounds like I would enjoy the S with the "power package".

[LeanBurn]

To start, every model of Corolla comes with a 1.8L engine, except for the XRS which comes with the 2.4L.

This is my first Corolla as well, first Toyota even. I lead at what seemed an exhaustive more than a year search for the best car in terms of quality, fuel economy and longevity. I kept coming back to the world's best selling car. Second was the civic, but the timing belt maintainance and higher price lost out. I won't comment on the Altima as the Sentra is the direct competitor in its class, and the Sentra fell out of the running because it lagged behind in fuel economy as well as price.

To me the new '09 Corolla came with the more standard features at the lowest cost compared to many others: ie: 6 airbags, electronic brake force distribution, abs. It comes with a peppy little proven fuel efficient engine that just won the most distance traveled in the 50L challenge: http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/50-litre.htm

I guess it depends on what you ultimately want out of a car before you can make your final answer.

[REN69]

The XLE is basically the "luxury edition" basically, it comes with everything minus the skirts/lips that the S and XRS models would.

[EGHolmes]

How do y'all feel about the skirts? Are they cheap? Do people think the Corolla looks better minus the skirts?

[Zembonez]

Rather odd 2 car comparo there. One is a mid level coupe and one is an entry level 4 door. Altima is more along the lines of the Camry and Accord. Corolla would be more like the Sentra in the two model lineups...

Altima is more roomy and powerful and has a cool CVT trans plus it gets about the same mileage as a Corolla.

Corolla will get slightly better fuel mileage with the smaller engine but the 2.4 will be about the same... and it has four real doors.

BOTH are fantastic cars, but you really should buy a Scion tC instead of the Altima coupe. It's a much more versatile car and costs less to boot.

[VisualSpoiler++]

What are you looking for in a car? Given the cars you've named, the comparison breaks down into 3 categories:

1. Power. Not "speed" power, but more like "carry 4 adults and a trunk full of baggage" power. The Corolla XRS and the Altima both have that kind of power, while the lower trim Corolla (S, XLE and down) will be somewhat lacking. Sure, this comes at the cost of mpg, but both Toyota's and Nissan's 2.4's get fairly good mileage. If you really want to save on gas, however, 1.8 Corollas are the only way to go.

2. Room. Believe it or not, the Altima Coupe might actually have less room than the Corolla, both in seating and especially in trunk space. The Corolla's trunk is huge for a compact, thanks (or no thanks) to Toyota's choice of suspension, while the trunk for the Altima Coupe is like, well, once you see it you'll understand.

3. Reliability. Nissan = average car. Toyota = for life.

Also, to answer your question, the skirts on the Corolla look great. An unmodded Corolla sits a little bit too tall, and the skirts complement nicely but giving it an adequately lowered look.

That said, the Altima Coupe is downright seeexy. It's one of the few cars out there that gives me second thoughts about my XRS.

[Zembonez]

Originally Posted by VisualSpoiler++

3. Reliability. Nissan = average car. Toyota = for life.

Please disregard this truly lame comment from a totally biased Toyota fan beating his chest from the tallest mountain.

[VisualSpoiler++]

Originally Posted by Zembonez

Please disregard this truly lame comment from a totally biased Toyota fan beating his chest from the tallest mountain.

I know it's a lame comment, but that's probably the biggest reason for choosing a Toyota. You should know how much Toyota is relying on that factor alone to sell it's cars. Nothing in Toyota's current lineup has any trace of performance: they're all just toasters, albeit in different sizes.

And no I wouldn't consider myself a Toyota fan. The reason I said the 'for life' is because we have a 20+ year old Cressida at home that still runs great. Bias or no, that alone is a very convincing example of Toyota quality.

Finally, this is a Toyota forum. It's not like I'm bringing this argument up on a Honda site or anything. I was trying to be helpful, not trying to be an advocate.

[EGHolmes]

Thanks, you have all been helpful

[Zembonez]

Originally Posted by VisualSpoiler++

I know it's a lame comment, but that's probably the biggest reason for choosing a Toyota. You should know how much Toyota is relying on that factor alone to sell it's cars. Nothing in Toyota's current lineup has any trace of performance: they're all just toasters, albeit in different sizes.

And no I wouldn't consider myself a Toyota fan. The reason I said the 'for life' is because we have a 20+ year old Cressida at home that still runs great. Bias or no, that alone is a very convincing example of Toyota quality.

Finally, this is a Toyota forum. It's not like I'm bringing this argument up on a Honda site or anything. I was trying to be helpful, not trying to be an advocate.

Nothing lame about it at all. This IS a Toyota forum and I was just messing with you.

Cheers.

[blacken]

Originally Posted by EGHolmes

Thanks, you have all been helpful

its what we do at toyota nation =D

When i was going to buy a car i looked at alternatives and choose the Corolla. SO while most people my age are driving around in old sports cars I choose to drive this toaster . So while they run no ac ghetto rigged stereos. I ride in comfort with ac on full blast and a preety daam good stereo stock system , I still beat them in millage. =P this little runt grows on you. It might only have a 1.8l engine but, in all honesty its more than enough for civilised driving, most cars and engines with 200+ HP and bigger displacements, honestly when are they actually going to use them to the full potential. honestly when? Anyways.

Corolla Ce (or just Corolla here in the US) - Bare Bones Model This is only non sports model with manual transmision.
If you want a many tranny this is what you might want to consider. If you see a base model its like a blast from the past XD Roll windows manual almot everything XD and steelees woot.

Corolla Le - Entry Level Luxury Model slightly more bling so to speak for your buck. Very sexxy its what i drive . More customisable with package options than the CE. Most people my age would have gotten the S version but this is my DD not my weekend warrior, it needs to be civil. Alsoi work in an office, its much more presentable to go to arive to customers and the such in a more luxury type car than a little kids sports car. Those Oil business wackos are very picky . No manny trany for this only 4 speed auto

Corolla XLE - Luxury model with all the wootnes toyota can chunk at you its very smexxy . How luxurius depends on what packages are installed. Check your local dealer on what you want and what you want to pay for it.same as the LE no many tranny only 4 speed auto

Sports Models

Corolla S - Priced right between the Corolla Ce and the LE if you pick manual. And between the LE and the XLE if you pick automatic. in my opinion the S is pretty much a LE with the ground kit(lips) put on it. You have a choice of pretty much the same options. With the LE keeping some. You can customise the S pretty good but after its all said and done your paying slightly more for just the lip kit instead of just getting a LE. Comes in 5 speed many tranny or 4 speed auto.

Corolla XRS- Big papa pump of the crew. wide array of customisations and options as well as the only one of the crew to have a 5 speed auto as well as a 5 speed many tranny. The XRS can be had for a hefty price. And if you are going for the XRS you are a true toyota fan, mostly because for the price there are lots of other cars you can pick up with more power and options so to speak. Thats not to say if i had the money i wouldnt have one
If you ask me the XRS can be just as luxurius if not more than the XLE.



So there you have a breakdown of the trims
Hope it helps you pick what you want.

I havent owned or test driven any nissans so i cant give you any opinions on the other car you want.
Aside from the this corolla has the ability to outlive your children, and if you dont have any then that goes to show you how long this thing is expected to live. Nissan while reliable, not AS reliable as toyota.

[EGHolmes]

Well, by the time we add the options to the Corolla that we want we are up there past the base price of the Altima, and it comes with a lot of the things standard that we would have to pay to add to the Corolla. We are just going to have to sit back and think about it.