Ask the Car People.SM


2009 Toyota Corolla

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

You are in the Toyota Corolla Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Corolla, Sedan

Messages Page 252 of 311

#2509 of 3103 Re: XRS VS S [backy] by kdhspyder

Mar 12, 2008 (11:06 am)

Replying to: backy (Mar 12, 2008 9:53 am)
Personally, I'd go for a Camry (with the same powertrain as the XRS) vs. an XRS, talking only of Toyotas here. The price would probably not be much different, and the Camry is a lot more car for the money--and the fuel economy is not much worse.
 
I'm going to guess that the XRS will be a small volume primarily intended for those that really want the XRS. For example at some time in the future I could see maybe 60 Camry's in stock, +100 enroute, along with two XRS's.
 
Features for $$
Corolla XRS, cloth, JBL+BT+XM, SR, VSC, AW = $23500
Camry LE, cloth, JBL+BT ( XM extra ), SR, VSC, AW = $25500
 
Your statement above probably makes Toyota Marketing smile. The whole idea is one supports the other. The Corolla is not the equal to the Camry and never has been. It's always been the good soldier that watches the Camry's back. Both vehicles have a lot of features but $2000 is $2000. That of itself may appeal to some buyers. The smaller size may as well. The lighter weight may make the XRS more appealing to some than the heavier, larger LE. OTOH the Camry is the primary focus of Toyota in NA. Mission accomplished.

#2510 of 3103 Re: XRS VS S [kdhspyder] by backy

Mar 12, 2008 (11:12 am)

Replying to: kdhspyder (Mar 12, 2008 11:06 am)
When I speak of price, I am speaking of the price to be paid, not the list price.
 
For example, in my town I see ads every weekend for 2008 Camry LE and 2008 Corolla LE leases--for exactly the same terms. Right now, discounts/rebates on the Camry are more than they are for the 2009 Corolla. So I think the out-the-door price of a Camry vs. a Corolla XLE would be a lot closer than $2000 apart.
 
And I was trying to be nice and restrict my response to alternative Toyotas, instead of the Corolla XRS. We all know there's other alternatives out there. (I wonder if that statement will make Toyota Marketing smile too?)

#2511 of 3103 Re: First sit [irismg] by kdhspyder

Mar 12, 2008 (11:18 am)

Replying to: irismg (Mar 12, 2008 10:58 am)
Welcome to 2008 / 09. Some of the other models listed are even more basic, the DX Civic has no AC at all - unless you pay for it. Most of the others listed also don't have ABS or Side / Curtain airbags - unless you pay for it. And none except the Civic gets within 8-10% of the fuel economy of the Corolla.
 
There is always the very nicely equipped Yaris and others like it which are well under $16000.

#2512 of 3103 Re: XRS VS S [backy] by kdhspyder

Mar 12, 2008 (11:27 am)

Replying to: backy (Mar 12, 2008 11:12 am)
Different markets again.
 
You may be seeing the last of the 2008 blowouts being advertised but our 2008's have been gone since President's Day W/E. All we have are 2009's, none of which have any rebates.
 
The MSRP to MSRP comparo is valid because as you say the transaction price is what really matters and for the 09s the customer will have to same opportunity to beat down the price. For a buyer who wants all the features listed but doesn't want to pay $25500 or even $23500 for a Camry there is always the XRS Corolla $23000. OTOH for a buyer who loves the features, where $23500- $24500 is a fair range but he/she really needs the larger vehicle there's always the Camry. This gives a $4000 window of opportunity for buyers to get the options that they want.

#2513 of 3103 Re: First sit [kdhspyder] by backy

Mar 12, 2008 (11:44 am)

Replying to: kdhspyder (Mar 12, 2008 11:18 am)
And none except the Civic gets within 8-10% of the fuel economy of the Corolla.
 
This is the 2nd time you've made this mis-statement. Other compacts that have a FE difference of less than 8% compared to the 2009 Corolla (based on EPA combined FE numbers) are Elantra, Focus, and Sentra (all with base engines and automatics or CVT). There may be others, but I didn't check all of them.
 
(P.S. I couldn't find the EPA FE numbers for the 2009 Corolla 1.8L AT at fueleconomy.gov and couldn't find its EPA combined FE number anywhere, so I used 30 mpg, based on the 2008 Corolla having EPA numbers of 26/35 and 29 combined vs. the 2009's numbers of 27/35).

#2514 of 3103 Re: First sit [irismg] by thaip

Mar 12, 2008 (1:42 pm)

Replying to: irismg (Mar 12, 2008 10:58 am)
The Corolla LE costs $17100 + Tax, and it has power windows, locks, vsc, alloys, cruise, and even keyless entry. I just picked up my LE on Sunday. I agreed that its leg rooms in the back is a little tight, and the interior looks a little cheap. However, it is a good, in fact, excellent car for comuting to work! The power is adequate. I have no problem to get out or in of an exit. In fact, I feel it is even more powerful then the Camry Hybrid when I step on the gas pedal. The camry hybrid has 2.4 litter with believed to be 148 horses plus the electric motor about another 25 horses.

#2515 of 3103 Re: First sit [backy] by nippononly

Mar 12, 2008 (4:13 pm)

Replying to: backy (Mar 12, 2008 11:44 am)
2009: EPA is 27/35 for Corolla 1.8 auto, 26/35 for 1.8 manual, and 21/29 for the 2.4L.
 
One wonders why anyone would pick the Corolla XRS over the Mazda3s or the Civic SI for the same money...in fact, depending on rebates and such, the Corolla might actually cost MORE than those two until Mazda revises the 3.
 
However if what you want is the big-engined version of a quiet cruiser, the Corolla XRS might be just the ticket. There will be a few buyers like that, I know, but I can understand why Toyota is limiting production to 2% of the total.
 
The dealer that I first spoke to about their XRS has yet to receive a second one since they sold the one they had. That's at least two weeks ago.

#2516 of 3103 Re: First sit [nippononly] by backy

Mar 12, 2008 (4:34 pm)

Replying to: nippononly (Mar 12, 2008 4:13 pm)
Thanks, I was using the 1.8L AT numbers since they are the best case for the 2009 Corolla, but what is weird is that I can't find the combined EPA FE number anyplace. So I used 30, which I thought was pretty close given the 2008 Corolla AT has a 29 combined number with 26/35 for city/highway.
 
However if what you want is the big-engined version of a quiet cruiser, the Corolla XRS might be just the ticket.
 
Well... call me weird but since I know where I can get a car that has a lot more power, better fuel economy, much larger and classier interior, a smooth and quiet ride, all at a lower price than the XRS, I won't be going to the box office for that XRS ticket anytime soon. But I can see why Toyota is limiting the XRS to about 2% of the total. Who is going to buy one? Someone who wants a compact-sized car that costs as much or more than some mid-sized cars that trump it in performance, equal or beat it in FE, and blow it away on comfort? I guess there are some people out there like that. Just not very many, by Toyota's admission.

#2517 of 3103 I'd buy an XRS, but... by bits4brains

Mar 12, 2008 (7:49 pm)

However if what you want is the big-engined version of a quiet cruiser, the Corolla XRS might be just the ticket.
 
I've actually been watching for previous generation XRS models with the 6-speed and always wondered if they wouldn't give the economy of the base engine if driven conservatively... most of the time.
 
Anyway, I'm getting an '09 S model. I'd be all over the XRS, except for gas prices. I love sleepers. The XRS badging gives it away, but an LE or an XLE with the 2.4 and a stick would be my ultimate choice. Eliminating fuel economy from the decision tree, I'd take the larger engine option on any car every time.
 
But, I'm shooting for 40 MPG (despite the EPA's new numbers). I'll actually be a bit surprised if the XRS doesn't have real world economy closer to 35 MPG. My old '93 Camry's 2.2 with an AT still cranks out 31+ MPG. I'd think the XRS with a stick and the slightly larger 2.4 would do at least as well.

#2518 of 3103 Re: First sit [backy] by kdhspyder

Mar 12, 2008 (8:19 pm)

Replying to: backy (Mar 12, 2008 11:44 am)
OK to be precise... Of the vehicles listed none except the Civic come within 7.4% City and 5.4% Highway, with some of them well over 10% worse in fuel economy.
 
Corolla.... 27 C / 35 H .... Segment leader in fuel economy
Civic....... 25 / 36 .... - 7.4% / + 2.9% than the Corolla
Sentra.... 25 / 33 .... - 7.4% / - 5.7% than the Corolla
Maz3..... 23 / 31 .... -14.8% / -11.4% than the Corolla
Elantra... 25 / 33 .... - 7.4% / - 5.7% than the Corolla
Focus.... 24 / 33 .... -11.1% / - 5.7% than the Corolla
Cobalt.... 22 / 31 ..... -18.5% / -11.4 % than the Corolla

Messages Page 252 of 311

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement