Picked up ZRE152R Toyota Corolla Ascent sedan on Saturday

[Alphabeta777]

My family picked up our new Toyota Corolla Ascent sedan in Shimmer on Saturday from Stewart Toyota in Sutherland.

It's optionned with the Enhanced Safety Pack (dual side, curtain and driver's knee airbag) and Park Assist (for my mum) and an alarm.

It's only the second car I've ever driven (on my Ls) apart from the family Camry Altise V6, but I like it. Since I can't really say I've been in many cars, I can only compare it to the Camry.

It's definitely easier to drive and feels so much 'lighter'. Throttle response is also better too.

It's most probably slower than the Camry V6, but I haven't pushed the engine yet to let it run in. Noise levels are as quiet as the Camry until the 1.8L engine needs to be worked more, but like the 3.0L V6, it's very refined.

The ride is more stiff than the Camry, jiggling a bit more on rough roads. The electro-hydraulic speed sensitive power steering also works well, with a tighter (for obvious reasons) turning circle than the Camry.

Fit and finish are better and the cabin looks a bit more interesting compared to the Camry. although not exactly class leading stuff. There's more curved surfaces and sparing use of silver accents on materials, such as the door handles and next to the central dash. Seats are more supportive than the soft seats in the Camry, both front and back. I like the circular HVAC switches and the orange illumination 'theme' for the controls and the instrument cluster.

The cabin and the boot are nowhere near as big as the Camry, but we were never looking for a large car this time round anyway.

One particular shortcoming on this Corolla is that it only has manual rear windows, although it has power fronts and mirrors. I wished they made the rear power windows a few hundred dollars option, we probably would have paid for it, but would not go to the Conquest for 'unnecessary' things like spoiler and alloy wheels. Most of the extra money for the Conquest model probably goes to cosmetic bits anyway.

On the outside, the mini-new Camry styling up front works quite well in my opinion while the rear is pretty plain, with the exception of reflectors placed into the bumper. I'm also surprised that recently Toyota no longer make base models have disgusting unpainted black door handles, mirrors etc. like they did with the Camry that we have. It makes the car look a lot better. I would have preferred the 16 inch wheel cover design that comes on the Corolla in Europe though, rather than the 15 inch we have here.

Overall, I like the car quite a bit. I have yet to see a Corolla sedan on the road yet, although as the months go by, they will most certainly become more common.

We were looking at other small car sedans in the market as well, most notably the Yaris YRS sedan, the Mazda 3 Neo and the Honda Civic. What pushed us to get the Corolla was that it's a new model, (probably lasting for at least a 5 year product cycle before it is phased out) it had a 5-star Euro NCAP, the Yaris was a bit too small, the Civic was too 'unconventional' for my mum to like and it also had better pricing than the Mazda 3 which bundled together ESP together with extra airbags, which was a bit too pricey, and it also required $610 to get power windows and mirrors.

[smileys]

Post some pics :P

[MIIKEY]

glad im not the only 1 here on my L's

lets see some pics

have any idea for minor mods?

[c2105026]

I have a 9th gen '05 model, I did consider getting the 10th gen sedan model (conquest in manual). I took one for a spin to see how it went; the manual went hard enough I suppose but the dynamics were so very very much better than the '05 I have...the best ride I have ever experienced, the handling and steering whilst not as good as my brother's '01 astina was noticeably better. Gearshift was great, the interior design was top-notch.

Resons why I did not get it? well... the hatch was too small for my needs and I don't find the sedan at all attractive (well, for now at least), looks too american. That and the changeover would have meant that my new house would need to be put back 9 months or so.....

as for mods I suppose one could go down the track of lowering/big wheels/ big stereo.

Unlike on the 9th gen, the 10th gen conquest is worth it - for $4500 you get cruise control, alloys, leather wheel, shift knob, safety pack and, yes, power rear windows. That and they are already doing deals on conquests....

[Saiya]

W000! Grats matey, post up some picies when you have a chance :D

[Get_Ya_Rav_Out]

We've just taken delivery of the new Corolla Conquest Sedan (it replaced an '05 Corolla Conquest Hatch). The 6 speed manual is much better than the old 5. I was always looking for the extra gear when I had my '04 Levin, and getting into the Conquest was the same. The new one however is really nice to drive. Being a Toyota Nut I've driven a lot of models in the range. The only complaint about the new Corolla Sedan is the legroom in the back, suprisingly its less than my partners Yaris YRX Sedan. I'm not joking.

When your family looks to change their Camry Altise V6, you can't go past the Aurion. So much more get up and go than the previous 6. We had a Camry Sportivo V6, and it was awesome. Ours was manual and would love the Aurion Sportivo in a manual. One can only wish. We ended up going for the Kluger instead for its replacement. We are however changing our Camry Altise 4cyl to the new Aurion Touring.

[buzz]

My family picked up our new Toyota Corolla Ascent sedan in Shimmer on Saturday from Stewart Toyota in Sutherland.

It's optionned with the Enhanced Safety Pack (dual side, curtain and driver's knee airbag) and Park Assist (for my mum) and an alarm.

It's only the second car I've ever driven (on my Ls) apart from the family Camry Altise V6, but I like it. Since I can't really say I've been in many cars, I can only compare it to the Camry.

It's definitely easier to drive and feels so much 'lighter'. Throttle response is also better too.

It's most probably slower than the Camry V6, but I haven't pushed the engine yet to let it run in. Noise levels are as quiet as the Camry until the 1.8L engine needs to be worked more, but like the 3.0L V6, it's very refined.

The ride is more stiff than the Camry, jiggling a bit more on rough roads. The electro-hydraulic speed sensitive power steering also works well, with a tighter (for obvious reasons) turning circle than the Camry.

Fit and finish are better and the cabin looks a bit more interesting compared to the Camry. although not exactly class leading stuff. There's more curved surfaces and sparing use of silver accents on materials, such as the door handles and next to the central dash. Seats are more supportive than the soft seats in the Camry, both front and back. I like the circular HVAC switches and the orange illumination 'theme' for the controls and the instrument cluster.

The cabin and the boot are nowhere near as big as the Camry, but we were never looking for a large car this time round anyway.

One particular shortcoming on this Corolla is that it only has manual rear windows, although it has power fronts and mirrors. I wished they made the rear power windows a few hundred dollars option, we probably would have paid for it, but would not go to the Conquest for 'unnecessary' things like spoiler and alloy wheels. Most of the extra money for the Conquest model probably goes to cosmetic bits anyway.

On the outside, the mini-new Camry styling up front works quite well in my opinion while the rear is pretty plain, with the exception of reflectors placed into the bumper. I'm also surprised that recently Toyota no longer make base models have disgusting unpainted black door handles, mirrors etc. like they did with the Camry that we have. It makes the car look a lot better. I would have preferred the 16 inch wheel cover design that comes on the Corolla in Europe though, rather than the 15 inch we have here.

Overall, I like the car quite a bit. I have yet to see a Corolla sedan on the road yet, although as the months go by, they will most certainly become more common.

We were looking at other small car sedans in the market as well, most notably the Yaris YRS sedan, the Mazda 3 Neo and the Honda Civic. What pushed us to get the Corolla was that it's a new model, (probably lasting for at least a 5 year product cycle before it is phased out) it had a 5-star Euro NCAP, the Yaris was a bit too small, the Civic was too 'unconventional' for my mum to like and it also had better pricing than the Mazda 3 which bundled together ESP together with extra airbags, which was a bit too pricey, and it also required $610 to get power windows and mirrors.

hi,

I picked up my accent 2 weeks ago from terry shields in parramatta. I also got the advanced safety pack. I did however also got the rear power windows added and also alloys. One thing I don't understand, I was told by the dealers that toyota do not install factory alarm systems and that I need to go t some place like Strathfield etc to get one after market

Obviously, i should have asked around. Which brings me to wonder...why would they say something like that and lose out on even that little bit extra money that a customer is willing to spend???

[Get_Ya_Rav_Out]

My family picked up our new Toyota Corolla Ascent sedan in Shimmer on Saturday from Stewart Toyota in Sutherland.

It's optionned with the Enhanced Safety Pack (dual side, curtain and driver's knee airbag) and Park Assist (for my mum) and an alarm.

It's only the second car I've ever driven (on my Ls) apart from the family Camry Altise V6, but I like it. Since I can't really say I've been in many cars, I can only compare it to the Camry.

It's definitely easier to drive and feels so much 'lighter'. Throttle response is also better too.

It's most probably slower than the Camry V6, but I haven't pushed the engine yet to let it run in. Noise levels are as quiet as the Camry until the 1.8L engine needs to be worked more, but like the 3.0L V6, it's very refined.

The ride is more stiff than the Camry, jiggling a bit more on rough roads. The electro-hydraulic speed sensitive power steering also works well, with a tighter (for obvious reasons) turning circle than the Camry.

Fit and finish are better and the cabin looks a bit more interesting compared to the Camry. although not exactly class leading stuff. There's more curved surfaces and sparing use of silver accents on materials, such as the door handles and next to the central dash. Seats are more supportive than the soft seats in the Camry, both front and back. I like the circular HVAC switches and the orange illumination 'theme' for the controls and the instrument cluster.

The cabin and the boot are nowhere near as big as the Camry, but we were never looking for a large car this time round anyway.

One particular shortcoming on this Corolla is that it only has manual rear windows, although it has power fronts and mirrors. I wished they made the rear power windows a few hundred dollars option, we probably would have paid for it, but would not go to the Conquest for 'unnecessary' things like spoiler and alloy wheels. Most of the extra money for the Conquest model probably goes to cosmetic bits anyway.

On the outside, the mini-new Camry styling up front works quite well in my opinion while the rear is pretty plain, with the exception of reflectors placed into the bumper. I'm also surprised that recently Toyota no longer make base models have disgusting unpainted black door handles, mirrors etc. like they did with the Camry that we have. It makes the car look a lot better. I would have preferred the 16 inch wheel cover design that comes on the Corolla in Europe though, rather than the 15 inch we have here.

Overall, I like the car quite a bit. I have yet to see a Corolla sedan on the road yet, although as the months go by, they will most certainly become more common.

We were looking at other small car sedans in the market as well, most notably the Yaris YRS sedan, the Mazda 3 Neo and the Honda Civic. What pushed us to get the Corolla was that it's a new model, (probably lasting for at least a 5 year product cycle before it is phased out) it had a 5-star Euro NCAP, the Yaris was a bit too small, the Civic was too 'unconventional' for my mum to like and it also had better pricing than the Mazda 3 which bundled together ESP together with extra airbags, which was a bit too pricey, and it also required $610 to get power windows and mirrors.

hi,

I picked up my accent 2 weeks ago from terry shields in parramatta. I also got the advanced safety pack. I did however also got the rear power windows added and also alloys. One thing I don't understand, I was told by the dealers that toyota do not install factory alarm systems and that I need to go t some place like Strathfield etc to get one after market

Obviously, i should have asked around. Which brings me to wonder...why would they say something like that and lose out on even that little bit extra money that a customer is willing to spend???

I had the same response back in 04 with my Corolla Levin. Didn't end up bothering. Makes you wonder though why they wouldn't offer it.

[maliqnguyen@live.com.au]

the corolla ascent sedan is my first car and the moment i bought it i went straight to tempe tyres and chucked a set of chrome 16's for the ride haha

Edited November 22, 2008 by BIG DEE