Been quiet for a while on here. I've spent the last half year studying for a license examination, but that is now behind me so I can go back to living in the real world.

Anyway, a friend of mine recently gave me a fantastic deal on a car he had sitting around.

The story behind the car is that it was primarily his wife's. Not too long ago, she ran into something and caused some front end damage, which was repaired properly. Then just a few months after they got the car back, she hit a ditch and ripped the bumper off. The car was towed back to their house (car was fine mechanically but the bumper was dragging) where it sat for awhile. After the second accident, he promptly went out and bought her an SUV so they had no need for it.

Eventually, the HOA started sending him notices about the "salvage car" and he mentioned to me that he was looking for somebody to take his problem away for $2,500.

I couldn't pass up the deal so I went by to examine it. I pulled the bumper off entirely and changed the battery and the car basically started right up. I drove it home without any issues despite the car sitting for about 6 months. This was 3 weeks ago and I've been driving it daily ever since.

Here is my latest acquisition, a 2011 Toyota Corolla S:



Here's the work I've done:

• New battery
• 2 "new" used tires because the tires that were on there had never been rotated.
• Used a combination of plastic clips and self tapping screws to reinstall the bumper
• New windshield (huge lateral crack in the old one)
• Typical maintenance items that have been neglected (transmission and oil change, brake flush, spark plugs, air filter, cabin filter)

The car has been solid mechanically, and turning in an average of 31 mpg in 70% highway driving.

My general impressions:

• The car is quite comfortable. More than I expected. The seats in particular are good, especially compared to a 2008 Honda Fit I also purchased recently (more on that in a separate thread to come later).
• The 4 speed transmission is pretty good as far as shift smoothness and speed, considering it had zero maintenance for 140,000 miles. Toyota makes great slushboxes. The transmission is terrible due to the low number of gears though.
• I get ZERO respect in this car. No traffic will yield to me or let me in. In response, I have to up my driving aggressiveness just to be able to merge properly. This may be creating a self-feeding cycle where Corolla drivers are regarded as rude and terrible, so nobody lets them in, but that forces them to drive more rude.
• The car is very skittish. The suspension actually seems ok, but the torsion beam rear suspension is probably getting less stiff after 140k miles and is becoming twitchy. I've already ordered an enhanced rear sway bar and strut tower brace. Hopefully this makes the car a bit more solid just going down the road.
• The power steering (electric) is overboosted. I cannot feel anything coming through the wheels. I am even more removed from any steering feel than the SL55 AMG. I feel like a zombie going down the road and I can see how this contributes to the disconnectedness of the typical Corolla driver.
• The car has no power. None. I am pretty sure my old Prius felt more lively than this car. It is especially atrocious above 50.

When I first learned about this Corolla, I thought to myself, "Can I see myself driving a Corolla?" But I previously owned a Prius, so how much worse can the Corolla be? The key takeaway from all of this is that just trying a econobox could become a gateway for you to try more and more crazier econoboxes. And then before you know it, you'll become a much blander version of your former self.

 

Woohoo! Welcome back!! I have 3 Toyotas now so I'm OK with this purchase

 

lmao, them Houston streets dont play, mayne...I've found that it's easier to fall behind in traffic with a 4 cylinder, rather than try to edge out and drive aggressively....
nothing is worse than two 4 cylinder cars trying to fight for position. LOL

 

The OPFOR is not driving 4 cylinders. This is Texas. They're driving V8 powered half ton pickups.

And behind that pickup is another pickup. And another. You're going to end up having to force your way in eventually..

 

I had one as a rental for 5-6 months when I was in Detroit in 2010. It's a piece of shit that does the job it was designed for. No more no less. My sister in law has a 2017, I think...just an updated version of the same.

And after leasing a highlander and a prius...Toyota does nothing expect put me to sleep. To me, they are the boring safe choice...even the ugly racer boy camry SE that is driven by wannabe bimmer assholes.

Hell, I'm currently driving a hand me down Lexus is250...its small and can take some tight turns...but its gutless and boring. But it was free.

 

I tried to get in one as a rental and couldn’t get the seat adjusted so my knees were not in my ears.

I remain a less bland version of my blandest self.

My A4 delivers similar mileage and far superior smileage.

 

Welcome back. Been wondering what you and your car rotations have been up too. Good to see your around and still swapping cars in and out.

 

Gotta be one of the more eclectic/unbiased garages on here. As far as no power, I think my 04 Civic LX had your beat.

 

Welcome back!

The Corolla is the epitome of "appliance" in the world of vehicles. It's a thing to get you around town, but in no way is it exciting.