Upcoming Corolla owner - A few questions

[Talos]

Hi all!

Nice to join this forum. I have decided to place an order soon for the Corolla Hatch, so I'll be an active member on the forum 🙂 Looking more into the details I have a few dilemmas that are hard to solve. I'd be glad if you could help me.

The first dilemma is the engine choice. Naturally I prefer to have the most sophisticated - new engine model which is the 2.0 dynamic force version. However this comes to a higher price as well as an additional significant yearly tax in my country. On the other hand I am determined to pay that tax if that engine is so much better than the 1.8 one. It also worries me a bit that the 1.8 engine is being discontinued in the US as far as I can see as an older engine. Do you think the 2.0 is worth the investment? 

The second dilemma is connected to the first one. In my country, I can only order the 2.0 engine with the two-tone version of the Corolla. My problems with this is that it does not have the chrome trim on the doors that the cheaper one-color option has. I think this trim really elevates and gives class to the car. I have seen in the US that they provide the two-tone edition with the trim. Do you think it is possible to ask for this trim to be added even if its not offered in the website as an option?

Also, a third question I have for the two-tone version. As seen in the online configurator, it seems that the black color does not go all the way down to the front pillars. This is how the 2023 version looks like? I fail to find a real photo of the car with this paint. In all photos online the black color goes all the way to the hood (which looks much better). I attach a picture to highlight the area I am referring to.

Lastly, about the two-tone paint. I am a bit worried about the longevity of the intersection of the two colors. Do you think that the color may chip in the line that the two colors intersect after many years?

 

Thank you very much for your time to read my message! As you may understand these bother me a lot these days trying to figure out which version to go for!

Your experience would be very much appreciated!

[Mojo1010]

The MY23 1.8 has improved on power to about 140ps. Best thing to do is take a test drive on both engines to see for yourself. Go to your dealer and ask the other questions, I wouldn't really worry about paint chipping if I really wanted bi-tone.

If your country has car brokers, try them after u decided which car to get, usually they can get a good deal or use them to negotiate the price with the dealer. 

[FROSTYBALLS]

28 minutes ago, Talos said:

Do you think it is possible to ask for this trim to be added even if its not offered in the website as an option?

No.

Suppose the only way would be if the dealer you're ordering from is prepared to fit the chrome at your cost, and this would almost certainly work out quite expensive. 

[Talos]

Thank you both.. 🙂 

I took a test drive on the 1.8 on the dealer and in sport mode it was pretty snappy. Certainly I was not disappointed, especially coming from a 1.4 Fiesta.. I'm sure that the 2.0 will be even more snappy, my dilemma is mostly about the 2.0 being a newer engine with much more technology in it. I'm thinking that I get a much more refined product for a small price increase.