2013 Corolla Upgrades and Pricing Detailed

[rossbro]

My old '96 Corolla got 36 mpg doing 75 to 78 mph on 95 from Phila to Myrtle Beach.

[PaleMelanesian]

This is nothing new for Toyota. Remember they were among the last to offer a 3-speed auto in the Corolla / Prizm. It's a cash cow and they are milking it.

[aca2983]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

This is nothing new for Toyota. Remember they were among the last to offer a 3-speed auto in the Corolla / Prizm. It's a cash cow and they are milking it.

Yep. Toyota has become the old GM (old meaning GM of my 'rents and grandparents generation). Resting on their laurels and not trying very hard because they now have developed a customer base that believes their products are superior by default, and doesn't really consider alternatives.

[herm]

Originally Posted by aca2983

they now have developed a customer base that believes their products are superior by default

a well deserved reputation for the last 3 decades.

[civic94coupe206]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

This is nothing new for Toyota. Remember they were among the last to offer a 3-speed auto in the Corolla / Prizm. It's a cash cow and they are milking it.

And i have a 97 geo prizm with the 3 speed auto, no lockup torque converter. 3000 rpm at 60, I can average only 34 mpg with 50 psi tires doing 60 constantly, on the ulturaguage. I wished I had the 4 speed auto, but i cant complain, I got it for 1250 cash 4 years ago, I can still sell it for 1000 as of right now on craigslist.

[Blackbelt]

Originally Posted by aca2983

Yep. Toyota has become the old GM (old meaning GM of my 'rents and grandparents generation). Resting on their laurels and not trying very hard because they now have developed a customer base that believes their products are superior by default, and doesn't really consider alternatives.

When you look closely, so has Honda.

2 years ago was milking it. Now it's getting a little insulting. They have a 5 speed auto in the matrix, and a 6 speed in the Camry. Why not use one of those units?
Don't get me wrong, i think the Corolla is a great car. My sons 2007 gets mid 30's mileage and has been bulletproof. But keeping the old 4 speed when you have superior transmissions(which should also improve economy) is just wrong.

[PaleMelanesian]

You're right about Honda. They have a 6AT available in the Odyssey, but you have to pay up for the $41k Touring trim to get it (from the base 28k LX).

[xcel]

Hi All:

Regarding the Corolla, the next gen which we should begin hearing rumors about shortly is just around the corner and all of this 4-speed AT and short ratio stick non-sense should go the way of the Dodo.

If Toyota brings it in with a 38 mpg or less rating when everything else is already providing far more than that, it’s going to eventually going to see sales disappear like we are seeing with the Yaris. It needs a new exterior design, upgraded to modern interior and an all-new drivetrain with fuel efficiency and noise abatement at the forefront in the worst way.

Wayne

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Originally Posted by xcel

Hi All:

Regarding the Corolla, the next gen which we should begin hearing rumors about shortly is just around the corner and all of this 4-speed AT and short ratio stick non-sense should go the way of the Dodo.

If Toyota brings it in with a 38 mpg or less rating when everything else is already providing far more than that, it’s going to eventually going to see sales disappear like we are seeing with the Yaris. It needs a new exterior design, upgraded to modern interior and an all-new drivetrain with fuel efficiency and noise abatement at the forefront in the worst way.

Wayne

I don't think they'll upgrade the Corolla with anything unless it's cheap. The real price of a Corolla is low, well below MSRP so unless it's a huge improvement higher prices would mean lost sales.

But, whatever they do, one of my biggest hopes would be that they have their Miss plant assemble a hybrid version using the mini-HSD design used in the Prius c/Aqua. Using the mini-HSD would reduce the cost and stop it encroaching into Prius territory. It would also help further build up NA hybrid volume and make it easier to build the Gen 4 Prius there.