2009 Corolla Bluetooth Accessory - More than just bluetooth?

9116 Views 11 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Tideland Prius, Feb 3, 2008

Tideland Prius

Discussion Starter · Jan 30, 2008

Hey,

I just played around with the Canadian Corolla Accessory Configurator. I've noticed that when you select the bluetooth accessory on the LE model, not only do you get the bluetooth buttons on the steering wheel, you also get steering wheel mounted audio controls (which you only get on the S and XRS models in Canada).

I'm wondering if it's true or if it's just a bug.

Secondly, I thought bluetooth was a dealer-installed accessory. Does that mean they replace the entire steering wheel? Maybe that's why the bluetooth accessory costs so much.

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Jeff Lange

· #2 · Jan 30, 2008

It has to be a bug. The Bluetooth accessory is the same part number for all models, and there's no way they'd include audio controls in the package if they weren't going to be used.

As for the steering wheel, again, there is no way it would include it for that price. Toyota steering wheels are much more expensive than that, and again there is only 1 part number for the Bluetooth accessory, which means it has to fit all Corolla models, whether they have leather steering wheel or not, and the same no matter what colour interior they have.

They haven't uploaded the install manual yet, but I'm sure once they do I'll have a lot more specific information.

Jeff

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Sulu

· #3 · Jan 30, 2008

I noticed that too: I tried the configurator with a Corolla LE, and tried to add Bluetooth, and to my surprise, noticed that it also added the steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

I was impressed that the Canadian Corolla LE comes with features such as the push-button start and the automatic climate control that are not available on the Camry LE, but disappointed that it did not come with wheel-mounted audio controls, which I have come to appreciate on my Camry LE.

On a side note... Does that mean that the Camry LE will be upgraded with push-button start and automatic climate control (and active headrest seats) during its mid-model change?

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kdhspyder

· #4 · Jan 30, 2008

Sulu said:
I noticed that too: I tried the configurator with a Corolla LE, and tried to add Bluetooth, and to my surprise, noticed that it also added the steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

I was impressed that the Canadian Corolla LE comes with features such as the push-button start and the automatic climate control that are not available on the Camry LE, but disappointed that it did not come with wheel-mounted audio controls, which I have come to appreciate on my Camry LE.

On a side note... Does that mean that the Camry LE will be upgraded with push-button start and automatic climate control (and active headrest seats) during its mid-model change?

Seriously you're getting SKS and Auto Climate controls as options in CA?

We're being gypped here. I guess that we'll get them down the road a ways but why not now. Sneaky bastards holding back.

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Tideland Prius

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 30, 2008

Jeff Lange said:
It has to be a bug. The Bluetooth accessory is the same part number for all models, and there's no way they'd include audio controls in the package if they weren't going to be used.

As for the steering wheel, again, there is no way it would include it for that price. Toyota steering wheels are much more expensive than that, and again there is only 1 part number for the Bluetooth accessory, which means it has to fit all Corolla models, whether they have leather steering wheel or not, and the same no matter what colour interior they have.

They haven't uploaded the install manual yet, but I'm sure once they do I'll have a lot more specific information.

Jeff

Yeah I know that's why the configurator is a bit weird.

So how is the bluetooth added anyway? It can't be on the wheel cause it'll be too hard to drill holes and stuff for the buttons.

Sulu said:
I noticed that too: I tried the configurator with a Corolla LE, and tried to add Bluetooth, and to my surprise, noticed that it also added the steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

I was impressed that the Canadian Corolla LE comes with features such as the push-button start and the automatic climate control that are not available on the Camry LE, but disappointed that it did not come with wheel-mounted audio controls, which I have come to appreciate on my Camry LE.

On a side note... Does that mean that the Camry LE will be upgraded with push-button start and automatic climate control (and active headrest seats) during its mid-model change?

Yes but leather and chrome interior door handles have gone :sosad:. Odd, esp. since Honda just added a Civic EX-L (i.e. with leather). 10-way power driver's seat is nice too (8-way + lumbar) but I'd trade that for auto headlights and satellite audio controls (and maybe auto-wipers but I know some ppl hate it).

Nope. Toyota Canada won't let that happen. There's already a lotta overlap with the Camry LE and XLE. What do I mean? Well take a look at the site. You can make your very own Gen 4 Camry XLE!!

You take a Camry LE, add package "B" and then add the leather package (which includes dual-stage heated seats! The XLE gets one-stage factory heated seats

). All of that plus the 7 airbags, ABS w/EBD for $30k.

A bit more for an LE V6 version (which adds TRAC and VSC). That's pretty reasonable esp. most people look for leather and moonroof and most non-car ppl don't even care for auto-climate control, SKS, wood trim, reclining rear seats, rear vents, rear sunshade etc etc. The XLE right now is for those ppl like me who like little details (except it's reaaaaallly pricey).

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Jeff Lange

· #6 · Jan 30, 2008

Tideland Prius said:
Yeah I know that's why the configurator is a bit weird.

So how is the bluetooth added anyway? It can't be on the wheel cause it'll be too hard to drill holes and stuff for the buttons.

The plastic piece on that side of the steeirng wheel with the buttons in it (The silver plastic piece between the horn button/airbag and the actual grip is changed out.

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Tideland Prius

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 30, 2008

Jeff Lange said:
The plastic piece on that side of the steeirng wheel with the buttons in it (The silver plastic piece between the horn button/airbag and the actual grip is changed out.

ohh? how 'bout the wiring? pre-wired or just remove the plastic housing of the steering wheel column.

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100$ GUY

· #8 · Feb 2, 2008

kdhspyder said:
Seriously you're getting SKS and Auto Climate controls as options in CA?

We're being gypped here. I guess that we'll get them down the road a ways but why not now. Sneaky bastards holding back.

Seems the rolla will retain its title of -economy compact car-.

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Tideland Prius

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 2, 2008

kdhspyder said:
Seriously you're getting SKS and Auto Climate controls as options in CA?

We're being gypped here. I guess that we'll get them down the road a ways but why not now. Sneaky bastards holding back.

Not options. They're standard on our LE model (no XLE here).

We don't get a JBL audio option (on any model) nor leather on the XRS.

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Tideland Prius

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 2, 2008

Btw, if you guys were wondering, our LE has optional 10-way power driver's seat (8-way plus lumbar support) and power moonroof with overhead console (probably sunglass holder like the Camry and all other Toyota models with a moonroof)

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Jeff Lange

· #11 · Feb 3, 2008

Our LE model is basically the same as the USA XLE model. We don't really have any model that compares with the USA LE model, well except for like the CE B Package, or something along those lines.

Even in the parts catalog, the USA LE is considered to be a "Standard Grade" model with an LE badge, and the USA XLE is considered "LE Grade" along with the Canadian "LE".

Not sure why they have to confuse things like that, lol.

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Tideland Prius

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 3, 2008

Yeah, no idea why they introduced the XLE model. I was expecting all the options to be standard like moonroof, JBL and even leather and auto-CC with an XLE badge.

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