All in, $24K and they include tint and clear bra on the hood and side mirrors

 

That seems a little high, and then there is a $4000 discount based on your comment about the features.

 

Work backwards and you end up with 21.225, 1 850 f/pdi/ac levy, that ends up with a $19 500 price for the car. Which is what I had told him to offer or walk away. He was getting into his car when the sales guy came after him to say he would take it if he signed right away. No Toyota dealer would sell a Corolla automatic with the package that includes A/C , keyless entry and alloy wheels for less than 23 500. I never said he got $4000 discount, I said the Honda was $4000 cheaper than the Toyota.

 

What is strange is that the Corolla for $21k comes with Auto AC, keyless entry, 17" rims, heated seats, CVT, alloy wheels, and has a display screen etc etc. So I don't how a dealer would not sell for less that $23k MSRP.

For $24k, it seems like your friend did not get a very good deal.

 

What is so strange? read my previous posts about none of dealers wanting to offer discount on the most popular configuration the LE upgrade package. Besides, why are you even having this discussion? did you get ripped off on your purchase?

 

I find it very hard to believe that the Corolla was being sold for more than MSRP. Mine was $19,200, all in was $23k and change. Mine is not even the LE, it's the upgrade package. You are trying to say that Toyota is selling the Corolla for $3k over the current MSRP. I highly doubt it.

 

The LE with upgrade package is $22k MSRP and another $4800 taxes, levies, freight, etc. add tint and clear bra and you are at the $28K that I originally mentioned. Either your are mathematically challenged in comparing before and after tax prices and prices with current incentives that weren't available then or you are just trolling by going around in circles arguing about nothing.

 

No need to make it personal.

 

It seems that Toyota is "damned if they do and damned if they don't". In the dark years BA (Before Akio Toyoda), when seemingly all Toyotas had very conservative styling, the internet forums (like this one) were all screaming about how "boring" Toyotas (especially the Camry and the Corolla) were.

Yet, now that Akio Toyoda injected some life into the styling, the same internet forums are screaming about how Toyota styling is too aggressive -- damned if they do and damned if they don't. Toyota just cannot win with you, can it?


It may be that it ain't broken so should not need to be fixed, but these mid-cycle changes are planned in advance in order to keep the product fresh in the minds of the average Joe and Jane. We have all seen sales of a new model spike, only to drop again as the model ages (2 or 3 years on the market); so the automakers (they all do it) plan these (inexpensive) freshenings to re-introduce these models to the average buyer until the truly new models come out.

I have relatives who meet this large Joe and Jane demographic exactly. They are excited whenever a new model comes out and it does not matter if it truly is a new model or a MMC facelift. Only the true enthusiasts (the small number that populate forums such as this one) know if and when a truly new model is introduced; but for the remaining majority of buyers, a facelift is enough to make believe that a new Corolla has been introduced.

 

I agree with you. I remember when everyone would say that Toyota's were boring.

As for the new Corolla (and most Lexus front ends) this front end is pretty bad. But the front end redesign has caused members on this forum to go back and forth for over 12 pages, it has caused us to actually "discuss" and "debate" the Corolla and other cars in the segment. Some who drive higher end cars like the (LS etc) have even taken the time to comment. Some have even mentioned Apple , Microsoft vs Apple, and some have made it personal and have made insults.

IMO, the front end has done its job in getting attention.

 

you're right, this new corolla front might be the kim-k of cars... really ugly but hugely popular.

 

Of course, but thats only on the forums... success of each generation can easily be tracked in real life by real stats :-)


As to the facelifts, as usual they are made to address new competition... nobody can create the best car in the next 10 years... it is moving target, things are changing all the time. Corolla is now 3 years old and changes like even better LED headlights, Safety Sense and more equipment than ever are always needed.

 

In the past, Toyota and Honda did not have to put too much in the essence of extra features and options compared to today. Now, the Corolla has heated seats, blind spot detectors, cross traffic, LED headlights, AUTO AC and more. Its all from the competition. I would fully expect Toyota to offer a small 1.5 turbo or something in the near future.

 

From what I have seen online, the new Corolla refresh looks abysmal. But, I will wait to see it in person, seeing it side by side with other cars is what I'm interested in, sometimes they look better. I thought the RX350 was ok in the pics online, but once I saw it on the road, I must admit that it looks pretty bad, past Acura front beak bad

 

It actually doesnt look bad at all in person. I might say it looks good when I saw it at the NY auto show. Maybe its the angle or the lens of the cameras being used. It doesnt look overly exaggerated like the photos would suggest. I guess some cars just aren't photogenic.