Wrecked My Car, Have Little Money, Need Suggestions...

[Kent]

First off, sorry I haven't been around much lately but work is killing my free time.

None the less...

Thank you for the encouraging words!

I appreciate everyone's input and contribution.

The car (in the third week of ownership) is doing great. I wash it every saturday (unless I do it at another time during the week).
The engine feels great and I'm slowly starting to run into the higher RPM range from time to time (4k rpm is about all I've done so far).
The torque (as others here have said) is great. Truly a shocking little engine after you compare it with cars of similar spec.

After doing some research I found that the weight of the Corolla is low (even with an automatic tranny) enough to be less than comprable civics (by about 200lbs.).

My plans for now are to buy new wheels once I have a $1000 in the checking account (since I don't want to completely empty it when I buy a new set of wheels).
Speaking of which, I love the picture posted in that last post. 👍
Black with chrome edges is just the kind of thing I'm looking for... Well, sorta..

I'd like to buy wheels that look good even when dirty.
Full chrome is out of the question. Too flashy, too much cleaning, too common!
I want something a little different and something that can work with my busy life. 👍
Black or brushed aluminum would be great.

Luckily, I plan to buy the rims soon enough that my tires will be able to make the jump to the new wheels (keeping in mind that I am buying the same size of wheels as the stock wheels).
My experience with buying wheels has taught me enough to know that it is very common for changes in wheel and tire size may lead to problems like rubbing, or problems with tire life.

So for now my plan is to stick with the stock size and get something that looks good even when dirty.

Other than that I'm just fine with the car. 👍

Thanks again for all the input and comments.
Until next time,
-Kent

 

[Jim Prower]

EDIT: nevermind (to self: Read posts a bit more often!)

 

[Kent]

Little bit of a revival but with good reason.

Yesterday I got a call from the Toyota dealer who sold me the 2006 Corolla S from this thread. Sure enough, after hearing "good" condition (if not better) on every aspect and only 29,000 miles (after nearly 3 years) the dealer suggested I come in and let them check it out... "We need cars like yours in our inventory of certified pre-owned."

So, being the guy I am (always looking for a good deal or good trade) I decided to humor them and see what they offered.

Boils down to this...
Offered 10K (I walked).
Offered 11K (I considered it based on what a new car would cost if I was to buy one).
Offered a Corolla at 275 a month and 335 a month (based on duration of loan).
I walked for good...
Before arriving at home a message was left for me, "I've got a deal you'll like, call."
I called... Suddenly I was being offered an '09 Corolla S to replace my current S for 10 dollars more a month and for one and a half years past what I would have been paying on the '06.

So, 1 & 1/2 years extra at 10 dollars more per month in return for a brand new car.
At first it didn't seem great but... They worked hard to get me in a car...
Moved me from 11.9% to 2.9% interest, offered the 22,000* Corolla for 19,000 flat, and gave me more than 12,000 for the trade.

I took it.
One year of extra payments for a car 3 years newer?
10 dollars more a month for a car that's 6,000 more than the old one?

Finally and most importantly, I locked in a 2.9% rate, which will do me well for purchases outside the auto world.

I was quite pleased with everything except the mediocre steering feel of the new generation (but everything else on the car is much better... Especially those Eagle RS-As).

Any way, just wanted to keep my journal running and if I get the chance to take some pics I'll do it!
(grumbles away realizing no one cares about Corollas any way ).

Btw, I'll really miss the old steering wheel but I'm sure I'll get over it as I grow accustomed to controlling my Ipod through the hard-wired aux input. ('06 didn't have that or many other little features like break-away mirrors, abs, etc etc)

Oh, and for the record, I think I should mention that the '06 was a good car in nearly all aspects and always on gas. 45mpg any one? (1-stop trip from LA. to FL. averaged 45 👍 ) (hope the new one can do the same! ).

 

[Eric.]

I got my information at www.msn.com under the used autos section.
I usually compare between them and www.intellichoice.com.
They never mentioned a VX, they mention an HX that is rated at 38-43 MPG Highway. Which means in the real world with some one that short shifts, and never really tips into the throttle, it'll get 37 mpg on a great day, and maybe 35 the rest of the time. All the other models are rated at less.
I used the info in the same way that it panned out for my Ranger.
Both rated my Ranger at about 25 Mpg Highway.
I drive it highway 80+ miles a day and get anywhere from 22-24 MPG.
Taking their figures, and down-grading them the same amount for the Civic, I come up with the 33 MPG figure. Which is nothing to sneeze at.
I'd love to be getting over 30MPG.
I know the 4-cyl Camry's mileage because I happen to have one, and I check the mileage almost every time I fill it up. Again, I never said the Civic isn't a good choice.
however, because of my physical size, I prefer the bigger car.
Again, I didn't say the Civic was a bad choice. I happen to like Civics. But, for the money, I happen to think you'll get the most utility out of a Camry.
When I bought the thing, I drove it in back to back (literally 5 minutes apart) comparison with an Accord. I happen to really like Accords, BTW. But both my wife and I thought the Camry had the Accord beat hands down.
I also had a much harder time getting into and out of the Accord. I figure the Civic is smaller, therefore, I would have to slip it on like a very tight jacket.

That is one of my personal biases against the Honda

I'd just like to mention that my first tank of gas through the Si got me 28.5mpg. It definitely didn't stick to 300 miles of highway at 50mph either. Lots of cruising in town and usually not short shifted. The sticker says 29mpg highway. Its also just officially been broken in. Granted, this could be related to EPA's rating revisions making it more accurate. It would be best to compare it to a previous generation Si or the RSX Type-S.


Edit: Whoa...I did not realize this was a three year old debate.

 

[niky]

An 09? Meaning the new face? Congrats, Kent, that's a preeeeetty car.

I really don't like the steering on the new 'rolla... and fuel economy will probably be down 1-2 mpg because of the extra weight, but it's a good car, and I think you should be happy with it.

 

[1X83Z]

11.9 percent interest?!?!

Congrats on the new car again Kent!

 

[homeforsummer]

Looking forward to seeing pics of the new one 👍 They're good looking cars, the new Corollas.