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Economy Sedans (~$16k-$20k)

1205 messages,  Last post on Jul 16, 2009 at 5:31 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Honda Fit, Mazda MAZDA3, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Sentra, Sedan

Messages Page 19 of 121

#179 of 1205 Re: About to test drive and buy [garryk] by gandalf17

Aug 31, 2005 (12:17 pm)

Replying to: garryk (Aug 31, 2005 9:30 am)
Garryk,
 
I kind of chuckled when I read your post. First off, driving a Corolla aggressively is an oxymoron in and of itself. Can you say mutually exclusive terms here????
 
As for not understanding why the Corolla was not part of the 2005 review because as you put it, "as it would have finished in the top 3 for sure as its price, fuel economy and interior quality and features are top notch."
 
I can clearly tell you why it was not included in this 2005 comparison. First, it is because the best it could finish in 2003, during the last Edmunds economy review, was 5th place out of 8 cars tested. Incidentally, this was just after Toyota completely redesigned the Corolla to make it "more improved". The Corolla beat such luminaries in the test such as, The Mitsubishi Lancer, The Suzuki Areoli and the vaunted Saturn Ion 2. Since the Corolla has not been redesigned in any significant sense, why would they place it back in a test to compete against cars that have been greatly improved, such as the Protege becoming the Mazda 3. The Civic was at least relevant to be re-included considering it won the test last time. In the 2005 test, the Corolla, at best, may have beaten out the Suzuki Forenza to avoid last place. I think it would even have been a stretch to beat out Chevy Cobalt.
 
I agree that the Corolla has good fuel economy, nice interior quality and a good history of reliability and safety. However, this is entirely where it ends. The car is the epitome of bland and boring, has class leading handling issues with excessive body roll, average braking at best and the engine and gear set-up is as un-inspiring as well, the rest of the car. It is like driving a toaster except with worse handling.
 
To your other points:
1) There are superior cars in the same class as the Corolla with either better, or comparable fuel economy. Most of the cars with slightly poorer fuel economy have a lot more engine displacement and HP than the Corolla and there is always a trade-off.
2) 8 years is not a long time in the life of most modern cars. Any well built car should easily last that long with a minimum of fuss.
3) You wanted something that was fun to drive for 8 years.....well, the Corolla isn't fun to drive brand new and is already outdated in its current class. Perhaps if I was an 85 year old grandma, no offense to grandmother's anywhere, this car may seem fun to drive. Failing that, I'd just buy a big ole Buick or Caddy to complement my aged blue hair.
 
Corolla...fun to drive...exciting.....all in the same sentence too. Thanks, that made my day. I needed the chuckle.
 
P.S.- Incidentally, the Corolla also finished in 7th place out of 9 cars in Edmunds 2000 Economy Sedan Camparison test. It did manage to beat out, albeit barely, a poorly outdated and soon to be remodelled Civic which came in 8th and the astounding Dodge Neon ES in 9th and last place. Less than half a percentage point seperated the final 3 contestants.

#180 of 1205 Re: About to test drive and buy [gandalf17] by backy

Aug 31, 2005 (7:26 pm)

Replying to: gandalf17 (Aug 31, 2005 12:17 pm)
The Corolla doesn't get much respect from the auto mags (it ranked pretty low in C/D's comparo too, behind the likes of the old Protege and the Elantra GLS). But if what someone needs is a roomy (for a compact), comfortable-riding, high-quality, high-mpg, reliable small car, it is a good choice. Not everyone is into "zoom-zoom", all they want and need is to get from Point A to Point B with minimal fuss and muss (and cost). The Corolla does that very well--if you fit in the driver's seat. But in a year it will be one of the oldest small cars. Very tough competition for the 'rolla: Mazda3 (due for mid-gen refresh next fall), an all-new Civic tomorrow, the all-new Elantra and Sentra next year...

#181 of 1205 What's wrong with Vanilla? [backy] by autonomous

Sep 01, 2005 (3:31 am)

Replying to: backy (Aug 31, 2005 7:26 pm)
 
The Corolla doesn't get much respect ... But if what someone needs is a roomy (for a compact), comfortable-riding, high-quality, high-mpg, reliable small car, it is a good choice.
 
Agreed. You could also add "high revving" if you consider the Toyota Corolla XRS.
 
Driving from Japan: Japanese cars in America by Wanda James (Jefferson, NC ; London : McFarland, 2005) unearths some amazing details in the history of Japanese vehicles since the 1850s. The Corolla has been a huge success for Toyota since the beginning. It started out in 1968 as a 1100 cc, 60 hp, 61.5 ft. lb. torque, 1640 lb. car selling for U$1660; within a year Toyota morphed it into 5 versions including the Toyota Corolla 1600 which made 102 hp, 101 ft. lb. torque, 0-60 in 11.4 sec; ¼ mile 18.2 sec. 75mph. Toyota was searching for a popular car along the lines of the VW bug and the Corolla satisfied that need. Its popularity says as much about consumers as it does about Toyota.

#182 of 1205 Tim ... by mdaffron

Sep 01, 2005 (5:07 am)

Stop beating around the bush and tell us how you really feel about the Corolla!
 
 
 
Meade

#183 of 1205 Re: About to test drive and buy [backy] by smaria

Sep 01, 2005 (6:52 am)

Replying to: backy (Aug 31, 2005 7:26 pm)
all they want and need is to get from Point A to Point B with minimal fuss and muss (and cost).
 
Surprisingly, this is almost word for word what a Toyota salesman said to me and my wife. Except he was talking about the Scions ("if all you want is a cheap reliable car to get from Point A to Point B, the Scion xA or XB are perfect").

#184 of 1205 KIA Spectra EX mpg by spectraman

Sep 01, 2005 (8:27 am)

Car: 2004.5 KIA Spectra EX
Current mileage: 13,500
Transmission: 4-speed Auto
 
Most recent MPG: 31.5 combined city/hwy, little or no A/C being used.
 
Best MPG: 34.5 hwy (spring driving, no passengers, no A/C, lots of cruise control use, odo: 8,000 miles)
Worst MPG: 21 (winter driving, lots of warm up and idling, city/rural driving, odo: 6,000 miles)
 
Warranty trips to dealer: 1, for replacement of the rear 3rd LED brake light.
 
Verdict: My family and I love this car so far. Most defect-free new car we've ever owned.
 
Pics of my car:
Exterior/Interior
Interior/WheelSkins Steering Wheel Cover
 
-SM

#185 of 1205 Re: Tim ... [mdaffron] by gandalf17

Sep 01, 2005 (8:44 am)

Replying to: mdaffron (Sep 01, 2005 5:07 am)
Meade,
 
I can't tell you how I really feel about the Corolla. They would delete the post and send me a nasty email almost immediately. LOL

#186 of 1205 Re: Tim ... [gandalf17] by mdaffron

Sep 01, 2005 (10:43 am)

Replying to: gandalf17 (Sep 01, 2005 8:44 am)
Well, my first car was a 1978 Corolla Deluxe 4-door sedan (with that bulletproof 2TC 1.6-liter engine), so I have a soft spot in my heart for the little 'Yota. Cut it some slack and recognize it for the econobox it is. (Ooops, you did.)
 

 
Meade

#187 of 1205 New 05 Spectra by mudude26

Sep 01, 2005 (2:32 pm)

Just thought I would throw my two cents in as I just made a purchase. My highest considerations were overall cost of ownership, warranty and I didnt want something that looked or drove like a complete dog. I ended up buying a 05 metallic blue Kia Spectra SX with every available option and MT. So after rebates I paid less than 14 for a car with ABS, power sunroof, aluminum pedals, spoiler, etc.
So far I have been very happy with my purchase, the dealership was fair but did not seem very to know very much about the specs of the car.
I have put 1900 miles on the car in two months and the engine seems to be breaking in. The fuel economy has not blown me away yet, as i have only acheived between 27-29 miles per gallon in city driving.
Compared to other manuals that I have driven or test driven, the trans shifts
smoothly and the engine accelerates well between 3000 and 6000 rpms.
As far as looks, I feel that the kia is the best looking small car, especially the sx version which has a standard front and rear spoiler and foglamps. But of course thats subjective and just my opinion.
Anyways I never thought I would own a korean car, but the overall look, sportiness and unbeatable warranty made it too strong a value proposition to turn down. Kia has also completely revamped its model line to include cars that are very well built and look great on the inside and out.
Just my two cents, let me know what you think.
Joe

#188 of 1205 Re: New 05 Spectra [mudude26] by backy

Sep 01, 2005 (4:20 pm)

Replying to: mudude26 (Sep 01, 2005 2:32 pm)
Actually 27-29 mpg in city driving for a car with the power of the Spectra is very good--above its EPA estimates. Cars like the Civic and Corolla can do a little better, but also have less power and torque. Also it's very good considering that engine tends to improve its fuel economy even after 1900 miles. The price (was that under $14k out the door?) is really good, too--a comparably-equipped Mazda3 or Civic could easily run $4000+ more.

Messages Page 19 of 121

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