looking for a new car

[capr]

Hey guys, I am looking for a new car and am in the civic/corolla range as far as price and features go. problem I am having is I know civic have a very good rep and are good cars but they are butt ugly and I really don't want to drive one of those for the next hopefully 10 years. the corolla seems to be just as good but I have no friends who have had one for ages and haven't had a problem with it...

So what's your feed back on the corolla? anything else I am not looking at that's just as good or better than these cards? a few K here and there isn't a problem but I want the car with options to be under 20k.

thanks,

RK

[MR_Candyman]

IMHO the current gen civic isn't very well designed. They have HUGE pillars on them, and a really crummy rear visibility, which makes them annoying to drive. Also, unless you get the leather seats or the Si seats, they are VERY uncomfortable for most people (though some like them).

The Corolla has a much friendlier design and much nicer seats. Also, in my dealings with them, the corolla's also been about 0.3 L/100km better than the civic.

There's FAR more aftermarket support for the civic though, if you care about that stuff. They'll both be good reliable cars.

[BGM]

what's your budget?

also, 10 years!! :o

[capr]

already mentioned my budget is 20k after taxes and fess and tags and options and everything so i guess something around 17k for the starting price of the car.

I looked at the MAZDA 3 today and it got some good reviews and people compared it to the civic. of course it hasn't been around long enough to have as much rep as the civic but it seems to be doing alright.

after market support isn't much of a big deal for me. I just want to take it in for oil change and regular maintenance. Also the 2010 MAZDA 3 looks very good to me...

[MacOSXMan]

I have a 2009 Mazda 3, used to have a 2000 Civic, the 3 is miles better IMO. Tons of aftermarket stuff for it, not so much the 2010 models yet though.

Goto Mazda3forums.com to check out some of the mods people have done, there's a large community there.

Good Luck!

Here's some photos of mine.

already mentioned my budget is 20k after taxes and fess and tags and options and everything so i guess something around 17k for the starting price of the car.

I looked at the MAZDA 3 today and it got some good reviews and people compared it to the civic. of course it hasn't been around long enough to have as much rep as the civic but it seems to be doing alright.

after market support isn't much of a big deal for me. I just want to take it in for oil change and regular maintenance. Also the 2010 MAZDA 3 looks very good to me...

Edited July 20, 2009 by WinMacsta06

[Spartan Erik]

If you're good at haggling/negotiating, you can go for a Camry, which is by far a more pleasant drive than any Corolla or Civic (both prone to road noise).

Sure the mileage of a Camry is in the low 20s, but it's very comfortable and you know that it is a reliable product. The JBL speaker system for the LE model is amazing.

A Camry LE started at $24k at the dealership, after haggling I got it to $21k, and convinced the guy to pay $3500 for my trade-in (2001 Honda Accord with 120k miles on it, transmission about to go). After taxes title and license I got the car for $18.6k, which is only a little more than a Corolla/Civic, with much better resale value.

Sure I had a trade-in, but this purchase was made a year ago.. I can't imagine how desperate dealers are now!

[Starcom826]

Got an 08 Mazda 3. Gotta say it's been great so far. Haven't been in the 2010, but it looks very nice.

[MovieFanatic07]

The corolla is a very reliable vehicle. I assume from what your looking at, coupe is not important to you. So with that in mind when its up against a civic, id take the corolla. Why? Not only is it super reliable, and maybe even more so than the civic, but hondas torque is **** poor. When I was car shopping it was between a civic, or scion tc and tc won for me hands down...if you are looking for a cheap coupe they are great cars, my 06 has had 0 problems and runs like the day I got it. tc has sun roof standard, side curtain air bags, great sound for a factory unit (sub comes standard), I think new ones have side curtain airbags standard now? don't quote me on that though. but all that for 16k unless you get the special edition which is 21k and packed with alot of other goodies.

Edited July 20, 2009 by MovieFanatic07

[Gamerhomie]

I am the current owner of a 1997 Corolla that has been passed down from my dad, then to my mom, then to me. I just passed the 200,000 mile marker a few months back and it has given me no problems and runs amazing compared to some of my other friends cars. Of course my parents have kept it in pristine condition, always getting it checked when needed, replacing wearing parts, etc... If you take care f it, it should take take of you, especially for the next ten years.

[revvo]

lol aftermarket parts.... That is not an argument towards buying a new FWD family car.

But yeah, back on topic. Civics? I don't like anything starting from the 7th gen. The last great gen of civics were the 6th gen 96-00. Toyotas are boring as hell it doesn't matter what car it is unless it's a Supra or MR2. Are they all reliable? Yes, but boring cars...

with 20K, I'd spend half of that on a used last gen WRX or IS300. The rest is not spend and I ended up with a car better than what you can find brand new for 20K.

Got an 08 Mazda 3. Gotta say it's been great so far. Haven't been in the 2010, but it looks very nice.

The 2010 Mazda? You mean this

[MovieFanatic07]

lol aftermarket parts.... That is not an argument towards buying a new FWD family car.

But yeah, back on topic. Civics? I don't like anything starting from the 7th gen. The last great gen of civics were the 6th gen 96-00. Toyotas are boring as hell it doesn't matter what car it is unless it's a Supra or MR2. Are they all reliable? Yes, but boring cars...

with 20K, I'd spend half of that on a used last gen WRX or IS300. The rest is not spend and I ended up with a car better than what you can find brand new for 20K.

The 2010 Mazda? You mean this

^ wrong. The toyota celica was an amazing car they should have never discontinued...if only I could find one at the time

[revvo]

Oh yeah.... I totally forgot about the Celica's :o The mid 90's models were pretty sweet, the 94-99 model :D

[chconline Veteran]

All Toyotas are crap to drive, end of story. The Camry is the definition of a Japanese Buick and the Corolla is basically a shrunk Camry. If you like to drive, avoid Toyota.

With regards to fuel economy, it's a pretty well known thing that Toyota optimized their cars for fuel economy ratings and not necessarily real life performance. My car is rated 7.8/5.7 (L/100km -- I think -- they changed it to 7.4/5.4 since 2008MY) guess which car it is :p I filled up at Shell on Saturday and guess what? The car never even got out of Calgary, mostly 7-10km trips twice daily and got 5.9L/100km! I agree the pillars are thick though, but I found the rear visibility is generally acceptable for all the cars I've driven. To be honest I test drive a lot of cars on my "free" time and the Civic remains one of my favorite for design, enjoyability, practicality, and quality.

But our words mean nothing -- go test drive a 3, Civic, Corolla, Focus, etc etc and choose the one you like. I chose the Civic when I made my purchase, but I cannot speak for you. :p

[MovieFanatic07]

lol i think my lug nuts require more torque than a honda civic generates.

[chconline Veteran]

lol i think my lug nuts require more torque than a honda civic generates.

An 1.8L/2.0L (R18A1 and K20Z3 for the regular and Si respectively) produces pretty good torque across the range for NA I4 engines along with great fuel economy. I don't know what you're complaining about.

[MovieFanatic07]

when you compare the civic to the other cars he tested that he has to chose from, it would be the last I pick, and I test drove one so i know what im talking about when you compare it to those. The SI is a completely different class. Tell me to pick a car from those or an si, I would take the si yes I agree. A normal civic though? hell nah.

[MulletRobZ]

Between the Civic and the Corolla, I find the Civic is better, mainly because it has that fun to drive factor that the Corolla lacks. I've had a 2008 Civic for almost a year now and so far, I haven't had a problem with it and its fuel economy is excellent (actually achieved 50 miles/imperial gallon on the highway).

However, you should also take a look at the Mazda3, which is practically the biggest threat to the Civic right now.

[chconline Veteran]

when you compare the civic to the other cars he tested that he has to chose from, it would be the last I pick, and I test drove one so i know what im talking about when you compare it to those. The SI is a completely different class. Tell me to pick a car from those or an si, I would take the si yes I agree. A normal civic though? hell nah.

The Si practically differs with the engine (R18A1 vs K20Z3), a 6MT (vs a 5MT or 5AT, where the latter is anemic), a hLSD, EPS vs Hydraulic (The standard hydraulic is better IMO :p ), stiffer suspension/thicker antiroll bars and AFAIK better brakes. I agree it's a completely different animal but the regular Civic isn't bad either :p

The Mazda3 is great car, worth a look. Various reasons why I personally did not buy it over my Civic but there's absolutely no reason to choose the Corolla over the 3 or the Civic.

BTW if you ever decide to buy an Si, which is frankly one of my favorite cars I've driven, you'd have a hard time resisting kicking in teh VTAK yo.

[MovieFanatic07]

like I said though, when talking about a regular model civic, my lugs require more torque. I would take a corolla s over one if the civic had to be 4 door. If were talking coupe, I rather have a tiburon, eclipse, tC, or cobalt. Im pretty sure this man is looking for a 4 door vehicle though unless stated other wise so corolla if he wants a car, if more room the 3.

[omganinja]

The civic and corolla pretty much have the same amount of torque, 3 has a bit more, but thats cause its a 2.5L (sp25) compared to the 1.8L civic and corolla. I'd buy the civic, I currently drive a 2000 Civic GLi and its fantastic, and its a SOHC non-vtec.

[PixilEyes]

Check out the Hyundai Accent SE.

[capr]

HAHA hyundai accent? really? thanks for trying.

I have been talking to a dealer and they are almost convinced to sell me an accord for 21k. which i will take anyday.

[PixilEyes]

HAHA hyundai accent? really? thanks for trying.

I have been talking to a dealer and they are almost convinced to sell me an accord for 21k. which i will take anyday.

Yep. They are one of the top car makers for quality. Also the price is nice. I don't understand paying more for Honda or Toyota for the same product. I'm more of a quality/value guy over aesthetics.

[Dead_Monkey]

I'd suggest that you see if you can find a dealer with a Nissan Versa 1.8 S Sedan (same size class as all the cars mentioned so far) in stock with either a manual (I only own manuals) or CVT (1.8 SL) transmission and give it a test drive.

I find Toyotas to be too small in terms of cabin space feeling (I'm only 6-1), but the Versa is quite small outside (good for city parallel parking) despite being a four door, and feels roomy inside, with good rear visibility and a nice peppy feel to the driving experience.

I had a Sentra before the Versa, and liked it a lot but I like the Versa even more.

Dismissing a vehicle out of hand without driving it seems like a poor way to respond to constructive attempts to answer your question.

Edited July 22, 2009 by Dead_Monkey

[MR_Candyman]

a few things about the last few posts:

1: Hyundai is NOT one of the top car makers for quality. They have improved in recent years, but they are still nowhere near a corolla or civic.

2: While I LOVE the Nissan Versa (I really do, it's a great car to drive and very practical), it has some really bad reliability issues which still haven't been addressed by Nissan. The multitude of steering problems comes to mind, from squeaking and thumping noises to wobbles while driving that have no apparent cause