- #10 of 49
-
Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [backy]
by autonomous
-
Dec 20, 2007 (3:05 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: backy (Dec 19, 2007 3:40 pm)
CR doesn't rate the price of cars. So the fact that, for example, one compact costs $2000 less than another doesn't factor into its rankings.
True.
CR ... ranks the Jetta ... above the Corolla.
Hmmm, let's check that Oct. 2007 issue of CR again. CR makes clear that in addition to the ranking score, the vehicle's reliability is key to getting a recommendation. Only vehicles with good reliability are recommended. Since the Jetta has only "fair" reliability, CR does not recommend it. This is not new, the Jetta has a long history of poor reliability and has not been recommended by CR for quite a while. CR does recommend the Corolla as well as the Mazda3, Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Subaru Impreza.
The Cobalt is above only the Ion and Forenza in CR's rankings.
Same here, the Cobalt is not a recommended vehicle.
|
- #11 of 49
-
Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [autonomous]
by backy
-
Dec 20, 2007 (3:38 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: autonomous (Dec 20, 2007 3:05 pm)
You are confusing CR's rankings of cars with their recommendations. First, they rank cars in order of how they perform in their road tests. Then they decide which cars to recommend. To be recommended, the car must score acceptably in its tests, must have good overall crash test scores, and must have at least average predicted reliability. (There is a "top" level recommendation also, with more stringent criteria.)
So it is true that CR ranks the Jetta above the Corolla. But the Corolla is recommended, while the Jetta is not because the reliability of the 2.5L models has been below average. (That means, technically, CR could recommend the turbo and diesel versions of the Jetta, which have average reliability, but CR doesn't get that fine-grained in its recommendations.)
|
- #12 of 49
-
Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [backy]
by autonomous
-
Dec 21, 2007 (2:21 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: backy (Dec 20, 2007 3:38 pm)
You are confusing CR's rankings of cars with their recommendations.
Well, let's say that the rank means little without the recommendation.
|
- #13 of 49
-
Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [autonomous]
by backy
-
Dec 21, 2007 (3:16 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: autonomous (Dec 21, 2007 2:21 pm)
Why is that? What if someone wants to buy a new model that CR has tested, it's done well in their tests, but there's not enough reliability data for CR to recommended it yet. Are you saying that no one should buy that car until CR's surveys cough up enough data to let CR give it a predicted reliability score? 
|
- #14 of 49
-
Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt
by tpulak
-
Dec 21, 2007 (4:20 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: backy (Dec 21, 2007 3:16 pm)
By far, which is(overall) the most......
expensive:
least expensive:
most powerful:
least powerful:
most mpg:
least mpg:
most reliable:
least reliable:
I need to see it in this format.
|
- #15 of 49
-
Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [tpulak]
by backy
-
Dec 21, 2007 (5:10 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: tpulak (Dec 21, 2007 4:20 pm)
As you wish, my Master [insert wheezing sound ala Darth Vader]:
expensive: too close to call between Jetta and Mazdaspeed3
least expensive: Cobalt, especially looking at real-world prices
most powerful: Mazdaspeed3 in a run-away
least powerful: Corolla
most mpg: Corolla
least mpg: Mazdaspeed3(?)
most reliable: Corolla (per CR surveys)
least reliable: (tie) Cobalt and Jetta 2.5 (per CR surveys)
|
- #16 of 49
-
Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [backy]
by poncho167
-
Dec 22, 2007 (4:58 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: backy (Dec 21, 2007 5:10 pm)
Remember this is CR you are refering to which should not be taken too seriously.
|
- #17 of 49
-
Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt
by jtk152
-
Dec 22, 2007 (7:40 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: tpulak (Dec 21, 2007 4:20 pm)
IMO, the only two in this list that somewhat compare are the Corolla and the Cobalt. They are both small, basic cars with a 4cyl engine and choice of 5spd or auto. As said again and again, the Cobalt will be more 'fun' to drive and feel more powerful, but wont be put together as well as the Corolla. If you want basic, no frills, non exciting, fuel efficient transportation, go with the Corolla. Who knows, you might like one over the other. The reason I bought my 2007 Cobalt LS, 4dr, auto, was there was nothing else on the market back in the spring of '07 that gave me more bang for the buck. I couldn't get a Hyundai or Kia for the out the door price I paid. (~$12100)
Joel
|
- #18 of 49
-
Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [jtk152]
by backy
-
Dec 22, 2007 (12:24 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: jtk152 (Dec 22, 2007 7:40 am)
The Mazda3i is also a pretty basic, 4-cylinder car with a choice of a 5 speed or automatic. In fact, I think the Mazda3i is the most well-rounded car in this bunch. It has good power (over 150 hp), great handling, good fuel economy (esp. with the 2.0L and 5-speed), good reliability, is reasonably priced (especially for a car made in Japan), and is good looking inside and out (subjective). The Mazda3i will be more fun to drive than either the Corolla or Cobalt. It's possible to get a Cobalt or even a Corolla for less money than the Mazda3i, but IMO they are not nearly the car that the Mazda3i is.
If price is THE object, one option to consider is the Spectra--starts at around $11k in real-world pricing and is at least as good as the Corolla and better than the Cobalt, IMO.
|
- #19 of 49
-
Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [backy]
by aviboy97
-
Dec 22, 2007 (12:43 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: backy (Dec 22, 2007 12:24 pm)
You get what you pay for....it's as simple as that. Cobalt, Spectra are priced pretty low, but you don't get much in terms of options or quality. Although, the Spectra is turning out to be a decent car. Mazda3 is more of a car then both, hence, it costs more plus it has been reliable.
|
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans 
