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More Than Just Your Cleaning Lady's Car? 2009 Toyota Corolla Review
Every forty seconds, another new Corolla rolls off a dealer’s lot. Statistically speaking, it’s piloted by a middle aged woman without a college degree. She could be your house cleaner, mother or receptionist. For forty years, the Corolla has satisfied her with its predictable blend of reliable, economical and durable transportation. These days, old is out, youthful is in. Toyota’s PR professed and ambitious goal for their tenth generation Corolla: “to connect, more than ever, with younger buyers on every level” (Toyota’s italics/underlines). So, has the new Corolla hooked up?

The first half of Toyota’s “Plus-Alpha” program to attract younger buyers is “creative style packaging.” Corolla designers were sent to Italy for four months to discover “What would stand out, even on the streets of Turin?” I’m thinking a Fiat 500 Abarth SS. Their answer was not quite as dramatic. In fact, on the lowly streets of Eugene, the new Toyota Corolla was utterly lost in the sea of… older Toyota Corollas.
 

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More Than Just Your Cleaning Lady's Car? 2009 Toyota Corolla Review



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EnnNorakEnnNorak - 3/5/2008 5:16:15 PM
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The Corolla is a good little car. Several years ago, when we lived in the East and vacationed in Florida, our oldest daughter flew in to join our vacation for a while. The rental car she picked up at the airport was a Corolla and I was impressed with the amount of interior room this little car had. It's even bigger now. The only deal-breaker for me would be lack of leather availability.

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adamsaf723adamsaf723 - 3/6/2008 9:26:46 AM
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I just wished their top of the line engine had more umph... say, the 180HP 1.8L that was in the Celica...

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carguy68carguy68 - 3/5/2008 2:31:52 PM
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A woman car it is!
I laugh when I see a guy driving a corola especialy when they bling it out to make it look less feminine.


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JaybrnJaybrn - 3/6/2008 5:35:12 AM
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The new car looks more grown up but I swear I saw a "blinged" out corolla with a lexus badge and a "IS250" badge on the streets of Chicago. I tried to take a picture of it...


DW1968DW1968 - 3/7/2008 10:09:17 PM
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I've seen that (blinged out, Lexus-badged Corolla). Who knows if it was the same one, but I thought it was pretty hilarious. I assume it was done "ironically".


w209w114w209w114 - 3/5/2008 2:41:51 PMView My AgentSpace
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WOW. The car got completely SLAMMED in this review. It even too me by surprise.

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w209w114w209w114 - 3/5/2008 2:42:33 PMView My AgentSpace
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took*


EL34EL34 - 3/5/2008 3:00:20 PM
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It's funny to watch people drive the Corolla like it's a Ferrari.

lol :-D


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Agent009Agent009 - 3/5/2008 3:31:41 PMView My AgentSpace
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You are cold my friend


_43LE_43LE - 3/5/2008 8:45:46 PM
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LOL.


JUGNUJUGNU - 3/5/2008 3:37:55 PMView My AgentSpace
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What's wrong with the new Corolla? Looks good to me and of better quality and more features than ever. It's again setting sales records (atleast here in Asia)

JUGNU


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Agent009Agent009 - 3/5/2008 3:54:23 PMView My AgentSpace
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Looks are deceiving.


LexSucksLexSucks - 3/5/2008 3:38:01 PM
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Watch out BMW!!

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brammerbrammer - 3/6/2008 2:56:21 AM
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BAAHAHAHA


kpaxxkpaxx - 3/5/2008 3:54:52 PM
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The corolla represents everything that a car should not be!
















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kpaxxkpaxx - 3/6/2008 6:08:10 AM
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Wrong it is the biggest selling nameplate and also one of the the longest running nameplates.

If you use your logic then Mercedes-Benz is the best selling car period.



JUGNUJUGNU - 3/6/2008 6:10:38 AMView My AgentSpace
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"The corolla represents everything that a car should not be!"

So u mean a car should not be reliable, durable, value for money, good quality...etc

Nice... stick to your crappy VWs and Peugeots.

JUGNU



0to600to60 - 3/5/2008 3:57:30 PM
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LOL @ the cleaning lady title comment!

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LexusKindaGuy12LexusKindaGuy12 - 3/5/2008 4:28:32 PM
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the truth about cars doesnt like anything toyota or lexus. its just not their cup of tea

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WhelanWhelan - 3/5/2008 5:08:25 PM
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Can't speak for the new Rolla other than I do like the way it looks over the last generation.

And as for performance goes, back in 2003 they did offer an XRS version just like the Matrix had with 180hp 2zz engine with VVTL-i (essentially VTec w/ lift), 17" wheels, fully lip kit, fog lamps, spoiler, moonroof, 6 speed only. It was a quick little car with a Celica GTS motor, worked out well.

I personally (which has been stated before), own a 2005 Toyota Matrix XR AWD. It is based off the same engine and chassis as the Corolla. But aside from that all the interior and exterior appointments are different, and in my opinion, much more upscale feeling. I got to drive a loaner Corolla CE once, everything was just subpar. My Matrix has a leather wrapped wheel and shift selector, moonroof, 6 disc in dash CD, fog lamps, lip kit, and other goodies along with being AWD for the winter slop and rain.

So call me what you will, but I can tell you I am not the demographic from this article. I am 27, engaged, have a career job with 4 years of college and get nothing but praise for my car from others for how much it can haul, to it's comfort (compared to cars in it's class), and its looks.

But if he says this about the Corolla, then he has to say it about the Civic, Sentra, and any other small compact out there today.


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PlanBPlanB - 3/5/2008 5:45:56 PM
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I respect the Corolla for being a reliable mode of transportation. But that's all it is. And I'll leave it at that.

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izfuneyizfuney - 3/5/2008 6:26:25 PM
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That was a very misogynistic review. All the references to "cleaning ladies" and "secretaries" is circa 1970's square attitude. That reviewer is either a burnt old man who needs a "car" to pep up his life
or has a real problem with dealing with women in his life.

Nobody on this planet born or unborn would ever claim that Corolla is a car for the mid life crisis. AE86 noth wisthstanding (which is more of a freak child)
A lot of people need a perfectly reliable and non demanding trasport appliance that will work without complaining all the way till 250k miles.

Excitement, which is a big thing for the reviewer is probably not their goal from a car.

IMHO, while racing (SCCA), sports cars are all good fun, it does consume a fair amount of dosh that is generally not available or not considered for people who look at cheap high quality transport.


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izfuneyizfuney - 3/5/2008 6:27:56 PM
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Warning - Typo's above need to be overlooked.


g2okg2ok - 3/5/2008 6:51:16 PM
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The post demeans working women and mothers by saying all they can buy is a Corolla. Them is fightin' words...

That said, I do agree with the review the build quality and materials have lost out. This is a problem with all the Toyota and Honda cars these days. It reflects their market dominance and over confidence. Hopefully enough complaints come in to force improvements.

The Asian variants of the Corolla are styled more tastefully, whereas the US version is desperate to look sporty.


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1970toyotamarc1970toyotamarc - 3/5/2008 7:39:57 PM
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TTAC has sunk to a new low with this review in their quest for wittiness mixed with a severe Toyota hatred.

Roomier, more stylish, more modern interior (some people like new car smell), more powerful and efficient base engine. What a lousy car.

And lament the loss of the Yamaha 1.8L if you must (I had it and loved it), but when the 2.4L is replaced with the 2.7L in maybe 2 years, the XRS should be a hot little number.


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_43LE_43LE - 3/5/2008 8:48:14 PM
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I am by no means a fan of this car, but it does the job that it's supposed to well. Why all the hatred?

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DW1968DW1968 - 3/7/2008 10:17:25 PM
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Because it represents the overachievement of mediocrity, and pandering to lowest-common-denominator marketing-driven revenue-seeking design criteria, rather than trying to advance the performance or technology envelope?

Just a guess, considering the mind-set of the typical users of this site.

But if you polled the public at large, there probably would be much less hate.



DenaliDenali - 3/5/2008 10:12:21 PM
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never was a fan of this car, but it makes toyota billions, i know other manufacturers would do anything to add this in there lineup...

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enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 3/5/2008 10:34:17 PM
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my cleaning lady is going to be SOOOO happy!

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 3/6/2008 12:15:37 AMView My AgentSpace
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My housekeeper drives an Infiniti QX4.

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truckmentruckmen - 3/6/2008 5:42:33 AM
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A big improvment, although I would rather have the Civic!

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SX123SX123 - 3/6/2008 7:26:44 AM
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Should not everyone make a car like a corolla?

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TargaTarga - 3/6/2008 9:46:44 AM
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I actually think you get a better car with a Mazda3 or a civic than this.

I am not bashing toyota here, but I think this car sells so well based on the Toyota name and marketing than what the car really is.


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enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 3/6/2008 11:49:55 AM
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agreed. mazdaspeed 3 is a great little car. that's why it's on the car & driver 10 best list again for 2008.


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 3/7/2008 3:05:03 PM
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The beetle has extraordinary comfy seats and a surprising amount of cargo space after folding down the rear seats. I also like the in-line 5-cylinder engine which is smoother than a 4-banger and only slightly rougher than an in-line 6.

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mini22mini22 - 3/6/2008 4:44:33 PM
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Toyota knows their market. The car is an appliance.It's not meant to be a drivers car. It appeals to people that want good reliable transportation with a small dose of luxury thrown in.Many if not most people who own cars are not driving
enthusiasts. For them this car is perfect. Also it has been incredibly reliable for all these yrs.Toyota does well because it has the perfect formula.It's like driving a small Buick.Nothing wrong with this philosophy.


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smokefreak2003smokefreak2003 - 3/7/2008 6:38:42 PM
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You guys ae stupid enough to listen to a website such as The Truth About Cars. That site will not even let you question their journalistic skills, or where they are getting their information from. They have obvious biases against manufacturers and use as little technical information as possible. Their reports sound like the ramblings of an 11th grader. They are like the FOX News of the automotive newsworld no truth and a shitload of sensationalism and lies.

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smokefreak2003smokefreak2003 - 3/7/2008 6:42:13 PM
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Autoblog is pretty bad too, however they are superior than anybody when it comes to spyshots. For non biased automotive news and information, I stick to Autospies and Winding Road.

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smokefreak2003smokefreak2003 - 3/7/2008 6:44:40 PM
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The problem with Autospies are the asshole members here, and there needs to be more spy shots.

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AgentOrangeAgentOrange - 3/8/2008 11:08:03 AMView My AgentSpace
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Actually that IS my cleaning ladies Corolla... ;)

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 3/8/2008 12:04:12 PMView My AgentSpace
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Don't shoot me, but something tells me that a Corolla COULD be fun when tuned correctly. It's so nimble and tossable (-:

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ZagarellaZagarella - 3/8/2008 9:16:27 PM
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It's not a matter of how cheap and dependable it is... The Corolla has absolutely no class... They are boring looking and are no fun to drive. If you're just looking for a car to take you point A to B then by all means go for the Corolla!

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huu76huu76 - 3/9/2008 1:17:25 PM
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Sounds like the guy is just jealous the Corolla will continue dominate his favoured manly VW Beetle.

Maybe some guy in a Corolla stole his girlfriend.


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huu76huu76 - 3/9/2008 1:40:21 PM
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I wonder if buddy-know-nothing is aware that the City Jetta has manual windows too, and is basically the last generation Jetta minus any development costs?

In Canada.
City Jetta = $16,900 w/ ABS.
$160 front side airbags
$410 side curtain airbags
$1350 for A/C
$450 for ESP
2009 Corolla CE = $14,565 w/ Full curtain airbags.
$1900 convenience package (includes A/C)
No mention of ABS on any Toyota cars, so I assume they're standard.


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asiancars233asiancars233 - 3/9/2008 1:47:24 PMView My AgentSpace
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It looks OK. But they are trying to hard on it. I think the Civic owns the Corolla. The Civic looks a lot nicer and is a better value than the Corolla.

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