4025 messages,
Last post on Nov 01, 2012 at 10:05 PM
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Toyota Corolla Forum.
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Toyota Corolla, Sedan
#241 of 4025 zerotolerance
by wenyue
Nov 06, 2000 (11:56 pm)
If Toyota does what it has done in the past, then you can expect the Japanese/European corolla being carried over to the U.S. That's what Toyota did for the current Corolla, they introduced it in 1998 when it has been out since 1996 in Japan.
The 2003 Corolla looks truely impressive. I would be very happy if they just carried it over from Japan to U.S. It's longer, taller, roomier, more powerful. It's selling extremely well in Japan right now, Toyota had to extend work weeks to fill in for the unexpected high demands. Too bad, the U.S has to wait until 2003 for it.
If by some strange reason, Toyota decided to spend more money to develope another Corolla just for U.S, I think it would be a further improvement on the Japanese Corolla. It will be very interesting.
#242 of 4025 vlady and wenyue
by wordman93
Nov 07, 2000 (12:13 am)
The CE she purchased has power windows and locks, cruise control, and floor mats. I think that it probable has everything with the exception of the moonroof. It really doesn't matter now rather or not the deal was good, because thus far she is completely happy with the car....Thanks all...
#243 of 4025 a question for you corolla owners
by zerotolerance
Nov 07, 2000 (12:56 am)
I read the Motortrend review and several others which claim that Corollas have terribly soft suspension and poor cornering ability, and not responsive in emergency situations or steering is bad at high speeds. Some have even gone as far as saying its dangerous to drive this car on the highway? Is this true? I'm planning on buying a car and am considering the Corolla, however can the average car driver safely drive this vehicle without excessive windsheer and flying around and have good control at 90mph on the interstate?
Also would replacing the default tires to some performance speed rated all season tires improve the poor handling? and by how much?
Nov 07, 2000 (1:18 am)
Corollas aren't sports cars - but they're not dangerous to drive. I've driven two of them cross-country several times - one up to 195,000 miles, and the other currently has 80,000 miles.
I won't say they're the most comfortable long-distance cruiser you'll find - but they're perfectly acceptable and safe at any reasonable highway speed.
#245 of 4025 zerotolerence
by wenyue
Nov 07, 2000 (1:49 am)
The reviews from these automotive magazines are for the auto-enthusists. They tend to side with performance at expense of such quality as quiet/softness. These quality is more appreciated by consumer magzines for the ordinary folks such as Consumer Report, ect. Corolla is recommended by most buying guides I have seen.
The car's suspension is tuned to the soft side. Which means, it will have a more noticable body roll during high speed cornering or turning. The suspenion is tuned to give possible the smoothest ride and quietest cabin in the class, at the expense of hard conering capability. Know the car's handling limit, don't try to push beyond the design specs (like take corner at 40+ mph), and the car will handle very predictably. Being one of the most populous car in the world today, it would be hard to believe it being dangerous.
The cars is a very capable highway commuter. The excellent power plant, possibly the best powerplant in the class, gives it very good ride on the highway. Since handling on the highway is very limited (at more than 60 mph, no car can survive a turning of steering wheels that's more than few degrees). High way commuting is probably the car's forte.
The car has very little windsheer. The body has one of the lowest drag coefficent in the class, at 0.31. That means it experience less wind forces than most others with high drag coefficient.
This car won't impress you with it's ability to take corners, though it might impress you with its good acceleration and a quiet/soft ride, and the gas milage as well.
If you are looking for a sportier car, to push the envelop during the tight turns, you should get the Nissan Sentra SE, or to a less extent, the Mazda Protege ES. They are sportiest car in the class. Especially the Sentra SE combines great power with sharp handling.
But if you are looking for a smooth quiet ride for your everyday commute, corolla is a good choice.
In the end, test drive the car yourself. And know what kind of driving experience you are planning to do, (twist and turn fun, go for Sentra; soft and quiet, get corolla). Good luck.
Oh. If you are planning on switch tires. A low profile performance tire can probably decrese the body roll somewhat, and help you take the turn faster. But like all sports oriented mods, they come at the expense of quietness and softness. Also, I wouldn't expect it to completely change the car's personality. For that, you need to get Toyota Race Development's sports suspension stuff.
These things will most likely make a night and day difference for you car's handling characteristics.
You can find it at www.trdusa.com.
If I remember right, Sports strut and spring set (4), range from $450 to $800.
They also have a performance package, that has even more ellaborate modes, from turbo charger to super fance suspensions. The cost tend to be $2500 or more, some of the cost is because these performance packages include stuff such as racy skirts and other mods that's purely for looks. You should speak to a user called Danniswade. He has gotten quite involved, and modified his corolla to a monster.
But my view is, spring and struts for few hundred bucks might make sense. But if you are really looking to do some hard cornering rather than quiet driving, you should be buying a Sentra in the first place.
Nov 07, 2000 (4:10 am)
Changing the tires to performance tires will enhance and change the Corolla from "I don't thank so" to "lets have some fun". The Corolla will not turn into a Celica, but it will increase the handling of the car at little or no expense of ride and noise. Been there done that. I have 89 and 95 models.
Nov 07, 2000 (8:30 am)
My 90 Corolla LE with 97,700 miles and orignal everything still runs great. I'm a proud Toyota die hard and my Corolla just backs up my enthusiasm. After putting the Michelin X-ones...the ride comfort and quietness improved big time over the Michelin MX4s we put on it and the original...ahem..Firestones that came on it from Fremont (NUMMI). Those tires were terrible.
#248 of 4025 has any one
by wenyue
Nov 07, 2000 (7:10 pm)
tried out the TRD suspension with the sports struts and springs? At $500-$800, it doesnt' sound too expensive. I'm curious as to the effects.
#249 of 4025 I think I might get a base accord
by zerotolerance
Nov 08, 2000 (7:32 am)
What do you think about this? Since my price range is less than $16000 I think I might get a Accord DX with no AC no nothing. I think it has a big engine and big car qualities that I like, all the power equipment and luxuries I can do without for now, what do you think? A strip down Accord at $16000 or fully loaded Corolla or Civic at same price?
#250 of 4025 zerotolerance
by wenyue
Nov 08, 2000 (3:15 pm)
I wouldn't go for a Accord DX. I think if you are going for an Accord, find any way you can to at least scrape together enough money to buy the LX.
The DX uses cheap engine (135 hp), and is a stripper, I wouldn't go for it. Without A/C, you will find it almost impossible to sell the car later down the road (if you wanted to).
Just my 2 cents.