Corolla S Body kit (factory)

[n3twrkm4n]

I was in the market for a new car and the Corolla S certainly caught my eye. My only concern was the body kit that it comes with or 'side spoilers' depending on what you want to call them. Do they tend to hold in road salt and dirt a lot? Living in upstate new york my concerns about road salt and sand are high, or would I be better of with an LE without the body kit?

Thanks in advance for any information!

[REN69]

If you're buying new, check out the 03 Corolla S and see how they're holding up, chances are they're still holding fine after 4yrs. They're not gonna rust away so quick, and as long as you're doing the required winter care (oil spray, car wash in the winter, etc.) you should be ok.

[adsaba1969]

I have an 04 S and I'm in northern MA so the winters are similar. The "kit" shows no signs of any wear.

[n3twrkm4n]

Awesome deal, what is this oil spray you speak of? I've never heard of it... I did see one new thing that Rhino Liner is doing, they spray the rocker panels with Rhino Liner. I'm not sure on the entire process but I think it's geared more towards trucks.

adsaba, how does the car do in your MA winters? I'm not too concerned about my driving because I managed a Neon in the winter without ABS or EBD and did fine. Just wanted to get some input.

Thanks

[REN69]

Winter treatments... as in rust protection, oil sprays.. never heard of them?? maybe you need to look into this as this could be the reason why your previous cars may have rusted.

[n3twrkm4n]

Originally Posted by REN69

Winter treatments... as in rust protection, oil sprays.. never heard of them?? maybe you need to look into this as this could be the reason why your previous cars may have rusted.

I used to only buy used beaters, two Buick's Actually and only spent about $1200 on the first one and $5000 on the second. Didn't really matter what happened to them =)

[Raddman]

Originally Posted by n3twrkm4n

I was in the market for a new car and the Corolla S certainly caught my eye. My only concern was the body kit that it comes with or 'side spoilers' depending on what you want to call them. Do they tend to hold in road salt and dirt a lot? Living in upstate new york my concerns about road salt and sand are high, or would I be better of with an LE without the body kit?

Thanks in advance for any information!

The whole kit is plastic...no rusting.....
Radd~

[n3twrkm4n]

Originally Posted by Raddman

The whole kit is plastic...no rusting.....
Radd~

I was more concerned about the plastic holding dirt and road salt against the metal it's touching. I had a Chevy S10 with wheel well trim moldings and they gathered salt like a batch of McDonald's french fries.

[Raddman]

Originally Posted by n3twrkm4n

I was more concerned about the plastic holding dirt and road salt against the metal it's touching. I had a Chevy S10 with wheel well trim moldings and they gathered salt like a batch of McDonald's french fries.

The back and front trim are up against plastic bumpers..no rust there...The side lower moldings are a solid piece of plastic, that fits solid against the bottom painted panel with weather stripping across the top.....I had an accident last winter with my 03 where they had to remove the lower driver side trim and I looked at it when it was off there was no "french fries" stuck there and the meal underneath looked like new.....Not bad for 3 1/2 years of driving in Cleveland's salt... but take it for what its worth, it only my opinion...good luck...
~Radd

[joeking]

I would have to agree that the body graphics would hold the salt against the metal a little longer. I would believe it would probably take about 8 to 10 years before it would be much of a problem. As far as long term I think I would rather go with the LE instead of the S. I do understand the S has some extra features other than the ground effects therefore I would have to say if that is what you want go ahead and pull the trigger. You wont keep the car 8 years anyway. The S does look like a mean machine.