- #30 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt
by tpulak
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Dec 24, 2007 (7:33 am)
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Replying to: backy (Dec 23, 2007 10:43 am)
The Jetta was kinda equipped, with leather seats as well as alloys, but somehow, from the distance, it seemed like wheel covers.I really don't wanna spend 20k on a Jetta. Its not worth it. I also found a totally base Mazda 3i(it came with power windows, and locks, though i am not sure that's an option) for $14,500 total. But I saw a fully equipped used Mazda for $11,355 , and it only had 13,500 miles. The owner was a private guy, and he had no intention to make money. Everything was in good shape, with the exception of a small 1/2 inch scratch in the back fender. Sure it had plastic wheel covers, and fur seats, but it was better of than the corolla. Which deal is better? The Chevy a good deal, but I noticed some loose plastic trim pieces. And the plastic pieces were cheap too. Though this is a compact sedan, I would still want some quality stuff.  For some reason, Mazda's trim pieces felt more quality.The gaps were so tight, I don't think a penny could go through the gaps. The corolla's quality was good too, but I noticed some inconsistent gaps, and some rough edges. In fact, I'm wearing a bandage now, as I am typing this sentence. I am surprised with the Jetta's build quality too. The materials were even better than the Mazda, but it had inconsistent gaps more than the Corolla had. I have a question: does the Mazda 3(in any trim) come with wood trim. I personally prefer wood trim (even fake) to metallic trim(the metallic trim is fake anyway). I own an Acura MDX, that has woodtrim, so I like the grand feel. I mean its kind of weird that the Corolla comes with fake woodtrim in LE, and that leads to a luxury like feel.
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- #31 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [tpulak]
by backy
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Dec 24, 2007 (7:46 am)
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Replying to: tpulak (Dec 24, 2007 7:33 am)
Power windows/locks are an option to the 3i, or part of a trim package like the Touring package.
If you can wait awhile to buy, the 3 is getting a Touring VE package (kinda like that on the 6) in January. It's supposed to be like the Touring "plus" with 17" alloys, and I think standard safety package (side bags, ABS) plus some other goodies. If it's anything like the VE package on the 6, it will be quite a bargain.
The 2008 3i is supposed to have "zebra-pattern" wood trim standard--doesn't it? I recall it's a very dark grained plood, not your traditional orangeish plood. Looked quite tasteful (for plod).
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- #32 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [jtk152]
by dispencer2
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Dec 24, 2007 (12:49 pm)
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Replying to: jtk152 (Dec 24, 2007 4:44 am)
I used to average at least 30 on the road in the Impala on trips from Clovis NM to Dallas. There were small towns and 2 lane and 4 lane roads. I normally went 70-72 except for 35 in the small towns and there was often heavy traffic and several lights between Jacksboro and I-820 in Ft. Worth. On steady freeway travel I would usually average 30-32. In town it was normally 19-22. I felt that a smoother ride and enough horsepower to pass someone as well as comfortable seating for 5 and plenty of luggage space outweighed the small difference in gas mileage. The Chevy Impala is a good all-around car. A Corolla isn't. It is simply too small. Another thing to factor in is the ridiculous dealer charge for the "15,000 mile checkup" and so on on Toyotas and Nissans. With the Chevy all that is done is to change the oil periodically. I did it at 3,000 miles - the book calls for 7500 as I recall. If you follow the book on Japanese car services it will cost much more than an American car will, out -weighing the gas savings.
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- #33 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [backy]
by flpcguy
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Dec 24, 2007 (1:29 pm)
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Replying to: backy (Dec 23, 2007 10:36 am)
I bought a Corolla CE with NO options, not even floor mats (about $50) and I find it well equipped. With HEPA filtered A/C, full instrumentation including tach, two trip gauges, and outside temp reading, remote control mirrors, rear defogger, ample interior lights, a CD player and push button AM/FM, trunk and hood lights, cable trunk and gas filler door release, large padded arm rest/storage, pockets in the doors, locking glove box, lumbar adjustable reclining bucket seats, lightly tinted glass, seven inch wide steel rims with 15" tires, and more even a CE comes well appointed.
The only option I even considered getting was the $550 power window and remote door lock upgrade pkg. but then I realized I could just reach the passenger door lock from the driver's seat. These are strictly convenience features. ABS brakes have gone up from $75 to $300 [different system?] and side airbags remain $660. Stability control compensates for those who steer the wrong way in a skid. You might need some or all of these safety options. I switched from a loaded Chrysler LHS and except for lack of a graphic sound equalizer find little difference in comfort or convenience. Despite the size difference, I have never felt crowded, quite the opposite, these seats are more supportive and comfortable (just not leather).
Competing models like the Kia Optima S are also well equipped. Mazda 3i's come loaded from Japan so you can't really compare them with low end Corollas, especially late in the calendar year. There were very few 5-speed 3i's in the SE US when I was buying last Dec. The closest price I could get was about $800 more for a non-touring Mazda 3i. It feels and drives like a mini BMW 3-Series, well worth the price if performance is an issue. If economy and reliability are priorities, you can't beat the Corolla for long term reliability, parts availability, and total cost of ownership. The best feature of the Corolla is that it cruises the interstate at 70, under 3,000 RPMs. I really do average nearly 40 MPG in suburban driving. After 5 years of refinements including roller bearing shifter and simplified rear shelf light in 2006, you can expect zero design defects on your new Corolla.
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- #34 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt
by tpulak
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Dec 25, 2007 (7:54 am)
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Replying to: dispencer2 (Dec 24, 2007 12:49 pm)
The new chevy impala might be good. But I had bad experiences with it. Loose trim pieces falling apart, EGR valve replacement at only 5,000 miles(I don't know what this thingamajig even does, but the dealers said I had to replace it, and I had to never replace this thing in my camry) , spark plug replacement at only 15,000 miles, and a terrifying depreciation rate.(bought an impala 2006, for $26,250, sold it just over $17,000, with 15,670 miles). I mean in the gas part, its pretty good, but for the price, I might as well get a Honda, which gets more mpg, and a better reliability record.
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- #35 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt
by tpulak
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Dec 25, 2007 (7:57 am)
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Replying to: backy (Dec 24, 2007 7:46 am)
oh man. I liked the traditional real wood looking textures, that are reddish, to orange. I really don't like the dark grained textured thing, like my Acura TL S has. I'd rather have metallic trim.
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- #36 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [tpulak]
by jlawrence01
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Dec 26, 2007 (7:46 pm)
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Replying to: tpulak (Dec 25, 2007 7:54 am)
The problem with the new Impala (as opposed to the previous model -pre 2006) is that the gas mileage is a lot lower. We were averaging 28 mpg on the 2004 model vs. 24.5 on the 2007 model with the SAME driving mix.
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- #37 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [jtk152]
by lostwrench
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Dec 28, 2007 (2:27 pm)
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Replying to: jtk152 (Dec 24, 2007 4:44 am)
So true. My Impala gets 32 mpg hwy consistently. (3.4L).
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- #38 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [jlawrence01]
by lostwrench
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Dec 28, 2007 (2:32 pm)
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Replying to: jlawrence01 (Dec 26, 2007 7:46 pm)
Ok, but do they have the same engine size? My 2004 has the smaller 3.4L.
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- #39 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [lostwrench]
by jlawrence01
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Dec 29, 2007 (10:06 pm)
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Replying to: lostwrench (Dec 28, 2007 2:32 pm)
Both have 3.4L engines.
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