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2003-2008 Toyota Corolla Prices Paid and Buying Experience
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Comments
Why didn't your kid look at the hyundai Elantra? At this price point, probably the best choice in an economy car on a features to cost basis...a real screaming deal! Personally, I'm turned off by the looks of the car but it comes with so many features that it makes so much sense if one doesn't want to spend in the high 16's or low 17's on a great, reliable small car. A no brainer in my book. In my case though, the Civic was just a better fit. But if I had purchased based just on $, it would've been an Elantra hands down.
The Sandman
Pros-
Great handling, smooth acceleration, peppy engine yet quiet, tight feel and confidence in fit n finish, great transmission, supportive seats, overall good appearance on front/sides, trusted design and reliability, all cons minor in comparison to pros
Cons-
Steering wheel a bit of a reach and feels small, stock radio lacking in sound quality, stereo hard to reach, wish cruise controls were on steering wheel, chrome adjuster handle/tabs on ventilation grills cause reflection off side mirrors, dislike rear appearance of car, not sure if doors lock when using remote control (wish there was a confirmation beep)
FWIW, I have driven a lot of Elantras from teh various rental fleets and that vehicle has never impressed me as a vehicle that will hold up over a long period of time. The Sonata is a pretty good vehicle and the Accent has a lot of pep.
My choices were Corolla,Versa, and Malibu in that order.
You know, my observation, if you just love cars, period, and you're not a fanboy of any particular make but just want a good car, there's lots of options out there. It's interesting what options and color choices the different manufacturers consider important!
It was a 2007. Chicago is a competitive market. There are more Toyota dealers within 50 miles than there are in all of Oklahoma.
Hm, I just wonder how doable that is...
Is the place in Kenosha a Carmax? if so, that would explain the LARGE PRICE DIFFERENCE. Carmax means "you paid too much".
But in comparison to MY region, Carmax is a deal, especially for a new car! I'd be willing to bet that a good part of their clientele comes largely from other parts of the country, while the dealerships handle the locals.
One man's ripoff is another man's bargain, depending on their point of view, eh? Just my view.
But if you want to pay more at Carmax ... go ahead.
Although I tend to agree with you on your assessment on the Elantra, as a previous Elantra and Corolla owner, our family's experience was a bit of a contradiction. Determining long-term reliability based upon rental experience is not necessarily valid, as rental cars are notorious for being abused by some renters and with questionable maintenance by the agency.
Our family's previous generation Elantra went over 180K miles without any corrective maintenance, just routine oil changes and timing belt changes. It was no more, or less, costly to maintain than our Corolla. The primary difference between the two was gas mileage - the Corolla was always better in that regard. Both were automatics, and the Elantra's best highway mileage was 34MPG, short of the Corolla's.
There are so many cars in the compact class. It over all is a buyers market if you have done any research at all.
I got a quote in Dallas Tx for 2008 Corolla LE,4Dr, Auto. the options include anti-lock brakes, Side Airbags, windo tint, cruise contro, mudguards, keyless entry with security system and alloy wheels. The offer price was $16,310.00 plus inventory fee ($38.00) and documentation fee ($50.00) plus Ttl and tax. Anybody can comment about this deal.
Thanks
KR
I'm in Southern California and am very interested in that same car. Would you mind telling me where you got that quote?
Dealers have told me it's almost impossible to find a Corolla with ABS in this area because the climate doesn't warrant it.
Thanks,
Anlina
Would you mind telling me where you bought it? And why did they give you the discount -- or why would you have gotten 3K off the MSRP?
Thanks so much!
Anlina
The car I purchased had an MSRP of $19,500. Pretty loaded with moonroof, side airbags, option package #1 and 6 disk changer. The price after rebate was $15,582. Then added T,T,&L at the actual state regulated amounts and off I went with the new car with 36 miles on the clock. Paid registration in Nevada and NOT California. Paid sales tax in California and NOT Nevada.
First tank of gas across the desert and our MPG was 37.5. Now with 400 miles on the car we love it! It does not handle anything like a Civic and for some drivers it is exctly what they need.
Would you mind telling me where you got the car from?
I'm looking for that model in Southern CA too!
Also, I'm curious in what way the Corolla handles differently from a Civic.
Thanks so much,
Anlina
Could you please tell me the name of the dealer that had that LE...or any other dealers where you think we can get a fair price?
Thanks a lot!
Anlina
That was Power Toyota in Irvine around July. But I got my 08 CE from Toyota of Orange for $13k and $14.5k out of the door in August. I prefer Toyota of Orange, even though I got my 04 Sienna from Power. Toyota of Orange has basic CEs (no PW or PL or side air bags or ABS) for $13k ads in Orange County Register newspaper every weekend. Power Toyota has the same but only 5 cars each time. I've seen other dealers in LA County with the $13k price but only 1 or 3 cars available. Like I said in my last post, I have not seen any LE or S ads in the papers at all (except the LE in July). Hope this helps. Good luck with your car hunting.
Thanks for your response. I was offered an 08 CE for $14313 out the door last week, but I've decided I want more options. Hopefully they'll start reducing the LE or S prices sometime soon.
Hope you're enjoying your new car!
Best,
Anlina
New 2007 Corolla S 4 Door
AT $18019 Model #1812
Lease for $179 per mo + tax
$4000 down 60 month lease 12k miles per year
only when financed thru TFS tier 1 + credit
1 at this payment ( :confuse: )
So you'd be paying $14740 + tax for 5 years? I'm not familiar with leasing. The mileage limit would sure work for me...My 1998 civic only has 27K on it!
A dealer told me yesterday that all the 07 Corollas were gone! He said they're introducing the 09 Corollas in Jan. 08. It will be a completely new design with ABS and side air bags standard. I'm wondering if it makes sense to buy one without those options at this time.
Do you know if we're allowed to discuss used cars on this forum? If so, I'd like your opinion on a used Corolla S
I'm considering.
Best,
Anlina
Since this forum for "Corolla Prices Paid and Buying Experience" and I am just an average consumer, I can only share my own experience. There were only three main reasons why I bought my 08 Corolla CE: reliability (I may let my 17 yr old daughter drive this car in a year), price (the lowest I could find from Toyota, Honda, and Nissan), and gas economy. So far, I've been very happy with my Corolla. I have added an aftermarket security system for $260 so I can lock/unlock all four doors remotely. I do have to roll my windows up and down manually - good exercise tho. I think I can live without ABS in Southern California and I hope my perfect driving record and defensive driving skills can help me without side air bags (all my previous cars do not have this).
http://www.carbuyingtips.com/cardeals/toyota.htm
None of my cars have had ABS or side air bags -- but if Toyota's making them standard on their 09 corollas, it makes me wonder how important they are.
I found an 08 S corolla with side air bags, no ABS for $17200 out the door. I'm debating between that and a preowned 06 S corolla without side air bags for $12800 out the door.
Best,
Anlina
MSRP 18720; inv 17205; paid 15636 before TTL.
My second purchase at Fitz in as many months. Just a great, low-key experience. Email me if you want my rep's name.
You bought two cars in two months?! Whoa...you got that discount just on sheer volume!
Just to compare, though, that's not too awful different:
http://www.carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/factsheet.aspx?id=4564820
Of course, I don't know what all the FE/CK etc means, if they're equipped the same way. Thanks again for the offer, though.
Yours is probably more like this one:
http://www.carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/factsheet.aspx?id=4661200
And, FWIW, I drove it around a bit and actually thought the ride was quite comfortable. I'm not sure I'd take it cross-country (I'm a tall guy), but I bet I'd get to Iowa before it started to wear on me.
I see websites showing Toyota rebates of $1000 for the CE and $750 for S/LE. The rebates expire 10/31. Is the 'expiration' a gimmick to create a sense of urgency, or is it going to expire for real? It's only been two months into the 08 model year, and I'd expect better rebates later in 2009 for the 08 model, especially when the 09 model comes out. Any inputs/insight would be appreciated.
They like to use words like "rebate expires 10/31" to create a sense of urgency on your part. But, typically, they keep them going into the next month too. Not always, but more than likely. (Of course that last statement depends alot on which make and model we're talking about.)
Also keep tabs on any marketing support money Toyota may throw to the dealers. You can get the skinny on all of this from the Edmunds splash page. Happy hunting.
They will not hesitate to misrepresent your credit rating(go in with your own copy)If you are trading in or have previously owned or rented from them they will claim that you have unpaid bills which they claim lowers your credit rating (the copy you have in your hand is incorrect once they go back and alter whatever they need to)
Walk out! if you hear anything remotely sounding like a lie such as we don't have this or that color or that model!They are only interested in selling what they have on the floor not the next shipment or what you might actually be interested in.
They also play race games in matching you up with a sales person deciding which race can rip off which customer the best. Don't say you weren't warned!
New 2008 Toyota Corolla CE Model #1802
Automatic
Sale Price $12,988- Factory Rebate $1000
NET TO CUSTOMER $11,988
3 @ this net cost
Still saw nothing on S or LE.
Anlina
They also have Yaris for $11,888
Camry CE for $15,995
Rav 4cyl for $18,495
Sienna CE for $19,959
You can see all today's ads here:
http://ads.ocregister.com/rop/web/ocr/category.php?id=3&today=1
Toyota of San Juan Capistrano here:
http://ads.ocregister.com/rop/web/ocr/category.php?id=3&adid=0008480759-01&today- - =1
2008 CE Automatic, Model #1802, MSRP: $15,915, for $12,388
2008 LE, Automatic, PW, PDL, Model #1822, MSRP $17,365, Price after rebate: $14,188, 5 at this price
2008 S, Auto, PW, PDL, Model #1812, MSRP $18060, Price after rebate: $14,688, 5 at this price
2008 Matric: $14,988
2008 Prius: $21,688
2008 Camry LE: $18,388
If anyone's interested in this kind of detail, the earlier models had height-adjustable seats which did better in the test. But the 07-08 tests were of "all seats." I'm wondering if that applies to the 08 height adjustable seats.
I was thinking of getting the LE so I'd have side air bags, but if the rear crash test results are so poor -- I'm thinking I might as well go with the less expensive CE.
Thanks for listening!
Anlina
2hr drive to dealership to have cruise installed. I had back pain from
the seat back it is to stiff wont give
le is made differnt than ce ?
I complained to dealer and toyota
they was rude will not assist me in no way
wouldn not trade me up for le vehical or seat
NO CUSTOMERSERVICE PERIOD
As a person who has dibilitating spinal issues, I made sure the car I bought wouldn't add to my pain before I purchased. I took a little bit longer of a test drive to make doubly sure I could live with this car for the next few years. That was my responsibility as an adult and I did what I needed to do. It would never cross my mind to go back to Honda and say I made a mistake...now please bail me out.
In a perfect world, Toyota would step up to the plate and swap you into the more comfortable LE model just as a good will gesture...but they have no real obligation to do so. It would be nice though and hopefully they will if you approach them with the right attitude about "your mistake". It happens to everyone some time or another. Step up to the plate and admit your mistake and ask how can "we" resolve this situation so it'll be a win/win for both sides.
Good luck and I'm not trying to be harsh here. Hope for the best and be ready to hear the worst. And asking them to take back a vehicle that you bought and later wasn't comfortable with is about customer service...but they owe you nothing actually, I'd loose the "no customer service period" attitude if I were you! Sometimes it's all in the way one presents their case that gets the desired results...think about it.
The Sandman