car options

[arethinn]

I'm pondering the various options available on the 2004 Corolla, as I think I've settled on that model. I'm basically seeing what combinations I could do, whether it would make more sense economically to go for the S or the LE, bla bla. Most of the more cosmetic ones I need to find out what, exactly, they are or look like before I could tell if I want them or not.

The main I'm waffling on is the side airbags. They're not a trivial cost (~$200) and I don't know whether I really want them or need them. Anyone have any sites/references/experiences that would sway me in either direction?

I'm also trying to make the same decision on cruise control (it's the same price, actually). I find I have to constantly adjust my speed when I drive, so cruise control wouldn't be able to do its thing, and I've never wished for it. But then again, as I expect to own the car for ten years at least, the day might come that I'd want to use it, and be annoyed that I hadn't bought it. So I don't know.

I also wish I knew what they meant by "heavy-duty heater", which I can only get by buying a certain package (although it's a relatively cheap one). Is that something I might be glad I bought when I take this car to Canada with me, or would the regular one be just fine? I have the feeling Toyota is not going to be willing or able to provide me with BTU ratings, here. :)

Comments

[juuro.livejournal.com]

Cruise control is a great tool, even if one does adjust the speed continuously. Driving down the freeway for three hours straight is much less sternuous for the leg when you can let your fingers do the walking. Get up to speed, engage the cruise control, and then as traffic situation warrants, hit the "+" and "-" buttons appropriately. Works great for me.

Do take the heater. And quite especially, take an engine block heater.

[glitterychaos.livejournal.com]

If you are planning on living in Canada, get the heavy-duty heater. Or better yet, by a car in Canada. The heaters from the United States, especially California, are not adequate for Canadian winters. I have this on good authority from my aunt and uncle, and myself from having survived a few winters in Canada :)

As for airbags, I personally would never go for them, but that's mostly because when I sit in the driver's seat of a car I am too close to the airbags and thus airbags make it more dangerous. Airbags are "supposed to" make the cars safer, but if you have the lap and shoulder belts, and generally don't drive like a maniac, I don't think airbags are all that necessary. They also can be very dangerous.. good choice on Toyota! I'd *strongly* recommend the prius, but I know that in cold weather its advantages aren't as noticeable, and they are more expensive..

[arethinn]

Driving down the freeway for three hours straight

...is something I never do. The longest trips I take are a little over two hours, and I do that oh... three times a year. This car will probably be driven cross-country once to transport it to Canada, but it seems silly to buy an option I'm otherwise unlikely to use just for that one instance (even if that "instance" is a week long. heh).

an engine block heater

I wish, but no such thing on the cars around here. I might ask the dealer if it exists, but I doubt that I'm going to be able to get it, because why would any car built for sale in California (where I am) have such a thing? I wonder if that could be retrofit by a Canadian dealer shop or something. Anyway, I doubt this is something I'm going to be able to do anything about at purchase.

[arethinn]

Or better yet, by a car in Canada.

I considered this option, but discarded it for several reasons:

1) One can't carry one's credit history cross-border, thus, it would be impossible for me to get the car loan for quite a while...

2)...which is probably just as well, because I don't expect to have an income that could support living expenses AND a car payment for quite a while...

3)...but my current car isn't likely to last, at least not and still be really reliable, for those next, say, five years...

4)...and since I'll be far from home which is always where we've done our own car repair, to avoid having to spend big amounts to keep my current car running...

...we thought it best just to have me have a new car before I go.

As for airbags, I personally would never go for them, but that's mostly because when I sit in the driver's seat of a car I am too close to the airbags and thus airbags make it more dangerous.

Front airbags are standard. They are on almost everything these days. No choice there, whether they're dangerous or not (I don't sit all that close to the wheel, although I am fairly short). Side airbags are mounted above the windows (apparently) and are meant to deploy in the event of a side impact so you don't whack your head against the door frame or window.

[juuro.livejournal.com]

At least for the cars on sale in this country, the engine block heater can be retrofitted. There are even generic models that are slightly less efficient but still make starting at sub-freezing temperatures much easier for the engine.

glitterychaos mentioned actually getting the car in Canada. There's a point there, actually. In some cars, there's a minor difference in some subsystems depending on whether the car is destined for subtropic or subarctic regions. Alternator and shock absorbers come to mind, but there can be other differences.

The heavy duty heater. Does that package include bench warmers? Those are a heaven-sent on a cold morning.

[arethinn]

The heavy duty heater. Does that package include bench warmers?

It includes a "rear heater duct" (I guess your rear passengers - not that I ever have any - have to leech off the front, otherwise) but if you mean internal seat heaters, no. That's not available on the Corolla at least, and I dunno if it is on any Toyota. The only car I've ever been in that had them was my high school boyfriend's mother's Volvo. (and yes, the seat heaters were kind of nice - leather seats, though, and I'm not planning on leather.)

[glitterychaos.livejournal.com]

*laughs* I hadn't thought about credit history not being transferable...

I didn't know they made front air bags standard, but I did know that they make side airbags. Side curtain and airbags, and side something or other airbags. But because I already know that front airbags are dangerous for me, I would assume that the same holds true for side airbags as well, and that they can be dangerous. The side curtain airbags are the ones that protects you from smashing your head into the window. I've no idea how effective they are... I'm sorry:/

[juuro.livejournal.com]

Umm. My dad has a Toyota Corolla. It has front seat heaters. Fabric seats, too.

There's one of the items, apparently, that differ between vehicles intended for tropical or arctic use.

[windtree.livejournal.com]

I bought one of these last year, so here speaks the voice of experience. :)

Definitely get the extra heater. The standard heater in these things is a wimp until the engine warms up (which took around five minutes in the 15F temperatures we had this winter).

The cruise control has an "adjust up and down about 2-3mph a flick" function on the stick that controls it. Which is enough for minor changes for long distance driving. It's useless in city though because you're changing too rapidly. I never thought it would be worth having, but it came with the package on the one I got and I use it a lot. (It also seems to help with the mileage).

Economically the L or LE, the S is nice though. :)

The wipers don't have variable intermittent, I find this a pain. (My old car did).

The visibility is a problem, be extra careful with the blindspots (the raised rear on most newer models gives you extra trunk space but enlarges the rear blindspots a lot). I've a dent in mine already from backing into something. :(

In interors of the doors and dash scratch easily. Be careful with it, or get it teflon coated.

I've averaged 35mpg so far (peak at 39, lowest at 25). It really doesn't like short trips in cold weather (PA cold that is, not Ontario cold). 25 is still better than most vehicles on the road. It also gets a bit grumbly if you try to drive it at 10F (engine whines and occasionally takes a second cycle to start), I'm not sure how it would behave at -35C. I'd definitely ask them about that.

Anything else you want to know?

[arethinn]

The wipers don't have variable intermittent, I find this a pain. (My old car did).

I agree that I'll find it a pain, but my current car doesn't have it either so I imagine I'll manage.

I've a dent in mine already from backing into something.

I'm already extra cautious (too cautious, possibly) about this sort of thing. Even in my current car I can't see the trunk and don't really know where the back end of the car is, so I tend to err far to the side of leaving too much space between me and other objects (which makes it hard to parallel park, but I don't have much cause for that anyway).

It also gets a bit grumbly if you try to drive it at 10F (engine whines and occasionally takes a second cycle to start), I'm not sure how it would behave at -35C.

I wonder if you have oil of a proper thinness and antifreeze of a proper temperature rating in there?

Anyway I will ask about that, although I don't really have any choice no matter what - unless I actually bought a car in Canada (which see reply to glitterychaos, has been thrown out for a few reasons), no make and model built to be sold in California would be any different in this respect.

[windtree.livejournal.com]

I wonder if you have oil of a proper thinness and antifreeze of a proper temperature rating in there?
Possibly not for the worst of this last winter. I didn't have anything done to it between buying it and it's first oil change in feburary. Mind you, the degree of "grumbly" I wouldn't have even noticed in the Escort, the Corolla is so much quieter that it was noticeable though.