Here’s what I think so far – though it’s
only been a few weeks since I picked up the car from Brooklyn
Toyota in Worcester.
The driving experience is very similar to my other SR but like
it’s wrapped in cotton wool – everything is less direct and less
precise – which shows just how good the other one really is.
Obviously straight from the factory everything is tight and new
- suspension is firmish and steering is good (though it
understeers a bit). Because it isn’t lowered and the seats are
higher than the other Rolla the driving position is much higher
and initially it felt like driving a bus but I’ve got used to it
quickly. The ride height issue is dealt with easily as TTE
(Toyota Team Europe) make a set of springs designed to work with
the standard dampers and lower the car by 30mm – they were
fitted within a week of collecting the car. I’ve had the car for
just over a month and already my wife has started the modifying
process EEEK!!
It pulls well in the lower part of the rev range though I’m
being careful not to stress the engine too much for the first
1,200 miles. The multi function display is showing an average of
43mpg for the 900 miles that I have put on the car so far –
that’s in mixed driving conditions and of course as the engine
is new it will still be tight. I've manually checked the fuel
consumption after putting in more fuel and it looks like the
display is spot on.
Most of the controls are in similar locations to my other Rolla
though it did take me a while to find the fog lamp switch – now
on the lighting stalk on the steering column. The heating
controls are completely different as they are electronic rather
than manual – easy enough to use once you have read the
handbook. The steering column is adjustable for height and
reach. The seats have ratchet adjustments for height and back
inclination. The one dealer option I’ve added is rear parking
sensors (fitted before I picked the car up). I decided on these
as this car is wider and longer than the other Rolla – I’m
hoping that the sensors will help avoid any problems caused by
the extra length.
The supplied tools are limited to a wheel brace and jack though
I supplemented these with the original Toyota tools (two
spanners, a pair of pliers and a double ended screwdriver) that
were supplied with the other car and still in the original tool
roll. Surprisingly the car comes with a full sized 16” alloy
spare wheel – I wasn’t expecting this as it’s not mentioned in
the sales brochure.
The only disappointment so far has been the CD player which does
not play MP3 discs though it will cope with both CD-R and CD-RW
discs.
Here are some pictures now that I’ve been able to wash the car
(the 30mm lower TTE springs lets me wash the roof of the car
without the use of steps!!)
Options.
This model comes with most options already installed. It has a
front spoiler, side skirts, rear spoiler, 16” alloys, rear
bumper extensions and heated electric rear view mirrors. As
already mentioned lowering springs have been fitted and the rear
parking sensors were fitted before delivery.
PICTURES
OF NEW CAR HERE