Mazda3 with SkyActiv engine with manual transmission is better for the money.
They definitely don't drive like an econobox.
They definitely don't drive like an econobox.
2011 Corolla S
- Thread starter aquariuscsm
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Have you had the chance to drive ANY of the other cars on your list?
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I've been thinking about buying a slightly larger *practical* 2nd vehicle to do my commutes and road trips in. Here's the ones I'm interested in. Any owning experience pros and cons would be great. I'm wanting comfort,reliability,durability and decent,but not extraordinary fuel economy. Something I can drive the wheels off of and keep for a very long time (as you can see in my sig,I keep my cars for a VERY long time). Year models I'm looking at are 2006-2010. Not too old but not too new and pricey.
Nissan Sentra SR
Lexus IS-250
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Tacoma V6
Toyota Corolla S
Toyota Camry V6
Accord 2dr V6
I'm liking the Lexus IS-250 the best. And they're surprisingly cheap with low miles.
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I've been thinking about buying a slightly larger *practical* 2nd vehicle to do my commutes and road trips in. Here's the ones I'm interested in. Any owning experience pros and cons would be great. I'm wanting comfort,reliability,durability and decent,but not extraordinary fuel economy. Something I can drive the wheels off of and keep for a very long time (as you can see in my sig,I keep my cars for a VERY long time). Year models I'm looking at are 2006-2010. Not too old but not too new and pricey.
Nissan Sentra SR
Lexus IS-250
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Tacoma V6
Toyota Corolla S
Toyota Camry V6
Accord 2dr V6
I'm liking the Lexus IS-250 the best. And they're surprisingly cheap with low miles.
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
That's way too much money for that old of a car and low end of a car.
My Sonata is huge inside and extremely comfortable. $10k plus tax.
Yeah but it's a former rental. It's not a typical price for that year and model probably for that reason. I know I wouldn't want a car with 200 different drivers (not an exaggeration for 55k miles) over its first three years. Especially considering how people usually treat rentals, even on this forum.
That's way too much money for that old of a car and low end of a car.
My Sonata is huge inside and extremely comfortable. $10k plus tax.
Yeah but it's a former rental. It's not a typical price for that year and model probably for that reason. I know I wouldn't want a car with 200 different drivers (not an exaggeration for 55k miles) over its first three years. Especially considering how people usually treat rentals, even on this forum.
Last edited:
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- Dec 30, 2006
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- 29,558
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Have you had the chance to drive ANY of the other cars on your list?
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I've been thinking about buying a slightly larger *practical* 2nd vehicle to do my commutes and road trips in. Here's the ones I'm interested in. Any owning experience pros and cons would be great. I'm wanting comfort,reliability,durability and decent,but not extraordinary fuel economy. Something I can drive the wheels off of and keep for a very long time (as you can see in my sig,I keep my cars for a VERY long time). Year models I'm looking at are 2006-2010. Not too old but not too new and pricey.
Nissan Sentra SR
Lexus IS-250
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Tacoma V6
Toyota Corolla S
Toyota Camry V6
Accord 2dr V6
I'm liking the Lexus IS-250 the best. And they're surprisingly cheap with low miles.
The ones I've driven are the Lexus IS-250,Corolla,and the Accord 2dr (but with 4cyl). The Lexus being my favorite. The only thing that scares me the least bit about the Lexus is maybe more expensive to own and maintain? I wonder if something were to go wrong on one of those,would it be uber expensive to fix? I found a 2010 Lexus I-250 for $14,850 with 76,979 miles. Red with tan leather,mint condition.
Have you had the chance to drive ANY of the other cars on your list?
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I've been thinking about buying a slightly larger *practical* 2nd vehicle to do my commutes and road trips in. Here's the ones I'm interested in. Any owning experience pros and cons would be great. I'm wanting comfort,reliability,durability and decent,but not extraordinary fuel economy. Something I can drive the wheels off of and keep for a very long time (as you can see in my sig,I keep my cars for a VERY long time). Year models I'm looking at are 2006-2010. Not too old but not too new and pricey.
Nissan Sentra SR
Lexus IS-250
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Tacoma V6
Toyota Corolla S
Toyota Camry V6
Accord 2dr V6
I'm liking the Lexus IS-250 the best. And they're surprisingly cheap with low miles.
The ones I've driven are the Lexus IS-250,Corolla,and the Accord 2dr (but with 4cyl). The Lexus being my favorite. The only thing that scares me the least bit about the Lexus is maybe more expensive to own and maintain? I wonder if something were to go wrong on one of those,would it be uber expensive to fix? I found a 2010 Lexus I-250 for $14,850 with 76,979 miles. Red with tan leather,mint condition.
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Have you had the chance to drive ANY of the other cars on your list?
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I've been thinking about buying a slightly larger *practical* 2nd vehicle to do my commutes and road trips in. Here's the ones I'm interested in. Any owning experience pros and cons would be great. I'm wanting comfort,reliability,durability and decent,but not extraordinary fuel economy. Something I can drive the wheels off of and keep for a very long time (as you can see in my sig,I keep my cars for a VERY long time). Year models I'm looking at are 2006-2010. Not too old but not too new and pricey.
Nissan Sentra SR
Lexus IS-250
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Tacoma V6
Toyota Corolla S
Toyota Camry V6
Accord 2dr V6
I'm liking the Lexus IS-250 the best. And they're surprisingly cheap with low miles.
The ones I've driven are the Lexus IS-250,Corolla,and the Accord 2dr (but with 4cyl). The Lexus being my favorite. The only thing that scares me the least bit about the Lexus is maybe more expensive to own and maintain? I wonder if something were to go wrong on one of those,would it be uber expensive to fix? I found a 2010 Lexus I-250 for $14,850 with 76,979 miles. Red with tan leather,mint condition.
Sometimes you have to live a little. The Lexus is so much more car.
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Have you had the chance to drive ANY of the other cars on your list?
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I've been thinking about buying a slightly larger *practical* 2nd vehicle to do my commutes and road trips in. Here's the ones I'm interested in. Any owning experience pros and cons would be great. I'm wanting comfort,reliability,durability and decent,but not extraordinary fuel economy. Something I can drive the wheels off of and keep for a very long time (as you can see in my sig,I keep my cars for a VERY long time). Year models I'm looking at are 2006-2010. Not too old but not too new and pricey.
Nissan Sentra SR
Lexus IS-250
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Tacoma V6
Toyota Corolla S
Toyota Camry V6
Accord 2dr V6
I'm liking the Lexus IS-250 the best. And they're surprisingly cheap with low miles.
The ones I've driven are the Lexus IS-250,Corolla,and the Accord 2dr (but with 4cyl). The Lexus being my favorite. The only thing that scares me the least bit about the Lexus is maybe more expensive to own and maintain? I wonder if something were to go wrong on one of those,would it be uber expensive to fix? I found a 2010 Lexus I-250 for $14,850 with 76,979 miles. Red with tan leather,mint condition.
Sometimes you have to live a little. The Lexus is so much more car.
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2006
- Messages
- 29,558
Originally Posted By: silverrat
Sometimes you have to live a little. The Lexus is so much more car.
I agree!! The Lexus is the nicest driving car I've ever driven.
Sometimes you have to live a little. The Lexus is so much more car.
I agree!! The Lexus is the nicest driving car I've ever driven.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Originally Posted By: silverrat
Sometimes you have to live a little. The Lexus is so much more car.
I agree!! The Lexus is the nicest driving car I've ever driven.
Ive always loved the IS. Well put together, nice lines, etc. But they are so darn squeezy inside. A really nice squooshing you into a well bolstered seat squeezy, but for taller and more athletic folks, it struck me as being a bit too tight for long trips.
If youre not 6 ft 5 and highly muscular, you might do better fitting in. If I had fit better, Id likely have owned one.
Originally Posted By: silverrat
Sometimes you have to live a little. The Lexus is so much more car.
I agree!! The Lexus is the nicest driving car I've ever driven.
Ive always loved the IS. Well put together, nice lines, etc. But they are so darn squeezy inside. A really nice squooshing you into a well bolstered seat squeezy, but for taller and more athletic folks, it struck me as being a bit too tight for long trips.
If youre not 6 ft 5 and highly muscular, you might do better fitting in. If I had fit better, Id likely have owned one.
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Originally Posted By: silverrat
Sometimes you have to live a little. The Lexus is so much more car.
I agree!! The Lexus is the nicest driving car I've ever driven.
I've had this gen Corolla as a rental, as nicely as I can put it...I don't care how reliable it is I have zero interest in owning one...or ever driving one again! In fact the reliability is another negative, the thing will hang around and torture you forever!
Originally Posted By: silverrat
Sometimes you have to live a little. The Lexus is so much more car.
I agree!! The Lexus is the nicest driving car I've ever driven.
I've had this gen Corolla as a rental, as nicely as I can put it...I don't care how reliable it is I have zero interest in owning one...or ever driving one again! In fact the reliability is another negative, the thing will hang around and torture you forever!
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
Originally Posted By: silverrat
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
That's way too much money for that old of a car and low end of a car.
My Sonata is huge inside and extremely comfortable. $10k plus tax.
Yeah but it's a former rental. It's not a typical price for that year and model probably for that reason. I know I wouldn't want a car with 200 different drivers (not an exaggeration for 55k miles) over its first three years. Especially considering how people usually treat rentals, even on this forum.
A rental doesn't bother me. That just means it was probably driven how I currently drive it.
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
That's way too much money for that old of a car and low end of a car.
My Sonata is huge inside and extremely comfortable. $10k plus tax.
Yeah but it's a former rental. It's not a typical price for that year and model probably for that reason. I know I wouldn't want a car with 200 different drivers (not an exaggeration for 55k miles) over its first three years. Especially considering how people usually treat rentals, even on this forum.
A rental doesn't bother me. That just means it was probably driven how I currently drive it.
If it has the 1.8, listen for a rattle on startup. There's a TSB for rattling VVT actuators to at least 2010. I'm not sure if the problem continued after 2011.
The price does seem steep. I bought a 2010 Vibe (Matrix clone) from Carmax in 2010 for $12k or $13k with 28,000 miles on it.
The price does seem steep. I bought a 2010 Vibe (Matrix clone) from Carmax in 2010 for $12k or $13k with 28,000 miles on it.
My '13 Corolla developed the quick vvti rattle at 10k miles. My '13 Camry at 50k miles. Both impeccably maintained and adult driven cummuter cars. Its just a known issue unfortunately. Many replaced ones start rattling again soon. Perhaps they would go till 270k miles instead of 300k miles. We shall see.
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Originally Posted By: silverrat
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
That's way too much money for that old of a car and low end of a car.
My Sonata is huge inside and extremely comfortable. $10k plus tax.
Yeah but it's a former rental. It's not a typical price for that year and model probably for that reason. I know I wouldn't want a car with 200 different drivers (not an exaggeration for 55k miles) over its first three years. Especially considering how people usually treat rentals, even on this forum.
A rental doesn't bother me. That just means it was probably driven how I currently drive it.
Ok, but it would bother many people. It would be better to mention it when quoting the price you found the car for. It's not typical.
Originally Posted By: silverrat
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
That's way too much money for that old of a car and low end of a car.
My Sonata is huge inside and extremely comfortable. $10k plus tax.
Yeah but it's a former rental. It's not a typical price for that year and model probably for that reason. I know I wouldn't want a car with 200 different drivers (not an exaggeration for 55k miles) over its first three years. Especially considering how people usually treat rentals, even on this forum.
A rental doesn't bother me. That just means it was probably driven how I currently drive it.
Ok, but it would bother many people. It would be better to mention it when quoting the price you found the car for. It's not typical.
$12k for a 6 year old penalty box?
:eyeroll:
:eyeroll:
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
How much is it and do you have a link?
It belongs to a friend of one of my old friends. She bought a new car (Corvette) and the Corolla is just sitting in her garage. She's asking $12k for it.
Friend of a friend? I'd be tempted to distance myself from it, somehow be polite and turn it down. Too much money, even if it only had 10k on the clock. IMO the S model reduces the value of the vehicle: same brakes and drivetrain, but funky body cladding and worse, low profile tires. Maybe it rides just as nice as the regular tires, but why? It's a Corolla.
I test drove the 5MT and 4AT of this generation; and I'm not sure which I liked better. 4AT has slightly less rev's on the highway, and the trans was well programmed I thought. The 5MT is an MT (which I usually prefer), but with a rubbery shifter. I did not feel any love for the setup. Given the boring nature of the car I might actually prefer the 4AT over the 5MT, even if it gave up a bit of mpg. Personal choice, of course.
Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
How much is it and do you have a link?
It belongs to a friend of one of my old friends. She bought a new car (Corvette) and the Corolla is just sitting in her garage. She's asking $12k for it.
Friend of a friend? I'd be tempted to distance myself from it, somehow be polite and turn it down. Too much money, even if it only had 10k on the clock. IMO the S model reduces the value of the vehicle: same brakes and drivetrain, but funky body cladding and worse, low profile tires. Maybe it rides just as nice as the regular tires, but why? It's a Corolla.
I test drove the 5MT and 4AT of this generation; and I'm not sure which I liked better. 4AT has slightly less rev's on the highway, and the trans was well programmed I thought. The 5MT is an MT (which I usually prefer), but with a rubbery shifter. I did not feel any love for the setup. Given the boring nature of the car I might actually prefer the 4AT over the 5MT, even if it gave up a bit of mpg. Personal choice, of course.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
SIL has one. Suprisingly large space, but otherwise is a numb couch on wheels. A mini camry of the time period.
I'm curious how it would compare to my '99 Camry. I think I still have a shot at a friend's S when he retires. Want to say it's slightly roomier than my Camry, but probably close otherwise--haven't driven a Corolla of this vintage in a while. I want to say I might not like it: putting aside an all-black interior (? I think the S's did that) I want to say the Corolla of this vintage has slightly more highway noise and a smaller gas tank, meaning it's a worse highway ride on long drives (18.5 vs 13.5 gallon, although the S in a manual might eek out better mpg). Disc/drum setup on the S if I recall too. My Camry appears to be slightly heavier, close to 3k, while an S is more like 2,800lb. Similar horse power and drivetrain. Surprisingly similar in the end.
I would check, I think ABS and side curtain air bags may have been optional at this time, at least on the lower trims. 2011 might be new enough that it was standard.
Sorry, the comment perked a thought in me, comparing my old Camry generation to this Corolla generation.
SIL has one. Suprisingly large space, but otherwise is a numb couch on wheels. A mini camry of the time period.
I'm curious how it would compare to my '99 Camry. I think I still have a shot at a friend's S when he retires. Want to say it's slightly roomier than my Camry, but probably close otherwise--haven't driven a Corolla of this vintage in a while. I want to say I might not like it: putting aside an all-black interior (? I think the S's did that) I want to say the Corolla of this vintage has slightly more highway noise and a smaller gas tank, meaning it's a worse highway ride on long drives (18.5 vs 13.5 gallon, although the S in a manual might eek out better mpg). Disc/drum setup on the S if I recall too. My Camry appears to be slightly heavier, close to 3k, while an S is more like 2,800lb. Similar horse power and drivetrain. Surprisingly similar in the end.
I would check, I think ABS and side curtain air bags may have been optional at this time, at least on the lower trims. 2011 might be new enough that it was standard.
Sorry, the comment perked a thought in me, comparing my old Camry generation to this Corolla generation.
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Have you had the chance to drive ANY of the other cars on your list?
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I've been thinking about buying a slightly larger *practical* 2nd vehicle to do my commutes and road trips in. Here's the ones I'm interested in. Any owning experience pros and cons would be great. I'm wanting comfort,reliability,durability and decent,but not extraordinary fuel economy. Something I can drive the wheels off of and keep for a very long time (as you can see in my sig,I keep my cars for a VERY long time). Year models I'm looking at are 2006-2010. Not too old but not too new and pricey.
Nissan Sentra SR
Lexus IS-250
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Tacoma V6
Toyota Corolla S
Toyota Camry V6
Accord 2dr V6
I'm liking the Lexus IS-250 the best. And they're surprisingly cheap with low miles.
The ones I've driven are the Lexus IS-250,Corolla,and the Accord 2dr (but with 4cyl). The Lexus being my favorite. The only thing that scares me the least bit about the Lexus is maybe more expensive to own and maintain? I wonder if something were to go wrong on one of those,would it be uber expensive to fix? I found a 2010 Lexus I-250 for $14,850 with 76,979 miles. Red with tan leather,mint condition.
There are some issues with DI deposits on the IS 2.5l motors, look it up if you get serious.
A car that's on my radar is the ATS, perhaps even the slow one with the 2.5L malibu motor. Same straight line performance as the IS250 using regular gas and 33mpg hwy. Caddy also has a 6 year power-train warranty. The 2.0T is available with a manual and LSD too, but still seems to break pistons.
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Have you had the chance to drive ANY of the other cars on your list?
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I've been thinking about buying a slightly larger *practical* 2nd vehicle to do my commutes and road trips in. Here's the ones I'm interested in. Any owning experience pros and cons would be great. I'm wanting comfort,reliability,durability and decent,but not extraordinary fuel economy. Something I can drive the wheels off of and keep for a very long time (as you can see in my sig,I keep my cars for a VERY long time). Year models I'm looking at are 2006-2010. Not too old but not too new and pricey.
Nissan Sentra SR
Lexus IS-250
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Tacoma V6
Toyota Corolla S
Toyota Camry V6
Accord 2dr V6
I'm liking the Lexus IS-250 the best. And they're surprisingly cheap with low miles.
The ones I've driven are the Lexus IS-250,Corolla,and the Accord 2dr (but with 4cyl). The Lexus being my favorite. The only thing that scares me the least bit about the Lexus is maybe more expensive to own and maintain? I wonder if something were to go wrong on one of those,would it be uber expensive to fix? I found a 2010 Lexus I-250 for $14,850 with 76,979 miles. Red with tan leather,mint condition.
There are some issues with DI deposits on the IS 2.5l motors, look it up if you get serious.
A car that's on my radar is the ATS, perhaps even the slow one with the 2.5L malibu motor. Same straight line performance as the IS250 using regular gas and 33mpg hwy. Caddy also has a 6 year power-train warranty. The 2.0T is available with a manual and LSD too, but still seems to break pistons.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: supton
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
SIL has one. Suprisingly large space, but otherwise is a numb couch on wheels. A mini camry of the time period.
I'm curious how it would compare to my '99 Camry. I think I still have a shot at a friend's S when he retires. Want to say it's slightly roomier than my Camry, but probably close otherwise--haven't driven a Corolla of this vintage in a while. I want to say I might not like it: putting aside an all-black interior (? I think the S's did that) I want to say the Corolla of this vintage has slightly more highway noise and a smaller gas tank, meaning it's a worse highway ride on long drives (18.5 vs 13.5 gallon, although the S in a manual might eek out better mpg). Disc/drum setup on the S if I recall too. My Camry appears to be slightly heavier, close to 3k, while an S is more like 2,800lb. Similar horse power and drivetrain. Surprisingly similar in the end.
I would check, I think ABS and side curtain air bags may have been optional at this time, at least on the lower trims. 2011 might be new enough that it was standard.
Sorry, the comment perked a thought in me, comparing my old Camry generation to this Corolla generation.
MIL has an 02 camry which I think is the same as the 99.
Much bigger trunk, but when outfit with a sunroof has ZERO rear seat headroom, and barely enough front seat. It definitely is bigger all around, some useful space some perhaps not...
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
SIL has one. Suprisingly large space, but otherwise is a numb couch on wheels. A mini camry of the time period.
I'm curious how it would compare to my '99 Camry. I think I still have a shot at a friend's S when he retires. Want to say it's slightly roomier than my Camry, but probably close otherwise--haven't driven a Corolla of this vintage in a while. I want to say I might not like it: putting aside an all-black interior (? I think the S's did that) I want to say the Corolla of this vintage has slightly more highway noise and a smaller gas tank, meaning it's a worse highway ride on long drives (18.5 vs 13.5 gallon, although the S in a manual might eek out better mpg). Disc/drum setup on the S if I recall too. My Camry appears to be slightly heavier, close to 3k, while an S is more like 2,800lb. Similar horse power and drivetrain. Surprisingly similar in the end.
I would check, I think ABS and side curtain air bags may have been optional at this time, at least on the lower trims. 2011 might be new enough that it was standard.
Sorry, the comment perked a thought in me, comparing my old Camry generation to this Corolla generation.
MIL has an 02 camry which I think is the same as the 99.
Much bigger trunk, but when outfit with a sunroof has ZERO rear seat headroom, and barely enough front seat. It definitely is bigger all around, some useful space some perhaps not...
While Corolla is a fine vehicle for what it is, at this price point I would not even consider it. The segment is full of much better choices with pretty much the same reliability and operating costs while being a lot cheaper to buy as used.
02 Camry (1st m.y. of Gen5) is NOT the same as 99 (Gen4).
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- Dec 30, 2006
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- 29,558
In my search,all of the cheaper Corollas,Camrys,and Accords all have over 100,000 miles,salvaged titles,or show accident history via Carfax. I'm being very meticulous about my search as I don't want to end up with a pos. If I decide to go look at that Corolla,what would be a good fair and not embarrassingly lowball offer?
Do the Lexus I-250's require premium gasoline?
Do the Lexus I-250's require premium gasoline?
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