I've read almost every thread posted on this section (10th generation corolla) of the Toyota nation forum.
Time and time again I keep seeing comments about how slow the corolla (XRS specifically) is and how poor the handling is.
I read these comments in disbelief.
I drive the car occasionally and not half as aggressive as she does. Let me tell you I never would have thought that a "Corolla" would seems so nice to drive and "go" so well.
We've taken the car from BC to Saskatchewan (let's say 14 hrs of highway driving) and a few smaller 3-4 hr trips. Plenty of local driving as well.
We typically zoom by other cars with GREAT ease, passing is not an issue. accelerating from a dead stop same thing.
I'm not saying it's a Porsche or any type of "super car" but I never expected it to be.
It's quite sporty and quick and plenty powerful for a "Corolla".
I think if you were expecting more of a car than that you were shopping in the wrong class.
I mean 130mph on occasion .. what more do you want?
Just my thoughts..
carry on
Last edited by NIKKICHICK; 08-20-2008 at 03:02 AM.
same here my wife and i drove down to kelowna twice already and we reach the speeds of 180-190kph and i have no complains. it was raining one time but the handling is still ok.
The thing runs fine in a straight line. It's the cornering that gets complaints. Try making a 90 degree at 15 mph. That's the normal speed at which you do a turn, but the roll is already noticeable. Now try making a 90 degree at 30 mph. Everything in the car rolls to a side, including the driver, and the car feels like it's ready to topple over. Add a tiny bit of sand or moisture to the road, and the car skids, accompanied by the VSC buzzer. Normally the VSC is supposed help save your ass in dangerous situations, like serious icy road skids or something. On this car, however, I feel they put it in to remind you not to drive it too hard.
The XRS isn't too bad. Compared to the S, CE, LE, XLE... the XRS is very nice, especially cornering. However, there is a little bit of roll, but not enough for me to complain about. If You want to eliminate ALL roll, then buy something that isn't called "COROLLA", or "HYUNDAI", "KIA", "CIVIC", "ECHO", "YARIS", "FIT" etc...or any bottom end cars from any manufacturer. Driving enthusiasts who want a car that handles well should be either tuning up a cheap car like the ones just listed, or buy a higher end car that is designed well but costs more $$$$. For the money, the Corolla is good enough.
(Also, note how tall the new corolla is, its pretty tall for its class. So lower it if you want better cornering)
i would like to note that the base model goes 115 mph. i think for what your getting even with the 1.8, the power is plentiful to move itself around at a decent pace. it's no street racer though...
it is slow for what you pay
and what it competes against
for the XRS is comes in over well over 20k starting price
and thats not without any features
now
compared to what you pay there are several other models that outperform it
thats probly the biggest gripe most people that get it and dislike it come out saying
the cars it competes against dominate it
the XRS is about the slowest performace model for a compact car in its segment if im not mistaken
its little go for the money you shell out
but its still a good car and will do what you want it to do
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(RIP) 1992 Black Toyota Paseo (AKA little blacky) (RIP)
2001 Silver Toyota Celica ( AKA - Lady Tiamat- ) (rip)
2009 Silver Toyota Corolla ( AKA - Nonameyet)
Springs and a sway bar should pretty much bring it to what you expect. Even the 9thgen XRS was unstable until a solid FSTB, Springs, and a set of sway bar are installed. Heck, it was pretty stable without the sway bars.
As for the power, the 9thgen dominates the top end and walks away easily from the GenTen. However, myself, I like the torque down low and don't really care to drive the car like I stole it in order to get that extra 40 hp boost. I'm an old fart that still enjoys ragging a car and loved the way the 2zz engine sounded, but these days I like what the GenTen XRS offers. Hopefully they'll release a supercharger for it (which I'm doubtful) but there's a whole lot of support behind the GenTen engine from the Scion crowd, so turbo will be a pretty straightforward affair.
Sure, I could have gone with the Civic Si, but I like what I like, and I don't really like the Civic..never did.
I have a manual, and when I was visiting San Diego, I rented an XRS automatic, and let me tell you, this was the first auto I actually liked. For others the hunting for gears seemed bothersome or as if something was wrong, it didn't bother me one bit, in fact I welcomed it. A slight increase in pedal pressure would normally put me in the right gear to maintain the best response and aggressive pedal pressure would pretty much keep me in the powerband. I have to say I got a little spoiled.
the only thing that bothered me was when it downshifted to 2nd and or 1st, it was a bit harsh. Time will tell how well these transmissions will hold up. I personally think as of right now the XRS is a great car. We'll see what happens to mine over the next couple years. Who knows, I might keep this one after all.
Last edited by CircuitJerk; 08-20-2008 at 07:35 PM.
Am I missing something? Correct me if I'm wrong here.
Sure if we want s better braking or suspension they can be upgraded, but they are pretty good for what you pay considering I think.
i think for what you pay for in this car, they should have added the independent rear suspension...heck even the cheaper civic gets a fully independent rear suspension...and it's a better drive than the corollas. sometimes it's not about how much power you have, it's about how well the car drives...the slower civic seems to be much funner to drive than the corolla...it just has a more sporty feel. honestly, the 09 corolla xrs would be the PERFECT car for me if they had the independent rear suspension. i like the look and power but it's just missing something. i'm sure it's a great car to drive and stuff but i don't want to regret my decision later on too lol
Am I missing something? Correct me if I'm wrong here.
Sure if we want s better braking or suspension they can be upgraded, but they are pretty good for what you pay considering I think.
Civic Si. With the same options, a 5-speed XRS actually costs exactly the same, while an automatic actually costs more.
Civic Si. With the same options, a 5-speed XRS actually costs exactly the same, while an automatic actually costs more.
I just looked at honda.ca and toyota.ca, and Canadian MSRP is $26,680 for the Civic Si (no ground kit) and $23,210 for the XRS auto.
At honda.com the Civic si is $21,310 (4dr)(still no ground kit) $24,925 after you ad the ground kit and the 17" alloys.
At toyota.com the XRS is $22,714 (with the 5spd auto tans)
Last edited by NIKKICHICK; 08-21-2008 at 04:37 AM.
So anyway... I'm not saying that the XRS is the "end-all" (maybe the civic si would be your preference) but I'm just wondering why people keep thinking it's a slow poor performer for the money.
Oh and it would probably cost a bundle to change the nasty Spacedash in the civic.
The last time I asked around, the 2008 Si and 2009 XRS out-the-door prices were nearly identical. Woes to the ignoramus who didn't even think to try dealing with Honda first (me ).
And the XRS isn't slow, it just has bad suspension. Steering is a bit dumpy too, and it's getting dumpier the more miles I put on it.
Am I missing something? Correct me if I'm wrong here.
Sure if we want s better braking or suspension they can be upgraded, but they are pretty good for what you pay considering I think.
daam i need a refresh cource
im still stuck in the numbers from back in the 2zz xrs days
since very few people live on the top end of the rpm spectrum
and most only travel about 3/4 the way to redline
the new rolla with its torque more towards the bottom is doing better than anticipated
__________________
Will make proper siggy later.
(RIP) 1992 Black Toyota Paseo (AKA little blacky) (RIP)
2001 Silver Toyota Celica ( AKA - Lady Tiamat- ) (rip)
2009 Silver Toyota Corolla ( AKA - Nonameyet)
since very few people live on the top end of the rpm spectrum
and most only travel about 3/4 the way to redline
the new rolla with its torque more towards the bottom is doing better than anticipated
You are correct.. makes it nice to drive too!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by NIKKICHICK
I don't find it to be underpowered as far as weight to power go. I tend to zip past other vehicles quite regularly. I pay for it by using more fuel of course.
It also has lots of usable torque (more on paper than lots of the competitors anyways).
Quote:
Originally Posted by NIKKICHICK
It's all about the Torque...
Torque at a lower RPM is more realistically usable IMHO
Fuel economy is more how you drive than what you drive when comparing so close. Go for the torque. If you kick the crap out of the 1.8l when you want to "go go" then you'll feel that in the fuel consumption anyway.
GO FOR THE TORQUE
Also just look at the 0-60 difference...
Last edited by NIKKICHICK; 08-21-2008 at 02:55 PM.
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