2009 Corolla S - Test Drive

[Lbear]

I test drove a 2009 Corolla S. I already own a 2006 Corolla. Here are my impressions:

POSITIVES
*The car's interior is better designed on the 09 vs. 06.
*The ride is nice and the options the car comes with are nice also.

NEGATIVES
* Same old dumb drum brakes in the rear. Come-on it's 2009 already, drum brakes? My 1970 Olds had front disc and rear drum. 39 yeas later....
* Electronic Steering = Driving the car it felt like the car would wander on the highway. The steering needed constant correction to keep it straight. You lose the road feedback with the ES. I don't like it. Maybe it takes getting used to.
* The car is just OK to drive, just like the 06 I have. Nothing exciting about it. Just a good, hopefully reliable, good MPG car.

On a side-note. I test drove a 08 Mazda3 the same day. WOW! Big difference. The interior is nicer and the overall driving experience is better. I might be able to get the Mazda3 for $1,900 less than the Corolla.

It's a tough decision. What has me worried about the 09 Corolla is the oil consumption issue.

If I can get the 08 Mazda3 for $20,000 OTD(out the door), I will get the Mazda3. If not, then I will get the 09 Corolla S for $21,900 OTD.

[Londonguy]

Go for the Mazda 3 for sure. If you can get it for less it's a no brainer. Mazda3 or Honda Civic are good choices in this category. Mazda fuel economy will probably be a bit less but it is a fun car.

[buddy97]

the corolla is what it has always been.
1. terrific mileage
2. simple looks in and out (this appeals to me)
3. quiet/comfortable ride (quietest, softest ride of any i test drove including mazda 3, civic, elantra, and sentra) but not a great handling car.
4. reliable???-we shall see with this model over the long run.

if "driving experience" is high on your list, i think the 3 would satisfy you much more. you will definitely take a hit in mileage. the 3 has always been more of a drivers car, has never been a great mileage car, and does not have a great history of reliability.

i had test driven a corolla s since they didnt have a base 5 speed on the lot. once i got my car, the only thing i wished it had was the darker interior of the "s". maybe the xrs would be a better comparison with the mazda 3, since the "s" is a purely cosmetic designation.

[Lbear]

Originally Posted by buddy97

the 3 has always been more of a drivers car, has never been a great mileage car, and does not have a great history of reliability.

I disagree with that.
I researched the reliability of the Mazda3 and it rates as good or even better than the Toyota Corolla.

"The 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates."

That is the same rating a Corolla gets.

The top 3 are Honda's and in 4th place is Mazda3 and the Toyota Corolla doesn't come in until #17.

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...le-Small-Cars/

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/Toyota/.../Sedan/ratings

[straightclownin35]

ummmmmm i think you just are a bit idiotic. first off drum brakes are in theory better than disc for one. 2 even if the car had disc brakes the car is a FRONT WHEEL Drive and the brakes in the back dont really make a difference.

the electric steering IMO is awesome. it is so responsive. and if your on the highway why the fuck would you let go of the steering wheel ??? LOL you should never let go of the steering wheel. never. the car handles great and the electric steering is an awesome feature. i love it

and good luck getting a mazda over a toyota that would be the stupidest move you could make bud.

[straightclownin35]

the mazda 3 i dont know how you can even compare to the corolla

the only thing that is comparable to the corolla is the civic that i can agree with NOT a mazda 3 ! LMAO!!!

like i said good luck buying a mazda 3 dope. toyota or honda is your best bet right now nothing else is reliable as these 2 companies.

[lowincash]

like the toyota fan boy says...you'll probably last longer with the corolla. but i agree, the mazda3 is a blast to drive even if you're just driving normal lol look at it this way, if you want to be bland and boring, get a corolla...if you want some fun in your daily drive get the 3. the 3's fuel economy isn't going to be as good as the corolla...but on the mazda forum i've read people usually get 30-35'ish mpg with the 2.0 one. honestly, when i first saw the new corolla i was so excited cuz it looked fresh and not as boring as the previous ones. but then as time goes by the car started to taste bitter to me. i'm kind of glad i didn't go with the corolla but if you only care about going from point a-b and save gas i guess this is a good car...other than that i don't know what else to say about the corolla lol

[Cooper S]

I could never go back to Mazda after the lemon law fiasco i went through with a 2001 MX-5 Miata

[Lbear]

Originally Posted by straightclownin35

ummmmmm i think you just are a bit idiotic. first off drum brakes are in theory better than disc for one. 2 even if the car had disc brakes the car is a FRONT WHEEL Drive and the brakes in the back dont really make a difference.

You really don't know much, except on how to swear and be derogatory.

First of all, drum brakes are NOT better than disc. Every single modern sports car or high-performance car has 4 wheel discs. Drum brakes are old and outdated technology. You really DO NOT know what you are taking about.

Maybe the new Ferrari will come with rear drum brakes


"The 2008 Mazda3 went 60 mph to 0 in a respectable 119 feet, and the car's brake pedal felt firm and intuitive, with a good initial bite. The 3's brakes withstood the rigors of performance testing well, with zero fade and only minor ABS noise. Its braking performance earned the Mazda3 a rating of "Very Good" from our test drivers — an impressive feat for an economy sedan."

Compare that to the 2009 Corolla which takes 127 feet to stop from 60mph to 0. Then it has serious brake fade due to the rear drum brakes.

[buddy97]

Originally Posted by Lbear

I disagree with that.
I researched the reliability of the Mazda3 and it rates as good or even better than the Toyota Corolla.

"The 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates."

That is the same rating a Corolla gets.

The top 3 are Honda's and in 4th place is Mazda3 and the Toyota Corolla doesn't come in until #17.

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...le-Small-Cars/

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/Toyota/.../Sedan/ratings

those studies are not for long term reliability, particularly mechanical reliability. one of the links wasnt even for reliability at all (more of an overall appeal with reliability as a small component). many cars that turn out to be garbage (reliability wise) can rank high on a short term reliability test. (suzuki, mini cooper, volkswagon rabbit all rank high on that list and are well known to fair poorly in long term reliability. here is better data on longer term mechanical reliability (which is generally what makes a car last a long time with minimal repairs or not):

http://autos.nytimes.com/2008/Toyota...chRatings.aspx

http://autos.nytimes.com/2008/Mazda/...chRatings.aspx

notice after 3 years of ownership, the overall dependability of:

corolla (4.5/5)

mazda 3 (2/5)

looking at the 2008 J.D. Powers vehicle dependability study (which measures data after 3 years of ownership): Toyota is fourth, while Mazda is not even at the industry average.

http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/new...spx?ID=2008115

is the mazda 3 more fun to drive than a corolla? absolutely. it is what it is.

[pwain]

Another thread on the same subject?

We could have a drag-out battle on the CorollaVs.CivicVs.3 debate, but all three are simple economical 4 cylinders. The differences just really are'nt all that exciting.

Each is better than the other at one thing or another. Its all personal preference as to whats more important.

[PhatRoyale]

Originally Posted by pwain

Another thread on the same subject?

We could have a drag-out battle on the CorollaVs.CivicVs.3 debate, but all three are simple economical 4 cylinders. The differences just really are'nt all that exciting.

Each is better than the other at one thing or another. Its all personal preference as to whats more important.

[imEric!]

I am sure many of you heard on the news today that Ford might sell all their Mazda shares...and I wonder if this will have any effect on their (Mazda) future products/support.

[Lbear]

Here are some IMPORTANT FACTS many people overlook:

The new 2009 Toyota Corolla, per law, has a sticker on the window that states the following -

"This vehicle contains 50% U.S. and Canadian parts."
"Vehicle assembled in the USA"

VS

The Mazda3 states:
"This vehicle contains 95% Japanese parts."
"Vehicle assembly point - Hiroshima, Japan"

It can be argued whether the Corolla of today is or was the same Corolla of yesteryear. You have a car utilizing 50% U.S. made parts & it is assembled by American workers in the USA.

A Mazda3 which contains 95% Japanese made parts, assembled completely in Japan by Japanese workers.

[pwain]

Originally Posted by Lbear

Here are some IMPORTANT FACTS many people overlook:

It can be argued whether the Corolla of today is or was the same Corolla of yesteryear. You have a car utilizing 50% U.S. made parts & it is assembled by American workers in the USA.

A Mazda3 which contains 95% Japanese made parts, assembled completely in Japan by Japanese workers.

Depedning on the person, these "important facts" might persuade them towards the Corolla or the Mazda.

Either way, enjoy your new car.

Again, what you like may not be something everyone elase will like. If you would like to find such a like-minded community, a forum named "Toyota Nation" is unlikely the ideal soapbox.