Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2013 Toyota Corolla LE; Day 1

[Solstice2006]

I agree, that pretty much sums up the Corolla for the last 2-3 years...

[Frontier1]

I just can't see any other car out there that can match the Matrix, any other same year car would be rusted out with engine/transmission issues by now. So if I were to buy a vehicle right now, I'd buy the very same thing..

It has 240k (80k in 3 yrs with me) and it's a winner, I'm keeping it

   WTF?  You might want to check out the mileage thread that shows many other people that have cars that are older and more mileage than yours.

Agree, 240 is really nothing for any brand nowadays.

[X-Traction]

Rank Best-Selling Car April 2013

Rank...Model...............Month...% Chg..........YTD.......YTD % Chg

#1...Hyundai Elantra...5535.........+ 3.0%...16,872.....+ 3.9% 
#2...Honda Civic...........5424........- 9.7%....16,711...- 17.6% 
#3...Toyota Corolla.......4654........+ 8.8%...12,535.....- 5.3% 
#4...Mazda 3................3281.......- 14.6%...12,132.....+ 2.0% 
#5...Chevrolet Cruze...3264........+ 14.4%....9843.....+ 2.5% 
#6...Volkswagen Jetta..2814.......+ 17.4%.....9838...+ 33.1% 
#7...Ford Focus.............2757.......+ 6.4%......7491.....- 4.1% 
#8...Ford Fusion............2336.......+ 20.8%....6734...+ 28.8% 
#9...Toyota Camry.........2119........+ 1.9%....5055....- 22.8% 
#10..Hyundai Accent.....2071.......- 14.8%.....5835....- 20.0%

Just a tip that if you put some periods between the numbers, it helps keep this sort of info in columns.

[Frontier1]

Interesting what Wing says about the windshield, is this a defect? are they using a low cost 2nd tier product?

[Solstice2006]

Would I buy a 2013 Corolla? Well, at the right price, why not?

  That's the key, we would get one as a commuter car, if the price was right... (4 speed auto is not a deal breaker for me) but things like a/c, cruise, power windows, and mirrors, Bluetooth, maybe leather wrapped steering wheel are a must.  With these items, if the Corolla was $1000-$2000 more (on a 2 year old car), than I would go the competition (Mazda3 or Cruze probably), if it was equal or less, than the Corolla (strictly as a commuter car!)

[johngenx]

When we bought our 09, Toyota had dropped the price and the Corolla was one of the least expensive compact sedans, priced quite a bit lower than the Civic or the 3. Today, 5.5 years later we might not make the  same choice (not sure) but it was great value then.

[Ex-airbalancer]

When we bought our 09, Toyota had dropped the price and the Corolla was one of the least expensive compact sedans, priced quite a bit lower than the Civic or the 3. Today, 5.5 years later we might not make the  same choice (not sure) but it was great value then.

Beside oil changes have you had anything done?
On our 2010 Prius , 87,500 km, we have only done is oil changes and new tires

[johngenx]

Beside oil changes have you had anything done?
On our 2010 Prius , 87,500 km, we have only done is oil changes and new tires

New front brakes at 110K, which is typical.  Your hybrid will go a LOT farther before it needs brakes. I ditched the OE summer tires for H-rated tires, a very good move, and we've used a couple sets of snows.

And that's it.  A few filters, some fluids, and nothing more.

City fuel economy is typically in the low to mid 7's, even in the winter, and highway is <6 unless I'm driving at "watch for cops!" speeds.  Even a few tanks on the highway in the 4's.

Ours is the CE-Enhanced Package with AT, so it has A/C, cruise, keyless, power windows, and TPMS. (which I do like...)  In March of 2008 we paid $20,000 OTR.  Yup, taxes, everything.  Any other comparably equipped sedan was more, some a LOT more.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Beside oil changes have you had anything done?
On our 2010 Prius , 87,500 km, we have only done is oil changes and new tires

New front brakes at 110K, which is typical.  Your hybrid will go a LOT farther before it needs brakes. I ditched the OE summer tires for H-rated tires, a very good move, and we've used a couple sets of snows.

And that's it.  A few filters, some fluids, and nothing more.

City fuel economy is typically in the low to mid 7's, even in the winter, and highway is <6 unless I'm driving at "watch for cops!" speeds.  Even a few tanks on the highway in the 4's.

Ours is the CE-Enhanced Package with AT, so it has A/C, cruise, keyless, power windows, and TPMS. (which I do like...)  In March of 2008 we paid $20,000 OTR.  Yup, taxes, everything.  Any other comparably equipped sedan was more, some a LOT more.

Pads and disk still look new, probably why u see so many taxis that are hybrids , it saves them a ton of money

[johngenx]

Seems the regenerative braking system gives brake pad life of 300K or more.  Crazy!!

[Fobroader]

Seems the regenerative braking system gives brake pad life of 300K or more.  Crazy!!

Wow...300K on a set of pads....thats amazing. 

[Solstice2006]

Beside oil changes have you had anything done?
On our 2010 Prius , 87,500 km, we have only done is oil changes and new tires

New front brakes at 110K, which is typical.  Your hybrid will go a LOT farther before it needs brakes. I ditched the OE summer tires for H-rated tires, a very good move, and we've used a couple sets of snows.

And that's it.  A few filters, some fluids, and nothing more.

City fuel economy is typically in the low to mid 7's, even in the winter, and highway is <6 unless I'm driving at "watch for cops!" speeds.  Even a few tanks on the highway in the 4's.

Ours is the CE-Enhanced Package with AT, so it has A/C, cruise, keyless, power windows, and TPMS. (which I do like...)  In March of 2008 we paid $20,000 OTR.  Yup, taxes, everything.  Any other comparably equipped sedan was more, some a LOT more.

Did you pay cash?  Asking because especially with imports, they offer cash rebates, but no rebates if you are financing.  Like when Mazda was getting rid of the 2013 Mazda6 to make room for the 2014 models, they had Mazda6 GS-L (leather), which is pretty loaded except no V6, no xenon lights, and no sunroof, for $25,000 with tax! basically over $6500 in savings...

[Soram6275]

"This version of the Corolla was introduced as a 2009 model back in 2008. Of course there have been minor refreshes along the way to attempt to keep up with technology and changes in the market."

I would say the platform dates to 2003 with the 2009+ being a mild refresh.  Minor changes and attempt is about right.  The ancient power train was pretty lacklustre back in 2003 when I test drove one.  I can't imagine how backwards it must feel with how much progress the competition has made.  Oh well, perfect car for the unenthusiast who hates cars.  Perfect for the boring and meek.

I totally agree with you.  I do have to say though that with the rebate it's pretty good for what it its - boring but very reliable.  The only way I would buy this is if I had a delivery business or for a little taxi, like in Montreal.  As far as personal rides go, buying one of these is akin to announcing that you no longer have any ambitions in life and are content with being merely passable.

[quadzilla]

As far as personal rides go, buying one of these is akin to announcing that you no longer have any ambitions in life and are content with being merely passable.

WOW! JohnX must be crying in the corner after hearing that. 

[Chambers]

All I see in Vancouver and area are high end German sedans, high end SUV's, import and domestic SUV's....Caravans....well I could go on and on and on but point is for small econo boxes here its the

Honda Civic by a landslide......quite a few Elantras and Mazda 3's, even a fair amount of Cruze are being driven about by lowermainland folk but I wonder just where are all of Canada's best selling Corolla?

Are they even the countries best seller? Sure not many round here.

[johngenx]

Did you pay cash?  Asking because especially with imports, they offer cash rebates, but no rebates if you are financing.

We did, but there were no rebates then, even for cash buyers.  I think the sticker was $20,700 with GST/etc, and we offered $20,000 exactly plus a few accessories, and that was the deal.

The same car today (though has a couple less standard items) is $20K including the $2K rebate, so there's been price creep of about 10% over the last five years.

[johngenx]

buying one of these is akin to announcing that you no longer have any ambitions in life and are content with being merely passable.

WTF??  I should leave this alone, but honestly, you know NOTHING about me beyond what you might read here, and presuming you can ascertain my entire life by the fact that we own a Corolla make you nothing more than a troll, destined to judge people based on brands instead of actions.

If you read what I have written concerning this very car, you'll see that I agree that it is an appliance and not designed for enthusiast driving.  However, I do understand that this car has a place, and even enthusiasts might own one for whatever reason.  I never ascribe personal traits to someone's choice, and their automotive choices are only one TINY part of their life.

I suppose I could make the assumption that your FWD sedan means you're a dullard, as that car is pretty much a soul-less commuter machine compared to, well, a Miata...

...but I won't.

Don't go away mad, just go away.  Or provide constructive content to the forum.

[Ice]

I still consider myself an enthusiast and Corolla is my daily driver. I'm interested in cars for different reasons perhaps... it's "nice" of people to ascribe their viewpoints on others.

Regardless of anything... decided to do a little comparison on purely enthusiast levels of three cars in the class:

My 2009 Corolla XRS (2.4L I4)
0-60 Acceleration: 7.8 s
Braking: 123 ft
Curb Weight: 2952 lb
Lateral Acceleration: 0.80 g

Kia's new 2014 Forte EX (2.0L I4 GDI)
0-60 Acceleration: 7.8 s
Braking: 117ft
Curb Weight: 2944 lb
Lateral Acceleration: 0.80 g

Good old Mazda3 SkyActive (2.0L I4 "SkyActive-G")
0-60 Acceleration: 8.3 s
Braking 60-0: 120 ft
Curb Weight: 2987 lb
Lateral Acceleration: 0.79 g

And two more basic models...

A more typical 2011 Corolla LE (1.8L I4)
0-60 Acceleration: 9.8 s
Braking: 129 ft
Curb Weight: 2792 lb
Lateral Acceleration: 0.83 g

A 2014 Civic EX (1.8L I4)
0-60 Acceleration: 9.1 s
Braking: 119 ft
Curb Weight: 2826 lb
Lateral Acceleration: 0.81 g

I didn't compare fuel economy because the Corolla is still pretty much the unsophisticated winner there.... instead went for the skid pad/acceleration/braking information. Anyone trying to argue that a regular Corolla LE is the top of it's class for spirited driving is nuts but I think it's also folly to say that it's too far off either. A brand new Civic is barely any faster 0-60, only 0.02g better on a skid pad, and the extra 10 feet of braking is probably the most important (and disappointing) thing here.

I did this mostly out of curiosity but the 2009 Corolla XRS is pretty much equivalent to similarly sporty cars that just came out with the braking being the only disappointing bit but just 5 feet off of the class winner the Forte.

If it were me, and I were buying a car today in the compact sedan segment, I'd have to do the same thing as before and sit in all of them and see if the ergonomics work right for me. But the Forte and the Mazda3 are usually considered the enthusiasts choice and new models of these are the same or only marginally better than my XRS. Of course hard numbers don't always give you the "feel" of the car.

I still think it's interesting... and I also think that we're not comparing any of these to a BMW M3. But a Corolla's lifetime repair bill might be similar to just a couple of times to the service depot for one of those Different buyers there!

EDIT: Sorry...final edit. I got everything from Motor Trend because it was easy to compare. http://www.motortrend.com/
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1303_compact_sedans_the_big_test/viewall.html
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1105_2011_toyota_corolla_le_test/viewall.html
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0805_2009_toyota_corolla_xrs/viewall.html

[Black Hatch]

I still consider myself an enthusiast and Corolla is my daily driver. I'm interested in cars for different reasons perhaps... it's "nice" of people to ascribe their viewpoints on others.

Everyone has to start somewhere.... Sometimes that somewhere starts with the Corolla.
Case in point I learned how to drive on my dad's Corolla.

[Ice]

I still consider myself an enthusiast and Corolla is my daily driver. I'm interested in cars for different reasons perhaps... it's "nice" of people to ascribe their viewpoints on others.

Everyone has to start somewhere.... Sometimes that somewhere starts with the Corolla.
Case in point I learned how to drive on my dad's Corolla.

So true. Next car won't be a Corolla... but it'll be determined by where I'm at in life. Right now I'm thinking that a hatch will be more valuable with all of the furniture and stuff that I'm moving around and the Corolla isn't the greatest at that. Great trunk space but just not suited to certain shapes... next car will be something else. Sport wagons anyone?