My current Drive

[206 RC]

Well, I have finally dropped the 180 into Graeme Cuthberts for a little panel work (BLOODY CLEANERS)...

And what did they give me as a courtesy car:

MY02 Toyota Corolla Ascent!!!

First lets start with the styling, which lets face it came straight from the kelvinator factory and onto a road near you.

1/10

Steering:

What can I say about this lifeless disconnected refrigerator. I suppose, I turn the wheel the car moves, although provides no direct feedback and is totally unresponsive

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1/10

Traction:

None. Wheel spin in first at less than 20kmph

0/10

Acceleration:

0-100 in about 12 seconds. WOW! What a pocket rocket

1/10

Transmission:

Automatic, but not just any automatic, a slow, indecisive, jerky automatic.

1/10

Brakes:

I suppose they stop the car, but they feel insanely spongy.


Equipment:
Manual windows!!!
Indicators don’t power off after turn!!
One airbag

[DejaVu]

Oh what a feeling...Toyota

[Dave]

With an average of 0.8/10 what a great car, when are you trading up????

Dave

[Stone Free]

Reminds me of trying to drive my dads Triton Ute on the weekend. No power steering even!! Talk about trying to drive a barge. I might say though that the engine was pretty good, especially when it was pulling about a ton of stuff on the back.

[David Shearer]

Well, I have finally dropped the 180 into Graeme Cuthberts for a little panel work (BLOODY CLEANERS)...

And what did they give me as a courtesy car:

MY02 Toyota Corolla Ascent!!!

First lets start with the styling, which lets face it came straight from the kelvinator factory and onto a road near you.

1/10

Steering:

What can I say about this lifeless disconnected refrigerator. I suppose, I turn the wheel the car moves, although provides no direct feedback and is totally unresponsive

1/10

Traction:

None. Wheel spin in first at less than 20kmph

0/10

Acceleration:

0-100 in about 12 seconds. WOW! What a pocket rocket

1/10

Transmission:

Automatic, but not just any automatic, a slow, indecisive, jerky automatic.

1/10

Brakes:

I suppose they stop the car, but they feel insanely spongy.


Equipment:
Manual windows!!!
Indicators don’t power off after turn!!
One airbag

you're lucky, when I droped my car off there I was too young to be allowed to have a car, I had to borrow my mate's old bluebird wagon. Great times in that little deathtrap.

[Alan S]

and where are all the Jap car lovers who are usually telling all and sundry to buy these kind of "cars" instead of the French stuff? Sitting on their taste buds again.


Alan S

[TroyO]

You lucky bastard! My last loaner from the dealer was a 407 ST Executive complete with leather heated and electric seats.

Troy.

[206 RC]

You lucky bastard! My last loaner from the dealer was a 407 ST Executive complete with leather heated and electric seats.

Troy.

I hate you.

On another note. We truly have no idea how lucky we are with our decent vehicles. To think their are [people] used loosly out there that buy this shite...

[SLC206]

Yeah well, my last loan car (which I had to drive across Sydney for a week) was a 4 yr old pale green Daewoo Lanos 3 cylinder auto. It seriously challenged the old saying "beats walking."

You, my friend, ain't got nothin' to complain about.

Enjoy your limousine

[blu180]

I was given a '92 Corolla as a company car. After 2 months I gave it back.

[XTC]

.... man you guys should try hiring and driving cars in Indonesia .. now that was FUN ... paid less than $10 a day for a total POS (could have bargained for less, but I wanted AC that WORKED !!) ... put fuel in it and it trippled the value of the car .

It was like an adventure, 3 lanes of traffic when only 2 are marked ... red light? what red light? Saw a dozen accidents and no-one stops, they just drive off. It was fun and scary at the same time !

Dealer loan cars .. I wish I stopped getting that Auto 206

- xTc -

[anhtu]

A lot of Toyota owners I spoke to justify their purchases mainly along:
1) Easy to get parts
2) Easy to sell. (Can't fathom this one)

No one ever mentions handling.

[206 RC]

I am not asking for Peugeot level's of equipment or handling. However, to feel unsafe and disconnected from the driving experience in my opinion is a worry.

[al]

I am not asking for Peugeot level's of equipment or handling. However, to feel unsafe and disconnected from the driving experience in my opinion is a worry.

Bet you're missing all those admiring looks from girls wondering where you got the spoiler and wheels for your barina... (i'm gonna have to stop making those comments soon aren't i...)

Perhaps you should talk to the punk who i saw at uni this morning on how to improve toyotas package... He had wacked big black rims, a huge kit, about 10 spoilers and acres of carbon fibre onto his echo...

[brenno]

I am not asking for Peugeot level's of equipment or handling. However, to feel unsafe and disconnected from the driving experience in my opinion is a worry.

I'm curious, have you driven a 307 1.6 lately?

[Stuey]

a 4 yr old pale green Daewoo Lanos 3 cylinder auto.

Aren't they a four cylinder? I'm sure they've still got that 4 cyl engine derived from the GM Family engine range.

[TroyO]

Aren't they a four cylinder? I'm sure they've still got that 4 cyl engine derived from the GM Family engine range.

Maybe that one was only running on 3 cylinders.

Troy.

[SLC206]

Maybe that one was only running on 3 cylinders.

Troy.

Well, you may be right. It only had 3 spark plug leads so I'm pretty sure it was only running on 3 cylinders...

[Kyle]

I have seen a new corolla sportivo 1.8 make 118kw on a dyno, so they seem to do pretty well... But dont have the handling

Had a holden astra slush box for a loan car when mine was in for panel repair recently...

[TroyO]

Well, you may be right. It only had 3 spark plug leads so I'm pretty sure it was only running on 3 cylinders...

Hmm.. I don't recall the Lanos being available as a 3 cylinder either, it's a bit big for a 3. You sure it wasn't a Matiz? They are a 3 and were available as an auto option.

Still, I'd hate to think what something the size of a Lanos with a 3 cylinder and an auto would go like.

Troy.

[Sergetov]

Whilst the criticisms of the Corolla may or may not be fair, put it in perspective of its competition.

Its fast for its price (easily the best engine in its price bracket), 100kW in a base model 1.8 with VVTi is damn good.

Its autobox is not as bad as a 307's (IMHO)

Every other criticism seems fair though...

The reasons I can think of for buying one (I NEVER would advocate ANYONE buying them except fleets though!) include:

- They are dirt cheap to buy new, Toyota have the lowest costs, and you can negotiate
- They have strong resale values
- They are totally inoffensive (an advantage for fleets)
- They are more reliable and safer than cheap cars from Korea (what an achievement!)

What I find disturbing is the number of private sales they get.

Still have to respect them though. The sold 5221 of them last month. Beggers belief.

[SLC206]

Hmm.. I don't recall the Lanos being available as a 3 cylinder either, it's a bit big for a 3. You sure it wasn't a Matiz? They are a 3 and were available as an auto option.

Yes I'm sure it wasn't a Matiz, yes I'm sure it was a Lanos, yes I'm sure it only had 3 cylinders, yes I'm sure it was the most atrocious car I have ever driven.

Enough said.

[jannear]

Ive had an early 80s model automatic Honda Civic - with no back seat as a loaner.

It was atrocious, and had nothing on the 93 laser I was driving at the time.

[pugjet]

yah i'd have to agree with Tim (sergetov), here.

i had one as a company car (it was as far as my salary sacrifice could take me, and i could not choose the vehicle in the given price bracket - figure that one out). mine was an auto, and yup ive also driven a sportivo, also.

it would be pretty unfair to comparea soya sauce corolla ascent to the gti180 and the regular gti - even though it may have a similar kw output to the latter.

take the ascent for what it is, there are few vehicles that would compare well.

yes, it is white goods on wheels, and is inoffensive.

resale value couldnt be any better.

build quality was better than any frenchie ive driven, 'cept that its plastics were too hard.

seats were crap. did anyone say park bench?

with 100kw on tap, it was quite brisk - wouldnt be surprised if it took a regular 206 gti off at the lights.

the ascent and sportivo are not switchback weapons, coz any hint of a corner or slight kink in the road, they would both inevidebly dial understeer. the cars cant turn without understeering badly! orestos' 205 auto 5door would rape 'em in the hills!lolz

it was also rolly polly in corners for no gain whats so ever.

steering was nicely weighted at low speeds but became too feather light, at speed.

the most overwhelming thing this car lacked was err personality. it looked innoffensive. interior was logical but looked boring. its drive was ok in a straight line but throw it into a corner, youd instantly be saying hello to mr understeer, even without trying.

would i buy one with my own cash?

nup.

is it all that bad?

nup. not that bad. its good solid boring a to b transport with great resale.

guess its all about what you want in a car.