Test Drove An XRS Today :)

Test Drove An XRS Today

Well, I didn't have much to do today, so I went to test drive a 2005 Corolla XRS. First time I drove one, or any Toyota with VVTL-i for that matter.

The one I drove had 610kms on it, so I felt a little bad going into lift, since it probably wasn't fully broken in yet.

I drove around the city a little bit with it, driving normally to see how it drove, how quiet it was, playing with the power moonroof and other stuff inside. After a little bit of that, I figured it was time to go see what hitting lift was all about...

So I went onto a local deserted road (beautiful road, but doesn't lead to anywhere really, so usually no traffic). Stopped, took off normally, then floored it, it seemed to accelerate like a good running rnormal Corolla, then I hit lift... the sound from the engine is beautiful, the acceleration rocked, I fell in love with the car...

Only problem with the car I found is the headroom, im 6'2", and had the seat as low as it goes, and my head wuolds till hit the roof on bumps...

Good to hear you had fun! I remember my test drive like it was yesterday..well it was 2 months ago. The car feels like a regular Corolla, but really gets peppy after 5000 RPM...which it doesnt mind reving to. As for the headroom, that wouldnt be a problem. I am 5'11" and I still have inches of space...However good luck finding a car that will give you much more headroom aside from the Camry.

Just to let you know a few things they dont tell you about the car. It requires premium gas. It 'will' run on regular, but will get better gas mileage on premium, wont ping, and has more power. It also comes with summer tires, but all seasons could be easily found to fit that rim. It also does not come with a 60/40 split due to the strut tower brace in the rear that occupies the space behind the seats.

Aside from that its a great car, and will get more enjoyable once you get used to it. Let us know if you decide to get it...i hope you do!

Mark

Well the price is quite high, after taxes, it would cost me $29 000 Canadian... I am planning on a new car (or almost new) next spring, so we'll see if there are any second hand XRS's around next spring..

for 20K, thats what i saw a xrs go for in a american dealership, I think you can get a better car than the xrs. But i guess it depends on wat ur looking for.

Well I am calling my insurance tomorrow for pricing on a 2005 XRS, I can't take it anymore, I love that car...

They sell for 25 000$ plus tax in Canada, MSRP. And what would you recommend for a *better* car?

Yes sticker price is just below 25,000 canadian. You can get a base model Camry for that price, but it comes with the 2AZ-FE, but that model isnt available in a stick i dont think...and if it drives anything like my moms 5-speed 2003 Camry SE (about 30k) than youo are way better off with an XRS.

Mark

sentra spec v
dodge srt-4
impreza
altima
scion tc
rsx
civic si
mazda 3

i dont like how the sentra drives, the dodge is a dodge, the regular imprezas are quite slow and not as reliable as a toyota, the altima is too expensive (unless i get the 4 cyl, and i dont like the interiors of them), no scion's in canada, regular RSX isnt any faster with the 160hp, and more expensive on insurance for a 2 door, civic si is too slow, and mazda 3 is too slow... anything else?

RSX-S, I hope? The standards aren't that fast..if that's the definition of 'better.'

wats wrong with the sentra? "the dodge is a doge" is that statement even valid anymore? You got to respect the fact thats its fast. The xrs prolly doesnt handle as well as some of the cars i mentioned. Iono watever floats ur boat really, but if your going to spend 20k (american) you might as well spend the extra couple of thousand to step on up to something better.

ehhh, i think seriously, the XRS is a great bargain. It can outrun all those cars except the dodge and MAYBE the SE-R spec-V, plus it comes with a 6 speed, gets like 10mpg better than the dodge, 5-7mpg better than the sentra, and will definitly hold up better than either of the two (i dunno about the whole "dodge is a dodge" thing but i know toyota > dodge in terms of reliability). If they sold the scion there i'd get that instead but jsut because of how easy it is to turbo those...but sometimes it just cant be afforded. RSX-S is too expensive.

the XRS may be head to head with an SE-R, the nissan's torque will put the corolla immediatly behind, but the XRS's top end will scoot it on up again... as far the SRT-4? itll lay the smackdown on everything, but will suffer from a a blown waterpump or transmission problem or other american made mishaps... so in the end, i think the XRS is the best deal for performance/reliability- there's nothin like driving in a reliable car during a snow storm..

Didnt even have to defend my statement, you guys did it for me

The "Dodge is a Dodge" comes from personal experience with an Intrepid and a Neon (both less than 4 years old), Intrepid needed a new transmission at 102 00kms, Neon needed a new engine at 92 000kms. Not my idea of reliable cars. And the interior and ride/noise quality of the Neon is pretty bad, but I will admit that car is FAST for the price, can't beat it in acceleration, but it sucks with anything non performance related. The Corolla XRS is a very quick car for a NA 1.8 Liter engine, and id gladly put up a stock XRS against a stock Spec-V any day. Plus, the interio in the XRS is so much more comfortable and high scale than most of those other cars (except the RSX, and Mazda3 comes somewhat close), and its quiet, and it does handle quiet well. Plus, its a Toyota with Toyota reliability.

I dont think the interior is any better then the spec v. And i've been in both. but of course thats my opinion. And the xrs seats seem to lack bolstering on all levels. but so does the spec v. The interior still feels like any other corolla. I'd expect something a little better then the corolla S interior for 20k. Maybe this doesnt bother you but the xrs doesnt exactly have the niceset guage cluster. Again maybe this doesnt bug you but the shifter gate thingy or watever its called is so narrow. Its to easy to mis shift with that thing being so narrow. And the clutch is so soft. with all due respect, some people here prolly think a ford explorier on firestones handle real well too<br />
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I'm just saying though. if you really want it then by all means.

that is so true

e_andree: You hear of alot more Chrysler products needing major repairs than Toyota's though, my Corolla right now has 329 000kms on it, the transmission was replaced at 272 000kms (and I drove the shit out of it, and it still lasted a very long time).

i would get it just for the gas millage advantage over the other cars Spec-V interior is pretty sick, neon interior sucks balls but everyone knows ur not buying an SRT-4 for its interior as for handling...well, that really only matters if ur gonna race it. personally, im not, so it doesnt matter all that much to me.

*Homer Simpson voice(

MmMmMmMmM...reliability...*drool*

My 93 Celica GTS had 330,000 km on the original engine, and tranny. It was only on its 2nd clutch when I got rid of it. Toyota = rock solid! Their are always some exceptions though

Mark

Get the XRS already if you can, GO GO GO!