Auto Magazine

Corolla vs. Camry – Which Is Right For Me?

by Carsurfer Admin on 2018/08/09 in Toyota with Comments Off

The Toyota Corolla and Toyota Camry dominate the sedan market with their reputation, efficiency, and reliability. While they both look similar at first glance, each vehicle brings a different personality.

Corollas bring a sleek and fuel-efficient appeal and Camrys catch the eyes of those looking for a vehicle with more power and space. If you’re in the market for a new Toyota and you’re tied between two of the best-selling sedans, then you’ve come to the right place. So, let’s compare:

Exterior

In terms of exterior design, Corolla is considered a small-sized sedan while the Camry is considered a midsize sedan. Corolla’s smaller size has a light-weight, economical design to it while creating an aerodynamic, sport-like feel. Its sleek look is noticeable in its sharply curved headlights and thin grille.

While both are the same height, the Camry is both longer and wider. The Carmy’s larger build showcases a more sloping roofline with sculpted headlights in the newer models creating a more rounded and welcoming look.

The color palette for the Camry includes Ruby Flare, Blue Crush, Galactic Aqua, and Midnight Black, while the Corolla’s palette includes Barcelona Red, Slate Metallic, and Black Sand. Swing by a Toyota Dealership Beaverton to see more color options and customization.

Interior

The interior of both vehicles is different in many ways. The base model of the Corolla’s interior has more hard plastics with higher-end soft-touch available for premium upgrades. It resembles a sport-like design with sport gauge cluster, color multi-information display, paddle shifters, and Sport Mode.

The Camry’s base model has a mix of higher-end plastics along with the more inexpensive and firm seating arrangement. However, the user-friendly buttons and knobs along with the tiger eye wood and upholstery finish gives it a more premium design despite the lack of comfortability.

Trunk space is drastically different here. The Camry does have more trunk space sitting at up to 15.1 cubic feet in the 2018 model, while the Corolla is at 13 cubic feet. In the Camry there are split folding seats so you can carry long cargo such as hockey sticks or wood.

The Camry overall is geared toward a more spacious cabin experience (especially if you have a family that you’ll be constantly fitting in the back) while the Corolla is geared to everyday commuters looking for a sleek vehicle. Visit a Toyota Dealership Beaverton and see the space of each vehicle for yourself.

Technology

The technology is similar in both the base Camry and Corolla models. It includes an array of standard infotainment technology like a six-speaker stereo system, a USB port, and Bluetooth. The Corolla has a 6.1-inch touch screen that comes standard.

The Camry has a bit more, including a 7-inch touch screen with the Toyota Entune infotainment system and Toyota’s Scout GPS Link app navigation, which connects to your smartphone.

Seating

Both Toyotas fit five passengers. Seat comfort is important, especially if you plan on doing a lot of driving. The Corolla is more spacious (until you get to the sport vehicles) and gives more legroom in the front and back than the Camry. The Camry has firmer seating and a tighter fit, especially for taller passengers who sit in the back and require more legroom.

Performance

The Corolla’s performance is comparable to an average car when it comes to the bumps and imperfections on the road. The movement is maneuverable, but not compared to a sports vehicle. Acceleration and power for the Corolla is just good enough for commuting around town, and merging onto a highway can be underwhelming.

The Camry beats the Corolla here with with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 178 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque engine. Handling/steering, ride quality, and suspension-absorbing bumps are smooth, making for a higher level of performance.

The engine in the Camry emphasizes power over the Corolla, which sits at 1.8-liter 4-cylinder with 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. However, while the Corolla’s engine offers less power, it does have greater fuel economy. Fuel efficiency for the Toyota Corolla is 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg highway, while the Camry is 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. Only the Corolla is available with a manual transmission.

Safety

Toyota Camry and Corolla are comparable in regards to safety with state-of-the-art features to keep your ride as safe as possible.The basic packages includes Toyota Safety Sense, a bundle of applications that include a Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control to detect distance between you and the next vehicle while in cruise control, Lane Departure Alert (a camera to detect visible painted lines to keep you in your lane), and more. The consistency in innovation with Toyota’s safety features protects people and prevents accidents.

Price

If it boils down to affordability, the Corolla is less expensive for a brand new car with its low starting price making a good fit for first-time buyers. The most expensive model is less expensive than the base Camry, however, the difference in value is made up for by the Camry’s larger size. Both are similar in cost maintenance, and you will be receiving the best customer service and after sales service at your local Toyota dealership.

Toyota Camry and Corolla are both excellent cars and can fulfill your needs whether you live in the city or suburbs. Ultimately, if you want a vehicle with more power, larger trunk space, and catered to driving in a group, the Camry is likely best for you.

If you are looking for something more affordable with maximized fuel efficiency and a sleeker appearance, the Corolla should be your first choice.

At the end of the day, it’s about seeing what features matter most for you and then getting behind the wheel to take each for a test drive, and with a try before you buy option at your Toyota dealership in Beaverton, you’ll drive away in the best fit for you.

How to Protect Your Vehicle’s Paint from Sun Damage

by Carsurfer Admin on 2018/08/03 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

If your car is left exposed to the sun, it could wreak havoc on its paint job. Fortunately, there are many different steps that you can take to keep your car away from the glare of the sun’s rays. Let’s look at a few of the ways to avoid the cost of fixing faded or chipped vehicle paint.

Park in a Garage or Shaded Area

When you arrive at work, try to park your car in a shaded area or in a covered garage if possible. This will limit or eliminate the amount of sun that your vehicle is exposed to. If you have to park it in a sunny spot when you first get to your place of employment, try to move it during your morning break or during lunch.

Use a Car Cover

Car covers are made of white or tan material that will deflect the sun’s rays away from it. In addition to keeping the paint from chipping or cracking because of sun exposure, it can also protect it from being scratched by rocks or passing pedestrians. Furthermore, a car cover can also be a great tool to protect your vehicle from thieves because it takes time to remove.

Have a Carport Installed at Home

The lack of a garage at home doesn’t mean that you have to keep your car under the hot sun all day. A carport is relatively easy to install, and it will provide adequate protection from sun and other elements such as wind and rain. It can also provide protection against ice and snow during the colder months.

Wash and Wax Your Car Regularly

Washing your car can keep it free of fine scratches that may exacerbate any damage done when left out on a sunny day. Waxing your vehicle can add a layer of protection against ultraviolet rays that play a role in the car’s paint fading. A layer of wax may also prevent dust, pollen and other debris from sticking to the surface of the car. Ideally, the car will be washed and waxed by hand for the best results, but going to a car wash can also be effective.

The paint on a vehicle does more than just make it look good. It can act as a barrier against rust or other body and frame damage. Therefore, protecting your car’s paint from the sun can keep it running for many years to come while also preserving its resale value.

Car Keeps Breaking down? 4 Steps to Take Before Giving up on Your Vehicle

by Carsurfer Admin on 2018/07/30 in Auto Repair with Comments Off

No matter how close your bond is with your car, it can be frustrating to have to take it to the auto shop on a seemingly weekly basis. Even if you believe that your car has nowhere to go but the junkyard, it might have more life than you realize. Here are four steps to take before giving up on your vehicle.

Oil Changes

If your engine seems to be frequently misbehaving, it might be due to not changing oil at the proper rate. This should be done at a rate of around every 5,000 miles driven or in six-month intervals. When you bring your vehicle to a repair shop to get your oil changed, you can help the mechanics notice any other issues that might need to be addressed. By bringing new oil into your car, you can help it to run as smoothly as possible. It’s an easy solution that’s easy to take care of.

Replacing Parts

A car doesn’t typically stop working all at once. It can often be an important part, such as the battery or the transmission, that goes bust. Instead of just throwing the car out, you should replace the part. Once you have the replacement part installed, you can bring the old one to a scrapyard. Just think about how much better your car could run with a new battery.

Driving More Carefully

How you drive can make a big difference in how long your car lasts. If you’re driving erratically, it’s going to decrease the lifespan significantly. This includes speeding, slamming on the brakes, and not taking weather conditions into proper account. Driving carefully should be considered a must no matter what, but the ability to keep your car going should be even more motivation.

Address Issues Early

If you sense something is going wrong with your car, take care of it immediately. A strange sound from your engine or strange smell from your exhaust pipe shouldn’t be ignored. The more you sit on a problem, the worse it tends to get.

When you figure out a way to extend your car’s lifespan, you can feel better in a number of ways. You can feel better for knowing that you can save money on a new car. You can feel better for knowing you can solve a problem effectively. Finally, you can feel better knowing that you can hold onto your car longer.

5 Tips to Maintaining Your Own Vehicle without Having to Pay a Mechanic

by Carsurfer Admin on 2018/07/26 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Mechanics are vital, but you do not want to pay them to service your car for every little thing. Going to a professional can take a big bite out of your wallet if you need one often. The following are five tips to help you maintain your car without a mechanic.

Change the Filters

There are a few filters in your car like the air filter or the fuel filter. Each filter needs to be replaced to ensure that debris does not get into your engine. The debris can end up hurting your car in the long run, so learning how to do this task is a good idea.

Change the Liquids

The antifreeze, oil, brake oil, and transmission oil need to be replaced from time to time. Learning how to do this on your own should definitely make it easier for you to maintain your car. These liquids are meant to help extend the life of your car so do not ignore them.

Careful Driving

The way you drive could also affect the overall health of your vehicle. Riding your brakes could damage tires and brakes prematurely. It also puts additional stress on your engine that it does not need. Driving over bumpy roads can hurt your axles and your suspension gave enough time, which makes mindful driving important.

Inspection Matters

One of the most important parts of your car is the battery. You want to make sure you do not try to charge too many electronics in your car or leave your lights on accidentally to prevent the batteries from going out. Still, the most important thing to do is to simply have the battery inspected regularly by professionals.

Check the Tires

Underinflated and overinflated tires can spell trouble for car owners. Tires that are overinflated could cause blowouts while underinflated tires can sometimes make your car harder to control. You want to periodically make sure your tire pressure is always right. You should also learn how to check your tire wear because balding tires can be dangerous.

Hopefully, some of these tips help keep your car in good condition longer so that you do not have to go your mechanic often. Of course, you are still going to see him or her at some point, but at least you’ll be saving some money now.

What to Know about Putting Used Parts in an Older Vehicle

by Carsurfer Admin on 2018/07/23 in Auto Parts with Comments Off

Your old car is not the car it used to be. The engine struggles to turn over in the morning, driving up inclines is more of a challenge than in years past and you are fairly certain there is a leak in the oil system somewhere. You just need this car to stay running for another three years, and then you will have saved up the money for a newer model. In the meantime, you still have to do repairs when the need arises. To save money, you were considering putting used parts in your older car.

Auto Store or Salvage Yard

While big box auto stores sell new and used parts, you can probably get a better deal on used parts at a local salvage yard. You might have to get your hands a little dirty pulling parts off an old junkyard car, but the savings you will obtain is usually competitive. One thing to consider, however, is a big box auto store will often provide a warrantee on their used parts. So, in certain cases it may be better to buy from a retail outlet.

Cosmetic or Functional

Typically, car parts fall into two categories. Either they add to the aesthetic appeal of the car, or they serve a functional purpose in how the car performs and operates. Typically, it does not matter so much if your used part is a perfect match when it comes to buying parts for esthetic purposes. However, you will need to worry far more about the quality of a used part if it is being purchased to improve or maintain the functional operation of the car.

Swapping Parts

In some cases, the used part off of a different model car will work just fine in your old car. In other situations, you will not be able to swap out a used part from another car. Fortunately, the Internet is filled with websites and videos that can help you to determine when a swap is possible and when it is not. So, be sure to do your homework when purchasing used vehicle parts.

Your old car is starting to show signs of needing more constant maintenance. If you keep buying all new parts for your old beater, then it may be more cost effective to just buy a new car. If you are not ready to make that transition yet, then replacing parts you need with used parts is a cost effective way to maintain your old car. As long as you get your used parts from a reputable dealer, chances are you will not have any serious problems.