miércoles, 4 de noviembre de 2009

Toyota Corolla 1988 Model

It is a rare day when an auto-scribe gets to test drive a real entry-level model.

     As a rule, the testers tend to be mid-range models or better, each of which usually features more than its fair share of optional equipment. In a refreshing change, the Toyota Corolla tester arrived as an entry-level stripper - the base CE with not an option to be found other than its automatic transmission ($1,000).

     The CE is a bare-bones sort of car. A couple of days earlier I had been driving a Corolla S - it comes with a minor body kit and a few welcome splashes of colour on the dash and doors along with some fancy blue flecks that are woven into the seat fabric. The CE is, in contrast, fairly described as bland. From its pressed-steel wheels to its beige interior, it can be likened to white bread sans butter.

     In this case, it is not such a bad thing as it caters to those shopping on a budget - $15,160 before the optional transmission, freight, PDI and taxes. The downside is that to get two of the more popular features - air conditioning and power locks - requires another $1,905. If you want power windows, well, that adds $3,040.

     At this point, the base car becomes somewhat more than entry-level. If there is a saving grace, it is that the enhanced convenience package that brings the air and power windows also includes one of the most important safety features offered today - a very good electronic traction/stability control system.

     In the back, the Corolla is all it should be. There is enough room for a pair of adults to sit in comfort and, if you're brave enough to risk the wrath of the teen forced to sit in the middle spot, there's somewhere for the rider to put his feet because the floor is flat. Likewise, the trunk - at 12.3 cubic feet - accommodates a family of four's luggage with space to spare. The 60/40 - split/folding rear seats add the needed versatility.

     With 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque on tap, the Corolla has a decent turn of speed. The 1.8-litre engine, which features variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust cams, is also a slick operator. The idle is smooth and, when forced to work at the top end of the rev range, it remains commendably quiet. A hand-held stopwatch put the zero-to-100-kilometres-an-hour time at 10.6 seconds, which is on par with most entry-level family cars. Where the engine really shines is its decided lack of thirst for fuel. A week long average of 6.1 litres per 100 km took the sting out of escalating gas prices.

     The optional four-speed automatic transmission works well. The shifts are smooth on the way up and fast when the driver demands a kick down to pass a slower vehicle. However, the Corolla deserves a five-speed automatic box.

     The extra gear would not only put more authority into the launch, it would relax the highway experience and improve fuel economy. If you don't mind shifting your own gears, the manual box is the better choice. The clutch action is light and progressive, and the gate is nicely defined. It also sharpens the response throttle input and shaves the acceleration time by 0.2 seconds while bettering the automatics' fuel economy.

     The Toyota Corolla has been a perennial favourite. While it's true this car does not stand out in any given discipline, it does everything demanded of a family car very nicely. The fact it boasts better than average reliability, enviable quality and excellent resale value underscores its status as one of the entry-level leaders.

Toyota Corolla Specs

Type of vehicle: Front-wheel-drive compact sedan

Engine: 1.8L DOHC four-cylinder

Power: 132 hp 6,000 rpm; 128 lb-ft of torque 4,400 rpm

Transmission: Four-speed automatic

Brakes: Front disc, rear drum with ABS

Tires: P195/65R15

Price: base/as tested: $15,160/$16,160

Destination charge: $1,270

Transport Canada fuel economy L/100 km: 7.6 city, 5.7 hwy.

Standard features:Heated power mirrors, intermittent wipers, manual crank windows, manual door locks, driver's seat manual height adjustment, AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA audio system with four speakers and auxiliary input jack, cloth seating, tilt steering, outside temperature readout, digital clock, front and rear cup holders, dual glove boxes, front and side seat-mounted air bags, drop-down side curtains, active front head restraints, engine immobilizer, tinted glass, carpeted floor mats, splash guards.
Vancouver B.C. Car Info
vancouvercarinfo.com/

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