09 Corolla..good car ? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Roger T · 02-07-2009, 07:46 PM

I am a senior citizen who has been driving a Honda Civic for about 9 years...great little car, with super gas milage. Ok, I'll admit it..I'm thinking of buying a new Corolla this time. Looking for your opinions either pro or con. I have heard there is a little heartburn about the oil filter...anything else I should know ?
Thanks,
Roger

LeanBurn · 02-07-2009, 08:29 PM

Welcome to Toyota Nation.

I think it is a great car. Most of us do that hang out here. Have you test driven both 09 versions of the Civic and Corolla? That is a great place to start.

The cartridge filter is a piece of cake.

Jim Bob Jones · 02-07-2009, 08:35 PM

Well it's a little to soon to tell. Like most redesigns, it will need tweaking. But it rides a lot smoother and quieter than the Honda Civic. However, the Civic's engine is more responsive. Aesthetics is in the eye of the beholder but I much prefer the Corolla's interior and exterior that of the Honda.

Roger T · 02-07-2009, 08:42 PM

Thanks for the "welcome". No, I haven't driven both cars yet..thought I'd get an idea about what to look for or to ask about first. I've Also heard a rumor that the Carolla has a tendance to wonder all over the road..true ?
Roger

LeanBurn · 02-07-2009, 08:52 PM

Electric power steering...I am not sure if civic has it, but if you haven't driven with it before it can be different. I got used to it on the test drive right away. Its very precise, so some people are coming from cars with much less precise hydraulic systems so they have a longer adjustment. It doesn't wander, but reacts to the input well. A test drive on a highway would reveal it quickly to you, if you notice it at all.

bennijai · 02-07-2009, 09:33 PM

I was also placed in a decision of whether I go for the Civic or the Corolla. In the end I chose the Corolla and it's mainly because of a few reasons: (1) I didn't like how low the Civic sat on the road. (2) Although the interior is modern and more "advance" I didn't like the Civic's speedometer set up. (3) I felt that the steering wasn't as sensitive as the Corolla's (but alot of people will tell you it's too sensitive). To me the steering fits me well and it didn't take long to get use to it after driving my Camry 93 for 3 years before hand. (4) And the interior of the Civic felt cramp compared to the Corolla.

The best way for you to get an idea is to test drive the two. Good luck.

cabur · 02-07-2009, 10:52 PM

For a senior citizen 09 Corolla will suit you much better than a Civic. Ingress and egress is much easier. Steering is definitely different feel. More accurate and light. I drives for 3-4 hours straight with no problem. Car rides quiet and confortable. Handles well in heavy snow.
Mine is a Canadian LE with smart key. Auto lighting and auto climate. 1.8. Ample power and consistant good fuel economy. Got it since May 08.

IceXRS · 02-08-2009, 12:05 AM

I test drove both Corolla and Civic and let me tell you that I like the Civic very much...its a great car. But my choice was the Corolla XRS which has the bigger engine and sportier handling but still practical and not as expensive to buy or operate as a Civic Si.

Civic versus the Corolla CE and (X)LE is a tossup. Both are excellent cars and both have a slightly different design ethos. The Civic is more futuristic and it does it to great effect. The latest Civic has a digital speedometer located at the top of the dash (and the tachometer where you'd normally expect to find it). The Civic I also feel sits lower to the ground and is a tiny bit harder to get into. The Corolla is a bit taller and more conventional in its interior design.

Steering wise I don't find too much difference. The Corolla's all have electric power steering which is extremely precise. I like it. Some have trouble with it....but I have no idea why.

Best thing to do...test drive both and decide what works best for you. The new Civic is more radical while the Corolla is relatively conservative. Both are outstanding for reliability and safety in their sizes.

TINKERBELL · 02-08-2009, 12:12 AM

just think of it as a baby camry

suplol · 02-08-2009, 02:28 AM

Just throwing my two cents in, but it would also help you to check out consumer reports for something more "independent." If you're asking in a Toyota forum, no doubt you will get biased answers

With that said, I hated the Corolla for a few months, but I actually love the car now, and I remember why I bought it to begin with -- I liked the way it looked, it was a great value, it was a Toyota, and it gets me from A to B without issues. It drives like a boat sometimes, but after a while you get used to how the car should handle. As a senior citizen, speed shouldn't matter too much.

soundboy · 02-08-2009, 03:49 AM

I'm currently the owner of a '08 Civic LX 4 door. I've put over 9,500 miles on my car, but I am in the process of selling the Civic so that I can take over the ownership of my mother's '09 Corolla S due to her health. For the last 2 months, I've been driving the Corolla to and from work and have put over 4,000 miles on it. These are my observations....

- Less wind noise on the Corolla
- Much better ride in the Corolla
- Easier entry/exit in the Corolla
- Controls are better laid out in th Corolla
- Civic's digital speedometer is distracting after a while
- I prefer the Corolla's 4 speed auto over the Civic's 5 speed auto as it tends to hunt for the right gear
- Civic's steering is a bit more precise

Overall, I think the Corolla is the better car. When simlarly equipped, the Corolla is probably cheaper as well.

Honda city · 02-08-2009, 06:10 AM

I have been driving Honda Civics since 1992, my last car was a Civic 2003. Hondas and Toyotas are quality cars, but they have different charactoristics.
You will be more comfortable in the Corolla because you sit more upright in a higher position. When shopping for my car, I tried them all. My final 2 choices were the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla. The reason I chose the Corolla was because it was a new design and the Civic (2009) is in its 4 year of production due to be changed for a new model in 2011. With the Corolla you are getting a new design. In Canada the prices of Corollas were dropped approx 15% at the begining of 2008 for all 2008 models and some 2009 models. The Corolla in Canada had a lot more features at a lower price. You will get quality and reliability with both Honda and Toyota.

Londonguy · 02-08-2009, 06:52 AM

I felt the same way. For about the first 6 months I didn't like the car. I don't know whether it was a long break in period(doubt it), or I just got used to it, but I've really fallen in love with the little car. At about 8000KM, it seemed to drive better, have better acceleration and braking. It's probably in my head, but now I am seriously considering a 2010, to get the snow features like TC and VSC. I think it's the nicest looking car of any in its class. I can't seem to think of an alternative to the Corolla, except Civic and I find it about $2000 overpriced. Solid ride, comfortable over bumpy roads, awesome gas mileage, roomy, and very reasonably priced in Canada. Even with a price increase for 2010, it is still a fantastic value. Ford Focus just went up about $600 for a 2009.

tatinc2000 · 02-08-2009, 08:03 AM

I love mine, went on a trip yesterday in the cold weather and still got 35mpg. I get 39-41 in the spring/ fall a little less when the air is on.

Roger T · 02-08-2009, 09:03 AM

I really appricate all the input. I may be on a slightly biased website, but i feel if the Carolla had any bad faults,I would have heard about them. I get the impression that I won't go wrong either way, but I agree that the Carolla is a little cheaper. It appears that Honda says " here is the price, take it or leave it". I replaced the aternator on my Civic, had to tear half the car apart inorder to get to it. Is the Carolla the same way ?
Roger