I drove a thing, AMA

"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel) 05/22/2019 at 15:30 • Filed to: None

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In my quest to find a new daily driver I mad the trip over to my local Toyota dealer to try one of the new Corolla Hatchbacks with the 6 speed . I really, really, liked it. A blue SE model is very likely going to be my new daily.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 15:40

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Not a question, but XSE is the one with seat heaters if that matters. 

This IS a question: did you try all the electronic driver assists? When I test drove mine I didn’t get the chance. I found the shifter a bit vague but I’m used to Tremecs now.

Another question: How did you find the ride? I thought especially for Toyota it was a bit firm.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 15:41

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I need to drive one of these. Have you driven the new Mazda 3 (or the gen that’s on its way out)? I loved my ‘05 3s manual hatch, and would really like to own a car like it again at some point. 

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 15:42

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Love the near-pastel blue colour offered on this car.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 15:42

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Do they have android auto?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 15:44

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Why is the XSE more efficient?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 15:45

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Did the fake Exhaust tips make you feel bad?

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 15:47

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The XSE is definitely the one you want.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 05/22/2019 at 15:47

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Seat heaters are nice but I can live without them. I did poke the lane departure system a bit but I would be leaving them off 100% of the time, otherwise I will keep poking it until I find it’s limits and then I am in trouble. The iMT auto rev matching was kinda cool, if useless to me as someone who enjoys blipping their own shifts.

I found the shifter to be fine, it desperately needs a short shifter though as those 1-2 throws are long. Side to side felt nice and tight. I’m not convinced the clutch was actually connected to anything with how light it was. There were multiple audible thuds as I got on the clutch expecting more resistance to find very little. Overall it was probably the easiest manual transmission I have ever driven.

I found the ride very good. I’m used to my Mini which is quite a bit firmer and found it quite comfortable. It handled everything I threw at it with ease.

Nick Has an Exocet > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 05/22/2019 at 15:48

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$23,535 I think is the lowest MSRP on a manual for the Corolla hatch . $27,500 is the lowest MSRP on a manual Mazda3 hatch. That’s a pretty big delta but if you have the extra coin, go give the 3 a drive. It’s waaaaay nicer inside.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/22/2019 at 15:50

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SE is standard manual, optional CVT while the XSE is standard CVT, optional manual. The manual XSEs I was looking at today were all stickered with an mpg of 28/37.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever 05/22/2019 at 15:50

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I wouldn’t leave with one that wasn’t that blue paired with a 6 speed.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 05/22/2019 at 15:51

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Why’s that? They are mechanically identical and the XSE doesn’t seem to offer any features over the SE that I feel justifies the price.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/22/2019 at 15:52

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No, just Car Play which is a bummer. 

wafflesnfalafel > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/22/2019 at 15:53

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huh, that is odd - they seem to have the same motor/transmission options. Maybe it’s a typo and 28/37 is manual and 32/42 is the  CVT.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/22/2019 at 15:54

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I have not. The 3 fell out of contention when I learned you have to buy a loaded hatchback for about $28k in order to get the manual.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Nick Has an Exocet 05/22/2019 at 15:54

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Yah know I might just do that. Before the Civic my wife really did have her heart set on a 3. We should try both to be sure. 

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 15:56

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I drove mine right after a Yaris which is the softest thing this side of Fiat 500 I’ve found, so that might have coloured my perception a bit.

It is true that it is a REALLY easy manual to work. Almost too easy. And the engagement is so so light! I think all modern non-racey manuals are going to be this way.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 15:56

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That would really be a deal breaker for me. If i was going to replace the kia, I need both and AC.

i drive all day and android auto is a must have.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > wafflesnfalafel 05/22/2019 at 15:56

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Yeah, that might be it. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 15:57

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Gotcha. 

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > wafflesnfalafel 05/22/2019 at 15:57

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That’s what it is. The standard transmission on the SE is the manual while the standard transmission on the XSE is the CVT. Both can be optioned either way, but advertising reflects standard options.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 15:58

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That’s the new gen (is a bummer, for sure ). Maybe test driving the outgoing gen is worth it? They’ve got $2000 incentives going, per Tom’s article.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 05/22/2019 at 16:01

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From my understanding most clutches in Europe are light like this which makes sense considering this is the European Corolla.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 05/22/2019 at 16:01

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Former IS-F driver here. That’s not nearly the biggest lie I’ve seen from the back of a car.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 16:02

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Women love seat heaters btw. If you are with one, there’s incentive there, and if you are looking for one, there’s incentive there, and if neither are true, you’re a free-er man than I am

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/22/2019 at 16:03

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Android Auto is on my list of things that would be nice to have but I have never had a touch screen infotainment before so I wouldn’t be giving anything up by buying a car without AA. 

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 16:03

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Egads.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 16:06

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Ah. I have the CX-3 with their system with AA and CP and the ST with MYFordTouch which...is bad.  The Forte has no touch screen, but does have bluetooth

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 16:18

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The wheels don’t look like poverty spec, 7" screen instead of 4.2", leather trimmed seats with heaters, fog lights, blindspot monitoring, and dual zone climate control. I’ve driven a lot of press-T oyotas missing the basic things(including a Corolla SE) and wished I had the next trim level  

LongbowMkII > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/22/2019 at 16:23

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I thought the outgoing gen was a better car to drive vs the new corolla. I think the weakest part of the corolla is the seating position, which is high. Reminded me an awful lot of my  Mazda 5 (which is lowered tbf)

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 05/22/2019 at 16:26

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Why

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > LongbowMkII 05/22/2019 at 16:27

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I don’t mind sitting a little higher if the effect is overall improved visibility, but definitely don’t want to feel like I’m sitting on my car, not in it, especially in a small, sporty hatch. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 05/22/2019 at 16:27

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At least there actually are two outlets and not just one 

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 05/22/2019 at 16:30

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The SE does have the blind spot monitor (and all the other safety sense features) just like the XSE. Dual Zone climate control doesn’t matter at all to me when 95% of the time it is going to be just me in the car. Fog lights are easy enough to retrofit (and aren’t something I’m giving up moving away from the fog light -less Mini), and while the 16s are ugly compared to the 18s they will make good snow tire wheels when I buy 17s with sticky-ish rubber on them. Heated seats are nice but aren’t worth paying a $3k+ premium for.

Sure the cluster in the XSE looks nice but I found the display to be under utilized. None of the screens actually seemed useful to me and you couldn’t even have a digital speedo. I also found the small tach hard to read at a glan ce, something that would be helped by the larger tach in the SE.

All in I just don’t see the need to pay for the XSE when the SE fits my needs.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 16:36

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This makes me think of how Toyota thought they needed the Scion brand because people viewed the Toyota brand as ‘boring’.

The reality is, in the past, vehicles like this would have gone to the Scion brand, which would reinforce the ‘boring Toyota brand’ problem.

Toyota never needed Scion.

All they needed was more interesting Toyota-branded vehicles... like this Corolla hatchback!

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 05/22/2019 at 16:36

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I don’t know why :( Would have been just fine as two pipes with 1 tip each IMO

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 16:38

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Compared to the Mini, how heavy does it feel?

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 05/22/2019 at 16:39

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Who would have thought Toyota would be on the save the manuals bandwagon?

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/22/2019 at 16:42

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It didn’t actually feel heavy to me, though maybe that has something to do with the Toyota having 55 more ponies than my Mini. According to Google its only 300 lbs heavier than the R53.

It did feel wide though. Then again, everything feels wide compared to a Mini.

nermal > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 17:02

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Make sure you look at a new GTI before buying anything. May be a smidgen more expensive but also much more powahhh and generally better in every way.

Especially in blue .

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > nermal 05/22/2019 at 17:06

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Too expensive on the insurance and maintenance side of things.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 17:12

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Woot. Any reason you want the SE instead of the XSE?

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/22/2019 at 17:20

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The XSE doesn't do anything to justify it's price over the SE to me.

Funktheduck > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 17:20

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Probably could get a 2018 Mazda 3 in manual for real cheap. The FP post made me look up the new one and how much it’d set me back if I traded in my 2015 and the numbers just aren’t in my favor. At MSRP I’d have to put down $7k just to get the payments in line on top of a generous trade in and the $1500 from Mazda. Nearly $30k base price for a manual is more than I’m comfortable with. 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 17:24

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Does the XSE not have a little more power? It has ahhhh 164 I think, what does the SE say it has?

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/22/2019 at 17:28

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Nope, both have the same brakes, suspension, and 168HP 2.0l engine. Only difference is options.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 17:31

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oooooooooo good to know.

I would like one, but, you know :(

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/22/2019 at 17:32

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Sportcross is superior doggo hauler.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 17:42

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It is also not five figures!

[hides maintenance receipts]

... :D

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 17:54

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That's nice! I'll need to go test drive one then...

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/22/2019 at 17:59

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It doesn't have the character of our Minis but it should make a solid fun daily driver and autocrosser.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 18:04

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I’d get a white manual hatchback and put some black Initial-D vinyl accents and shop name on it.

If anyone asks where the tofu is ... I ate it, of course.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 05/22/2019 at 18:06

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Objection:

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 18:09

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Well yeah, but I have this Pavlovian response to “Corolla Hatchback” from years of indoctrination.

gettingoldercarguy > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 18:10

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Nobody will disagree with this.

SpeedSix > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 18:12

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When I tested fitting into one at the Auto Show (Toronto) a few months back, I found the rear seat cushion oddly low, with absolutely no thigh support. It was worse than pretty much anything of its class, and most subcompacts, too.

Hope you don’t have to carry anyone back there with any regularity.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > SpeedSix 05/22/2019 at 18:17

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The rear seats in the Mini have been used probably 10 times in 3 years. The Corolla seats may be disappointing but they are better than the Minis.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/22/2019 at 18:20

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Nothing has the character of the whiny boi :P