Hey guys, first time poster here... I currently have an old 2001 VW Jetta 1.8T and I'm really looking at the 2015 Corolla S Plus. I was previously considering the Mazda 3 but I am really not a fan of the new body type (the hood looks WAY too long for me now.) I've test drove the Corolla twice and liked it both times, but there were some questions I have stuck in the back of my mind since I've driven it.
I've read that there is a bad smell problem from the vents...is this really a big issue? I've googled "_insert car brand here_ vent mildew smell" and there are results for all of them, so I wasn't sure. My Jetta has the smell sometimes if I leave the AC off for days and then use it again. This lead to a mechanic advising me to just always have the AC on, even if I am using the heater. Hasn't been a problem since -- is this something that could be done on the Corolla?
How reliable is the CVT transmission? I admit it feels completely different coming from a turbo charged engine (getting the S Plus for the Sport button just so it feels a little bit more like what I'm accustomed to...) I assume Toyota wouldn't put it in such an iconic line of cars unless it was fool-proof, but you never know. Are simple things like oil changes and fluid flushes more difficult on this kind of transmission?
Is it possible to ever upgrade to the Entune with GPS without needing the press-button-to-start function? I hate that in cars these days, but I'd love the GPS and some of the apps it comes with. Would it be as simple as watching junkyards for totaled 2014/2015 Corolla Premiums and performing a swap of just the radio unit? I almost am willing to fork over the extra cash for the GPS and app features, but like I said the push to start and "fancier" seats (I actually preferred the normal S Plus ones compared to the S Premium ones) are both major dealbreakers for me.
Are there any accessories or extended warranties that are recommended from the get go? I was looking at the sway bar and maybe some audio improvements, but wasn't really sure if it'd make much of a difference. I didn't get to use the radio that much in my test drives but it didn't seem too bad.
How does the car handle in bad weather? I plan on getting chains for it just to have handy in case it's absolutely needed, but I don't make it a priority to drive in bad weather. My Jetta has been through a lot - flash flood waters, deep snow uphill (although it almost didn't make it, stalled out right before the top and had to back up a side route...AWD Subaru owners had fun laughing at me while they all passed me).
Any other recommendations or advice? My Jetta lasted me so long (even with tons, and I mean tons, of electrical problems) so this'll only be my second car, but my girlfriend's family has been die-hard Toyota fans for years so I figured I'd make the switch.
Thanks for the help, it's very appreciated. I look forward to sharing my experiences with the Corolla and reading about everyone elses.
I've read that there is a bad smell problem from the vents...is this really a big issue? I've googled "_insert car brand here_ vent mildew smell" and there are results for all of them, so I wasn't sure. My Jetta has the smell sometimes if I leave the AC off for days and then use it again. This lead to a mechanic advising me to just always have the AC on, even if I am using the heater. Hasn't been a problem since -- is this something that could be done on the Corolla?
How reliable is the CVT transmission? I admit it feels completely different coming from a turbo charged engine (getting the S Plus for the Sport button just so it feels a little bit more like what I'm accustomed to...) I assume Toyota wouldn't put it in such an iconic line of cars unless it was fool-proof, but you never know. Are simple things like oil changes and fluid flushes more difficult on this kind of transmission?
Is it possible to ever upgrade to the Entune with GPS without needing the press-button-to-start function? I hate that in cars these days, but I'd love the GPS and some of the apps it comes with. Would it be as simple as watching junkyards for totaled 2014/2015 Corolla Premiums and performing a swap of just the radio unit? I almost am willing to fork over the extra cash for the GPS and app features, but like I said the push to start and "fancier" seats (I actually preferred the normal S Plus ones compared to the S Premium ones) are both major dealbreakers for me.
Are there any accessories or extended warranties that are recommended from the get go? I was looking at the sway bar and maybe some audio improvements, but wasn't really sure if it'd make much of a difference. I didn't get to use the radio that much in my test drives but it didn't seem too bad.
How does the car handle in bad weather? I plan on getting chains for it just to have handy in case it's absolutely needed, but I don't make it a priority to drive in bad weather. My Jetta has been through a lot - flash flood waters, deep snow uphill (although it almost didn't make it, stalled out right before the top and had to back up a side route...AWD Subaru owners had fun laughing at me while they all passed me).
Any other recommendations or advice? My Jetta lasted me so long (even with tons, and I mean tons, of electrical problems) so this'll only be my second car, but my girlfriend's family has been die-hard Toyota fans for years so I figured I'd make the switch.
Thanks for the help, it's very appreciated. I look forward to sharing my experiences with the Corolla and reading about everyone elses.