Undecided - XRS or S?

[Lbear]

I am in the market for a new 2009 Corolla. Please help me decide...

This is what I like about the XRS -
*The interior colors and Sport Optitron gauges are MUCH nicer than the S version
*More HP and better handling
*5 Speed Automatic
*17" wheels vs. 16" of the S model

Thing I dislike -
*22/30 highway vs. the S which get 27/35 MPG
*The extra $2K in price over a similar S model

1- Has anyone driven the two models side-by-side, is the power and handling that much better on the XRS?
2 - Is the 5MPG loss worth the extra HP of the XRS?
3 - Does the 2.4L engine have extra maintenance issues over the 1.8L engine? For example, a timing belt that needs to be replaced?
4 - Lastly, does the 2.4L engine have the same "oil consumption" issue that the 1.8L engine has?


Any other input would be appreciated....

[sinnaever]

Originally Posted by Lbear

I am in the market for a new 2009 Corolla. Please help me decide...

This is what I like about the XRS -
*The interior colors and Sport Optitron gauges are MUCH nicer than the S version
*More HP and better handling
*5 Speed Automatic
*17" wheels vs. 16" of the S model

Thing I dislike -
*22/30 highway vs. the S which get 27/35 MPG
*The extra $2K in price over a similar S model

1- Has anyone driven the two models side-by-side, is the power and handling that much better on the XRS?
2 - Is the 5MPG loss worth the extra HP of the XRS?
3 - Does the 2.4L engine have extra maintenance issues over the 1.8L engine? For example, a timing belt that needs to be replaced?
4 - Lastly, does the 2.4L engine have the same "oil consumption" issue that the 1.8L engine has?


Any other input would be appreciated....

I was in the same boat as you when I was shopping for a Corolla.

1) I drove both, and the XRS feels soo much better than the S. The Torque is the best part about the XRS. However, you have realize that with the stiffer suspension the XRS has a little bit rougher of a ride.
2) The 5MPG loss really depends on the driver. If you rev it up alot and use the extra power off the line then you will lose more fuel than if you drove it conservatively. I've been able to pull a steady 515km per tank with 10+ liters to spare meaning I can get 600+km per tank of gas. and the power is worth it IMO
3) No real extra maintenance issues. It is the Camry engine/Scion tC/Rav 4 engine. So it is easy to care for. I do suggest a TRD Performance air filter though.
4) The 2.4L does not have the same issue as the 1.8L. There are no problems like that, which i know about.

- In the end, the XRS is a fun drive, and don't listen to the critics who say it isn't. Torque is more fun than HP in my opinion, and the XRS has more Torque than any car in its class.

[desentrix]

A lot of people would be surprised about how quick this car is off from a full stop. Again if your main concern is speed vs. mpg, make the decision yourself instead of asking people.

[ameri_star]

If all of the features of the XRS including the low gas milage are worth 2,000 extra to you I'd say go for it. You don't want to have buyer's remorse if you get the S.

[pwain]

If you want an automatic and your concerned about cost of ownership, I would go with the S.

When I was shopping for mine, the difference between the S and the XRS was closer to $2.5-3K in my area.

[MXs]

XRS!!! The S stands for slow, not sport and there will not be very many speed mods available for the S as for the XRS. Learn from my mistake. The extra torque and acceleration will be beneficial in terms of safety on the road to avoid aggressive drivers.

[DjiNN]

If S stands for Slow .. then XRS stands for ...? Extreme Racing Slow? or just Extremely Slow?

To the OP: GET THE XRS

[MXs]

Originally Posted by DjiNN

If S stands for Slow .. then XRS stands for ...? Extreme Racing Slow? or just Extremely Slow?

To the OP: GET THE XRS

LOL , no way, the XRS is fast. Extreme Racing Spec???? The S is more slow than it is Sport imho.

[Jeff Lange]

XRS stands for Xtreme r0x0rs, sweet. S stands for sux0rz.

Jeff

[Lbear]

Originally Posted by sinnaever

- In the end, the XRS is a fun drive, and don't listen to the critics who say it isn't. Torque is more fun than HP in my opinion, and the XRS has more Torque than any car in its class.

I know with the 1.8L engine there are no timing belts to replace. Is the same true for the 2.4L?

The only comparable car in its class is the Nissan Altima. It has 175HP and 180 Lb-Ft with its 2.5L. The price is about the same for a Nissan Altima Sedan S and a Toyota Camry XRS.

How are the 5-speeds automatic that the XRS comes with?

[Lbear]

I got quoted the following for a 2009 XRS with the JBL option setup, no moonroof -

$21,900 (includes doc fee) + $1,600 sales tax & plates =
$23,500 out the door w/ optional 3 year O% APR or 4 year 1.9% financing


The Corolla S version is about $2K less.

Does that price sound about right for an XRS?

[ameri_star]

Are you gonna pay MSRP for this car?

[IceXRS]

I can tell you that the XRS is allot of fun to drive. Whoever it is out there that keeps insisting that Toyota's are not fun to drive is seriously on crack. The regular S, when I drove it, has a good feel to it and the steering wheel is stiffer like the XRS...but apparently the XRS still has better sensors/powered steering systems than all of the other models. In any case both are actually quite stiff which took some getting used to but the feel is excellent...its very competent.

It corners nicely and its generally fun to drive. Its not a super track machine or anything like that nor do I take it to the extreme that often but I like a bit of spirited driving and more importantly I like the ability to quickly move out of the way of a potential problem and the XRS has that ability in spades. And seriously how many people out there push their car to the limits of its chasis/suspension setup. Not very many.

Also the power on the 2.4L is quite impressive. Again its not a super track machine and won't win any records for 0-60mph/0-100kph but in terms of every day driving its very fast to get up to speed and the engine doesn't sound very stressed about it either so thats a huge bonus over the 1.8L.

My only real disappointment is that the rear suspension on all Corolla models is a stabilizer bar rather than independent like the Civic and Mazda3. Its cheaper yes but it would have been nicer to have the better setup at the back. Its not a huge problem but it did bother me a bit when I first got it.

I'd say XRS if the extra consumption isn't a huge problem. Remember that the 2.4L is really just an ordinary engine for larger vehicles placed in a slightly smaller and lighter car. Versus some of the other more sporty vehicles it also has no need for high octane fuel or that sort of thing. Its a great match...a very practical but fun and somewhat sporty vehicle.

[got-rice]

If you want extra power and can lose some MPG, you'll love the XRS. I live in LA, so I do regret the decision to go with the XRS. But I'm stuck with it for another year and a half, so i'll just have to enjoy it. The JBL is pretty sweet, and got to love the BT.

[Lbear]

Originally Posted by ameri_star

Are you gonna pay MSRP for this car?

No, it will be $1,505 below MSRP.
The XRS breakdown is as follows:

MSRP=$22,814 Dealer Quote =$21,309 doc fee=$349 sales tax=$1,662.11 title/license(est.)=$353.91 Total=$23,674.02


The Corolla S, is fully loaded with the moonroof, XM radio, alloy wheels, stereo upgrade, spoiler) -
MSRP=$21,764 Dealer Quote =$20,177 doc fee=$349 sales tax=$1,573.81 title/license(est.)=$308.55 Total=$22,408.36

Only a $1,266 difference between the loaded Corolla S and the XRS. What to do???