Just drove this around the block

"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
09/01/2017 at 22:30 • Filed to: Toyota

Here are my thoughts.

It’s not an attractive car.

Something is making a bad noise, like bad wheel bearing noise, but it doesn’t feel sloppy so who knows.

No squeaks or rattles, feels as well put together as a Toyota of this age should.

It’s so freaking light. It feels shockingly light. It makes the Subaru feel like it weighs about 5000lbs, hell, it makes the 2015 Yaris I used to drive for work seem like a whale too.

Engine is adequate, totally fine for putting around town, transmission shifts a bit harshly but it’s a loaner car, so I’m sure it’s abused.

Seat was fine, I didn’t really notice anything good or bad, it was just there. Much better than the godawful seat in the 2015 Yaris.

That’s about it. Seemed like it could be fun to toss around, could be more fun with a manual.

DISCUSSION (10)

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > gmctavish needs more space
09/01/2017 at 22:41

My old 2006 Corolla was the lightest feeling car I have driven. It wasn’t light in a fun tossable way though. More of a “every bump and breeze moves you around the road” kind of light.

Tristan > gmctavish needs more space
09/01/2017 at 22:43

The Mrs. had a 1999 VE with a 5 speed manual. It had air conditioning and rear defrost as options- that’s it. It was just a fantastic little car, and I regret selling it. Great mileage and fantastic build quality!

gmctavish needs more space > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
09/01/2017 at 22:46

Oh, that’s quite possibly what this one would be like. I never exceeded 40km/hr, so I don’t know

fintail > gmctavish needs more space
09/01/2017 at 22:59

I remember going on a test drive with a Corolla of the next generation (07, I think) with my mom, when her prior Corolla got hit. She had bought the wrecked Corolla without telling me, and needed a replacement. The lightness surprised me too, and not in a good way - I thought it seemed flimsy, to the point of maybe compromising safety. I recommended she look at a Camry, which at the time was only marginally more expensive in moderately equipped LE form than the “S” Corolla. She ended up in the Camry, and is happy all these years later, and I am happy she chose the more substantial car.

gmctavish needs more space > fintail
09/01/2017 at 23:04

It feels well built, but I definitely wouldn’t call it substantial. I probably would’ve gone with the Camry too

fintail > gmctavish needs more space
09/01/2017 at 23:33

Her Corolla got rear ended on the highway. She wasn’t driving, my brother was - driver wasn’t injured, but a rear seat passenger was. It held up as well as one would expect for something of that size, but maybe not ideally. As she gets older, I want her in something a little safer. The Camry feels much more solid to me. Most interesting thing about the Corolla was that it had a plood package that amused me - and she liked it. But she is even happier with the Camry, and it has been nearly problem-free.

At least she has an aversion to CUVs/SUVs - she wants a trunk.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > gmctavish needs more space
09/02/2017 at 00:17

Yikes. What janky icbc body shop is that from?

gmctavish needs more space > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
09/02/2017 at 01:08

One in North Van that my dad decided to take his car to. They have some of the oldest courtesy cars I’ve ever seen, but apparently they’re good

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > gmctavish needs more space
09/02/2017 at 03:20

Whenever I ride in one of these, I’m surprised (again) how floaty and uncontrolled the ride feels. And one of the interior door handles is always broken.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
09/02/2017 at 08:58

I have always experienced this in GM cars and small Toyotas, particularly from this era. I don’t know what’s different, but some brands and models feel very planted while others are unnerving.