Finally the 2008 Toyota Corolla has been released! What new goodies should we expect? According to a recent analysis conducted which was based on leading automotive reviews and test drives, the 2008 Toyota Corolla currently ranks at the tenth car out of twenty-six cars under the category of Affordable Small Cars. Apparently the car has lived up to its reputation of being a dependable ride (keeping the maintenance budget in mind), however it seems to be underpowered (engine wise) compared to others in its class such as the 2008 Honda Civic and 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. This has always been the downfall of the corolla according to historical results. I will proceed to state the pro’s and cons of the 2008 Toyota Corolla. Since it is always good to hear the good side of a story first, I would begin with the Pro’s. One of the main pro’s of the 2008 Corolla is its reliability. It maintains this trait with a passion. Very low maintenance cost and always ready to go! Secondly for the 2008 model, it seems to have more passenger space compared to the previous models such as the recent 2007 model which lacked some passenger space in the rear. Thirdly the 2008 model has excellent fuel economy; in fact its overall value is excellent! And finally at a base price of $14,405, it is pretty economical compared to others in its class. One of the major con’s of the 2008 Corolla is its somewhat bland exterior styling. It doesn’t appeal to the younger generation compared to others in its class. The second con is that the front-seat side & side curtain airbags are only available as options. This is a safety feature and should be compulsory! And finally the last con as mentioned before is its lack of horsepower causing it to lose some appeal to the performance lovers. Despite the 2008 Toyota Corolla having some cons, it delivers easy handling and exemplary fuel economy at a low initial cost nevertheless! The 2008 Corolla ranks at number ten in its class because some of its competitors have more distinctive looks and sportier driving dynamics. In addition, the “Washington Post” recommends the 2008 Corolla highly because despite all of its model changes, the Corolla remained true to the notion of impeccable automotive quality delivered at reasonable cost. Also, the 2008 Corolla’s role in the category of affordable small car is mentioned by “New York Times”, which states, “Toyotas have been so reliable, it has forced American manufacturers to improve the quality of their offerings.” In addition another benefit of the 2008 Toyota Corolla is that it holds its market value. A quote from “BusinessWeek” states: “If all you want is an economy car with a long history of reliability, it’s an excellent choice.” Generally most customer reviews of the car indicate this also. The 2008 Toyota Corolla is available for purchase in three trims: the base Corolla CE, the Corolla S, and the Corolla LE. All models come with the standard five-speed manual transmission or the optional four-speed automatic transmission. Also as with any other make of vehicle, the different trims carry different price tags! In addition, the different trims carry different fuel economies (Highway and City specifications) but they’re all economical and they carry slightly different exterior styling. However the 2008 Toyota Corolla is virtually unchanged compared to the 2007 model (including the various trims). Category:Home › Autos • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 2 • You should never use after-market auto parts when maintaining or fixing your car • Should a new car be rust-proofed? • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 1 • Five safest cars in North America • How to ensure your teen drives safely after getting a license • Pros and cons of using an hydrogen generator for your car • DIY automotive maintenance: How to change the oil