2012 Vs. 2011 Corolla S (Canada)

[tinbasher]

Hello,

I'll need to start from the beginning with this story. In November of last year I bought a 2011 Corolla S with a manual transmission. Due to supply issues related to the natural disasters in Asia, there was only one 2011 Corolla S with the five speed available at the dealership. The only thing about this car is that it was a demo with 6900 km on it. I decided I'd go with the car in order to avoid an up to two month wait for a new car, and also due to the fact that I was getting a pretty significant rebate .

Anyway, long story short, I test drove a CE with a manual transmission previously so didn't end up taking out this particular car before purchasing it. After finalizing the financing I showed up at the dealership to pick up my new car. Unfortunately on the first shift into fourth it was pretty obvious that the synchro was completely gone. I could have kept this car and had it repaired, but considering that this was pretty severe damage for a car with very few kms on it, I was concerned with what other damage had been done that was not immediately apparant.

So, in the end, I was able to do a straight exchange for a 2012. This meant I had to end up with the two month wait I was trying to avoid in the first place , but ended up with a brand new car in the end .

This brings me to the comparison between the 2012 and 2011. The 2011 I temporarily owned came equipped with the new flat bottomed steering wheel with bluetooth controls integrated into it, TPMS, auto headlights, satellite radio, and an extra 12v outlet in the console box. I was expecting at least all the same featured in the 2012 I was waiting for, considering if changes are made between model years, they are usually minor and usually mean more standard features, not less.

However when I picked up my new car, all the features I listed above are now not included in with the S. The steering wheel has gone back to the 2010 style, and after some research I found out TPMS isn't an available feature on any corolla in Canada any more.

Considering that the 2012 and 2011 are both sold for essentially the same price, this seems a little like gouging to me . While I'm happy with the car overall, I'm a little disappointed in the missing features. I could have found a 2010 with low kms for a few grand lower than what I paid with all the missing features minus the 2011 flat bottomed steering wheel (which I really liked) .

Anyway, just wondering if any of you out there in the forum were aware of the changes that have been made.

[SuperchargedMR2]

to TN.

I wouldn't worry too much about those features. Many of us have turned off the auto headlight feature since we like to have control of them. The steering wheel on the 2011 was nice but I have no issues with my 2009. The biggest issue for me would be the center console port. The Sat radio can be added & many of us upgraded our HU's anyway.

The bottom line for me is that you got a great deal, a new 2012 for the price of a used 2011 sounds great.

[tinbasher]

Originally Posted by SuperchargedMR2

to TN.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by SuperchargedMR2

I wouldn't worry too much about those features.

I personally like the auto headlights and TPMS, I could do without the satellite radio, having had it and not liked it in the past. To me the issue is that all these things cost Toyota money and when they are removed and the price stays the same, someone isn't getting as good a price as they should.

Originally Posted by SuperchargedMR2

The bottom line for me is that you got a great deal, a new 2012 for the price of a used 2011 sounds great.

Agreed. I don't really have anything to complain about. I just thought I'd let people know about the differences.

[SuperchargedMR2]

It's funny because many of us don't want the auto headlights & TMPS. They are annoying when changing wheels from summer to winter. The headlights are a PITA when they stay on & you want to control them. I wanted to turn my headlights on & off to warn a driver the other night that he didn't have his lights on & I couldn't do it with auto headlights.

[Jeff Lange]

The steering wheel is the biggest disappointment for me, but you do get the new clock, and you can now get heated seats with cloth. Also you can get smart key with the Corolla S now as well.

I really liked the auto headlights, and I would have been very disappointed to lose steering wheel bluetooth controls. I never cared for the flat-bottom steering wheel, but the bluetooth controls, that I would like.

Jeff

[tinbasher]

I guess that what they've done is add features in the options packages and taken away features on the standard package.

Oh well, nothing that was taken away is really necessary anyway.

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Tapatalk

[toan91]

I'm surprised that the factory navigation for 2012 Corollas does not use up all the space, this a fail in comparison to Rosen. Pics were from the Toyota website.

[joyridin']

Considering just about every manufacturer is giving some type of bluetooth these days, I am pretty surprised they removed that. A good part of the states are creating laws to stop cell phone usage unless you have some type of bluetooth.

Personally, I liked the steering wheel.

[SuperchargedMR2]

Originally Posted by toan91

I'm surprised that the factory navigation for 2012 Corollas does not use up all the space, this a fail in comparison to Rosen. Pics were from the Toyota website.

+1 I don't like the OEM nav look at all. It looks like an aftermarket nav h/u with all the empty space around it.

Originally Posted by joyridin'

Considering just about every manufacturer is giving some type of bluetooth these days, I am pretty surprised they removed that. A good part of the states are creating laws to stop cell phone usage unless you have some type of bluetooth.

Personally, I liked the steering wheel.

Luckily BT can be added at the dealer pretty easily.