Thoughts on a new 14 Corolla
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: CA
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,488
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From: Illinois
In Consumer Reports Road Test, the new Corolla is a solid mid-pack finisher and competitive with most of the models listed.
Highs are Ride, fuel economy, interior space, large trunk, secure emergency handling and value.
Lows are lackluster handling, inconsistent interior quality and too easy to turn DRL's off.
Highs are Ride, fuel economy, interior space, large trunk, secure emergency handling and value.
Lows are lackluster handling, inconsistent interior quality and too easy to turn DRL's off.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,211
Likes: 260
Here's an excerpt from it:
"Starting a sentence with “My old Toyota . . . ” used to have cachet, earned as it was by how often the next words were “ . . . has 300,000 miles on it.” This Corolla, though, lacks the sturdy feel of the cars that built the company’s reputation. It doesn’t feel like an old Toyota; it just feels old. Bumps and hard corners betray its flimsy structure. The doors have a hollow slam. With little of the sculpting that provides the support to keep passengers in place, its spacious rear seat tied for last in our comfort ratings. And there’s a gauziness to the major controls, reinforcing the impression that the car lacks a certain hardiness.
In addition to feeling old and flimsy, the Corolla feels tired, a reliable backmarker in performance testing.
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...old-kia-page-2
Also, how can something that's only marginal be considered good, especially for a new generation? It's one step above poor.
"Starting a sentence with “My old Toyota . . . ” used to have cachet, earned as it was by how often the next words were “ . . . has 300,000 miles on it.” This Corolla, though, lacks the sturdy feel of the cars that built the company’s reputation. It doesn’t feel like an old Toyota; it just feels old. Bumps and hard corners betray its flimsy structure. The doors have a hollow slam. With little of the sculpting that provides the support to keep passengers in place, its spacious rear seat tied for last in our comfort ratings. And there’s a gauziness to the major controls, reinforcing the impression that the car lacks a certain hardiness.
In addition to feeling old and flimsy, the Corolla feels tired, a reliable backmarker in performance testing.
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...old-kia-page-2
Also, how can something that's only marginal be considered good, especially for a new generation? It's one step above poor.
As to marginal - it is not fail... fail is fail, marginal is marginal... Jetta is also marginal and yet I dont think C&D called it flimsy.
Oh wait:
. It has a feeling of solidity and an imperturbable ride that the others can’t match.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,335
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From: Las Vegas
I think it's a good purchase. Not my taste, but it should be a reliable transportation appliance. I saw one at 7/11 yesterday that was in a dark/deep green color. I thought that looked pretty nice. Still one of those cars that you could take the name off and replace it with CAR.
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 82
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From: XX
Just curious. What did you not like about CT? To me, CT would do well on all of the above. Maybe except the car payments.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: ON/NY
A number of things. It didn't feel like a luxury car, more like a premium vehicle. Noiser in road than I expected, higher premium for insurance, and I just did not warm up to the design inside.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,283
Likes: 308
From: ON/NY
A number of things. It didn't feel like a luxury car, more like a premium vehicle. Noiser on road than I expected, higher premium for insurance, and I just did not warm up to the design inside.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 3
From: Canuckistan
You usually don't think much of my auto-reviews, but, since you specifically asked for opinions, I'll give you mine...both good and bad.
It's a nice well-rounded compact with a good reputation, although in some ways I liked the old version better. It had some wood-tone trim options inside....something I don't see on the new one. The new one has a dash that is more consistant with other new Toyotas. It shows a slight thinning/lightening of sheet metal and interior materials over the old version, but not as starkly or dramatic as that of its big brother Avalon.
It is likely to maintain its long-standing better-than-average reliability record and good resale value. I'm not impressed with the standard/option lists on the new one, though. The old one had a smooth/quiet but clearly antiquated 4-speed automatic. The new one STILL has the 4-speed auto on the base version, and CVTs on the upmarket ones......I would have preferred a conventional 6-speed automatic standard across the board, in all versions. I also think the paint-color choice (by specific model) is ridiculous...white/silver/gray/black on the base model, four other colors on some other versions, and it's difficult to escape an all-black interior on most versions...though some offer a better choice. I like the 15" wheels and fairly tall 65-series tires on the base model, though....they won't give you sports-car handling, but should offer a smooth ride by today's compact-sedan standards (which is important if you are going to be doing a lot of cruising).
It's a nice well-rounded compact with a good reputation, although in some ways I liked the old version better. It had some wood-tone trim options inside....something I don't see on the new one. The new one has a dash that is more consistant with other new Toyotas. It shows a slight thinning/lightening of sheet metal and interior materials over the old version, but not as starkly or dramatic as that of its big brother Avalon.
It is likely to maintain its long-standing better-than-average reliability record and good resale value. I'm not impressed with the standard/option lists on the new one, though. The old one had a smooth/quiet but clearly antiquated 4-speed automatic. The new one STILL has the 4-speed auto on the base version, and CVTs on the upmarket ones......I would have preferred a conventional 6-speed automatic standard across the board, in all versions. I also think the paint-color choice (by specific model) is ridiculous...white/silver/gray/black on the base model, four other colors on some other versions, and it's difficult to escape an all-black interior on most versions...though some offer a better choice. I like the 15" wheels and fairly tall 65-series tires on the base model, though....they won't give you sports-car handling, but should offer a smooth ride by today's compact-sedan standards (which is important if you are going to be doing a lot of cruising).
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally Posted by Mr. Burns
How could they have possibly cheapened the interior compared to the last one? I really like the new Corolla, the interior is leaps and bounds better than the '09, as is the exterior. Loaded up in S trim, it's a very nice car for the money.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,602
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From: Singapore
http://www.autos.ca/car-comparisons/...ct-cars/?all=1
Mega comparison of all the usual suspects in the compact car segment. Corolla came in second to the new Mazda 3.
Mega comparison of all the usual suspects in the compact car segment. Corolla came in second to the new Mazda 3.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,309
Likes: 31
From: Canada
http://www.autos.ca/car-comparisons/...ct-cars/?all=1
Mega comparison of all the usual suspects in the compact car segment. Corolla came in second to the new Mazda 3.
Mega comparison of all the usual suspects in the compact car segment. Corolla came in second to the new Mazda 3.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,000
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From: Southeastern PA