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My main concern is that the hole in the floor mat may be just the first symptom of a bigger problem. The door panels and upholstery are still ok, but showing more wear and staining than older Corollas did for the same length of service.
As for the question posed by Nippononly, the answer is completely clear: this is a short-sighted cost cutting measure. That hole in the carpet was the first thing anyone noticed on my Corolla, at least until I covered it up. Not a good advertisement for the product.
Puleeeze.
The only reason I down-sized to the smaller car was for the gas mileage...I wouldn't complain if it were getting 35...but 29 and 30??? I shoulda gone for the bimmer...after all it gets 30 highway and is a much nicer car.
I get 36-37 mpg in my Matrix, which has the same powertrain but weighs 200 pounds more and has a higher profile.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Toyota headquarters now tells me that they are happy to have helped me, but it's not their problem...it's the EPA's fault.
quote taken from last communication...
"Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
We were sorry to learn of your displeasure with the service provided by Toyota of Roseville.
As the fuel economy estimates are based on results of tests required and performed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), you may find more clarity by contacting them to address your concerns.
We hope you will find the support you need through this resource.
Toyota has presented you all of the available options; any further recourse may be pursued outside of Toyota.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to assist you.
National Customer Relations "
Toyota is locally advertising this car gets 40.
I did my research before I bought...edmunds, KBB, and consumers said it gets around 35. In fact, the articles I read from the professional reviews stated they got a consistent 35.
Unfortunately, I didn't check out the consumer discussions about this car first.
Of the 8 new vehicles I've owned in the past 12 years, I've never had one that disappointed me so much, especially since it was the gas milieage that sold me on the car.
The dealer is just ignorant if they did not immediately explain this to you when you brought your car in. You may want to find a better dealer.
If you want to avoid this, be more ginger when braking from high speeds...OR when it downshifts, you can slow way down. Once the speed falls below a certain level, the computer will assume it has provided enough braking from the engine, and upshift again. Sometimes you can even feather the throttle, and after a few seconds of this, the computer will assume you want to speed up, and upshift accordingly.
Just some ideas you might try.
Hondas autos have been doing this for years, but Toyota is just beginning to program their autos to do it.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
My point is the harness was already ID'd as a weak point before.
I refused the service and asked for the regional POC #. Still a little fumed right now while contemplating my next recourse.
Anyone had similar issues and resolutions? Maybe I'm barking at the moon right now so pardon the post. Any advise is appreciated.
This convinces me it can be done, but I am a conservative driver, so that may contribute to the overall mileage I get.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Just to show you how screwed up this is, our 2000 Avalon XLS ( 3.0 liter v6 ) regularly gets 30 mpg highway driving at 65 mph on long trips.
I think you could pursue two very visible public courses:
* Get the local Toyota advertising claiming 40mpg and call the State Attorney Generals' office of consumer affairs and lodge a complaint in terms of fraudulent advertising.
* Get a hold of one of the local TV or Newspaper consumer hawks and tell them your story. Maybe they'll get you some air time.
Good luck.
I know this doesn't make the current owners feel any better, but at least the problem does not appear to be limited to just Toyota. It's a real shame and hopefully the manufacturers will wisen up. By the way, the Highlander is a great vehicle but the carpet is not what you would expect from a $30K+ auto and right now I am having the driver seat leather replaced under warranty due to stress cracks, so leather doesn't always mean better.
This is certainly not uncommon with most makes and models, but you may not read about it with the 2003 Corolla's "yet" as none have had that many miles on them. From what I've gathered, it seems that by 10,000 - 30,000 miles the engine has loosened up, and is delivering the best gas mileage that drivetrain ever will.
However, the same is true for most makes, CERTAINLY including Honda/Acura, Volvo, Saab, and others. About the only leather I have ever seen that seems to still look good consistently after 5-10 years is the stuff BMW uses.
As far as fuel economy, the car companies are only allowed to advertise what the EPA has rated their cars at, once those ratings have been submitted by EPA. And EPA does not guarantee that that will be YOUR fuel economy but rather lists a fairly wide range of possible figures right on the fuel economy sticker. Hence the expression "your mileage may vary".
Since many people posting at Edmunds appear to be getting 35-40 mpg out of their corollas on a regular basis, maybe you could lend your car to your grandmother for a couple of weeks, and see what mileage she obtains from it (to check the "lead foot" factor). The other thing is, if it never sees the highway, mileage is bound to be lower, and will be lower still if all your trips are short.
Note: many people have the habit of just leaving the A/C running all the time. If you are one of those people, that is worth a point or two in fuel economy right there.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Corolla 1989 - 31.0 mpg with EPA 30/33
Vibe 2003 - 28.5 mpg with EPA 28/33
Driving style -
Go as fast as I can, until the engine feels real strained.
That's about 75 to 80 on the 'rolla, and 80 to 85 on the Vibe.
'rolla is a 1.6 L 3 speed automatic and carb
Vibe is 1.8L 4-speed auto.
...and yes, subtract about 1.5 mpg for winter
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
How could I force his hand in this matter. I'm in the process of writing the district manager and contacting my insurance company. I believe I would loose in small claims court.
Any advice or experience in this matter would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Your at their mercy but they should be able to work out some type of arrangement to repair the damage at cost (getting it for free would be a tough negotiation position; getting the repair at cost is most likely the best you can do given the situation). Please note that you Mom might be out of a vehicle for a couple of days/weeks when making repairs.
Would try to talk to the manager; all Toyota dealerships have a "good will" pot of money (so to say) to cover instances of this nature. Be calm, cool and collected when negotiating. Your most likely not going to be able to force a favorable decision if you begin demanding xyz.
Good luck; you can talk to a lawyer but I don't see a leverage point in doing so.
Paul
Can't the dealer look up the error code in the engine control module? Maybe because your car is still under warranty they don't want to do it and possibly not get paid for it.
Just purchased a new Corolla here in Miami about 3 to 4 weeks ago..Its been a learning experience as it was my first new car.
Anyhow I'm looking at my car today and on the side below where the doors are it looks like the panel has paint that is bubbling? Not sure if thats the way to describe it, so maybe I should say "bumpy surface...somewhat noticeable because of the clearcoat? There is no longer a smooth surface anymore near the bottom at the sides of the vehicle, is this normal or is the not normal and has anyone else had this problem??
Paul
Can't get a straight answer from the dealership and the owner's manual says it is supposed to be. It isn't.
However, the corolla does have time delay interior lighting after you shut the door, to light the interior and give you enough time to put the key in the ignition before it goes out. If your interior lights are not doing this, you should make sure you have them switched to 'door'.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I believe what you are seeing is the anti chip coating that Toyota applies to the lower body panels. It looks like a severe case of "orange peel' in the paint. No cause for worry, though.
Stan
When I first start the car, ABS symbol briefly flashes. Does this definitively mean I have ABS?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I need to know how to get the plastic cover off without breaking it? (Which way do I push/pull it?)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
My question is whether anyone else had the same problem and whether this kind of problems justifies asking for the windscreen to be replaced under warranty. Also, will this defect undermine the windscreen longevity/durability/resistance to breakage?
Any feed back is appreciated.
My question is whether anyone else had the same problem and whether this kind of problems justifies asking for the windscreen to be replaced under warranty. Also, will this defect undermine the windscreen longevity/durability/resistance to breakage?
Any feed back is appreciated.
I am amazed at laurelmarie's experience - I guess persistence pays off! More than that, I hope this means that Toyota is seriously looking for the reason the cars this year run stinky on high-sulfur gas.
leo28: I doubt that 1 qt/1000 miles is "normal" oil consumption for an 85K corolla - but it might be within acceptable parameters in the "mind of Toyota". I know that it would be for most other manufacturers.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Are you saying that the return prevention flap in your filler nozzle is not metal, but rubber? I am surprised.
laksj - doesn't your corolla just have PPG glass? You can tell by looking at the insignia at the edge of the glass. PPG is a high-quality manufacturer, and they make glass for everybody...I don't think this distorted area will have any impact on longevity, but if it is right in your line of sight, I will bet they will replace it under warranty - a service advisor would be the best one to consult for the answer to that last question.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)