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2009 Toyota Corolla

3103 messages,  Last post on Dec 14, 2011 at 6:31 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Corolla, Sedan

Messages Page 222 of 311

#2205 of 3103 Re: Just priced a Corolla [mackabee] by colloquor

Jan 31, 2008 (11:20 am)

Replying to: mackabee (Jan 30, 2008 9:57 pm)
I wonder why Toyota doesn't standardize options throughout all regions? Being able to get VSC on an LE for $250 in Virginia, and not in the Midwest with all of the winter ice and snow, and spring and summer rains, just doesn't make any marketing sense whatsoever. Or more importantly, why doesn't Toyota just make all safety features, such as VSC, standard equipment? Other manufacturers do. I remember when my wife was looking for a 2006 Corolla with side-curtain airbags - she couldn't find one in the entire Toyota Chicago or Central region.
 
Of all of the Asian manufacturers, Toyota seems to like to play the option game similar to domestic manufacturers.

#2206 of 3103 Re: Just priced a Corolla [mackabee] by backy

Jan 31, 2008 (11:24 am)

Replying to: mackabee (Jan 31, 2008 10:34 am)
My experience when shopping for a Prius a few years ago, and from checking on options available on the Yaris last year, is that the "build your own" function on toyota.com is pretty accurate as to which option packages are available in a given region. But it seems that each region deals with options differently and gets different allocations of cars with various options. So while VSC, for example, may be widely available on Corollas in one region, I don't know that will be the case in all regions. It doesn't appear to be the case, at least for now, in my region (which I think Toyota calls the "Chicago" region).
 
I've also found that option availability can vary widely over time. So for example, when I ordered my Prius, the package I ordered was in good supply. A few months later, Toyota cut back on shipments of that package to my region, so my wait got extended (to the point I had to buy something else). On the Yaris, initially ABS and side airbags were in very short supply, but then more recently Toyota started sending more cars with those options to my area. So what we see today on the Corolla re options may not be true a few months from now.

#2207 of 3103 Re: Just priced a Corolla [backy] by mackabee

Jan 31, 2008 (2:23 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 31, 2008 11:24 am)
You are correct. In my experience I've noticed that what they list in the brochures as available options don't show up until later in the model cycle, not model year. Ex: Sienna. When this gen first came out there were something like 19 different packages listed on the brochure. Fast forward to today and we are finally starting to see some of those packages. They did drop a couple if I remember correctly.
 

#2208 of 3103 Pricing by alpha01

Jan 31, 2008 (2:45 pm)

Although I was hoping that Toyota's new Corolla would be a slam-dunk in terms of value, after initially being startled by prices, it seems Toyota benchmarked Honda's Civic to some degree.
 
I think in this segment, its all about sensible shoes, and its going to be up to the buyer to decide. Me, I'd gravitate to a Mazda 3, Saturn Astra (though I thought the interior was a big disappointment, and the rear seat tight), or even an XRS Corolla... but for the masses, this Corolla will likely remain solid, smooth-riding, efficient, and reliable transportation.
 
Pricing Example (re my Honda remark):
Corolla LE automatic + cruise, 6CD changer (non-JBL version), VSC, all-weather = $18,200
 
Civic LX auto = $18,395
 
The Civic gets 5A, 16 inch wheels, but does not offer cd changer or VSC.....
 
It's a bummer that the LE doesn't have the XLE's wood trim standard, IMO. At NAIAS, thought he vehicles were locked, the XLE's interior seemed very classy and the wood much more attractive than the 2003-2008 LE's plood.

#2209 of 3103 Re: Pricing [alpha01] by mackabee

Jan 31, 2008 (2:49 pm)

Replying to: alpha01 (Jan 31, 2008 2:45 pm)
I don't know why they rebadged the trim levels. The LE is now what the CE is for 08 sans the airbags and abs, the XLE is now what the LE was sans the airbags and ABS. They maybe trying to attract different demographics than before.
 

#2210 of 3103 Re: Pricing [alpha01] by backy

Jan 31, 2008 (2:56 pm)

Replying to: alpha01 (Jan 31, 2008 2:45 pm)
Unless of course you live in a region where VSC is not available on the LE, and then you're looking at near $21k list for a Corolla with VSC.
 
Reports are that the Civic will offer VSA across the lineup for 2009 MY. And of course, ESC (by whatever acronym) is available on other cars in this class, e.g. Elantra, Impreza, Mazda3, Rabbit, and SX4 Sport.

#2211 of 3103 Re: Pricing [alpha01] by kdhspyder

Jan 31, 2008 (3:44 pm)

Replying to: alpha01 (Jan 31, 2008 2:45 pm)
It seems that Toyota has copied the structure and some of the nomenclature of the Camry pricing as the model for the Corolla.
 
Standard =Standard
LE = LE
XLE = XLE
SE = S
V6 SE = XRS
 
Only the V6 XLE and hybrid trims are missing in the Corolla lineup.
 
BTW, Can our Canadian brothers confirm if SKS and Auto Climate Control and leather are available on the initial Corolla XLE launch in Canada? That trim would seem to be the equivalent of the V6 XLE Camry trim.

#2212 of 3103 Re: Just priced a Corolla [colloquor] by nippononly

Jan 31, 2008 (5:30 pm)

Replying to: colloquor (Jan 31, 2008 11:20 am)
"I wonder why Toyota doesn't standardize options throughout all regions?"
 
The answer to your question is that Toyota builds lower-priced models for areas with lower incomes. That's why lots of cars in stock in Virginia (with Richmond, and the whole DC metro area) have pricey options that cars in parts of the midwest do not.
 
It's a lousy practice, but like everything else Toyota does intentionally, I am sure it sells more cars.

#2213 of 3103 Re: Just priced a Corolla [nippononly] by kdhspyder

Jan 31, 2008 (5:51 pm)

Replying to: nippononly (Jan 31, 2008 5:30 pm)
Yes it's really a regional question. Toyota the manufacturer builds and specifies a certain set of options that might be available. It's up to the individual regions to decide how to 'package' these options. It's the reason that when entering the 'Build/Price your Toyota' you first have to enter a ZIP code. That then directs you to that region's pricing structure.
 
Don't like it? Choose another ZIP. Buy out of region. There are a slew of Northeast buyers that take the Shuttle to DC and buy from Laurel/Carmax ( #2 in the US ) and Fitzmall. We get out share with buyers who dislike the structure of the SET pricing.
 
You're right it does sell more and make more money overall. Rather than have some monolithic department in Detroit or LA or Kentucky or NY make the decisions for the entire country that key decision is made on a regional level.
 
In addition nothing is set in stone. These pricing decisions are constantly being reviewed at regional meetings of the Sales Managers...if not monthly then at least quarterly. Then the stores themselves have a lot of latitude in deciding what sells for them. If one store is in an upscale neighborhood and one is in a blue collar neighborhood each might order its individual inventory entirely different.

#2214 of 3103 Sticker Shock! by moparbad

Feb 02, 2008 (1:30 pm)

$20,795 is the least expensive Corolla S automatic.
 
$18,095 for an Elantra SE with automatic, sunroof and (includes heated seats and satellite radio not included on Corolla S above price)
 
Corolla is not worth $3,000 more to me. Hello Hyundai.
 
Mazda3 would be my choice at $20,000 plus.

Messages Page 222 of 311

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