2007 Corolla CE

[roger1shot]

Hi,
How many of ya'll have a 07 Corolla CE?
Just got a new one today.
So for what do you think of the car?
This is my first post.
I have always drove Ford Trucks.
But as everyone knows, I can get the mpg that I need out of a full size F150.
I hope from here on out all I post is great thinks about my new Corolla.

[roger1shot]

Hey,
Should have check the post before I sent it.
I should have said :I can't get the mpg that I need out of a full size F150.

[sponger]

You can always edit your posts by using the edit button.

I have an 06 corolla CE, so I guess I can sort of relate to your situation.

Basically, I think it's an all-around great car. I have no real complaints. I paid $13,200 after taxes with the alarm and driver's side keyless entry, so I think I got a pretty good deal.

And, of course, it's a manual transmission, which I definitely prefer over automatic transmissions. It shifts great and the motor even has a little bit of pep to it.

I've grinded second a couple of times, and I believe that to be through no fault of my own. So, maybe the gear box is a little quirky..I dunno.

I think the interior is great for an econo-car. It is a lot nicer than hyundia, kia, and ford interiors in that price range.

Believe it or not, I ended up with some interior issues right off the lot. The dashboard sometimes buzzes when I shift into third on an uphill. The dome light switch needs pressure against it when switching it on manually. My rear right door won't open from the inside.

I plan on taking it in when I get the time.

Gas mileage is a big plus. I haven't actually clocked the mileage since I first bought the car, but judging from where the needle is at different points during familiar commutes, I guess I pretty much get the same gas mileage that I got from my old civic which basically ran on fumes. I remember clocking 42 highway mpg with that car. I might not be getting 42 mpg, but I think it's somewhere close.

I sorta wish it wasn't shaped like an egg on wheels. The headlights look snazzy, IMO, but the rest of the car is very bland and lacking in the style department. Ah well.

Of course, with the CE, you get those steel wheels with funky plastic hub caps, but I'm starting to not really care. In my humble opinion, this car would look fairly cheesy with most after market rims. There are several people in my neighborhood who have after markets on their 9th gen rollas, and I think they all look pretty stupid. Of course, the handling might be better.

Not to mention, the stock alloys that come with the LE and S are not too much in the way of eye candy either. However, I once browsed around the Toyota Australia website and found that the stock alloys offered over there are a lot snazzier than the ones in the states. So, if I was going to upgrade, I wouldn't mind ordering mine from over there.

One thing I think I should mention is that the official toyota corolla mud guards I installed really added an interesting look to my car. It's such a small detail, but they make the car look beefier and I think they really set my CE apart from other CE's. And, of course, they keep dirt and other debris from accumulating on the lower panels.

The radio is so so. It works for now. I'm looking to upgrade when I get the time and the money. I'm looking forward to stripping down the interior and slapping down a couple of layers of sound deadener to drown out the road noise. Then it's time for the Head Unit and Amp.

What's unfortunate about the speakers is that the door speakers are 5 1/4". I wouldn't mind having 6 1/2"s up there. I suppose it's possible with some handywork, but I don't want to have to put that much effort into it. Besides, a decent 5 1/4" set will give me some great mid range while the 6x9"'s in the back sort of fill out the rest of the low end to about 60-70 hz I guess.

I'm not a subwoofer person. I used to be into subs, but I don't really care for them anymore. So, no subs.

Lately I've been contemplating an intake, but that's really for the sake of having one. From what I've read on this board, performance upgrades for this motor aren't worth the time and money. Still, though, it would look pretty cool to have a big fat intake busting out at me every time I popped the hood. I could throw a strut brace in there and really pep up the appearance of the engine bay.

In my old civic, I had a shiny yellow Optima battery with shiny gold plated terminals to complement my obsession with all things mobile audio back then. I might go back to that look. A custom 300 amp alternator would be a worth while investment too, IMO.

For speakers, I was thinking MB Quarts. I know a lot of people out there really can't stand quarts. They say they're too bright and lack in the midbass department. But, I've always liked the way quarts have sounded. I think they can be tuned to drown out that annoying peak at 2Khz that quart midranges are well known for. This might require an EQ, but that's all part of the fun. The crossovers let you dampen the tweets, so no biggie there. Quarts have always been my dream speakers.

As for amplification, I was thinking of a recent model clarion. The last Clarion amp I had, the apa4300, was an incredibly clean and powerful amp. In terms of signal reproduction, I hold it in higher esteem than JL slash series and Alpine V12's. I had it to sell it to make ends meet a while back, but I'm looking forward to being reunited with it.

Also, I won't be forgetting the roof racks. Oh, yes, the roof racks. They will set me back about $300-$400, but a decent set of roof racks with locks is well worth the investment. They will probably look great with the mud guards.

[CorollaKen]

"My rear right door won't open from the inside. "

Did you check the child safety lock on the door edge? Just an idea.

"Not to mention, the stock alloys that come with the LE and S are not too much in the way of eye candy either. However, I once browsed around the Toyota Australia website and found that the stock alloys offered over there are a lot snazzier than the ones in the states. So, if I was going to upgrade, I wouldn't mind ordering mine from over there."

You'd like to spend big money to get stock alloys when upgrading?? You've got money to burn then... Go to tirerack and try out the wheels on a 9thgen image there - I think you'd be surprised about what a nice aftermarket rim and lower profile tire can do for the rollas. BUT you need to lower the car an inch or two (TEIN H-Tech or S-Tech lowering springs are a good option).

Just my 2cents anyway.

[w203]

Its aite, does it job of being fuel efficient and cheap. Makes a good commuter car.

[sponger]

Originally Posted by CorollaKen

"My rear right door won't open from the inside. "

Did you check the child safety lock on the door edge? Just an idea.

"Not to mention, the stock alloys that come with the LE and S are not too much in the way of eye candy either. However, I once browsed around the Toyota Australia website and found that the stock alloys offered over there are a lot snazzier than the ones in the states. So, if I was going to upgrade, I wouldn't mind ordering mine from over there."

You'd like to spend big money to get stock alloys when upgrading?? You've got money to burn then... Go to tirerack and try out the wheels on a 9thgen image there - I think you'd be surprised about what a nice aftermarket rim and lower profile tire can do for the rollas. BUT you need to lower the car an inch or two (TEIN H-Tech or S-Tech lowering springs are a good option).

Just my 2cents anyway.

lmao..you actually read my post. I wasn't expecting that. I appreciate the suggestions. I'll have to check on the child safety lock. I've never dealt with one of those.

[SkillzDoTcoM]

Congrats on buying the car. You will love the corolla, its easy to drive and saves you some money.