That's a lot of car for that kind of money.
We did the consider the LE, but it's $1700 more and I just didn't see the $1700 in the additional features. The keyless entry with start button is odd and the missus didn't like it all that much. My goal was to write a cheque as close to $20K flat as possible.
As for value, the Corolla got me to break our no-new-car rule. It is a TON of car for the money. The 09 has side bags and curtain bags and ABS standard. The interior materials are better than the 03-08 models, and overall fit and finish seems very high. This is a very refined economy car. The engine has a slight drone under light load that is not uncommon in most 4-banger designs, and it is barely noticable, and I only notice it as the MB's four banger is V-8 smooth...
The 4-speed AT is missing the 5th gear many makers offer now, but Toyota has matched the ratios to the engine VERY well and the trans is hot-knife-through-butter smooth.
The new electric power steering is mush better for feel compared to the previous design, but still overboosted like 99% of non-German cars.
The shifter is too easy to put into 3 instead of D, but I notice many new cars like that. That could be better executed.
The audio system has a couple good sized knobs that do lots. Nice.
Gauges are clear and simple. All cars should adopt the properly marked engine coolant temp gauge with actual temperatures, but 99.99% of people wouldn't know, so...
Neat trip computer features with elapsed time, average speed, average l/100km, instant l/100km and range to empty.
NOTE: The DRL system is all automatically done now, so 09- Corola owners CAN NO LONGER DRIVE AT NIGHT with their lights off. YAY!!!
