Thoughts from the Curb

May 26, 2008 - Comparison: Toyota Corolla vs. Luigi's Classic Dragster

 
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Electric steering often gets described as feeling like it comes from a video game. The lack of feel and old-lady-friendly weighting have taken the term "artificial" to a new level. So, with Nintendo's new MarioKart Wii and its nifty steering system (no buttons, just turn the controller like a wheel), I decided to put this comparison to the test. And what better car to use than the 2009 Toyota Corolla, a car whose steering was described by our Chief Road Test Editor Chris Walton as follows: "To say the steering feel is vague would be to credit it with any feel, of which it has none."

2) 2009 Toyota Corolla XLE

Although the Corolla scored big points for being an actual conveyance, in the realm of steering, it lost big time. During aggressive driving, I could sorta guess what the tires were doing, but I feel better guessing about those impossible opera questions on "Jeopardy!" than when driving. As is, the Corolla just slogs about, tires squeeling and body rolling, as you turn the wheel in an approximation of what one might do when turning a car. Around town and on the highway, the easy-peasy weighting isn't that bad, but if you have to avoid something, good luck buddy.

1) Luigi's Classic Dragster

Oh sure, it's probably not the best MarioKart Wii car -- some would argue Wario's Flame Flyer or Baby Peach's Booster Seat are better choices -- but Luigi's Classic Dragster has one of the highest handling ratings. Like the Corolla's you turn the Wii wheel in an approximation of what one might do when turning a car. I find this more acceptable when sitting on my couch -- which the Corolla's driver seat does sorta feel like, but I digress.

Luigi's Dragster has no road feel to speak of as the wheel is obviously not attached to a car, which is in turn not attached to a road. However, unlike the Corolla, it is possible to coax the Classic Dragster into a drift and it is quite easy to snap it back into place. I also thought the Classic Dragster was much better at dodging green turtle shells and gigantic penguins than the Corolla would've been. Well, I've actually never tried that in a Corolla, but Walton wasn't too impressed at the Toyota's ability to dodge cones, so I'm giving this one to the Dragster.

Ay, Luigi a wins!

-James Riswick

12:18 pm | Categories: not-really-a-car reviews Permalink | Alert Administrator

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