There are quite a few things about my 09 Corolla that I don't like. I've had a number of rattles, for example. The brakes grab, even at 2 mph. The ride is bouncy. The car lurches at even the slightest acceleration from a stop. The A/C is barely adequate on hot days. The LE I own is pretty barebones on the inside. I thinks it's fair game to criticize American nameplates, but I feel having owned this Corolla for seven months now that Toyota is perhaps unfairly credited with quality better than it actually deserves. I think brand loyalty sometimes prompts Toyota owners to overlook flaws that would never be overlooked in an American nameplate like Ford or Chevrolet. I was not expecting perfection, but I didn't expect rattles or a trucklike ride from this car. And by the way, mine was made in Japan (for all of us who assume that Japanese quality is by definition superior to American). Fair is fair. I think it helps Toyota (or any manufacturer for that matter) to get honest feedback about what's deficient in their vehicles, but I already anticipate an angry reaction to these comments from other Toyota owners who will insist that I'm being overly critical ("It's not a Lexus") or not a Corolla owner at all (I'll provide VIN to anyone who doesn't believe me)
I think the brand loyalty is because your 09 Corolla will still be running strong in 15 years. I was already a Toyota loyalist, especially after unloading my last "American" disaster (a Saturn). I admit this Corolla's a little jumpy, even for a manual. it took me a month or two to learn how to stroke it but I like it more and more.
Anyone who gets angry because you are having a negative experience is an idiot whose comments should be disregarded.
very rare do you come by such an honest review.
There are too many misinformed members that are too blinded by brand loyalty to be truly scrupulous when evaluating a car that they'll be driving for quite some time.
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Originally Posted by TURBO Das Automagazin
A BRZ, a curvy mountain road makes one liter of happiness hormones.
Last edited by PhatRoyale; 12-16-2008 at 12:23 PM.
If your unhappy with your "toyota" and you like ford or chevy, I dont understand why you went with Toyota in the first place. All you people that complain about your car and say that you don't like it, it's not like the corolla is the only good fuel economy car out there!!!
im kinda glad that the car moves when I press on the gas and the car stops when I press on the brake. The last thing I want is the brakes to have a delay when I really need it. no matter how fast im going.
About the bumpy ride.. maybe you have your tire pressure set too high? And maybe the rattles will go away too if you set them correct?
Rattles are in all cars no matter where they were made IMO.
What was your previous car? maybe you just need to get used to the gas pedal? When I switch from SUV to anything small it always give me that lurchy jumpy feeling.. we have base one (5speed manual) and I even thought it was a little "lazy" than lurchy..
I've seen a lot of complaints about Corolla on this forum but I'm still happy with my car..
My Corolla isn't perfect either. I have had a few rattles, a squeaky brake, the clock position bothers me, and the radio/CD player unit is a bit slow to react when using MP3 CD's. But otherwise its a solid car, performs well, and so on and so forth. And my car lasts as well over the long term as previous generations of the Corolla then I'll be quite pleased.
I don't think its a matter of how good the car is over the first year or two...most of the manufacturers are similar on that front. Its the long term...7-15 years and the resale value at the end. If the car still looks good and is mechanically sound after 10 years then I'll be very pleased. My parents used to buy Chrysler (no more) and while they had pretty good luck over the first 6 years...it was the last few years going into the 10th and 11th years where everything was falling apart, the dash plastic was breaking...buttons not working properly and yet you get in an old Honda or Toyota and those things are still working with no problems.
"I don't think its a matter of how good the car is over the first year or two...most of the manufacturers are similar on that front. Its the long term...7-15 years"
well said. i test drove every car in this segment. the corolla had the softest ride of the bunch. many of them had at least one rattle. my concern is how much cash will i have to put into the car to get it to 200,000 miles. history has shown that with a corolla, it will be as minimal as an economy car can be.
"I didn't expect rattles or a trucklike ride from this car."
There are quite a few things about my 09 Corolla that I don't like. I've had a number of rattles, for example. The brakes grab, even at 2 mph. The ride is bouncy. The car lurches at even the slightest acceleration from a stop. The A/C is barely adequate on hot days. The LE I own is pretty barebones on the inside. I thinks it's fair game to criticize American nameplates, but I feel having owned this Corolla for seven months now that Toyota is perhaps unfairly credited with quality better than it actually deserves. I think brand loyalty sometimes prompts Toyota owners to overlook flaws that would never be overlooked in an American nameplate like Ford or Chevrolet. I was not expecting perfection, but I didn't expect rattles or a trucklike ride from this car. And by the way, mine was made in Japan (for all of us who assume that Japanese quality is by definition superior to American). Fair is fair. I think it helps Toyota (or any manufacturer for that matter) to get honest feedback about what's deficient in their vehicles, but I already anticipate an angry reaction to these comments from other Toyota owners who will insist that I'm being overly critical ("It's not a Lexus") or not a Corolla owner at all (I'll provide VIN to anyone who doesn't believe me)
The 09 XLS is my 1st Toyota. Seemed like they never had the vehicle I wanted in the past. I have been buying mostly German cars the past 20 yrs with a Honda thrown in and was not impressed (Honda Element and a Honda accord). I do not have any of the issues that you have brought up, especially the A/C. This summer it kept me very comfortable even when it was over 100 outside! Braking is comfortable and it just took me a couple of weeks to adjust to the EPS. The ride and quietness of the car has also impressed me , especially for an auto in its class!
The Corolla was bought in the summer of 08 when gas was over $4 gal because I had enough of being gouged.
I actually like the Corolla and do not miss my 4x4 so far. It is what it is and is not a Lexus. Had it out in the snow today and although I was apprehensive, it handled like a dream. It gets great gas milage on the HWY (City is what I expected-25mpg w/ winter blend gas) I only have one rattle that sounds a little like popcorn just above the instrument cluster...apparently a common issue that I can live with. If this car holds up it will become a great purchase because I do not think the price of gas is going to stay "low" for too much longer. If it stays low....I am still satisfied and am lucky to have a pretty good dealer.
Granted, it does not have the most glamorous interior, even with the XLE pkg, but it is car that gets me from A to B with so far, no issues. I did have the Oil TSB performed but outside of that, it only goes to the dealer for oil changes (I am too lazy to do them myself and it is VERY cold here to be working on cars, even in my garage!!)
Hopefully your Corolla will grow on you and I wish you well with it! If gas goes back up as I predict, you will learn to really appreciate it!
BTW: I am not a nameplate buyer and never will be....I buy what suits my purposes but no "big 3" for me. Last "American" auto I owned was a 1969 Pontiac GTO. of course back then, a GM car was REALLY made in the states with American parts I believe! Even then, the dealership got my car a lot more than I would have desired for things breaking....and in 1969, I think the most sophisticated piece of electronics it had was the Reverberation on the radio. It had (2) 4 barrel carbs with a PIA mechanical linkage...No fuel injection in those days for the consumer and there were definitely no computers. Then and again, It cost under $6k new! Than was a lot of $$ for a car way back then! Anyone remember the Hurst shifter with "4 on the floor" It was a really fast car needless to say!
I am impressed with the car because of the amount of money I paid for it. I drive some very nice cars because of my line of work. The Corolla is a all around do everything sort of car for my family. When you take a look at choices in that price range, you can only come to one logical conclusion. It has some very nice features for a lower end car.
Honestly, I wish I would have gone with an XB because I love the 2.4 tiptronic option and its all for about 16,000 out the door. Other than that...i love the corolla because gas/go cart (fun) feel
OH BTW....I made a "what bother me about the corolla thread" that I plan to update. If anyone has any serioes ideas on what to change on the car..or HOW TO DO IT..I would love to hear it. Ima be bumping that thread soon
While competent it may be, it is FAR from go-kart like handling.
Those terms should be reserved for Mini Coopers, not Corollas.
It is All relative. Coming from a maxima, this car makes it feel like a boat. Seriously go kart is meant as "FUN" which I clarified in parenthesis. In no way was I saying it handled like one. Though know you got me thinking...
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Anyone remember the Hurst shifter with "4 on the floor" It was a really fast car needless to say!
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