Toyota 4spd auto

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supton

supton

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I'm dithering on this. I'm looking to move out of my Jetta again, and get a Yaris/Corolla for commuting. [Econobox to keep the miles off my truck, something to rack up 18-20kmiles/year on; looking no older than 5 years old / 100kmiles, preferably something simple. Really want 35mpg or better.] Anyhow, I've read that the 4spd auto isn't badly matched in these cars. I usually buy stick, but my Camry is kinda boring, and other than the ability to hold top gear on hills I've got no love for it. I know the manual is best for mpg, but I don't think the difference is huge, at least not without hypermiling (which I don't want to do).

Yaris and Corolla, ok in auto?
 
Preferably 5k. Might actually try shopping out state for once, so as to go older with less rust--hence the dilemma, if I can't test drive it...?

Just want an appliance. Gas and go.
 
I came across Gen 5 camry 2.4L 5-spd stick shift before in very reasonable price (back when we were shopping for my wifey's camry to replace her 92 camry V6).

Priced below A/T of same mileage and condition, worth thinking about.

Q.
 
I have a 2010 Vibe with the 1.8 and 4-speed auto. The combination seems decent, but I say that as someone who has never driven an auto trans with more than 4 speeds.

It gets about 32 on the 70 mph interstates, and managed 35 on a trip to Maine last summer. City mileage is around 22-24. I think Corollas are rated a little higher.
 
I had a Pontiac Vibe (rebadged Matrix) with the 4spd auto. I believe that's the same engine as the Corolla. It was reasonably fun to rev, even though it didn't have a lot of power it was consistent 30+ mpg no matter how I drove it. I had it for 10 yrs and 210k miles, then traded it in still running.
 
Originally Posted By: Quest
I came across Gen 5 camry 2.4L 5-spd stick shift before in very reasonable price (back when we were shopping for my wifey's camry to replace her 92 camry V6).

Priced below A/T of same mileage and condition, worth thinking about.

Q.


Yes...That's how I got the Kitacamry...not much of a market here in south Florida for a Camry stick...the dealer dropped the asking price by 13% to counter my offer of 15% under the lowest of 3 different prices they had on the car (on the windshield, ebay and carmax.com)...bought it for what was the trade-in value at the time...
 
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My wife's 2010 4spd Corolla has been a very good car...I mean appliance. The torque converter clutch is a little busy for my liking, But overall well matched to the engine.

Toyota/Aisin are reliable transmissions.
 
Originally Posted By: supton
I'm dithering on this. I'm looking to move out of my Jetta again, and get a Yaris/Corolla for commuting.

Yaris and Corolla, ok in auto?



compared to a camry (NO)! and really 35 mpg, your probably looking at a Golf diesil or similar, which you seem to already have.

I once had a 16valve 1.6 litre Toyota and it would see 29 mpg at best (auto trans, stardard shift might get close between 30 and 35mpg.
 
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The Kitacam gets a real 35mpg on the highway @ 70mph...34.5 @ 80mph, and 24+ "in-town", which here in Florida is more suburban than urban driving.
 
I've long liked stick, my truck is my first auto, but at the moment... I kinda don't care. I can drive stick w/o thinking about it, but right now I just want an appliance. Maybe the moment will pass. But watching a few cars rust up, and take paint chips etc, I view my next commuter as a complete throwaway item. I don't want an attachment. Which I have with my Jetta. Would you believe I still carry full collision on it? I have yet to drop it.

I might shop out of state, to avoid our typical rust, that might mean less of a test drive than I like. Will see.
 
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Why don't you get something like a saturn ion or a chevy cobalt? With the ignition switch recall debacle their resale should suffer. They have throttle-by-wire and the 4 speed auto is well suited, and rev-matches the engine for you for a snappy quick automatic shift. Nothing wrong with the (post 2004) ecotec motors and they are a snoozefest to drive.
 
I thought Ion's had the bad ignition switch? There was some reason why I turned my nose up at Ions years ago, don't recall now.

I guess I shouldn't be snobbish and rule them out, the GM's that is. Ion/Cobalt? As long as I don't have to repair 'em I won't care, just get over 30mpg and I'll be happy.
 
I think the only potential issue with that auto is that mileage might be significantly worse and the top gear may not be all that low.
On my Focus the manual is rated nearly 20% better than the 4spd auto for highway mpg, and you might be getting well into the mid or early 2000's for a $5k toyota, so you can't assume the autos of that time will get equal mileage to the manual.
You might also want to do the math on a new Versa or Rio or other dirt cheap new car and see if the mileage makes them pay, or spending extra for a used Prius and maybe get mileage like your Jetta.
 
The matrix is the best car we have had by far.

Ours has 40k miles on it, and we just did a BG transmission flush with synthetic fluid.

New air filters, and oil change.

Car runs like a watch.
 
We have a 2002 Corolla 5spd that does strict appliance duty. It rated at 28/37. Users average 4 mpg more with 5spd over 4spd auto and 6 more over 3 spd
 
I bought a 2002 Corolla 4 speed auto about 7 years ago to replace my 94 Corolla 5 speed manual 1.8L 7AFE. The 2002 with an auto and 10 more hp felt like it had a parachute behind it. No performance at all. Plus the fuel mileage sucked. roughly 32 at best, when I routinely get 37-38 mpg in my 94. It was such a drastic difference compared to driving my old one I ended up selling the new one!

IMO, anything with less than 150 hp needs a manual transmission. If you're used to the 6 speed manual in your Camry, you'll probably kick yourself for getting an auto in a Corolla. In a Yaris? Forget it. 105 hp needs a manual IMO.
 
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Good info. Thanks. More or less confirms what I thought.

I doubt I will go older than 5 years old though (probably can't stay inside the $5k budget). I can't see replacing a 10 year old car with an even older car. I also like my ABS, and safety features, even if I don't plan to use them. ABS, well... Since it's there it generally activates once/month in winter. Not during panic stops but generally one wheel locks up. After driving for years with ABS I'm just not going back, I never really learned how to pump the brake and I don't see a reason to do so now.

I *think* Matrix had some bearing issues in the stick. I know the Pontiac Vibe is its sister vehicle, so I do know to cross shop that. I think I'm going to email my insurance rep and see what the insurance prices are between these vehicles, see if there is a large gap.

I'm actually leaning towards a sedan this time. It's weird, I've long liked station wagons. But my truck is my wagon now, this commuter is purely for commuting. It seems weird but I think I want a sedan.
 
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