Please help. Buying 2009 Corolla soon

[potential buyer]

Hello:

I only bought one other car in my life...an early 90's Camry, which I loved and drove until a few weeks ago when some careless driver hit me and totalled it. <sigh> I really hate the car buying process though, and am going through some tough times, health wise, so the added stress is really hard on me. I could use some help. I hope my questions aren't too goofy!

I'm probably going to buy the 2009 Corolla this week, and have some questions:

1) Is all the stuff I've read about the electronic steering really that big a deal? I am not an "enthusiast-level" driver... just a "gadding about town" driver. I took one out for a test drive, before learning about this issue, and was surprised to read this, as I hadn't noticed anything. Also, I wasn't out on the highway, so I have no experience with this "frequently-correcting-the-steering" concern. Comments?

2) I was reading about winter tires too, and someone mentioned negotiating in the rims with the car purchase. I've always just used Michelin A/S tires, but for the Ontario winters, am now considering winter tires for this Corolla. Can anyone advise if this is a good idea to negotiate the rims in with the deal? Why not the whole winter tire too? Also, is there any truth to the rumour that winter tires will be hard to find soon? Advice?

3) I'm looking at the CE model with the Enhanced Convenience Package for the power stuff etc. Is is a serious disadvantage not to be getting this Vehicle Stability Control and Traction control, which are not even optional on this trim level? What are they anyway?

4) About the clock issue, which I didn't even notice on the test drive, because I didn't look...I don't check gauges much anyhow, so can I just leave the thing on the clock function and be done with it?

5) I thought I might get a trunk net, but I'm a pretty low tech person, so I don't need extra sound or styling do-dads...er...except I like the extra brake light that comes in an after market spoiler. Is there some other thing that I should also consider to make life easier with the car?

Any and all help is most appreciated.
Thank you.

[LeanBurn]

1) I didn't really notice anything different either when moving from hydraulic to electric. I still wonder what the big deal is about.

2) I have never heard that winter tires will be hard to find soon, but usually with the onset of winter, the tire shops are swamped with installs so it might be hard to get in.

3) I have CE with enhanced package. I have not ever had a car with VSC or TC so I can't comment, but I have never needed it. I think this trim with this package is the best deal for the $.

4) yep.

5) Nope. Depends how much dirty stuff you put in your trunk to whether you get a trunk liner, and I just got pant savers car mats for dirty footwear. It has a 3rd brake light in the CE andyway and it seems plenty bright for me.

This was my 1st new car, I could get new for about the same as used so I went for it. I am satisfied with my purchase.
I hope this helps.

[buddy97]

1) what he said-no big deal, but i was used to it w/ my yaris
2)what he said
3)what he said
4) you may find at first you really want to use the instant mileage/avg mileage functions, as those are great teaching tools for learning the most efficient way to drive. after 3 tanks, im finding i leave it on the clock function more and more. its a bad design, but not a deal breaker.
5)what he said-trunk net came with my car. virtully useless IMO.

[jdhog]

)what he said-trunk net came with my car. virtully useless IMO.

ahh but 'what if' you got stranded in the wild, it would help you catch fish and traverse down cravasess amongst other things

My only input is on the EPS.......I think it actually feels fine, not too light not too heavy, you can't really 'feel' the wheels turning on the road like old style steering but it's fine really.

[potential buyer]

Hey, thank you, LeanBurn, buddy97 and jdhog. Thank you in advance to anyone new.

I had been thinking about a used Camry, but a new Corolla 2009 now seems like a great idea. Some of the following points will just be my thoughts, and not questions, but I'll number 'em all if it helps for easier commenting.

1) Someone told me to really trust my gut when I get into a car. Something didn't feel right about 2 used vehicles I tested this week, and upon my Carfax verifications and other research, discovered one had been registered as commercial/fleet (and did look hard driven), and the other one had potential catastrophic transmission problems (2003 Accord).

2) On a whim, yesterday, I went up and tested a 2009 Corolla to rule it out. Well, I must say, it just easily felt like it was my next car. Only thing is, I'm over six feet tall, and there's NO legroom for any passenger behind me. In truth, I rarely, if ever have anyone in the back seat, so I think I'm stupid to hold out for more backseat legroom.

3) So, thinking I had finally found the car I felt good in, I checked consumer reviews, and came across all the stuff about the electronic steering, roof and gas cover bending inward during automatic car washes (??), poor clock design, bad armrests (I don't think I ever use them anyway) and one comment about the windshield wipers being dangerous. On one site, the editors gave it a 7.x out of 10, while consumers gave it a 9 out of 10. Don't understand the discrepancy.

4) Anyhow, started second guessing my decision and wasn't trusting my own impressions. Great info. Thanks.

5) My current loaner car is a Yaris. Sounds like it might have this electronic steering too?? I can't say I've noticed anything in it either. What about the issue of constantly correcting the steering at higher speeds? Is this troublesome? Should I take the Yaris out on the freeway and check how it performs as a comparison, in case it has the same steering mechanism?

6) Someone suggested to Amourall the interior immediately to prevent scratches. Seem like a good idea?

7) Is there some advantage to a winter tire rim that I get from the Toyota dealer over something from Canadian Tire, let's say?

8) Is there any truth to the rumour that a lighter coloured car doesn't get as hot inside? My 16+ year car was white, so I haven't got a good basis for comparison. I didn't mind white at all, and liked the white 2009 Corolla. So many cars are silver, and I have trouble finding the silver loaner rental in parking lots.

Lots of questions. Sorry. I appreciate the help so far though, so I hope I haven't taken too much of your time.

p.s. (9) Does the door HAVE to unlock when I turn the car off? What if I want to sit there and dig through my purse (Hah! Sad but true!) before I get out of the car. Do I have to reach over and re-lock the door?

[Birchcrossing]

The Vehicle Stability Control can be a real life saver. Going around a slippery corner and you start losing control the VSC takes over the engine and braking to get control back. Here in the states its only a $250.oo option. In 2012 it will be required on all cars.

[ameri_star]

I have a black Corolla, and the stuff about lighter cars being cooler inside is total hogwash. I used to drive a silver Sentra at the same time I had my old Chevy truck, and really the black Corolla is actually COOLER than the both of them in hot hot Texas heat. It's really about the interior. I got myself a steering wheel cover and now I don't burn my hands when I've had the car in a mall parking lot for 9 hours. So the color thing? Total wives tale. I know black absorbs heat more than white but I haven't yet experienced a super hot interior and I've had this car a total of two months.

ETA: Only complaint about black cars? Get dirtier faster. Invest in a good car duster and you'll be fine.
Also about the electronic steering, unless you're going around fast corners and need to dodge traffic at 80+ MPH, you're not gonna notice it. All that stuff about concentrating to keep it straight on the road is really just people being hyper critical of something they're not used to. It is NOT hard to keep it straight on the road. Just pay attention, and nothing's going to happen.

Also, I amoured all the interior and it's been very clean and dust free since then. So I recommend doing it if you do get the Corolla.

However, I know nothing about winter tires, so I have no opinion. I live in Texas so haha, no big winters over here.

Good luck with your new car purchase, no matter what it is.

[Streaker]

I have the trunk net in my Camry. I use it all the time. Going to work I put my lunch box, my laptop and any valuables in the net. I put groceries in the net after daily food stops. Its good for anything you want out of sight or to keep from rolling around the trunk. It came with my car I didn't order it but I'm glad I have it!

[ameri_star]

Get the cargo net! Very useful! I put everything small in there to keep it from rolling around in the trunk and getting damaged. Don't pay a ridiculous amount for it though to get it from the dealer. I'm sure if you search around the net you can find one for a reasonable price. But I definitely recommend it.

Also ignore all car reviews except Consumer Reports. Other car reviewers are spoiled from driving cars that are in a way higher league than the Corolla so they're heavily biased. Just go with your gut and know that Consumer Reports recommends the Corolla.

[bennijai]

i don't really notice the different when i have vsc on or off. its just there just in case one day my car would lose control during a tight turn. if i ever get into a situation where vsc kicks in ill let you know though. (hopefully it never will lol)

[andrewwoo]

oo before signing them a deal.. you shoudl ask for the cargo net for free.. and also even door sills.. haha oo take pictures if you get the door sills.. please thanks!

[lrmaggie]

One way to lower the stress in buying is to do most or all of the negotiation through email. We did this for our Corolla S and we were able to get the price we wanted, walk in, sign the papers, and drive off with our car. Some dealerships also provide special internet deals if negotiated this way.

Also, your going to LOVE the Corolla! Good luck!