Corolla XRS, Would you buy one? Options

[Celicav]

Alright, so there is a 2005 Corolla XRS for sale at a local dealership. As you may know, this car is the short-lived and limited production hot-rod version of the current gen Corrolla...6-Spd, Celica GTS engine basically (but 10 less HP and about same torque). I drove it the other day and have to admit that it was fun, esp. when you hit that lift at close to 7K RPM and it throws you back in your seat. It is marginally sporty compared to our Celis...Corolla S exterior look, nice strut tower bar, Matrix XRS 16" wheels, spoiler, 1/2 in. lower than other Corollas...BUT if anyone has driven a Corolla, you feel a lot higher up in the air, and the seat height does not feel sporty.

What do you think? I like it, but it is just not as sporty and cool as the Celi. But it is a rare car, sort of a "sleeper", and it's Toyota...and faster.

[MtyMseHarmer]

I would get the XRS. It is a lot faster then people think(I am not saying it is a speedster but it is under appreiated). My buddy has an 05 XRS with an injen CAI on it and he has beaten quite a few cars including my 86 MR2 with a silvertop 20V 4age swapped into it and he beat it by about 4 or 5 car lengths. He also beat a TC with i/h/e by 2.5 cars. He did lose to a brand new 2 door civic Si with i/h/e but he only lost by 2 cars which I don't think is that bad considering the civic Si 2 door has more horsepower and is lighter. My buddy also just dynoed his XRS and with 94% humidty he came out with 159hp and 111 ft/lbs. True it isn't a speedster and a lot of people don't like 4 doors but to me I think it is a great sleeper because no one expects that out of a corolla.