I'm looking for a quiet commuter sedan with good fuel economy, automatic on/off headlights, automatic locking doors, a nice sounding stereo, bluetooth and stability control.

If you want something quiet, IMO the corolla has bad insulation and isn't that quiet. The Camry is better in the cockpit when it comes to noise.

I believe that all the new cars come with automatic headlights and DRLs even the base model corolla.

Automatic locking doors I believe is a feature that comes when you get a security system? Correct me if I'm wrong. Unless you mean remote lock.

Stock stereo w/o JBL is fine on the Corolla IMO, but never heard the Camry's

All the 2010 models come with vehicle stability and traction control standard on the corolla. So a base model would have it too.

Just letting you know what's standard. If I had the money I would of gotten a Camry instead to be honest. It's a lot nicer.

And if all the base Corolla come with these features i believe that the base Camry should too. I think.

 

The stock stereo doesn't have BT and sounds a lot worse than the JBL. When I was shopping I listened to every level of stereo and I was very happy with the performance difference with the JBL. I also love the built in BT. In fact I think the JBL sounds better in the Corolla than the Camry. I listened to both and maybe the smaller cabin of the Corolla helps out here. I also think the Corolla is very quiet and many people that have been in my car have also stated as much. My folks were surprised and they just bought a new Avalon. I like the Camry too but it is bigger, I don't like the extra size & I don't need it, it costs more, and it gets lower mpg.

 

To get these things in a Camry, all I need is the LE model plus JBL stereo. In a Corolla, I would need an XLE with some option packages.

Unless you do a special order through a dealer, finding a Camry LE with the JBL on the dealer lot might be harder, since most are built without that option. On the other hand, Toyota does seem to build the majority of Corolla XLEs I've seen with the JBL/BT option.

Have you also considered other cars in this segment besides the Corolla? I know you can get Navigation with Bluetooth on cars like the Civic EX and Mazda3 Grand Touring.

 

Unless you do a special order through a dealer, finding a Camry LE with the JBL on the dealer lot might be harder, since most are built without that option. On the other hand, Toyota does seem to build the majority of Corolla XLEs I've seen with the JBL/BT option.

Have you also considered other cars in this segment besides the Corolla? I know you can get Navigation with Bluetooth on cars like the Civic EX and Mazda3 Grand Touring.

If I decided on a Camry, I could special order a Camry LE with JBL and just wait a few months for delivery if I can't find any in any dealer's stock.
I would prefer the tighter steering and handling of a Camry SE, but if you get an SE, you lose the folding rear seat needed to expand cargo carrying space, so that restricts me to only the LE model.

A Civic isn't quiet quiet and a Civic doesn't have automatic headlights and door locks and I don't want a car that will be redesigned in less than a year. Mazda3 gas mileage isn't very good. Might as well get a big Camry for the mpg of a Mazda3 Grand Touring.
It isn't important for the car to have built-in nav, but I want a car where it is easy to use and store a portable GPS without having to keep unplugging and replugging into a power port.

I don't know why no car makers simply make a cubby on the top of the dashboard with a powerport for a portable GPS?

That's a nice cubby in a great location for a GPS, but there is no power port there. You would open the door when you want to use the GPS and just shut the door when you don't.
The Camry has a decent place for a GPS but it's lower than ideal. I could live with the low position though.


I am not dead set on getting a Toyota, but it looks like only Toyotas have the mix of features, mileage and pricing I'm looking for.
Maybe the new Chevy Cruze, but it's a risky buy as a brand new model and may have poor resale value.

The only other car that might work is the 2010 Nissan Sentra SL.
They will offer a $400 factory nav system starting in January 2010.

http://detnews.com/article/20091128...NION03/911280302/1149/Nissan-offers-top-quality-navigation-system-for-low-price

 

Not sure about prices in the US. I priced wear and tear parts like brakes cost in Canada, Nissan parts are the highest. Toyota, Honda is relatively less. Possibly volume of cars on the road.

 

The new Ford Fiesta is looking kind of good. It has mpg of 30 city, 40 highway.
It seems to have everything I wanted plus available extra luxuries not in many other small cars such as power seats and SYNC.

Ford typically have poor resale value and the Fiesta might be too small for what I'm looking for.
I might check it out though.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/2011-ford-fiesta-for-america-revealed-hits-40-mpg/

 

The new Ford Fiesta is looking kind of good. It has mpg of 30 city, 40 highway.
It seems to have everything I wanted plus available extra luxuries not in many other small cars such as power seats and SYNC.

Ford typically have poor resale value and the Fiesta might be too small for what I'm looking for.
I might check it out though.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/2011-ford-fiesta-for-america-revealed-hits-40-mpg/

I would seriously give the Fiesta a look if you can wait that long for the vehicle to arrive. Also, I would even check the Mazda2, since it is also based on the Fiesta...these cars do however compete more with the Yaris than they do the Corolla.

I'm still very skeptical about domestic cars. I question how come they are producing good cars now in a recession when all the time in the past they have not.
I understand the Fiesta is a European model and they were well recieved in Europe. If it is indeed the same European model without too much redesign in US then it'd still be a good car.
I also remember the Merkur. A great car in Europe and have won a lot of European Rallies but when it came America it was a Dud.

The reason why you are skeptical about Ford's comeback in these bad times is because of what happened to GM and Chrysler. Ford actually woke up and realized that it had to bring the goods in order to compete with Toyota and Honda. The Fiesta ain't no joke, as with the Mazda2. I know that past Fords definitely had the domestic issues, but Ford is seemingly changing into what Toyota was. I don't think the Fiesta is too much watered down than the Euro version (except an uglier grille), so it would be a travesty NOT to look at it also.

Heck, since you are interested in the Camry as well, why not also wait for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata to check out as well.

 

I'm still very skeptical about domestic cars. I question how come they are producing good cars now in a recession when all the time in the past they have not.
I understand the Fiesta is a European model and they were well recieved in Europe. If it is indeed the same European model without too much redesign in US then it'd still be a good car.
I also remember the Merkur. A great car in Europe and have won a lot of European Rallies but when it came America it was a Dud.

 

So do you need the extra truck space? Bigger back seat? It says the front seat room is about the same. I think the Corolla is very quiet & I've had many people comment to me about that. It is the size of an Camry not that long ago. If you want the lower purchase price, better mpg, and don't need the bigger back seat & trunk I think the choice is simple, get a Corolla. I have a Corolla S with the options you listed and I love it. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

I have a 2010 Corolla XRS and a 2008 Camry XLE.

The ride on the Corolla is what you would expect from a smaller wheelbase. It is tolerable but certainly not as comfortable as the Camry, which has a bigger wheelbase and better suspension.

Both have JBL sound and when you have the speakers cranked and the bass it rocks, but there is no rattling of the speakers like you might get on some car stereos.

Even though the Corolla is newer and has about 35,000 fewer miles than my Camry, there are more squeaks and rattles. Obviously it's a less expensive (ok cheaper) interior and that will happen when the temp drops to 20 degrees (as it does here in Michigan)..in fact it's 30 right now with 20 mph winds and the wind chill is less than 20 degrees...burrrrr.

The steering on the newer Corolla's seems a little different than on my Camry (not sure what it is like on the newer Camrys). Due to the EPS there is more drifting at highway speeds. Certainly not as bad as some people make it sound (do a search on Corolla steering problems) but there is some drifting. You just have to make sure not to over correct. My Camry doesn't do this, but it might not have the EPS (I don't know.)

The Corolla is a little more cramped, although it does have adequate trunk space when compared to the Camry. We have gotten 5 people in both and depending on size of people, it's pretty comfortable.

I won't go in to too much detail about the luxury type stuff as both are pretty much loaded and they are different models then what you are looking at, but the things that most have in common are the ride, stereo, space....

Overall I am completely happy with both cars as I realize that you can't truly compare them as they are different classes and are built differently. Both of them are AMERICAN BUILT my Camry in Kentucky and my Corolla in California. So although the manufacturer is foreign, they were built in the US with mostly US parts, by US workers.

I think you'll be pleased no matter what choice you make.

 

I would prefer if my car was built in japan. They usually have better quality. Most of the american built toyotas have water pumps go really fast and not to mention those awful 07'-08 camry motors that eat oil. :facepalm:

 

It will be interesting down the road to see how correct you are as my Highlander was built 100% in Japan. So we'll see if the the California Corolla, Kentucky Camry or the Japanese Highlander last longer and has fewer problems.

 

I wish there was a Toyota model between the Camry and Corolla. The Corolla is just a bit smaller than I'd like in a sedan and I'm not totally happy with the city fuel economy on the Camry.
If I go with a bigger car like a Camry, I will look at the Fusion also.
That isn't prefect for me either since I would need to upgrade all the way to the top of the line SEL trim that has standard leather seats just to get the auto on/off headlights and a nice stereo when I could get all the features I want in a Camry LE with JBL for less money.

Ford is getting some nice cars now. The Fiesta does everything I want, but is very small (might be able to live with the size if I get the 5 door hatchback) and the release date hasn't even been announced. The Fusion gets pricey to get the options I want.
The next generation Focus in a highline trim could be perfect, but is even further out from release in the US than the Fiesta.

 

After driving the rental Camry for another hour around town and adjusting the tilt and telescope a few times, I got somewhat used to the way it steers, but I am still very "meh" on it. There is some very un-Toyota-like cheapness inside, from the hard door handle pulls with some rough and sharp edges to it to the misaligned hard plastic in the lower console that now squeaks when I press on it and will likely start squeaking on it's own over bumps in the future.
I noticed the maintenance required light was on and the car only had about 5,000 miles. Maintenance trips to the dealer every 5,000 miles will be annoying.
I am disappointed after driving it because "on paper" this car has every feature I want at a decent price except for good city mpg.

One new car that may do everything I want and have better mpg, shockingly comes from Hyundai! The new 2011 Sonata with 2.4 liter engine and 6 speed automatic will be rated at 25 city and 35 highway (almost the same as a Corolla) and I have heard factory nav will be available as an option without needing to upgrade to the top of the line model with leather etc.. That engine also has 198 hp.
Hyundai will no longer offer a V6 Sonata after the redesigned model is released, but will offer a 4 cylinder turbo and a Hybrid later in 2010.
Bluetooth handsfree and USB will be standard even on the base model.

The Sonata debuts in the US sometime in January and should be widely available in large quantities with discounting within a couple months after that.
http://cnettv.cnet.com/2011-hyundai-sonata/9742-1_53-50080411.html

If I decide to wait until near the end of the year, I will be able to look at the new Chevy Cruze, Fiesta and the all-new Honda Civic.

I will probably rent a Corolla later this month and see if I can get comfortable enough with the driving position and if I will be willing to do without USB, bluetooth audio streaming and only having the 4-speed auto.

The main reason to consider the Corolla is because it would be expected to have better resale value than the other cars I'll be looking at other than the new Civic. I will have to decide on how much weight I will give resale value as the reason to choose a vehicle.

 

The Hyundai seems to be a good possibility, the only drawback to it may be resale but they seem to be decent cars these days. I think that BT and USB options will become standard equipment from all manufacturers in the near future on all levels of cars.

 

When Toyota does the MMC for the Corolla for 2011 or 2012, I bet they add USB and maybe a 5 or 6 speed automatic to the Corolla, but I don't expect to wait that long.
They have Blu Logic bluetooth available so you can get bluetooth on even the most basic Corolla, but it's clearly an afterthought that they came up with after the car was already released for sale. It isn't very well integrated and doesn't even have caller-id.

The same is true of the factory nav on the Corolla. Navigation also looks like an afterthought tacked on too late for it to be well engineered into the design of the 10th generation Corolla. Why do you not have steering wheel controls for the radio and why is there no bluetooth integration when you choose the navigation (click on a Point if Interest to call to make a reservation or verify they are still open at the location listed so you don't wast time driving there only to find out they went out of business or moved and also to show incoming caller id on the nav screen)? The nav should also have voice input, but doesn't. Maybe they will fix this issues properly at the MMC.