Wife wants a new Corolla.

[JayDawg]

Hey all. I am looking at buying my wife a new Black S model Corolla. We test drove one this past weekend and liked it. Here is the thing. I have a 2007 Tacoma 4x4 TRD Off Road package and love it but no very little about the cars. What are some things to look for as far as problems that may occur. Also, the salesman was kind of a newbie. He said the automatic transmission was a sealed transmission that never needed service or to be checked. I find that very hard to believe but can someone maybe explain this a little bit better to me. Also where is the oil filter located? I looked but did not see it anywhere on the motor? My guess is that it is in the back towards the firewall but that is just a guess on my part.
Thanks all for the advice and help.

[JayDawg]

Oh I forgot to ask, what kind of fuel economy do you all get on average? We mostly do around town driving because we live in a small town but also do on occasion, some freeway driving.

[Dave-o]

the newer gen corollas with 1.8liter engines have a cartridge instead of filter to screw on

should be near the oil pan too, cant see it from above the car

fuel economy is pretty good with the 1.8liter (2.4 only in XRS).. 24-26mpg city and about 35-36 highway

[flamedrgn]

the filter is located right next to the drain plug. i get about 28mpg mixed and 31mpg hwy. i drive pretty aggressive so thats why i get such low mpg rating.

however i dont believe our transmissions are sealed. theres a drain plug for it, pan bolts and everything for the auto tranny. someone correct me though, im sleepy and have no clue what im saying.

[ryan89613]

They are definately not sealed. The owners manual says to inspect it every 32,000km for leaks and such, but does not set a change interval. Although I would definately change it no later than 100,000 km. (60,000 miles)

As for gas mileage, I average 7.2L/100km (~32MPG) in the city and 6.1L/100km (~39MPG) on the highway

[EngineerBoo]

My wife has a 2008 Corolla SE w/sports package and she loves it! The only issue she had was the paint started peeling off a side molding but the dealer replaced it free, under warranty.

No, the tranny is not sealed, it has a small dipstick to check it on the right side of the engine.

My wife gets close to 40 mpg in her Corolla and only complaint is that the black cloth seat material shows everything and needs to be vacuumed often.

We got hers for $300 over invoice...I don't buy from the salesmen, anymore, I get two local Toyota dealerships to fight for me via on-line. (Just find out who the on-line salesperson is and send e-mails...I had a Colorado Springs dealer and a Denver dealer trying to outbid each other for my busines...I already had a loan approved prior which really helps motivate them to work with you...less paperwork on their part.)

Good luck!

[FlawedLegacy]

as said above, filter is seen below the car.

for MPG purposes... I'm at 31.8MPG combined over the last 5?months i believe

Love the car!!

[eskymi]

I have the XRS with the 2.4 and we get 25 or so city and 37 or so highway. I think you should average around those numbers.

Also, take it out on the highway and make sure the steering is to your satisfaction. People have complained that the car drifts at highway speeds. There is a recall about steering being loose feeling, but they probably took care of that recall before offering it for sale.

If you go to the NHTSA website or search 2010 Corolla complaints you'll find them ranging from premature brake wear, drifting at highway speeds, cheap interior, etc. But take it with a grain of salt as some people believe that they pay 20,000 for a car it should have an interior of a BMW.

[got-rice]

Originally Posted by EngineerBoo

My wife has a 2008 Corolla SE w/sports package and she loves it! The only issue she had was the paint started peeling off a side molding but the dealer replaced it free, under warranty.

Corolla SE? with Sports package? Toyota has NEVER offered that package. I hope you mean Corolla S. And all S models have the "Sports" package, which is pretty much a bodykit.

Originally Posted by eskymi

If you go to the NHTSA website or search 2010 Corolla complaints you'll find them ranging from premature brake wear, drifting at highway speeds, cheap interior, etc. But take it with a grain of salt as some people believe that they pay 20,000 for a car it should have an interior of a BMW.

Yes, the car is $20,000 but a cheap interior is a cheap interior, especially when it reminds you of a GM car. Even Toyota's past $20K cars had better interiors than the current Corolla.

[FlawedLegacy]

S has more than body kit. From what I was told:

Fogs, Rims, Body Kit, FSB, Spoiler and know i'm leaving something else out. At least for US S's vs US LE's which I have.

[msncorolla422]

I have to say that most of my driving is on city streets and I average 26-29 mpg depending on the way I drive. I always granny the car except for those few occasions where I just want to rev it a little

a 5spd will get better mileage if your wife if up to driving one or is willing to learn how to

that salesman is an idiot lol you will have to change out the fluid after the recommended mileage interval. As said above the corolla has a bottom mounted filter that some other people had trouble finding the right sized wrench socket thing but have since found a solution in another thread.

[Dimaoala]

^^^^

Never knew the S's had a FSB?

When I had my S I had no problems with it, transmission would grind once in a while. It was a manual and I averaged about 33mpgs combined with a lead foot

Originally Posted by eskymi

I have the XRS with the 2.4 and we get 25 or so city and 37 or so highway. I think you should average around those numbers.

Wow

You get 37 highway mpgs on your Xrs??? That's real good... I average 27'ish combined

[got-rice]

Originally Posted by FlawedLegacy

S has more than body kit. From what I was told:

Fogs, Rims, Body Kit, FSB, Spoiler and know i'm leaving something else out. At least for US S's vs US LE's which I have.

The FSB is only for the XRS. The rims and spoiler are technically optional, but most S models are pretty much equipped with those options. Basically, I'm just saying its cosmetic, which some Corolla buyers would pass on just because they just want a car to drive. The S appeals more to the younger set IMO.

[SuperchargedMR2]

Originally Posted by got-rice

The FSB is only for the XRS. The rims and spoiler are technically optional, but most S models are pretty much equipped with those options. Basically, I'm just saying its cosmetic, which some Corolla buyers would pass on just because they just want a car to drive. The S appeals more to the younger set IMO.

I'm not in the younger set & I love my S with a 5-speed manual. I just like the aggressive lines on the Corolla & I think the body kit & deck spoiler make it look even better. And now my cars handling matches its looks. Even people with the XRS have switched out the FSB for the TRD version.

As for mpg, I'm averaging 36 mpg overall.

[Zembonez]

SO...

Did ya buy it yet?