Performance / driving dynamics aside, to me it feels like the Corolla offers more for your money in terms of standard features, tiny utilities in the car. I am not sure about the exact details of the various trim levels, but my '10 LE seems to have 2 center cup holders for rear passengers, passenger seat rear pocket (which seems to be only on the Civic EX), passenger vanity mirror which are nice. I think you can add ABS/Traction control too to this list. A dual glove box, two tiny storage slots on either side of the center console. May be tire pressure monitor too (not sure)... And it costed me 15K OTD (with 12K miles and 7yr Toyota Certification). When I was looking for Civics before my purchase, comparable Civics were priced a few $grands above. What do you folks think?
Performance / driving dynamics aside, to me it feels like the Corolla offers more for your money in terms of standard features, tiny utilities in the car. I am not sure about the exact details of the various trim levels, but my '10 LE seems to have 2 center cup holders for rear passengers, passenger seat rear pocket (which seems to be only on the Civic EX), passenger vanity mirror which are nice. I think you can add ABS/Traction control too to this list. A dual glove box, two tiny storage slots on either side of the center console. May be tire pressure monitor too (not sure)... And it costed me 15K OTD (with 12K miles and 7yr Toyota Certification). When I was looking for Civics before my purchase, comparable Civics were priced a few $grands above. What do you folks think?
Same conclusion I came to in 2009 when I bought my new 2010 'Rolla S. The traction control was a big plus and the little features like cupholders, dual glovebox, storage, and bonuses like fogs, bodykit, rear heat vents were included in the S model price. I would've had to shell out something like $1K to get what I'd want in the Civic (but without traction)
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2010 MGM Corolla S
30% LLUMAR CTX tint | Takeda SRI | Borla 11795 exhaust | TRD FSB & RSB| Eibach springs | 2500k Nokya fogs | Philips HIR lows | De-badged | Blacked-out emblems | Rosen Navigation HU
I test drove both before buying my 09 S. I liked the way the Corolla felt more. Both had a nice ride but the Corolla fit be better. Even with the IRS on the Civic it's not like I could notice it unless I was setting the car up for racing. On a DD car the Corolla looked better to me, had more options for the money & power was similar in feel with a 5M. The other plus was the interior of the Corolla looked 100x better IMO without that terrible split dash with a digital speedometer. I'll take my needles anyday over a digital set up. So with this being said, I bought my Corolla with TC & VSC.
__________________ 89 Supercharged White MR2 5-speed / 09 Corolla S CSM 5-speed
07 Matrix XR Gray Pearl 5-speed (sold 11/23/11)/ 94 Corolla DX Red 5-speed / 95 Previa S/C White Auto/
07 Corolla CE CSM 5-speed/ 10 Prius III Blizzard Pearl
i got that feeling about the civic too, that it was a little better overall. i def did not like the dash on the 2012 (big LCD screen unappealing to me.)
however, i feel if you do the basic mods (which I am currently beginning: ft strut brace, lowering springs, eventually rear sway bar, and throttle controller, which costs close to $800), then the corolla will be much better (at least thats what members say).
i got that feeling about the civic too, that it was a little better overall. i def did not like the dash on the 2012 (big LCD screen unappealing to me.)
however, i feel if you do the basic mods (which I am currently beginning: ft strut brace, lowering springs, eventually rear sway bar, and throttle controller, which costs close to $800), then the corolla will be much better (at least thats what members say).
And still cost less.
__________________ 89 Supercharged White MR2 5-speed / 09 Corolla S CSM 5-speed
07 Matrix XR Gray Pearl 5-speed (sold 11/23/11)/ 94 Corolla DX Red 5-speed / 95 Previa S/C White Auto/
07 Corolla CE CSM 5-speed/ 10 Prius III Blizzard Pearl
I test drove both before buying my 09 S. I liked the way the Corolla felt more. Both had a nice ride but the Corolla fit be better. Even with the IRS on the Civic it's not like I could notice it unless I was setting the car up for racing. On a DD car the Corolla looked better to me, had more options for the money & power was similar in feel with a 5M. The other plus was the interior of the Corolla looked 100x better IMO without that terrible split dash with a digital speedometer. I'll take my needles anyday over a digital set up. So with this being said, I bought my Corolla with TC & VSC.
Another thing, if you wanted factory Bluetooth in a Civic, you have to spring up for the top of the line model EX Navigation, with XM being an accessory. With the Corolla, I liked that the BT was packaged with the JBL stereo with XM (one of the reasons to like my car), and you didn't have to buy it with leather or navigation (disappointed that the Nav they used to offer didn't have BT).
Another thing, if you wanted factory Bluetooth in a Civic, you have to spring up for the top of the line model EX Navigation, with XM being an accessory. With the Corolla, I liked that the BT was packaged with the JBL stereo with XM (one of the reasons to like my car), and you didn't have to buy it with leather or navigation (disappointed that the Nav they used to offer didn't have BT).
I love my JBL system too. I think the sound is excellent & with my Rosen HU it has everything I want & need.
__________________ 89 Supercharged White MR2 5-speed / 09 Corolla S CSM 5-speed
07 Matrix XR Gray Pearl 5-speed (sold 11/23/11)/ 94 Corolla DX Red 5-speed / 95 Previa S/C White Auto/
07 Corolla CE CSM 5-speed/ 10 Prius III Blizzard Pearl
Maybe the Si but when I was putting it through the paces it felt very similar.And after the few mods I did my Corolla handles fantastic.
__________________ 89 Supercharged White MR2 5-speed / 09 Corolla S CSM 5-speed
07 Matrix XR Gray Pearl 5-speed (sold 11/23/11)/ 94 Corolla DX Red 5-speed / 95 Previa S/C White Auto/
07 Corolla CE CSM 5-speed/ 10 Prius III Blizzard Pearl
I always thought the Civic had a few quirky features that annoyed me. I didn't really look at a new model, but they had that goofy shifter attached tot he dash. I'm sure it worked great and was accurate, but it just looked weird to me.
If you are going for performance, get the Civic. If you are going for a daily commuter with decent looks, go for the Corolla. I believe Toyota had reliability over the Civic for many years....especially with their chain driven engines. Now, with the many problems the Corolla has had, not so sure that is the case.
When I was car shopping a couple weeks ago it came down to the 09 Corolla XRS (that I bought, obviously) and an 08 Civic Si. The Si performance is certainly superior, more horsepower, better handling, more sporty feel to the suspension and it's a 6 speed. Those are things I like. It really came down to value/cost for me. At the same price, the Si was a year older and had 10k more miles. And it needs premium fuel. And whoever said it about the digital speedometer...yeah...I couldn't understand what Honda was thinking with that. Plus, you just don't see the XRS around here. Not nearly as much as the Si. It's not like the XRS is crap, either. It's a great car...nice options, good performance, decent fuel economy. So far I like it a lot.
I always thought the Civic had a few quirky features that annoyed me. I didn't really look at a new model, but they had that goofy shifter attached tot he dash. I'm sure it worked great and was accurate, but it just looked weird to me.
If you are going for performance, get the Civic. If you are going for a daily commuter with decent looks, go for the Corolla. I believe Toyota had reliability over the Civic for many years....especially with their chain driven engines. Now, with the many problems the Corolla has had, not so sure that is the case.
Reliability is a toss up. Honda has better engines but their their automatics are not known for their longevity.
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08 tC mt
Smooth driving is comfortable and easy. It is also FAST(though not comfortable at speed). I don't care if you apex corners(everyone does) on a public road unless you suck at it(everyone). Hold a proper line or get out of my way.
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Sylvia
I'll take my needles anyday over a digital set up. 
So with this being said, I bought my Corolla with TC & VSC. 
1999 Toyota Avalon
Linear Mode
