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Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda3

879 messages,  Last post on Nov 25, 2008 at 3:57 PM

You are in the Mazda3 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda MAZDA3, Sedan

Messages Page 82 of 88

#811 of 879 Re: Civic MPG's [honshu] by moocow1

Jun 13, 2008 (12:50 pm)

Replying to: honshu (Jun 12, 2008 6:36 am)
I gotta say, I'm completely and utterly unimpressed with the new corolla. I knew someone who was interning at the corolla factory here and he wasn't impressed with the american model either.
 
I think some of the sad things about the corolla are the very cushy driving feel and the damn 4 speed auto still. I can't believe a brand new 2009 redesigned car would still have a standard 4 speed. Honda is purely 5 and 6 speeds now, how come Toyota can't even compare on that? I'd most certainly recommend a Civic or Mazda3 over a corolla to anyone for any need. And if you want a non-sporty car with 4 speed auto like a Corolla, an Elantra is a better choice with a $2k+ savings.
 
Also the lack of standard features is a pretty big turnoff as well. Honda also gets a negative on that regard though. And what's up with having an engine that's still 8hp less than the Civic that was designed a few years earlier? I thought Toyota was supposed to make good engines.
There's just nothing great about this vehicle at all. And reliability isn't a good reason with Elantra taking the CR reliability away and most other car makers being nearly comparable in recent studies. Toyota is sitting on their reputation of the past...and not catching up to the cars of the future. A Civic blows it away in every category and doesn't even cost more.

#812 of 879 Re: Civic MPG's [moocow1] by thegraduate

Jun 13, 2008 (12:54 pm)

Replying to: moocow1 (Jun 13, 2008 12:50 pm)
Honda offers ONLY 5-speed automatics. Toyota has 4, 5, and 6 speed autos, 8-speed if you include Lexus.
 
I can't believe a Corolla XLE (the top model besides the sporty XRS) doesn't have Cruise standard. It has been standard on the mid-level Civic LX since something like the late 80s.

#813 of 879 Re: Civic MPG's [thegraduate] by moocow1

Jun 13, 2008 (1:00 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Jun 13, 2008 12:54 pm)
Ah you're right, we'd have to lump in Acura for the 6's. And I'm really complaining about the Corolla, Matrix, Yaris...basically their entire small car lineup. Their ENTIRE damn Scion lineup is 4 speeds as well. At least the Camry is a lot more competitive...not that I particularly like it either. Mazda's also at fault for still having 4's, but they haven't exactly made a brand new redesigned 2009 car now have they?
How come Honda can make a 5 speed fit and still keep it affordable?

#814 of 879 Re: Civic MPG's [moocow1] by backy

Jun 13, 2008 (1:11 pm)

Replying to: moocow1 (Jun 13, 2008 12:50 pm)
About the only thing the Corolla tops the Civic and Mazda3 on is that VSC is available as an option on even low-end models like the LE. Not available on the Civic DX/LX/EX at all, and not available on the Mazda3i. That is supposed to change for 2009, with the Civic rumored to get VSC at least as an option.
 
And also the Corolla gets exemplary FE with the 1.8L engine (32 mpg overall on CR's recent tests), but that's not all that much better than the Civic or Mazda3i.
 
Other than that, I don't see any big plus for the Corolla over the Civic or Mazda3i. The Corolla probably has a smoother/quieter ride than those cars, but at the expense of handling, and as you said, if you want a non-sporty small car the Elantra is a less expensive alternative.
 
I'd like the Corolla more if it had a higher-quality interior with a more comfortable driving position, less vague steering, and a bit more rear seat room. Standard VSC (ala the Elantra SE) would be nice too, but VSC does seem pretty easy to get on the LE trim.

#815 of 879 Re: Civic MPG's [backy] by moocow1

Jun 13, 2008 (1:38 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jun 13, 2008 1:11 pm)
I never really noticed this economy sedan comparison but it brings home the reason I have to say this rule. Friends don't let friends buy corollas. Please follow it everyone Gotta drop that ridiculous 50k per month corolla purchasing streak. Get everyone into those Mazda3, Civics, Rabbits, Elantras, etc!
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=126610

#816 of 879 Re: Civic MPG's [moocow1] by backy

Jun 13, 2008 (2:00 pm)

Replying to: moocow1 (Jun 13, 2008 1:38 pm)
LOL. Someone could do a lot worse than a Corolla (Forenza, maybe?). It's not that it's a bad car, right? But it just doesn't stand out in the crowd any more, IMO, and especially not at its asking price. If you hadn't noticed, Civics and Elantras are selling like hotcakes too. And some others. All are benefitting from the shift to smaller, more economical cars.

#817 of 879 Re: Civic MPG's [backy] by moocow1

Jun 13, 2008 (2:27 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jun 13, 2008 2:00 pm)
I just think everyone benefits if toyota doesn't collect massive sales from selling mediocre cars.

#818 of 879 Re: Civic MPG's [moocow1] by backy

Jun 13, 2008 (2:30 pm)

Replying to: moocow1 (Jun 13, 2008 2:27 pm)
Have you looked at Focus sales lately? It's not just Toyota getting away with selling mediocre cars...

#819 of 879 Re: Civic MPG's [moocow1] by thegraduate

Jun 13, 2008 (4:00 pm)

Replying to: moocow1 (Jun 13, 2008 1:00 pm)
Acura doesn't offer a 6-speed auto either, by the way, not that its on topic. Honda isn't leading the way across the board! Just clearing that up.
 
Have a great weekend everyone!

#820 of 879 Re: Civic MPG's [moocow1] by aviboy97

Jun 14, 2008 (7:23 am)

Replying to: moocow1 (Jun 13, 2008 1:00 pm)
I've heard at the Mazda "water cooler" that the 2009 Mazda3 will put a 5-speed auto in the next gen Mazda3i (thank god, it needs one!!!) Also, possibly a 6-speed manual for the s model.

Messages Page 82 of 88

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