New Corolla S, is upgrading worth it? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

BrianofMD · 01-09-2009, 05:39 PM

I have a manual corolla S, just bought it about a month ago. I have been wondering if it would be worth putting some money into it to raise it to around 200-250hP from the base 136. The dealer I went to did not offer a XRS edition so I knew nothing of it. The car is in my parents name for their credit since mine is not built yet ie 2.9% /5 yrs. I doubt they will let me trade for the XRS now but my question is. Should I put around 5,000 into this car, or should I trade it in later for a 011/012 XRS?

WONDERBOY · 01-09-2009, 05:45 PM

and how do you expect to raise the HP up to 200-250?? i hope you know getting that high of power gain will void pretty much ALL your waranty

disregard · 01-09-2009, 06:32 PM

Get the Xrs (160 HP) then the TRD Supercharger (210 HP)you will then have more then 200 horsepower for a corolla. But in a corolla you wont use all that power unless you hit the track. The 2.4 in the xrs is more then enough.but if its not you can also get the K&n Cold air intake kit (175 HP)which will give you another 15 horsepower for the 2.4 XRs...

If you wanted to speeed around the city you should have gotten the Toyota Celica which is now called The Scion TC.

***PhatRoyale*** · 01-09-2009, 07:01 PM

$5000 won't get you that kind of power. Not on the base engine.

Upgrade to an XRS, buy forged internals and a custom turbo kit.

sinnaever · 01-09-2009, 07:56 PM

Do with it all you want, but it will cost way more than $5000 to push 200+ HP with the 1.8L... No Turbos, Superchargers or anything out yet... Everything will have to be custom and therefore cost way more than $5000... A TRD Supercharger for the Scion Tc costs $3000+ alone before installation... so a custom charger will be at least $4000-$5000... + Headers, Pullys, Intake, & Exhaust... you're looking at something more like $10000 right now since no aftermarket companies have developed anything....

But best of luck...

if you want extra pull... shoulda gotten a Cobalt SS, Dodge SRT4, MazdaSpeed3, VW GTI...

oh well... buyers remorse for ya then eh...

Thats why i bought XRS... enough power to satisfy my thirst

pwain · 01-09-2009, 10:07 PM

Well, whats it worth to you?
Are you looking for a certain achievement? (0-60, 1/4 mile).
To me, its not worth it, as I already own much faster vehicles.

If its in your parents name, I will assume you are in your mid-20s at the latest. I would just drive the car and save for the future. $5,000 is 1/4, of the price you paid. For $5,000, you could buy a project car that would outrun your 1.8...

cabur · 01-10-2009, 12:11 AM

You'll have to add upgrade to brakes and suspension.
Increase in fuel consumption, higher maintenance and touchy driveability. No warranty and lower resale value.
It's just not worth it.

BrianofMD · 01-10-2009, 11:12 AM

I actually looked around for XRS's and they said they would have to preorder one which would take weeks and it would just add 5K on what I am already paying and give me about the same as a Supercharger. I am mainly looking for a quick line start. I will wait for parts to come out for the new corolla but I just wanted to see if it was worth dumping cash into.

As long as my parts are installed at a Toyota dealer, and I get my oil changed every 5K where I bought the car, they said all TRD parts are covered for the life I own the car its called "Jones for Life"

But as 5,000 doesnt seem enough to actually do as much as I hoped I might save up until I can afford a car with stock SS / Turbo as 1.8L Turbos dont gain much at all.

enapa · 01-10-2009, 11:14 AM

Why is everyone so concerned about warranty? Am I the only one on here that can figure out how to fix something when it breaks on my own?

***got-rice*** · 01-10-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabur

You'll have to add upgrade to brakes and suspension.
Increase in fuel consumption, higher maintenance and touchy driveability. No warranty and lower resale value.
It's just not worth it.

ditto all that. All the TRD parts from the dealer will not get you close to your goal. Also, the TRD supercharger is not available for the XRS. The tC supercharger is disappointing.

sok · 01-10-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enapa

Why is everyone so concerned about warranty? Am I the only one on here that can figure out how to fix something when it breaks on my own?

wow. believe it or not, many people are not automobile savants like you obviously are, or they don't have a lot of free time, or a lot of disposable income to pay for a defective part that should be covered by the company. anyway, why do you need a corolla when you could just build your own car out of scrap parts?

pinoyesv6 · 01-10-2009, 10:16 PM

am i concerned about my warranty? yes. does it restrict me from modding my car? no. i mean you guys talk about adding all these parts and worrying about voiding your warranty, but honestly, you can have a stock car, no mods, and can void the warranty just as quick as you would if you had a car that had a ton of modifcations.

yes, you risk voiding the warranty by modifying your car but then again, technically you can void the warranty also by racing or even speeding since those two aren't technically the intended purpose of the car.

BrianofMD · 01-11-2009, 01:55 AM

If I do trade in my Corolla S for a XRS version what will the downsides be finance wise.

A. Will my old car loan with the $16k KBB value be paid off onto the new car?
B. Would it be worth it to consider a Cobalt SS used IE 2006/2007?
C. Would this be worth it This early into my buying? The car has 2500 miles on it and I have only put 1 payment on the car.

joeylgarcia · 01-11-2009, 03:07 AM

Brian,

honestly whichever way you do it... either trade it in for a new XRS or do custom modifications... you will have to shell out $5k or more. question is... do you have more than $5k or more right now to start custom modifications? or would you achieve your goal faster by trading in your corolla S to an XRS? you are just like me, i got the 2009 corolla S with all options installed. a few months later i wanted more. i would say that even if you have in your possesion the XRS after the trade in... a few months after you would want more.

right now im just taking good care of my fave 2009 corolla S by doing detailed maintenance and car care. and i am enjoying it. still saving money month by month so when TRD parts come out for the 1.8 corolla S i would spend my savings to modify it. i would buy a new car in a few years but im keeping my corolla S. i just love it.

sinnaever · 01-11-2009, 04:42 AM

save your money up and do a trade in a few years down the road. Something will come out in a few years that will be more affordable and have much better performance specs than the XRS, Si, SS etc... be content for now. Its not exactly the best time to be in debt.

But if you did want to do a trade in for something with Balls... the Dodge STR4 might be your best bet. Chrysler dealers would give you a good money for a trade in since they know a 2009 Toyota would sell real quick. But thats my opinion.