I don't want to start a heated debate, but an informative discussion. All you have different ideas and perspectives, and I want some of your input. First I'll say I am brand loyal to Toyota, a Corolla and 4Runner in past and an 07 Tundra, presently and hopefully for a long, long time. I'm lookin for a daily driver for downtown work commutes, and it has to be small to fit in a garage and share space with a motorcycle. I'm not giving up the Harley for any reason....so the car has to be small. So my list is Corolla S, Civic EX and Mazda3 s. The Lancer is in there but I really got to be honest....The Corolla and Mazda are my two real contenders, the Civic and Lancer......I dunno. The looks are dynomite for the Corolla, but I think performance is in the Mazda3. I haven't test driven any of them yet......cause if I do....then I'll do something impulsive, and that's not me. My "plan" has me buying in the July-Aug timeframe, so I am keeping my options and mind open. Corolla S w/ 5 spd manual, sport package seems to be the real looker, awesome front end, and mpg leader. Plus Toyota reliability and resale, with resale not a big concern as I tend to hold on to my vehicles until their "historical" MSRP at $19,164. Some of the reviews have been less than....enthusiastic, about the handling. The drive by wire seems to be a downer for some (slow response to acceration, steering described as being "numb". But the looks are swaying me to the Corolla.
The Mazda 3's are configured in a couple of ways. First choice: Mazda 3 sedan "S" sport w/ 2.3L 5 spd manual, spoiler, fog lights, 4 disc ABS brakes, 17" alloys, pearl white w/ blk int. MSRP at $18,695
2nd choice: 3 sedan "I" touring w/ 2.0L, 5 spd, ABS, discs (standard....you hear that Toyota!), wing spoiler, fog lights, splash guards, in Galaxy gray so I get a gray or black interior. White exterior only comes in that beige color which I don't care for, where the "S" upgrade in "Pearl white" gives me black. MSRP at $18,130. The Mazda on the owner reports says it is a "funner" car to drive and handles like a more exotic (expensive) German car. You can toss and turn it around the figure 8 track, and it ties the course time with the V8 Pontiac G8 GT (MotorTrend I believe). It gets very good reviews from different sources on fit, finish and performance. Now , I'm talking myself into the Mazda. Shit!!! I'm not even going into the pros and cons of the Civic and Lancer, but I threw them in as their in my "catagory" of possibles.
So, some of you have already opted for the Corolla....why? There are others out there (Cwayne comes to mind) that are not dead set on the Corolla and give some good arguments, against it. Do some of you have expierence w/ Mazda, give me your thoughts. Obviously this is a Toyota forum and maybe this post breaks some "sacrilegious" beliefs, but it's my money and I have the right to look next door and see how green that grass is. I've earned that right....Toyota has alot of my money, and it was well spent! I'd like other opinions, that's all.........no wars.
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07 SR5 DC 5.7 4WD TRD (White)
09 Corolla XRS 5spd M (White)
I guess I'll give it a go at a personal opinion mixed in with personal experience.
First off, I have to say Im a Toyota fan. Been one for quite a while but lately they're starting to disappoint in the performance department. Long story there but the gist of it is, I personally think Toyota has the reliability and eco-friendly thing down and the competition has nothing. But everything else, Toyota really needs to start picking up the slack.
With that said, I've had the privilege of owning 3 different gens of Corollas (8th Gen Type S, 9th Gen XRS, 10th Gen XRS). My experience with the Corollas are you can make them perform if you have the money, but from the factory, they're about equal but more often lagging behind the competition just slightly. If you buy the Corolla, know that you'll be getting a vehicle that will save you on gas, give you a decent ride experience and will last you longer than you'd probably like.
As for the Mazda3, Ive friends with both the wagon and the sedan. Both of them have had them for a little over 3 years. Both of them have had to replace their rear brake pads more than twice. Its not because of driving habits, but because Mazda's Bias is towards the rear and it wears out the pads very quickly. They've also had to repair their driver side door a number of times because of a defect in the locking mechanism of earlier models. Car thieves seem to try every Mazda3 on the road in hopes someone didn't take advantage of the recall. Other than that, its a stiffer ride than the Corolla and the packaging will feel like a more expensive car.
I've owned a 01 and 04 Corollas and if you're after gas saving, reliable, good resale value car... the Corolla is it.
If you want stylish, performance, handling... look elsewhere. For the price of a Corolla S 1.8L that's moderately loaded, you can get a fully loaded Mazda 3. The Corolla XRS is around $22,000 and for an extra grand, you can get the Mazdaspeed3... a real monster.
For the money, I'd go for the Lancer ES. $17,000 gives you a car that looks great, performs great w/sunroof and 650watt kick ass factory sound system.
The Corolla XRS has the same engine as the tC so many of the tC's aftermarket parts should fit. Since it's new, give it a couple of months and you'll see the numerous turbokits for the tC working on the XRS. However, that would shoot the Corolla's price thru the roof. XRS = $22,000. Turbokits = $3,000 - $5,000. It's clear that the MazdaSpeed 3 is a better buy.
So again, if you want the most reliable, best resale value... go with the Corolla. If you want the most fun, get a Mazda3/speed3 or a Lancer ES or GTS.
If you can wait, Mitsubishi is releasing a "diet" Lancer EVO. It's going to sell in the low to mid $20ks. It's said to have 230-250hp, AWD...
The Civic SI is also a good car. It's a decent buy at $22,000 when you compare it with the Corolla XRS for the same price.
If you can do with a 2dr, the Scion is the best deal. If you look at its standard features for the money NOTHING beats it. $17,000 and you've got a loaded car with good performance, great resale value and tons of aftermarket parts.
You can't go wrong with a Toyota. The new Corolla is actually pretty cool. The only problem I have with it is that it's way overpriced for what you get.
Looking at your list, it seems like the Civic is the middle ground. It has the reliability like a Corolla and the sport like a Mazda3. The Corolla takes the cushy end and the Mazda3 takes the sport end on the spectrum.
Mazda3s are selling well in Canada because they're well priced, very well equipped (auto headlights and wipers for example) and are great cars to drive. They're a huge step over the Protegé which had a very uncomfortable rear suspension setup. (imo).
Also, you might be able to get a better deal on the Mazda3 because it's nearing the end of its life.
So my vote goes for the Mazda3... S... in pearl white =).
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2010 Prius Technology Package (Cdn)
OEM Cargo Mat, OEM All-Weather Mat, LED ext/int lights, 5000K HID, OEM Fogs, Euro Mudguards
Obviously if you want more sporty go with the Mazda3 or Corolla XRS. But with gas prices on the rise maybe the Corolla is a good choice lower end (non-XRS) models. I don't know what you're looking for. I personally like the new Lancer, I like its aggressive looks but the only thing is that it weighs quite a bit (for the class of car) and the mileage isn't too impressive 21/28 respectively.
As for the Mazda3 you could get it but its due for a replacement soon. So either get an "old" model at a good deal when the new one is near or get a brand new model year car as in the 09 Corolla. Or wait until the new Mazda3 comes out (not sure when but guessing soon as it came out the same time as the last gen Corolla 03 MY).
Good luck and keep us posted!
It really comes down to what driving style you like or prefer as well as what your needs are as far as cost, space and features.
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U.S. media is a systematic censorship on free speech. They don't like what they hear they don't report. Don't want to upset the political and advertising sponsors. Its so corrupted. While they don't have to agree with certain views, its their job to report and let US decide.
I personally like the new Lancer, I like its aggressive looks but the only thing is that it weighs quite a bit (for the class of car) and the mileage isn't too impressive 21/28 respectively.
Great discussion going on here, thanks. When I'm ready, it'll probably come down to the test drives, and any incentives or rebates going on at the time. I'm also hoping that by Aug, some of the mentioned "factors" will work to my advantage this time. The Mazda3 will be long in the tooth, Corolla's might be flowing out all over the lots, hence I'll get a better deal. I would even consider a used one, but just a year or two old....you still pay near what a new car costs. Sorry, the Yaris and Xd....great cars, just not me. I love the Scion coupe the Tc (I think) but I'm sticking to a 4 door. More practical for my old ass
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07 SR5 DC 5.7 4WD TRD (White)
09 Corolla XRS 5spd M (White)
Yaris comes in 4 door by the way, but if you don't like it then get the Corolla, try to grab an 08 if possible, much cheaper than a new one. What about a Honda Fit, or Nissan Versa?
If you're adamant about choosing between your 3 choices then just get the Corolla, it's always the best choice for basic, small, cheap, reliable, comfortable, spacious transportation.
__________________ I may be crazy but at least I'm not sane.
If you can wait, Mitsubishi is releasing a "diet" Lancer EVO. It's going to sell in the low to mid $20ks. It's said to have 230-250hp, AWD...
QUOTE]
Is this U.S or Canada Price ???...if that's the case EVO it is....Corolla, Mazda, Civic doesn;t offer enough HP reagardless Corolla is still the most reliable.....
Lancer ES
2,922
152hp
0-60 7.7sec
21-29mpg
Sun & sound package (sunroof & 650watt 9 speaker system)
$17,240
45lb isn't that big of a difference. 1mpg is also not that big of a deal. The Mitsu has a smaller engine and weights more yet outperforms the Corolla.
Looks like they have a winner here.
Interested on the Sentra SER Spec V? Not a bad car for $20,885
Pretty fast too.
I was making a general statement of the class of cars the Lancer is in (compact). But I was comparing base Corolla and Civic as far a mpg. But yeah the Lancer against the Corolla and XRS is better bang for the buck as far as features per dollar (Overall). Like the Mazda3 the Lancer is more geared toward sporty rather than economy like the Corolla (XRS the exception).
Sentra Spec V is good but I think the current one is ugly...then again most of Nissan's late designs are ugly IMO. Plus it looks too much like a Saturn ION, yuck!!
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U.S. media is a systematic censorship on free speech. They don't like what they hear they don't report. Don't want to upset the political and advertising sponsors. Its so corrupted. While they don't have to agree with certain views, its their job to report and let US decide.
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MSRP at $19,164. Some of the reviews have been less than....enthusiastic, about the handling. The drive by wire seems to be a downer for some (slow response to acceration, steering described as being "numb". But the looks are swaying me to the Corolla.
2009 Toyota Corolla
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