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Toyota Corolla

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Comments

  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    You definitely have too much time on your hands.

    Wow, you don't have to be hateful about it. If you are taking my posts about a vehicle so personally, I'm not sure I should be the one re-evaluating my personality and life.

    You have the same argument ( opinion ) with the seating in the Corolla because of something wrong with the length of your legs or arms or what ever.

    Yep, the Corolla not offering a tilt AND telescoping wheel like the Civic is my fault.

    "relentlessly boring to operate" isn't a bad thing.

    What's this? An opinion? I thought these weren't allowed.

    Not sure a car "enthusiast" would be driving a Corolla or Civic or any compact vehicle to start with.

    Well, when the person who enjoys driving also is mindful of economy, like you say, they find a car that is more fun to drive while still getting them from A to B.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I own an '04 Corolla which I bought new. I never experienced any real discomfort in the driver seat. I've banged my knees against the dashboard at exiting mainly. I believe that Toyota should make it a little higher, but that means that they will have to push the roof upwards or tall people wouldn't fit. The car is already tall. I'm 5'7".

    5'7", you shouldn't have a problem. :) The problem is that with the seat back for taller drivers the steering wheel is too far away; a telescoping steering wheel would do WONDERS for this car. It has enough room, in general. I'll bet money they put it on the 09.

    The car delivers adequate acceleration (I think it needs more low-end or a closer-ratio transmission), but then again we're just sharing our thoughts on here aren't we? If we can't do that then we ought not to be here - I'm not forcing you to agree! :).As far as fun-to-drive, the Corolla jsut really didn't deliver for me. The handling is safe, but that's about it. The car has lots of body roll relative to others in the class. The steering of the Corolla makes the Civic feel REALLY sporty in contrast, and the Mazda 3 is like a go-kart in comparison. That's the cost of the softer ride of the Corolla though. Not a bad thing if your goal is a smooth ride; just not conducive to "fun." Next to a basic "Car" in the dictionary, you'd find Corolla. It is efficient, relatively roomy, and cheap to own. It's also as bland as white bread in my opinion.
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    You know, my '98 came with tilt wheel, but I never move it. I mean, it's just nothing I deal with. Perhaps a telescoping wheel would help some people if, as they say (although I can't see it) this generation Corolla is bigger than mine.

    People should allow your opinion, thegraduate. The Corolla isn't your thing! I'm not sure this generation is my thing, either, as much as I love Corollas. Me personally, I don't particularly need my car to be fun-to-drive. I need to not have to worry about it. I spend probably an hour a day tops in it, going to and from work, and stopping at the store. I don't need sporty because I'm not going over 60mph, anyway. I need it to have enough fire to get me on the freeway for a 9 mile trip, that's all. So, for me, bland is good, boring is excellent, reliable is out of this world. I will insist on a good-looking car, though. I think the current generation lacks somewhat, especially when compared to the last generation, but it's not ugly, and I could live with it if I had to.

    If you need more from your four-door sedan, it's OK! I respect that.

    I do think people get too enamored with superlatives, though. For people like me, adequate is plenty (I think the Corolla's sales figures suggest I'm not alone in this). I guess what I'm saying is, whatever you need your car to do for you and where you need it to take you is your own decision. If the Corolla, past, current, or future isn't doing it for you, nobody should castigate you for your needs.

    As for me, I may yet give generation nine a chance. Do you know, Dub Richardson Toyota is selling a 2008 right now on the Auto Trader for $14,991 and it only has 400 miles on it! Very tempting, even if it is an automatic!
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    People should allow your opinion, thegraduate. The Corolla isn't your thing! I'm not sure this generation is my thing, either, as much as I love Corollas. Me personally, I don't particularly need my car to be fun-to-drive. I need to not have to worry about it. I spend probably an hour a day tops in it, going to and from work, and stopping at the store. I don't need sporty because I'm not going over 60mph, anyway. I need it to have enough fire to get me on the freeway for a 9 mile trip, that's all.

    Thanks for the kind words. I don't necessarily equate power with sport though. A Cadillac DTS is a fast car (291hp), but its not sporty/fun. A car like a Honda Fit will be out-accelerated in straight line by a Corolla, but it is a pure HOOT to drive. Quick steering, nimble in corners, it handles like its on rails. That's a car I'd look forward to DRIVING.

    The fact that some people want a car like they want an appliance does make sense to me, actually. They want it to get the job done everytime, use as few resources as possible (fuel), have enough power to get the job done, but could care less about the driving experience as a whole. For that type of person, a Corolla or Camry is an excellent car. Soft and smooth in its operation, it does little to disturb you while you are driving. It doesn't excite you to drive, but that's good - because you aren't looking for "fun" from your car; it is strictly a tool. I completely buy that argument (not that you need my validation! :)).

    My mom is that person. I'm just my father's son, and enjoy the sound of a high-revving engine, or taking the curvy river road near my house at speeds that would make a Buick passenger throw up (not tire-squealing/reckless driving or anything, but briskly).

    It's a fun experience to me to have a car that can handle mycommute comfortably every day and deliver excellent mileage for the power it delivers (like the Corolla does) AND be a fun little toy when I want a little more than an appliance.
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    I understand totally...I was 21 once, myself! My idea of fun half a lifetime ago was driving down I-35 in my old Ford Maverick with both windows cranked down (you DO come to appreciate power windows when you get older...trust me) doing 80 and pretending I had a convertible! :shades: These days I don't need all that much excitement! LOL I guess I'm becoming more European as I get older..

    BTW, I understand you can take a newer Corolla and install a "sway bar" in the back that they say will do wonders for any body roll you find. Who knows, maybe that and a set of Uniroyals may help! And, if you punch a hole in the muffler, you might get the noise you're looking for! :P I mean, you may prefer a car you don't have to customize, and I don't blame you, but this could also be part of the...um..."fun" in owning a car!

    Which reminds me, there's a Prius in our parking lot that has the best decal work I've ever seen! It looks like the front end's on fire, with the "flames" going into the door! Now THERE's someone having some fun with a car that's normally even blander than the Corolla! ;)

    The most I ever did to any of my cars was put a stripe of Rainbow Tape down the sides of the Maverick.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I understand totally...I was 21 once, myself! My idea of fun half a lifetime ago was driving down I-35 in my old Ford Maverick with both windows cranked down (you DO come to appreciate power windows when you get older...trust me) doing 80 and pretending I had a convertible! These days I don't need all that much excitement! LOL I guess I'm becoming more European as I get older..

    BTW, I understand you can take a newer Corolla and install a "sway bar" in the back that they say will do wonders for any body roll you find. Who knows, maybe that and a set of Uniroyals may help! And, if you punch a hole in the muffler, you might get the noise you're looking for! I mean, you may prefer a car you don't have to customize, and I don't blame you, but this could also be part of the...um..."fun" in owning a car!

    Haha, I'm not a ricer or anything. My two cars aren't what any self-respecting ricer (is there such a thing? LOL kidding) would call sporty. They have stock wheels and 4-cylinder engines. But to offer the respectable ride that they do they are also a pleasure to own and drive. The difference is that the Toyota cars are typically more of a pleasure to RIDE in (smoother/quieter/more comfortable).

    By the way, i'm not a Corolla hater - I drove my (now ex-) girlfriend's Corolla for many a mile. Other than the reach to the wheel, the car was a comfortable freeway cruiser - it rode as well if not better than my much larger 2006 Accord. It just didn't handle as tightly.

    Any car that can get 28 MPG with her lead-footed driving style (4,000 RPM plus and 85 MPH was typical for her daily commute - it's why I stopped riding with her) deserves plenty of accolades. On a trip I got 10 MPG higher than that, at 75 MPH. I was impressed (it was a Silver 2004 Silver LE with the Moonroof, ABS, and Side-Airbags). A very NICE car. But it is the "nice" part that is too overwhelming - it was a polite car, but a wallflower as well.

    Here's a picture of my two Accords to prove my "non-ricer" heritage! (I'll explain why a single 20 year old has two Accords another time :)). The one on the left is a 1996 with nearly 175,000 miles. The one on the right is a 2006 closing in on 25,000 miles. The older one is actually the more fun (smaller and more spry), despite the new one being faster in a straight line.
    image
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    I may be showing my age (some more), but I don't understand the term, "ricer". Explain?
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    Do you know I've never driven a Honda of any kind? I think I avoided them in the past because it used to be back in the day it cost an arm and a leg for even the simplest thing, and you had to take them to a "Honda specialist" to even change the sparkplugs. My cousin swears by them, though. Isn't brand loyalty something??

    I must say these are two very handsome cars, and the red one's body style is a lot like my Corolla! Do you know Accord's history? Which generation is each?

    And have you drooled over the '08 yet? It's huge now, kind of a shame. It's the size of Avalon now.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    The term "rice-rocket" is typically used to describe those cars you were speaking of that have giant coffee can mufflers on them, as well as huge wheels, decals, and big wings. Typically its done by people my age or younger to cars like Civics. A "ricer" would be someone who does that.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Honda service/parts aren't too much different from Toyota these days. I get my oil changed at Wal-Mart, and am buying shocks from a Midas-style place soon. A new timing belt is due on my red one at 180k miles, and that won't be done at a dealer either - just a local mechanic shop with a good reputation.

    Yes, I typically can discern Accords from each other by generation. My red is a gen V ('94-'97) while the graphite colored one is a gen VII ('03-'07). My mom had a gen IV 1993 that was the best car she (or anyone in my immediate family) ever owned. NO REPAIRS, rattles, squeaks, or imperfections over 110k miles and 7 years. We just outgrew that car though.

    Thanks for the compliments on my '96; I think it has better styling than my 2006 (although I LOVE the interior of my 2006). I added you on carspace. My folks just moved from Edmond, OK!
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    Oh, seriously, you REALLY should stay away from Wal-Mart for oil changes. I took my Corolla there only a few months ago, because I didn't feel I had time to wait for the dealer. I told the man I wanted 5w-30, because 1) that's what it says on the cap, and 2) that's what I've used since day one. Do you know he told me it didn't matter, and that everyone puts 10w-30 in their car?! I told him to forget it, if you're not going to give me what I want, I can't use you.

    When my car was still under warranty, I didn't let anybody BUT the dealer touch it. Yes, it's pricey, and I hate dealerships, but at least if they screw up you've got some recourse, plus there's a two year warranty on parts at the dealer, so you have to figure you're paying for that. If taking it to the dealer means paying extra to make sure they don't overfill something or put the wrong oil in, so be it.

    Someday soon I'll have to take it in to figure out why my transmission's sprung a leak. Saw a puddle and it was very disconcerting. I'm sure my wallet's going to cringe, but I'll be doggone if I'll let Wal-Mart or Pep Boys or someone else make the problem worse!

    If I had a garage of my own, I'd change my own oil with Pennzoil High Mileage 5W-30! I used to do all that kind of stuff with my first car, even changed "points"! (Ask Pop what those are! :P ) Being an apartment dweller, however, can sometimes be a drag...

    It's interesting the people I find with an "Oklahoma connection"! :)
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    What interesting terminology! The things one learns here!
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    This Wal-Mart mechanic really seemed to know what he was doing (I know, bad excuse on my part)but I assure you the 06 that is still under warranty only sees the dealer.

    Yep, regarding Oklahoma, my parents moved out there and worked for Globe Life; decided they were too far from home, retired, and moved to their condo at the beach in gulf shores, Alabama!
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    While it seems to be becoming somewhat more acceptable to some, the term "ricer" does have insulting connotations to others. That link goes to a Wikipedia entry and I'm sure you could find more history of its dubious origin if you are interested.
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    Whoa, that's interesting. Wikipedia, with it's many mistakes, is not my first source for reliable information, especially given the dearth of content in that particular article. Still, it certainly gives food for thought. I'm giving thegraduate the benefit of the doubt and chalking the term up to Southern culture.

    Me, I'm African-American, and I eat more rice than bread, so I'm not offended as far as the context in which he used it.
  • kenymkenym Member Posts: 405
    You definitely have too much time on your hands.
    "Wow, you don't have to be hateful about it." :cry:

    Not being hateful. Just pointing out that three months ago you used the same rhetoric. ;)

    "relentlessly boring to operate" isn't a bad thing.
    What's this? An opinion? I thought these weren't allowed     :cry:

    Not my opinion. YOURS . I was simply agreeing with your statement of relentlessly boring to operate and posted it isn't a bad thing. ;)

    I honestly hope you are as happy with your Honda's as my wife is with her Toyota. :shades:
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I certainly didn't mean it in a racial context - in central AL, Asian-Americans aren't as plentiful as I would imagine they are in say, SoCal, or anywhere on the left coast for that matter. Here, you point out a "rice-rocket" referring to the way the car is souped up in a silly way - heck, lots of late-model Neon SRT-4s and Cobalt SS coupes are rice rockets to me.

    I certianly didn't mean it in a manner as to be derogotory to a race; only a niche of car-modification. I was using "ricer" in the same way I'd use "rodder", which would be someone in a giant-engined muscle-car. My mind never went to the asian-american sect of society. Honest.

    No offense intended, and if any was taken, those of you have my sincerest apologies. I'm really not someone who says things just to make pointless waves.
  • elemoncellielemoncelli Member Posts: 43
    Graduate... you and I apparently think alike.

    I don't necessarily equate power with sport though. A Cadillac DTS is a fast car (291hp), but its not sporty/fun. I too want Quick steering, nimble in corners, it handles like its on rails. That's a car I'd look forward to DRIVING.

    I despise the floaty disconnected sensation Toyota builds in their cars, and I have an SE (2002). It's plenty fast, maybe even too fast... but the steering and handling are like driving w/ pillows attached to your feet/hands (gag!). Then again my first car was very used 1993 Mercedes 190E. It was kinda slow (0-60 in 8.2) and it drank premium gas, but it drove SO well that even with all its faults I miss it even after 5-6 years away from it.
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    I didn't take it as such - I had never heard/read the term before and wanted to know what was meant by it. No point stirring up a pot of plain water!
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    No point stirring up a pot of plain water!

    Unless you're having rice for dinner, of course! :P

    Someone had to say it, might as well be me. :shades:

    To clarify why I made that point, there are a lot of people around who do take offense to that word (along with some other less-than-favorable-to-the-Japanese terms). You asked what the word meant and I thought that a full explanation might be helpful - to you and anyone else reading.

    I didn't mean to stir up trouble, believe me!

    Anybody want to talk about the Corolla now? :)
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Anybody want to talk about the Corolla now?

    Ohh, mee, meeeee! *raises hand.

    Does anyone have an idea of what engine(s) the Corolla will offer? It's so close to being here, I was wondering if there was ANY leak of information.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    There's been quite a bit of info posted in the 2009 Corolla discussion. Might be the best place here in Town Hall to get the latest scoop.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Probably so, I had not seen that thread.
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    Motorweek did a show on one of the new Corolla models, and I'm sharing it here. For some reason they haven't posted the video of the show yet, but here's the transcript.

    http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2718a.shtml

    I believe I saw one last week that wasn't this sporty model. Very exciting!
  • loneilloneil Member Posts: 1
    toyota says the corolla weighs 3500 lb. and
    has a towing capacity of 1500 lbs.
    Can I tow a 14 ft jonboat with a 15 hp motor?
    Toyota dealership is mum on this issue.
    ps ... I live on flat terrain.
    Thanks
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    toyota says the corolla weighs 3500 lb.

    I doubt that. The last Corolla (2003-2008) weighed around 2500 lbs, and vehicles like the Camry and Accord don't weigh 3500 until you get into the loaded V6 models.

    Follow this link for specifications on the 2003-2008 Corolla

    I'd bet a 2009 1.8L Corolla wouldn't weigh over 2800 lbs.
  • evo_chewyevo_chewy Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2001 corolla with roll up windows and I want to make them remote is there any way. And what about the car start up and the door locks because the door locks are not automatic plz I need feed back
  • lostwrenchlostwrench Member Posts: 288
    Corolla - 2723 lbs.
    Corolla LE - 2745 lbs.
    Corolla S - 2767 lbs.
    Corolla XLE - 2811 lbs.
    Corolla XRS - 2877 lbs.
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    My 2 cents: Don't tow with it. Get a truck.
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    The Hedge maze game on toyota.com's Corolla page is very difficult. Couldn't keep my car out of the bushes.

    The best game is the car chase. I only hit a rock twice, and kept "the man" successfully at bay!
  • captainbunch88captainbunch88 Member Posts: 4
    My corolla makes a very loud tap tap tap noise whenever I accelerate. Also, the car rattles when I'm idling in drive but not park, neutral, etc. The rattling is so bad I'm afraid to drive the car because it sounds like the engine is just gonna give out. Any ideas? Thank you
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Valve adjustment maybe?

    I'm not a mechanic, and have never worked on cars, but it sounds like your valves may be clacking.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    The Sludge game is also very difficult. Changed oil and filter every 3,000 miles and still couldn't keep sludge out of the engine!
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    At least they're making these car websites entertaining! Didn't ever try the sludge game...
  • rrojas1rrojas1 Member Posts: 3
    please, is normal that the needle of gas tank is moving constantly, i mean i fill my gas tank full, and more or less to 43.5 miles the needle start to down slowly and you drive and drive by 2 or 3 days in the city and suddenly the needle may be in the middle of tank ...that is normal? o i need to check fuel filter or my toyota corolla type S 2003 has some problem....

    thanks
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I'm not sure of the Corolla's fuel tank design, but a floater in a fuel tank (which will send information to the gauge as to how full the tank is) may be at the highest point of travel (indicating full) while there is actually fuel above the top of the floater's travel (in the filler neck, et cetera). I drove 60 miles in my Accord before my needle dropped off of full. In the next 60 miles, I was close to 1/4 tank down.

    This is normal.
  • rrojas1rrojas1 Member Posts: 3
    thanks a lot....

    your comments were important for me!!!!!! :D
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I've found on every car I've owned, there's anywhere from 1-2.5 gallons "above the float" so that I can drive quite a ways, sometimes as much as 100+ miles depending on the car and how full I fill the tank, before the needle crosses "F". Sometimes I make a game out of it: how far can I go on a "full" tank? On the Corolla, that could be pretty far!
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I usually get 70-80 miles in my old '96 Honda with the type of gauge that doesn't drop to E when the car is turned off. In my '06, I typically see the needle start dropping at the 30 mile mark, crossing F around 40mi.
  • honshuhonshu Member Posts: 11
    Help I traded in my 2005 Corolla CE for a Sienna. I am now having withdrawls!
  • rrojas1rrojas1 Member Posts: 3
    another problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    2 weeks ago i change the oil transmission (corolla 2003 type S) because the oil was like a coffe......and yesterday, i check and surprise: the oil has the same color : coffe, whats happening? :sick: :confuse:
  • honshuhonshu Member Posts: 11
    Oil Transmission Try switching over to Synthetic. :)
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    When changing transmission fluid, you have to drain it, fill it, drive it, drain it, fill it, drive it, etc... a few times to actually change out all of the fluid. There is much more fluid still in the transmission than in the reservoir from which you are draining it.

    A standard transmission fluid change is typically 3 drain and fills, with a short drive in between each drain and fill, to mix the fluid.

    Most cars, like my Honda, need new transmission fluid every 90k-120k miles. This is why transmission fluid changes are recommended every 30k miles, so that by the time you have change it at 90k miles, you've actually drained it and filled it 3 times, and are running relatively fresh fluid.
  • dmulforddmulford Member Posts: 1
    Hello!
    I am trying to help my girlfriend shop for a car and she has found a 2007 corolla she really like. However, she finds the head rest very uncomfortable (too far forward) just like in my '08 RAV4. They seem to have changed it around 05 or 06 to increase the whiplash safety. Does anyone know if you can replace the 07 head rests with one from an older model? Or do you have any other suggestions? Any help would be great!

    Peace,
    Doug
  • mcdawggmcdawgg Member Posts: 1,722
    Maybe adjust the seat back to lean further back? I would NOT want to put a different head rest on it, because it could affect safety performance.

    I have heard a few people complain about this, but the answer is always live with it, get used to it, or lean the seat back more.
  • bingo0bingo0 Member Posts: 1
    First gear in my 5 speed. Revs very high. Basically just have to
    touch the gas pedal and I have to shift to second.
    HELP!!!!
  • terceltomterceltom Member Posts: 1,024
    Is this a new car for you or is it a problem that just started? Perhaps the idle is way out of whack!
  • mcdawggmcdawgg Member Posts: 1,722
    I have a '99 5 speed manual, so maybe I can help, but I need more detailed info.

    What is the idle rpm's (after the engine is warmed up?)

    What do you consider high - what RPM, or when what speed are you going when you shift to 2nd?
  • ownsaGMownsaGM Member Posts: 2
    my friend has a 2001 corolla. it is one of the toughest vehicles i have ever seen including he 70s boats. he has wrecked it into a stop sign sideways, uncountable ditches, multiple trees above 25 mph, been rear ended at 60 mph, hit a deer at 55 mph, sees 40 mph sideways more often than froward, also hit a set of railroad tracks at 35 mph and still runs like a dream. it doesnt look so great but it runs. probably one of the best cars ever.
  • ownsaGMownsaGM Member Posts: 2
    5000 rpm
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