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Show Sea She Salt Lake Tribune fOTMOy Aovertang RapEREN DrOduCed Dy the Newssape Agency Corporaion January 14, 2000 The Audi A6 2.7T, which == AUTOMOTIVE ee:— See story on | Page C-2. ® CLASSIFIEDS. C-2_ Access is restricted along Interstate 15 through the Salt Lake Valley due to reconstruction Jan. 14—Jan. 21 as Doves BClosed ieee Corollais a reliable and economical small car Car’s engine features variable valve timing technology whichhelps boost horsepower By Ann M. Job For The Associated Press It’s not a trendy sport utility vehicle or pickuptruck. It’s not fancy. But after more than 30 years in the American market, the Toyota Corolla annually attracts 250,000 new-car buyers who need economical and durable transportation. The Corolla 2000 has a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price plus destination charge of $12,873, up $200 from 1999. Its new engine technology helps give this small car a spunkier performance and reduces emissions. Indeed,the test Corolla CE sedan with four-speed automatic transmission responded more eagerly than | anticipated whenstarting off from a stop. It didn’t squeal its tires, but it worked proficiently to getup to speed, andI didn’t feel as if I'd be run off the road before | gotthere. In the mountains,the test Corolla lost momentum bit and labored a little onsteephills, but it quickly regained the pace once the strenu- Schedule subject to change ‘ TheSalt Lake Tribune FRIDAY ous road was behindit. Ont highway, the test Corolla easily maintained top legal speed and then some,andit tookonly a bit of planning for smooth passing maneuvers. It’s all due to the addition this yearofvariable valve timing technology (VVT-i) to the Corolla’s 1.8-liter, dual overhead cam, fourcylinder engine. The technology, first used on Toyota’s Lexus luxury cars, helps boost Corolla’s horsepower to 125 from 120. Torqueis 125 foot-poundsat 4,000 rpm. VVT-i works by varying valve overlapin the engine, based on engine load and speed. Thiseliminates often found between driving with low-torque needs and high-engine power demands andhelps the Corolla feel more capable in demanding driving circumstances. The Corolla’s 125 hp is competitive in this segment, too. Note that there is only oneengine for all Co- rolla models, while the Honda Civic and Ford Focus offerat least two engine choices The base Civic and Focus engines have less horsepowerthan the Co- rolla, but the up-level models have performance specs similar to the Corolla. For example, a Honda Civic sedan with 1.6-liter fourcylinder engine and Honda’s vari- able valve timing and lift control system produces 127 hpat Priced at $12,873, the Toyota Corolla is one of the most affordable compactsedancarsin the 6,000 rpm. The Ford Focus has an car’s power rack-and-pinion steer- up-level, 130-hp, 2-liter four- feel, cylinder engine. 2000 Toyota Corolla CE sedan car to drive, with just a few cries in the instrument panel. Other controls, suchas those for heating and cooling systems, are in logical, reachablepositions. Butthere can be someroad noise that intrudesinto the Corolla, and the small, 14-inch tires quickly reachtheirlimits. Don’t look for the Corollato turn is plain but pleasant. Inside, good headroomin the front seat, but the 36.9 inches of headroomin the rear seat is slightly less than in the Echo. The Corolla’s back seatis a tight squeeze for more than two passengers. And seats, both front and back, don’t offer as much support as I'd like. Corolla’s power is noteworthy, too, when compared withthat of young buyers, ale the compact Corolla is expected to continue to attract more mainstream, older Echo, which is about 400 pounds lighter than the 2,459pound Corolla, has a_1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with VVT-i that generates a maximum 108 hp and 105 foot-pounds of torque at 4,200 rpm. The front-wheel drive Corolla handles nimbly. A small, 32.2-foot turning circle makes for easy parking maneuvers. Toyota addedfront andrearstabilizer bars some years ago, helping to improvestability. The Corolla, which standsat 54.5 inches,is less prone to buffeting on windy daysthan thelighter-weight and taller Echo. The Corolla’s longer wheelbase, 97 inches, also helps smooth out the ride. Front and rear uses independent McPhersonstruts. Butthe test ByThe Associated Press front- wheel drive, _five-passenger, compact sedan. Engine: 1.8-liter, double overhead cam, inline four-cylinder. ees 29 mpgcity, 37 mpg Corolla is a recommendedbuyof Consumer Reports, and earlier Corollas are amongthosehighlighted as reliableused cars. ason for the - with its starting price squarely in the middle of the competition. A 2000 Honda Civic sedanstarts at $13,300 including MSRP and destination charge. A Ford Focus sedanstarts at $12,540. today. The Corolla sedan’s 12.1 cubic feet’ of trunk room is competitive with most in the segment, but the But I'm glad to seethat even if Echobeats themall with 13.6 cubic feet. Still, it’s tough to beatthe quality and fit and finish on the longrunning Corolla, which has won numerous quality awards over the years and has a long, established recordforreliability. you shoehorn three people into the back seat, each person gets a three-pointshoulderbelt.It’s noteworthy, too, that the Corolla was one ofthe first small cars to offer side air bags as an option, and Toyota said it continues to do so | Wheelbase: 97 inches Curb Wt.: 2,459 pounds. Options: Value package(includes air conditioning and power windowsand doorlock $1,590; antilock brakes, $ all-weather package with heavy-duty rear defogger, $80; floor mats, less package discountof$500. a Tested: $16,123. Fron | Top Speed: NA. Length: 174 inches. Base Price: $12,418 for Core VE; $13,908 for Corolla Type: | | highway. CANYONS HyGhN@wnsr -ovalty Pm ___@ (0 SS 2000 BLAZER4 DR. Auto, Power Options, 4x4 00030 2000 BLAZER ZR2 Auto, Off Road Pkg. 2000 ASTRO VAN Auto, Dual A/C, Pwr Options All WheelDrive, 8 Passenger 21,995 *22,995 12819ma: aco, 2%329.m 12,295 99 SUBURBAN 99 TAHOE Reg Cab, V8, 4x4 4x4, Auto, V8, Pwr Opt, Tow Pkg Auto, V8, PowerOptions, 4x4 23,495 *19,495 “TR2S10,Ext Cab 3rd Door, 4x4, Off Road Pkg 21,995 29,995 269:mor" BOO 121 Sear 99 OLDS BRAVADA 4 $6,700 SAVING: ISRP $32,075 ony20,014 sR 00 OLDS SILHOUETTEGL MSRP $28,425 STARTING AT 23,999 2000 OLDS ALERO GX MSRP $17,455 STARTING AT 2000IMPALA STARTING AT ery 2000 SILVERADO 32,995 coon 13 IN STOCK V8, 4x4 2000 SILVERADO EXT CAB | “2000 CAVALIER 2000 VENTURE VAN "9000 OLDSALERO GLS Full ngded MSRP$22,300 “STARTING AT AMMA,°18,688 ALL NEW2009 SUBURBANS siSOGas ARE “S000 OLDS INTRIGUE Gx} MSRP $23,095 STARTING AT All Prices after rebates, must qualify for GM loyalty offer. “42 mo.lease, 1500 cashor trade equity. 17¢ charge for excess mileage. ** 36 mo. lease, 1500 cashor trade equity, 20¢ charge for excess mileage, All leases are 12,000 miles per year, OAC. 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