Toyota Corolla

[metallicat]

Anyone here own a newer (05-07) Corolla, or know someone who has one? I've been looking at them for two years now, but have never bought. I'm in the position to buy right now (I think), and am looking again at Toyota. Do they still live up to the longevity reputation they've always had?

Basically looking for any personal insight. Thanks.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

Anyone here own a newer (05-07) Corolla, or know someone who has one? I've been looking at them for two years now, but have never bought. I'm in the position to buy right now (I think), and am looking again at Toyota. Do they still live up to the longevity reputation they've always had?

Basically looking for any personal insight. Thanks.

Get a civic. The Corolla styling is kinda bland. Not very fun to drive too. I rented one in Vancouver and drove it down to Seattle. Plus the guages and buttons look like it's from 1990.

or get a camry.

[OilersBaby]

Yeah they're supposed to be great cars in terms of not breaking down ....my sis in law just bought a new one (I think its an '06), and she's pretty happy with it (she was trying to decide between a Honda Civic and a Toyota Corolla, and she went with the Toyota cuz she also heard it would be better in the long run in terms of longevity. My father in law has had his Corolla for a REALLY long time, and it's still working pretty well, no issues.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by OilersBaby

Yeah they're supposed to be great cars in terms of not breaking down ....my sis in law just bought a new one (I think its an '06), and she's pretty happy with it (she was trying to decide between a Honda Civic and a Toyota Corolla, and she went with the Toyota cuz she also heard it would be better in the long run in terms of longevity. My father in law has had his Corolla for a REALLY long time, and it's still working pretty well, no issues.

Honda surpassed Toyota this year in terms of reliability. They are number 2 now behind Lexus.

It depends how old you are too. The Corolla has a more conservative styling.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniont..._1b2autos.html

[metallicat]

I think Civic's are more expensive than the Corolla too, and Camry's are definetely too much. The Corolla Sport is more stylish.

[MJK]

My girlfriend lost the engine in her 2005 Corolla Sport...20,000 KM's. That right there is enough for me to never buy a Toyota again. Not to mention the hassle we had to go through to get a rental but that is another story.

My 2 cents.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

I think Civic's are more expensive than the Corolla too, and Camry's are definetely too much. The Corolla Sport is more stylish.

Test drive both of them. You'll notice the difference. But it's all preferences. Just don't buy an american car. hehe.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by MJK

My girlfriend lost the engine in her 2005 Corolla Sport...20,000 KM's. That right there is enough for me to never buy a Toyota again. Not to mention the hassle we had to go through to get a rental but that is another story.

My 2 cents.

wow that is unheard of. How did that happen?

[MJK]

Originally Posted by Kobatuzzied

wow that is unheard of. How did that happen?

It was apparently a "flaw". Crack in the block caused the whole works to go.

[jam26]

I own a 97 Corolla with 167,000 KMs on it and have never had a problem. In fact, I'm sure with proper maintenance, I can drive this car to over 300,000 KMs. It has been super-reliable.
It's not a 'fun' car to drive, but it was cheap and very reliable. My next vehicle will definitely be a Toyota.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by Kobatuzzied

The Corolla styling is kinda bland.

Understatement of the month.

[habernac]

I put 200,000kms on a Camry, did nothing but regularly scheduled maintenance. They get my endorsement for reliability.

[RedHot25]

I had a corolla for a year-year and half about a year or 2 ago - that make sense ? Anyways, not sure what year it was - probably in the ballpark of 2000 or so but it was great, no complaints. I did use a bit of gas, but I was driving a lot.

[ericschand]

I too will attest to Toyota reliability. 1996 Camry with 180,000kms.
Never spent more than $700 in any one year (and I'm including
new tires) pretty much regular maintainance only.

My folks also own a 1998 Corolla, just regular maintainance, but it
doesn't have much mileage on it (something like 50,000 miles, it's
in the USA)

Stay away from domestic cars, I've rented a few, and my 10/11
year old car blows them away for comfort, ride, handling, etc.

ers

[skins]

my mom has a 2003 carolla (she bought it new) and hasn't had a single problem with it.

[Nuje]

The Toyota Corolla is an older body style than the new Honda Civic.
The Civic has more power, but worse economy in manual form (better in automatic)
The Civic is sleeker, and having parents who just bought one, I find it a good drive. It's fun, easy to merge. The Corolla has only 126hp, while the Civic has closer to 150 (148ish?)
I'd test drive both of them, but I'll take the Civic having test driven them both. If you want to trust any other companies, the Nissan Sentra is all new for this year, and I haven't driven that yet, but it looks like it may be promising. If you don't drive manual, the Sentra comes with a new type of automatic (Continously variable, used in the Honda Insight, and some other cars) which is supposed to shift very smooth (don't want to get into the mechanics of it)
My favourite car in this segment however is the Mazda 3. It is not as new as the Civic bodystyle wise, but I find it the most sleek, and it's just such a fun drive. If you do highway driving, the Civic would most likely be more comfortable, but the Mazda 3 is a blast to drive. I suggest trying out all 4, and reading up at www.consumerguide.com to see any issues with these cars.

EDIT]
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...entra-20s.html
There's a link to check out. I didn't think the Sentra would score that low...maybe I won't try it out.

[Incinerator]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

Anyone here own a newer (05-07) Corolla, or know someone who has one? I've been looking at them for two years now, but have never bought. I'm in the position to buy right now (I think), and am looking again at Toyota. Do they still live up to the longevity reputation they've always had?

Basically looking for any personal insight. Thanks.

Since you cheer for the wrong team I would definitely recommend this bland, old, overpriced and wimpy econobox for your daily commute. Enjoy your new ride

Seriously, get a Mazda3 if you're looking in this segment.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Incinerator

Since you cheer for the wrong team I would definitely recommend this bland, old, overpriced and wimpy econobox for your daily commute. Enjoy your new ride

Seriously, get a Mazda3 if you're looking in this segment.

agreed. i've had my 3 for close to 2 years now and it's still just as much fun to drive as the day i took it off the lot. looks great, handles great, the most features you'll get in a car for under $25,000 (new) and i've not had a single issue as far as mechanics go

the only negative about the Mazda 3 is that it's such a great car that it seems everyone in Calgary has one now

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

the only negative about the Mazda 3 is that it's such a great car that it seems everyone in Calgary has one now

True....but I see more people sporting hatches. I may be getting a Sedan in a few months (GT of course though...gotta have the bigger engine)

[Pagal4321]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

agreed. i've had my 3 for close to 2 years now and it's still just as much fun to drive as the day i took it off the lot. looks great, handles great, the most features you'll get in a car for under $25,000 (new) and i've not had a single issue as far as mechanics go

the only negative about the Mazda 3 is that it's such a great car that it seems everyone in Calgary has one now

I agree with pretty much everything said here. Have had my 3 for just over a year now and it's a great car. But I swear driving home everyday I see at LEAST one Mazda 3.