2009 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8L VVT-i from North America

Summary:

Great value and no surprise econobox

Faults:

No known problems thus far.

General Comments:

The car has been reliable both in the city and the highway -- I have yet to experience any of the problems many people have complained about.

It is not either a luxury car or a sports car. It is a simple economy subcompact.

Compared to my previous Sentra (GXE-2002), the Corolla is more sedate in terms of performance -- suspension, engine response, and braking all performing less precise, but all are adequate.

It has more safety features than Sentra, quieter, and has about 2 to 3 mpg better on the highway -- Sentra gets 33mpg vs Corolla around 37mpg. City mpg figures are similar between the two.

Fit and finish seems to have degraded from the previous generation in the interior -- noting cheaper material than previous generation for LE model. About $3K more than the Sentra, but holds better resale value than most domestic vehicles.

Oil change is much is simpler to do with the Corolla -- much easier to get to the drain plug and the filter than the Sentra or any other vehicles I know.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th November, 2009

30th Nov 2009, 19:21

Thanks for an honest review. It is refreshing to read a review of an economy car where the owner does not make outlandish claims, about its power, speed, luxury or (worst of all) racing prowess.

Thanks again!

1st Dec 2009, 15:26

Lots of luck. The only two times my wife and I have ever been stranded on trips was once in a still-in-warranty Corolla and once in a still-in-warranty Camry. The dealers did fix them, but standing on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck was no fun.

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2009 Toyota Corolla S 1.8L from North America

Summary:

Once you have a Corolla, you never go back

Faults:

Nothing yet, will keep you guys updated.

General Comments:

I think that the 2009 Toyota Corolla is a great car. This car seems to be a winner with great gas mileage and a great ride. The five speed brings a lot of fun out in the Corolla. When looking at other cars of its class, this seems to have a way better build quality (sorry Honda & Nissan). I would suggest this car to anyone.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th October, 2009

22nd Oct 2009, 05:48

Corollas are very nice little cars and I'm glad that you like yours, but a 10 in both comfort and performance? I think that might be a little over enthusiastic.

My personal experience would give a Corolla a six (or seven at best) in those categories.

22nd Oct 2009, 19:43

Original reviewer, well this is my second Corolla and to me they have a good comfort level. As for the performance, no it's not a race car or sports car, but once again for its class it performs great compared to some other economy cars, cause that's what it is.

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2009 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8 from North America

Summary:

Toyota; I want my Sonata back

Faults:

The car does not start almost 20% of the time.

Already 4 trips to the dealer (2 of them), and each time they mention a new reason for, and fix it (!), and it's the same story the next day.

Brake pads replaced at 15000Km :(

The automatic transmission is anything but smooth; specially between 1 & 2. The dealer finds it normal though!

General Comments:

I should damn my stupidity of buying a Corolla. Believe me or not (if you have also heard all those myths about quality of Toyotas), I have had Chevrolet, Chryslers (2), Volvo, Buick and Hyundai before this, and none of them have given that much trouble as this small Japanese junk has given in only 10 months!

You hear noise from every piece of the car (including the horn; thanks Toyota!).

The material is cheapest I have seen (well, after a Saturn I tried once). It looks more like a chinese toy than a well-known real automobile!

I will replace this junk before the winter arrives, as the handling is horrible, specially on the snow and rain.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th October, 2009