After drivng half ton trucks for the past 20 plus years, I decided to buy a smaller vehicle due to gas cost.
Of course gas has gone down in price almost every week since I've bought the car. Went down another 8 cents a litre last night.
Anyway, I ended up buying a new 09 Corolla S at the end of August.
Was a little bit leary of getting into a smaller vehicle due to ride comfort and engine power.
But, after driving a 06 Corolla on a 4 hour trip with 2 passengers, I was impressed and made the decision to by a Toyota.
This is my gripe with the quality.. trim/fit.. of my new Corolla.
Car only has 2100 km/1312 miles on it.
I hear a vibration noise coming from the interior front passenger side. Based on what I've read on this forum, other owners have the same issue.
Took it to the dealer to see if they know what the cause is. The technician that went for the test drive with me couldn't hear the noise.
Since then, a much louder rattle seems to have developed in the back seat area.
I have no personal belongings in the car so, whatever is causing the noises, is from the car itself.
I have an appointment next week to get these noises checked out again. Hopefully they can fix them. I should be excited about having a brand new car for the first time in 20 some years but, these noises are taking that pleasure away.
The dash material around the radio, heater, A/C contol knobs etc seems to be a poor choice, scratches way to easily.
Had dealer install window vent visors. One of them is already starting to come off. Went to set up an appointment to have it fixed and was told that Toyota is no longer selling the vent visors due to all the problems they've had with having to replace them. I was offered a full refund and they will take them off for me.
I find the ride comfort to be very rough on less than ideal road conditions.
Could be the Bridgestone Turanza tires that came on the car.
Didn't notice this rough of a ride with the 06 when driving on the same roads.
I'll be putting winter tires on so, it'll be interesting to see if the softer tire makes any difference.
And just one other thing, can someone explain the logic behind this.
When the remote on the key fob is used to open the trunk and then used to unlock the car, this happens.
After a certain amount of time, maybe a minute or so, the car doors automatically lock again if you haven't closed the trunk within that time.
Luckily, I still had the key in my hand when I discovered this little option.
That just about does it for this rant. I guess what I'm trying to say is that at this point, I'm really not impressed with certain quality issues with this car. Maybe I was expecting too much from Toyota?
Maybe complete Toyota quality isn't passed on down to the lower models?
While I am being negative with some issues, I will say that I do like the style of the 09 and haven't had any mechanical issues so far.
I also hate rattles! Usually they come and go,so it will be hard for a technician to fix it. I thnk that they use too many plastics today. When it gets cold out, the plastics get hard and may rattle more. Also, the roads aren't always perfect, so you'll get more rattles than you bargained for. Maybe your tires are too hard, and that may cause more rattles and a hard ride.
I have had Toyotas since 1971 and the quality of everyone I have owned since has been worse than the previous. I don't think that is any different with other auto manufacturers. They are all trying to make a buck while competition gets greater. I believe that Toyota makes a higher quality auto than the others in the dame category but you will pay more for it.
The auto lock feature has nothing to do with the trunk, rather, if you unlock the doors and do not open any of them, after about a minute or so the system will automatically relock all the doors. Its a feature designed to prevent your car from being accidentally unlocked as you're walking away or something and being completely open for someone to enter and steal it.
Other than that, I agree with the poor choice of dash material, scratches much too easy.
The auto lock feature has nothing to do with the trunk, rather, if you unlock the doors and do not open any of them, after about a minute or so the system will automatically relock all the doors. Its a feature designed to prevent your car from being accidentally unlocked as you're walking away or something and being completely open for someone to enter and steal it.
Other than that, I agree with the poor choice of dash material, scratches much too easy.
That makes sense.
This is my first vehicle with a "smart key" system and didn't realize it was that smart!
I do agree this car is of "very average" quality. I recently drove a mitsubishi Lancer recently for 2000 miles and this car as a much better warranty, drives better, and as no rattle at all.
My 2009 S as 3000 miles does not get anyway close to the Mitsubishi when it comes to quality. For the one who know the Lancer, you know the Lancer engine is noisier inside the cabin, but what a car compare to the corolla.
My 09 Corolla too as a lot of rattle all over the roof, the front seat has start "cracking" and a new rattle as declare in the front passenger door. Oh I almost forget the one in the dashboard, but I won't address this rattle to the dealer I can't imagine them putting appart the dash and making new rattle. Has anyone ever test drive a car with CVT transmission like the Lancer or the Sentra ? It's 10 times better than the 4 speed auto we have in the corolla wich is not shifting smothly at all.
This is definitely my last Toyota until they get back to the built quality we used to know.
This is only an opinion don't get mad at me, I know some of you like their car a lot and this is great I am really happy for you.
I wouldn't go as far as to say the Lancer is better. Honestly speaking if you've driven a Prius or any of the Toyota Hybrids with their CVT, it'll feel the same if not smoother than a Mitsubishi CVT. They're similar cars and each has their own unique characteristics and equipment. My 09 Corolla XRS is just reaching 20,000km and I haven't had a single problem with it. No rattles, no squeaks, puts down 600km to a tank easy with half city half highway driving.
Obviously Ive got some personal opinions about my car, things I like about it, things I don't like about. But that goes for any car you own. I bought my Corolla because I know that in 10 years, it'll still be running strong with very little problems.
Of course, Im not excusing any of the problem you guys are experiencing. Obviously if you notice something wrong then by all means, bring it back to the dealership, tell them exactly what's going on and they should fix it for you provided it really is abnormal and it falls within the warrenty policy.
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