2009 Toyota Corolla Consumer Reviews Page 8

Still Enjoying

Written by: swisskid2 on 12/10/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Corolla S 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Owned a 1998 Audi A6 that had lots of bells and whistles, but also lots of quality and reliability issues. The Corolla is no Audi, but for 1/2 the cost it looks good, has many nice features and the gas mileage is the best attribute. It is not the fastest car, but it is not supposed to be. I got used to the steering feel within the first tank and do not have the issue of it tacking straight down the road. I like the looks of the 2009 Corolla, not just a vanilla small car. Drove several others, Elantra, Mazda3 and Civic, but liked the Corolla best for looks and features.

Favorite Features

Sharp appearance for a little car. The gas mileage is very nice. Reliability and quality so far is top notch. Handling and ride is not bad for a small car and performance is fine for 90% of everyday driving needs. Stereo system is not bad and I like the information system for temp, MPG, E/T

Suggested Improvements

I agree that the clock not being visible is a bit of a bummer. Traction in Iowa winters in not that same as the Audi Quattro, expected better on a fwd car. No independent suspension in the rear seems odd these days, same with the lack of disk brakes in the rear, but no issues yet.

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Steering not impressive, but decent car

Written by: Cassie on 12/06/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I've always been fond of Corollas and have driven them in the past. I was disappointed to find, after purchasing this one that these new models don't have the same great handling and steering that I've experienced in the older models. I find, especially when driving on the freeway that the car wanders and I don't feel likr I have a lot of control. I have to grip the steering wheel more intensely, which doesn't bode well for me since I had hoped to be able to use this car for road trips. Aside from steering, the car has met all of my other expectations. It's highly fuel efficient, has a great new look and size and the interior features are easy to manage.

Favorite Features

Fuel efficiency. Stereo and speakers (great sound!). Exterior design. Easy to use interior features.

Suggested Improvements

Better handling/steering components

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Wish I stayed with Honda

Written by: Typo on 11/30/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Corolla 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Disappointed after 7 months. Interior plastic trim is already breaking and seems to scuff easily. 2 major repairs (sunroof rattling & seat height adjustment would not hold). Seat is still not working correctly. Sound system not great. No rear dome light, no glove box light or lock, no lights on visor mirrors. Cloth upholstery is a dirt magnet (unless you buy Toyota's protection package). Wipers don't work when there's frost on the window, until the car warms up. I bought this to replace my gas guzzling Honda mini van. Corolla = about 30 MPG with mixed freeway and street driving which I consider very good. Wish I'd stuck with Honda. Had looked at the Fit. More bang for the buck.

Favorite Features

Very good MPG in my opinion. I think the Corolla exterior looks nice.

Suggested Improvements

More interior lights (like other brands offer standard), better quality interior, better speakers. Overall quality of interior is kind of cheap (i.e. no trim over bolts that hold the seats to the floor). These things seem minor unless you compare to other brands, especially at the same price.

4 out 7 people found this review helpful

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2009 Toyota Corolla

Written by: itsalladream321 on 11/29/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Corolla 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

This is a great car for those of you looking for fuel economy. After my Honda Civic was totaled, I got the Corolla. I wanted something similar to the Civic, but more affordable. So far I don't have any complaints. I just took a 1000 mile trip to Oregon and I average about 32 MPG. I think that is a pretty dang good average. It was comfortable and easy to drive the whole way. I loved it.

Favorite Features

Tells you your gas average, temp, speed average, how many miles you have left until you run out of gas and it has aux output.

Suggested Improvements

The only thing I can think of is when you are trying to get up to speed to pass someone, it gets to the red line to fast. My Honda never did that.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Average Car

Written by: CORO 09 on 11/29/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

The car is ok compared to a Civic. I don't like that the car does not have an oil filter. Rattle noise on driver's side. The car does not shift properly until the engine is fully warmed up. Overall if you are looking for an economy car that's reliable and gets good gas mileage then this is the car for you. The car has no soul; not fun to drive by any means. Strictly a commuter car.

Favorite Features

Safety features, average fuel economy display (although, it's always higher than when I calculate by hand).

Suggested Improvements

Stability control should be standard; clock should be on radio.

2 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Great do it all car

Written by: Hayden on 11/26/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Corolla S 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

We bought this car for my wife to run around town and back and forth to work. We traded in a 2000 Nissan Xterra and my wife is very happy with it so am I! We average 30 mpg city and 40-42 Hwy (safe range is about 400 miles on the Hwy) The 1.8 auto has plenty of get up and go and the transmission is fantastic. Ride and handling is good, electric steering requires correct driving form on the hwy (both hands on the wheel) around town its great for parking. We recently took it on a 1200 mile road trip loaded up with 2 adults and young child very comfortable although the door armrests are annoyingly low. We have always owned Toyota or Nissan, our old 93 Tercel had over 200,000 miles when sold.

Favorite Features

Trip computer, excellent fuel mileage, seats on the "S" model are much better than base models. Virtually no wind or road noise at 70mph. We hope to get at least 10-15 years service out of this one for the money its hard to beat for a daily commuter occasional road trip vehicle.

Suggested Improvements

We have about 7000 miles on the car now and very happy with it. The door armrests are too low and my wife has managed to put a 3 inch round hole in the drivers floor mat with her heal (cheap carpet mats) no issue in any other cars she has owned.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Update

Written by: Joel Hall on 11/25/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Corolla 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

This review is to update my previous review. Please take your 2009 Corolla for a highway test drive - I wish I had. Toyota Canada can not fix a vibration / shudder at highway speeds. I have had it in numerous times for repairs - even a team from L.A. could not resolve the problem . Apparently Japan is looking for a "fix". I am picking up my brand new GM product tomorrow - Toyota has lost a customer for life. I was pleased with the effort Toyota made in the repairs but totally disappointed in the end result - they simply left me hanging with a defective car.

Favorite Features

Fun city car

Suggested Improvements

Drive train problems at highway speeds need to be repaired / reworked / redesigned

13 out 21 people found this review helpful

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Great Commuter

Written by: S Cook on 11/24/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

My wife traded in our 2008 Accord LX-P because of the sever wind/road noise. Only had the Accord less than eight months. Have had the Corolla for almost a month and she just loves it. It is quieter than the Accord and rides just as well or better. We put 17" wheels on it and it really looks sharp. The gas mileage is about 36 mpg on her daily commute of 85mi round trip, I like the comfortable seats and the power is more than enough to get you on the freeway. Can't say enough good things about the car. It was a great trade as far as we are concerned.

Favorite Features

Like the seats and driving position. The controls are easier to use than the Accord. Like the split glove box and the clock where it is located is no problem. I find the arm rest is fine also although that seems to be a problem for some.

Suggested Improvements

Really nothing to suggest here... would like intermittent wiper control on base model

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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What a change!

Written by: gd on 11/21/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Corolla S 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Until recently I owned three BMWs and love the "It's about the ride", but do not love it is about the money and the maintenance, so my stable has changed and I am down to one old 318i. That said, the little S is fantastic, no heated seats, but automatic lights, JBL stereo with Bluetooth for the phone to be legal and best of all appears primarily only oil changes ever 5k until about 150k miles and that is so unlike a BMW. The reliability factor is worth the change. OK it doesn't drive like a BMW but again 35 plus miles per gallon and in this economy, it just made sense.

Favorite Features

The JBL stereo with ability to plug in my iPod, utilize bluetooth devices, in particular my phone. The amount of information to get to know, additionally the fuel economy and lack of anything actually wrong with the car.

Suggested Improvements

Leather and heated seats would be nice and perhaps a bit more get up and go, but do not under any circumstances do anything with the fuel economy except perhaps enhance even that a bit.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Very good economy car

Written by: Frank on 11/21/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

Review

The Corolla features a timing chain rather than the usual belt, and has variable valve timing on both camshafts. The mileage is acceptable, although the speedometer reads about 2 mph fast at 35 mph. The fuel flow indicator shows 35.4 mpg after 1800 total miles, but the actual fuel consumption is 33.1 mpg. Adjusted for the previously mentioned speedometer error, that's about an actual 31 mpg. It has much more power than expected, and the full-time electric power steering is O.K. when I became accustomed to it. I'd buy it again, and the price is right compared with the available competition.

Favorite Features

The 1.8 engine and auto transmission are flawless, and the Continental tires are of high quality with a 540 tread-wear rating, unusual in this price range.

Suggested Improvements

The clock should be located in the center of the console instead of in the speedometer cluster, and the seats could be improved by changing the contours slightly.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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