2009 Toyota Corolla

mackabee

We'll find out soon! Next month.
Mackabee

mackabee

"Good God man! I just about had a heart attack! "

Glad you liked it!
Mackabee

harrychezt

Next Month? I heard the Corolla was gonna make it's debut at SEMA?
Frankfurt...no, according to the dealership(we have a 05 tC).
Never know, though.
I also look forward to a "Sporty" car, coming out @ Frankfurt, the FWD(only?)SX4 sedan...supposedly based up Swift, but larger, of course(from many sites, and the NY autoshow).
It will debut with 2.0 L, 143HP(under 2,700 lbs?)....but doubt it will get MPG like a Toyota, though.
If it handles 1/2 as well as the Swift... should be interesting.
Other rumors are of a 3 door Corolla, sedan,and a sporty Matrix that looks like the "Master Blade G"?
(sorry if this stuff has been mentioned...too lazy to go look through 1,300+ posts).Some say with a Cmary-like V6 :surprise: as an option.

take care/not offense.

mackabee

Isn't SEMA in September? I doubt they'll have it in Frankfurt. The Toyota booth/hall there only showed Corollas for the European market when I was there for the 2003 show.
This stuff has been mentioned ad nauseaum
Mackabee

cubssoxs

I looked it up and SEMA is October 30 to November 2 of 2007

harrychezt

http://www.truckblog.com/story-1391-diamondback_wants_your_truck_for_the_2007_se- - ma_show

Yep. Oct 30-Nov 2nd.
It's almost always first week in Nov, or end of Oct, and a few days into Nov, iirc.

ever12

New spy pics of the pontiac vibe are out (and pics of the dual vvti motor inside). It gives some insight to what the new Matrix will look like:

http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=29557

It looks similar to spy pics found of the Matrix:

mackabee

So now the Vibe looks more like the current Matrix. The current Vibe looks like the European version of one of the Corolla versions. Interesting.
Mackabee

ever12

You know, I've had countless Toyotas over the years. Everything from an AE86 to an 8th gen Celica, and multiple Camrys, including the 01 i have now. Sometimes I feel like Toyota turned it's back on the performance enthusiasts who have made Toyota such a big part of their culture. Everytime I heard a rumor about an upcoming Toyota sports car, my heart filled with hope, but as time went by each rumor seemed more and more unlikely. Instead, Toyota feeds us rebadged econoboxes and tries to pass them off as being hip under Scion to the American consumer and suceeds (no offense to Scion owners). I've heard every rumor about the upcoming Toyota lineup from from an AWD V6 Corolla hatch variant to a lightweight RWD AE86 sucessor. I'm waiting until SEMA these year to see what Toyota has in store. If Toyota were to come out with a car for next years line up that would be worth paying attention to, I would forgive Toyota for its shortcomings these past years and happily become a Toyota fan again. If Toyota decides to ignore what the public has been asking for another year, I put my down payment on a 2008 VW Rabbit. (170hp compact for $15k? If only Toyota was so generous..)

mcmanus

Corolla is probably the last place in the Toyota lineup to expect true sporty performance, but I agree with you. The entire lineup is dull to the extreme. My 97 Camry nearly bored me to (until the tranny gave out at 132K miles). The Supra and the latest MR2 were the last gasps of sportiness Toyota offered. The Scion tC only starts to look the part.

Ironic that they participate in racing and even supply high powered 1.8L engines to Lotus, but market their own vehicles to senior citizens. Perhaps the Lexus coupe is sporty, but it looks more luxury than sport and is priced well beyond what I'd pay for a car even if I had the money.

kdhspyder

It's primarily because the market for high-tech sporty vehicles is so small. The GTS's were the Lotus in a Toyota skin and high schoolers fell all over their adolescent hormones drooling and waiting for their licenses....then they realized that Mom and Dad were never going to give them anything like that.

Can you imagine how many times you have to tell a youngster, 'I'm sorry I can't even talk to you until your parent is present.' ( It's the law in VA ).

moontom

man did that initial post speak truth!

sat in the xD the other day -- Fisher-Price plastic interior all the way. sat in the new Rav base model -- loved the headroom, but what were they thinking w/ the glovebox? seems designed to break...
should it be cause for Toyota's concern that in the present '07 lineup, the Matrix is about the only car that doesn't handle like a Buick? yikes!
I set out the other day intending to buy my fourth toyota to save on gas. liked the Matrix (even tho the 2 I drove felt very very different) but couldn't pull the trigger on a car w/ 2003 technology. I may yet, but as I went thru what it didn't have -- no lumbar support, no trip computer, no aux input, no steering wheel audio controls, etc -- I kept thinking "wait." even tho it looks like they've slightly lowering the driving position for the redesign...

mackabee

They market to "senior citizens" as you put it because that's who has the money to buy. Toyota is just making what the majority of American buyers want from Toyota. Sorry but that's the way it is.
Mack

mackabee

"no trip computer"

You mean a trip meter? It has two. It's a Corolla wagon, you may want to wait for the 09 Matrix.
Mackabee

cubssoxs

ok does anyone think we will see any spyphotos of the corolla before they reveal it at SEMA?

ever12

Hopefully. Toyota's debut at SEMA is the only thing holding me back from putting a down payment on a 2008 VW Rabbit.

mcmanus

I'd like to see what Toyota could come up with to challenge the likes of Volvo C30, Golf GTI, MazdaSpeed 3, Civic Si, and Mini S.

These cars are marketed to the affluent 30 somethings and try to balance economy with fun. Seems like that's sums up much of what we're reading here.

dudleyr

Big diff between a trip meter and a trip compter.

mackabee

You're right. But who needs a trip computer on an econo-box?
Mackabee

backy

I think they're very useful on even "econoboxes" like the Corolla. One of their functions is to measure fuel economy, average and even instantaneous. Can be helpful in driving for optimum fuel economy. I hope the next Corolla has one standard, or at least standard in the uplevel trims such as LE. They are becoming increasingly available on cars of this class.

moontom

exactly. esp. for a car you're buying at least in part for the gas mileage. it can help you drive "smarter" in a sense, and for those who don't do the math w/ each fillup it's at least some sort of instant read on how the car is performing. heck, the hyundai elantra (se level and up) has one.

I really hope the blade or whatever matrix replacement retains the current car's driver perspective on the road...but every spy shot I've seen, it looks lower. more like the old corolla wagon, as someone said...

mackabee

Save some money and get a pocket calculator. Use the trip meters and figure out your mileage every time you fill up. Really, how many times do you have to figure your mpg?
:confuse:
Mackabee

dudleyr

A calculator does not give instant readouts, and does not let you know how the tank is going during a trip, only after the trip.

I would think if anything the luxury cars do not need it because they made a decision that luxury was more important than economy. It makes sense for a Corolla to have a trip computer.

eldaino

i totally agree with ever12...and i personally don't think that the market for 'high-tech sporty vehicles' is that small.

even the mazda 3 and civic coupe/sedan manage to be sporty and frugal at the same time! (the economical side strongly leading towards honda though, just for the mpg alone!)

i would hardly call the gts a lotus in toyota skin though, it may have a different version of the same engine, but hardly a lotus in toyota skin.

anyone ever check out the si sedan boards? lots of middle-aged people are taking a look and buying these cars, from the si to the gti, mazdaspeed3 and sentra se-r. The market is there, if honda, mazda, vw, and nissan can cater to a niche market, why can't toyota?

if they offered us something with real substance, it wouldn't matter who toyotas 'overall target audicence' is. people would buy it! you think anyone cares that the scion tc is a just a 2 door camry with 17's? now imagine what they could do with a legitamate entry in the sport compact market! look at the gts!

some may say look how the sales numbers were for the corolla xrs, but i strongly think that the reason that car didn't do well was because despite its cool powertrain, it was shod with modest rubber, and still clad in unpleasant corolla clothing.

come on toyota. ae86 revival fo sho.

eldaino

i guess trip computers are ok. but i never needed one to drive efficiently. A car without one wouldn't be a deal breaker...especially when you consider how many folks buy cars with them and then buy and aftermarket trip computer on top of it.

talk about overkill. :sick:

kdhspyder

anyone ever check out the si sedan boards? lots of middle-aged people are taking a look and buying these cars, from the si to the gti, mazdaspeed3 and sentra se-r. The market is there, if honda, mazda, vw, and nissan can cater to a niche market, why can't toyota?

if they offered us something with real substance, it wouldn't matter who toyotas 'overall target audicence' is. people would buy it!

...lots of middle-aged people [who are car enthusiasts] are taking a look...

This is one of Detroit's bigest problems also. The people who are interested are vocal in their support, even demand, for a fun driving experience. But...after all 43 of them are counted there just isn't enough volume for a large manufacturer to be [profitably] interested.

In the auto industry everything revolves around volume. These low-volume fun-to-drive vehicles are too specialized to make in huge volumes.

nippononly

Well, Honda is selling 20K SIs per year without trying very hard. 20K is a decent number to most automakers out there. The problem is, the one exception is Toyota. At Toyota the threshold is 50K unless it's a model just FLOODED with mark-up profit, like the Land Cruiser. :sick:

If Toyota made a next-gen Corolla XRS that was more sporty than the last - what with the GT-S engine not being the best choice perhaps for a $20K+ sport variant of an econobox and the tires and suspension being underwhelming in the last model - I am sure they could also sell 20K per year, no sweat, and with very little investment or added costs to them.

eldaino

exactly!

kdhspyder: your post proved my point: toyota doesn't car about a real driving experience anymore, they are only concerned with sales.

hence why they are going to end up like gm anyway.

mackabee

"you think anyone cares that the scion tc is a just a 2 door camry with 17's"

It's not a two door camry with 17's. :P The tC is based on the Toyota Avensis. Get your "facts" straight there daino. Toyota is profitable because they build quality, reliable cars that people want. You want a niche car buy a Porsche.
Mackabee

sandman46

I know this is off topic, but check out the Honda Accord forum. New pics of the 2008 Accord...absolutely stunnung! This will definitely be giving the Camry a run for the money.

The Sandman

ever12

""you think anyone cares that the scion tc is a just a 2 door camry with 17's"

It's not a two door camry with 17's. The tC is based on the Toyota Avensis. Get your "facts" straight there daino. Toyota is profitable because they build quality, reliable cars that people want. You want a niche car buy a Porsche.
Mackabee"

Yes, the tC uses the Avensis chasis, but uses the Camry's engine and numerous other components from the Camry. Anyway, I don't think eldanino meant for anyone to take his statemeant literally.

ever12

Well, Toyota stock is so bid up right now, I doubt they have to worry about selling in bulk to stay afloat. Toyota has even gone so far that they are limiting the production of Scions because they are selling too much and they want to maintain the exclusivity of the Scion brand. Maybe their next performance oriented car will be under Scion since they seem relucant to do anything of that sort under the Toyota brand anymore. I still don't understand how they can bring cars here that perform worse than average economy cars and market it to "tuners".

dudleyr

The new Accord is 106 cubic ft (Avalon size) the Civic is 91 (as is the current Corolla). If the new Corolla comes at between Civic and Accord (Avalon) it will be just right sized for many people who think the new Accord is too large.

Could take some sales from Honda.

mackabee

The new Accord is fugly. Looks just like the Saturn Aura. You think maybe GM and Honda collaborated on these two?
Mackabee

mackabee

So does the RAV4, does that make the tC a two door CAMRAV4?

Mackabee

mackabee

Check this link:
http://www.carspace.com/xcargrl/Albums/CARtoons/cartoonSeparated042407.jpg/page/- photo.html#pic
Mack

ever12

Again, I don't think he expected anyone to take him literally..

eldaino

your right, as i didn't.

i was referring to the camry's engine, as most thats typically accepted as the 'heart' of the car, in conjuction with the chassis. (which, yes mackabee, i do know its based off the avenesis. anyone who can read this thread would know that.)

sorry you think the accord is fugly. i know a ton of people (including myself) who don't.

tgkoenigsegg

Does anyone think that there will be a load of options in this new Corolla. Because in the Yaris, a Radio, Rear Window Defroster and A/C are all optional. To better compete with the Civic, the Corolla needs more standard feaures.

dudleyr

Actually the Corolla is pretty well equipped - it compares well to the Civic.

sandman46

I also think the new Corolla will be very close to the Civic in creature comforts and available options. Both these cars sell very well and have to appeal to a broad market of buyers from entry level to those with more disposable income. Look for both cars to be configured almost exactly with each version...DX to CE, LX to LE and EX to S. Hopefully the new S model will loose some of those ugly body pieces for a more sporty and streamlined look.

The Sandman

backy

Not currently (e.g. Corolla doesn't have side airbags and ABS standard as does Civic) but I expect the 2009 Corolla will be closer in content to the Civic, with at least side bags standard and maybe ABS.

sandman46

ABS will have to be standard with the '09, they really have no choice. Most buyers expect this now and that would be a major faux pas on Toyotas part to make this an option. Feature for feature, Toyota must match Honda and Hyundai in this respect. Nissan will have to make it standard also. I think Mazda already has done this. Let's be honest here, most buyers will cross shop the Corolla, Civic, Elantra, Lancer, 3 & the Sentra and then widdle down their lists according to their own requirements. Hyundai at least is smart enough to realize this and does give the most bang for the buck in my opinion. I just saw a new blue one, probably an SE, pull out from the Hyundai dealer up the road. I'm still not enamored by it's looks, but that's purely personal preference on my part.
Many good choices in this category depending on what one wants to spend. With my oldest probably going to need a 1st car next year, will definitely put the Accent & the Elantra on her short list. Backy, you're starting to get me convinced that a Hyundai product might just be the perfect choice for a small economical feature laden car for a few thousand less than some of the other choices out there. Time will tell.

The Sandman

tgkoenigsegg

It would be hard for Toyota to match all the features of the Hyundai and keep the price low because the Hyundai even has all the side airbags and 4 wheel disc brakes and have a 6 speed manual as in the Nissan Sentra

nippononly

Actually, A/C is standard in the Yaris.

mackabee

(which, yes mackabee, i do know its based off the avenesis. anyone who can read this thread would know that.)

Not necessarily. You would be amazed how many don't know Scion and Lexus are made by Toyota.
Mack

backy

Toyota is a master at finding ways to cut costs. Also they can spread their investment in the Corolla over more units than can a smaller manufacturer. And, they don't have to match Hyundai in price, since most people are willing to pay a premium for the Toyota brand.

But they do have to worry about matching Honda in content, since the Corolla and Civic are direct competitors and are priced about the same.

eldaino

it does amaze me, but its no use asuming that I"M one of them as well.

mackabee

I did not assume anything. OTOH you assume that everyone who reads this thread should know about the Camry engine.
Here's a link you may be interested in.
http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/216/best-cars-for-co- llege-students;_ylc=X3oDMTFpbWZpbGw5BF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLXRvZGF5BHNsawNiZXN0- LWNvbGxlZ2UtY2Fycy1tYWlu

Mackabee

ever12

"I did not assume anything. OTOH you assume that everyone who reads this thread should know about the Camry engine."

..but you assumed that he should know the tC was built on the Avensis chassis.. :confuse: