2009 Corolla LE CVT transmission?

TBM

New Member
#1
Hello,
I'm going to buy a 2009 corolla LE on an auctions, but it doesn't say the type of transmission.
What I wanted to ask is if it is possible 2009 corolla LE to have a CVT transmission? I extremely do not want my car to be with CVT.
Also I would like to know if transmissions with "L" letter are all CVT?

This is a only pic of gear of car I want to buy.


Thanks in advance.
 
#2
Purdy sure the CVT transmission was not made available
on the 10th generation Corolla.

I think the 11th generation (2013) was the first
to see the CVTi-s trans. option.
Likely offered in other parts of the world before the US.
I think the CVT was offered on US shores in 2014

L, XLE, S and Eco designate trim levels available.

When I purchased my used 2010 Corolla in 2014
They tried to sell me a new 11th gen that had the CVTi-s/Eco option.

Being old fashioned and not too confident in the CVTi-s steel belt (cable) operation
or it's long term durability,
I opted for the proven reliability of std. 4sp. auto trans. instead.

I believe your current 2009 interest comes with the std. 4 speed auto.
 
Last edited:
#3
CVTs in Corolla were only introduced in late 2013 in NA (late 2011 elsewhere). Old 4AT is still available in basic models (whatever they name it : "L" in US. "CE" in Canada).
 
#5
What is so bad about the CVT transmission I have a 2014 Corolla s and it works fine, what are the problems with it...
I am personally unaware of any current failure...

But it uses a steel drive cable
and tho' better then a rubber belt..
Likely not as durable as a chain.
But the cable is likely quieter then anything else could be.

So tho' likely not an issue when only 5 or so years into things...
But will it hold up to 10 years use ?

If the drive cable ever did fail or need replacement...
I would think that cost of repair would be purdy steep.

So for me... I just don't like the design
and have concern about it's long term consumability.

If ya trade in yer junk after 4-5 years...
you won't likely have an issue with it.
 
#6
I got this car as a salvage car only light damage to front bumper, Car has been repaired and looks and drives like new now. I have about $8000 invested and for a 2014 Toyota Corolla S with 15500 miles...
 
#7
I am personally unaware of any current failure...

But it uses a steel drive cable
and tho' better then a rubber belt..
Likely not as durable as a chain.
But the cable is likely quieter then anything else could be.

So tho' likely not an issue when only 5 or so years into things...
But will it hold up to 10 years use ?

If the drive cable ever did fail or need replacement...
I would think that cost of repair would be purdy steep.

So for me... I just don't like the design
and have concern about it's long term consumability.

If ya trade in yer junk after 4-5 years...
you won't likely have an issue with it.
No car have used rubber belt CVTs since the 1958 Daf, I think. They all use chain-belt (it's really not a cable, since the belt has to be side-pushed). Audi used an original mesh design but the composition remain the same.
The idea of a belt might raise an eyebrow, but you'll notice that the belt is never the problem in "problematic" CVTs that generated mistrust but production glitches leading to fluid contamination :
GM-Fiat (metal scrap contamination) / Nissan-Chrysler (fluid foaming from bat heating control firmware) / Honda (wrong fluid from the plant). Audi was again original with a missing clutch plate...
Again, those were all production glitches and the batches affected remain fragile afterward but people tend to generalize them to all CVTs produced by everyone.
So far, after 6 years worldwide in the Corolla (and 16 years of other version), Toyota-Aisin engineering still has to produce a surge/trend in complaints.
Actually, a belt is no more prone to break than a small physical metal gear. Repair prices were high in NA when CVTs were a rarity but getting much lower.
 
#8
^ right... still considered a belt.

But IMO the belt is excessively complicated
and likely costly to replace if need be.

I'm older... so one would think I would prefer the CVT's smoothness.
but guess I prefer the shift points and the lesser complexity-cost of maintainence /or repair.

Maybe that CVT system will survive use for 20 years...
I can't say for sure.
But I'll stick to what has a proven track record
Is easier to work on and with less moving parts.

coupla generic video showing CVT function...


 
Top