Best small commuter car.

[LucJoe]

I need a new car to drive to work. I've been leaning toward the Civic because I really like the 07 redesign, but the new Corolla is tempting. Help me narrow down my list!

Civic 08 LX -- MSRP $17,910 (2dr)
Corolla 09 -- MSRP $16,509 (4dr)
Mazda3 -- hard to find the car I'm looking for, they all seem to be 18+
Focus 08 S -- MSRP $15,095 (2dr)
Astra 08 --

edit: I guess I should also mention Fit and Yaris.

Hyundai? Kia? Others?

Best looking / lowest TCO / Highest MPG / creature comforts

Which small economy car hits the sweet spot of all of these traits?

Like I said, my research so far has been pointing me toward the Civic, but I wanted to get some informed opinions on here.

 

[IronWing]

Based on short test drives, I found the Civic to be a much better car than the Corolla. More power, much more comfortable seats, better visibility, smoother ride. I test drove the Civic EX and the Corolla SE.

 

[BassBomb]

Civic is the best on the list, it was redesigned in 2006 not 2007

Altima is not a small car lol...

Mazda3 will be by far the most fun but least in fuel economy

I have also been looking at Civic 2008 vs Corolla 2009 and the corolla felt like dirt compared even t hough only a 2000 difference (corolla LE vs civic lx)

 

[LucJoe]

Originally posted by: BassBomb
Civic is the best on the list, it was redesigned in 2006 not 2007

Altima is not a small car lol...

Mazda3 will be by far the most fun but least in fuel economy

I have also been looking at Civic 2008 vs Corolla 2009 and the corolla felt like dirt compared even t hough only a 2000 difference (corolla LE vs civic lx)

I test drove both and I completely agree. Really leaning toward an 08 Civic EX now, but I'll have to get out and drive a Mazda3.

One other thing I forgot to mention is head/leg room. I'm 6'5", and I do fit in the Civic, but a little more room would be nice. Anyone know which vehicle in this category has the most space?

edit: Also, is the 09 Civic coming out soon? That might be the best time to buy an 08.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: LucJoe

Originally posted by: BassBomb
Civic is the best on the list, it was redesigned in 2006 not 2007

Altima is not a small car lol...

Mazda3 will be by far the most fun but least in fuel economy

I have also been looking at Civic 2008 vs Corolla 2009 and the corolla felt like dirt compared even t hough only a 2000 difference (corolla LE vs civic lx)

I test drove both and I completely agree. Really leaning toward an 08 Civic EX now, but I'll have to get out and drive a Mazda3.

One other thing I forgot to mention is head/leg room. I'm 6'5", and I do fit in the Civic, but a little more room would be nice. Anyone know which vehicle in this category has the most space?

edit: Also, is the 09 Civic coming out soon? That might be the best time to buy an 08.

2009 coming in sept, we are waiting to see what small refreshes they are doing

In the meantime looking for any nice deals we can find on used accord or civic, once the 09 hits and we have not got anything we will shoot for the civic LX

 

[AstroManLuca]

Toyota's gotten lazy with their cars since they've been so successful. They know people will buy them like crazy no matter what so they aren't as nice as their competitors.

I'd go with a Honda myself. You should at least try the Fit - even the Sport model is significantly cheaper than the Civic, and you get more interior cargo space. It's a smaller car overall, but the room inside is put to good use.

Oh, and the '09 Fit is coming this fall.

 

[evident]

honda honda honda

 

[jonesthewine]

Another pile-on for the Civic. I have one, an Si sedan, and love it. 28mpg city, 32-36 mpg highway, quality build and very fun to drive.

 

[dud]

Originally posted by: LucJoe

Originally posted by: BassBomb
Civic is the best on the list, it was redesigned in 2006 not 2007

Altima is not a small car lol...

Mazda3 will be by far the most fun but least in fuel economy

I have also been looking at Civic 2008 vs Corolla 2009 and the corolla felt like dirt compared even t hough only a 2000 difference (corolla LE vs civic lx)

I test drove both and I completely agree. Really leaning toward an 08 Civic EX now, but I'll have to get out and drive a Mazda3.

One other thing I forgot to mention is head/leg room. I'm 6'5", and I do fit in the Civic, but a little more room would be nice. Anyone know which vehicle in this category has the most space?

edit: Also, is the 09 Civic coming out soon? That might be the best time to buy an 08.

The 09 will basically be the same as the 08. The current Civic is considered the 8th gen model. The car is "redesigned" every 4 years ... so 10 will be the next.

I bought an 07 in late July 07 and got a killer deal (paid about $15.5K ... $17K OTD). If you are going to buy, buy near the end of the month.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: dud

Originally posted by: LucJoe

Originally posted by: BassBomb
Civic is the best on the list, it was redesigned in 2006 not 2007

Altima is not a small car lol...

Mazda3 will be by far the most fun but least in fuel economy

I have also been looking at Civic 2008 vs Corolla 2009 and the corolla felt like dirt compared even t hough only a 2000 difference (corolla LE vs civic lx)

I test drove both and I completely agree. Really leaning toward an 08 Civic EX now, but I'll have to get out and drive a Mazda3.

One other thing I forgot to mention is head/leg room. I'm 6'5", and I do fit in the Civic, but a little more room would be nice. Anyone know which vehicle in this category has the most space?

edit: Also, is the 09 Civic coming out soon? That might be the best time to buy an 08.

The 09 will basically be the same as the 08. The current Civic is considered the 8th gen model. The car is "redesigned" every 4 years ... so 10 will be the next.

I bought an 07 in late July 07 and got a killer deal (paid about $15.5K ... $17K OTD). If you are going to buy, buy near the end of the month.

Actually, refresh is normally 3 years. 2001 civic got refreshed in 2004

 

[dud]

Originally posted by: BassBomb

Originally posted by: dud

Originally posted by: LucJoe

Originally posted by: BassBomb
Civic is the best on the list, it was redesigned in 2006 not 2007

Altima is not a small car lol...

Mazda3 will be by far the most fun but least in fuel economy

I have also been looking at Civic 2008 vs Corolla 2009 and the corolla felt like dirt compared even t hough only a 2000 difference (corolla LE vs civic lx)

I test drove both and I completely agree. Really leaning toward an 08 Civic EX now, but I'll have to get out and drive a Mazda3.

One other thing I forgot to mention is head/leg room. I'm 6'5", and I do fit in the Civic, but a little more room would be nice. Anyone know which vehicle in this category has the most space?

edit: Also, is the 09 Civic coming out soon? That might be the best time to buy an 08.

The 09 will basically be the same as the 08. The current Civic is considered the 8th gen model. The car is "redesigned" every 4 years ... so 10 will be the next.

I bought an 07 in late July 07 and got a killer deal (paid about $15.5K ... $17K OTD). If you are going to buy, buy near the end of the month.

Actually, refresh is normally 3 years. 2001 civic got refreshed in 2004

Sorry BassBomb but you're wrong. The Seventh generation ran from 2001 to 2005.

1st gen = '73 to '79
2nd gen = '80 to '83
3rd gen = '84 to '87
4th gen = '88 to '91
5th gen = '92 to '95
6th gen = '96 to 2000
7th gen = '01 to '05
8th gen = '06 to present


Current redesigns are running 4 years+. The cost of these redesigns is enormous. Changing the design sooner would really hurt profitability.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: dud

Originally posted by: BassBomb

Originally posted by: dud

Originally posted by: LucJoe

Originally posted by: BassBomb
Civic is the best on the list, it was redesigned in 2006 not 2007

Altima is not a small car lol...

Mazda3 will be by far the most fun but least in fuel economy

I have also been looking at Civic 2008 vs Corolla 2009 and the corolla felt like dirt compared even t hough only a 2000 difference (corolla LE vs civic lx)

I test drove both and I completely agree. Really leaning toward an 08 Civic EX now, but I'll have to get out and drive a Mazda3.

One other thing I forgot to mention is head/leg room. I'm 6'5", and I do fit in the Civic, but a little more room would be nice. Anyone know which vehicle in this category has the most space?

edit: Also, is the 09 Civic coming out soon? That might be the best time to buy an 08.

The 09 will basically be the same as the 08. The current Civic is considered the 8th gen model. The car is "redesigned" every 4 years ... so 10 will be the next.

I bought an 07 in late July 07 and got a killer deal (paid about $15.5K ... $17K OTD). If you are going to buy, buy near the end of the month.

Actually, refresh is normally 3 years. 2001 civic got refreshed in 2004

Sorry BassBomb but you're wrong. The Seventh generation ran from 2001 to 2005.

1st gen = '73 to '79
2nd gen = '80 to '83
3rd gen = '84 to '87
4th gen = '88 to '91
5th gen = '92 to '95
6th gen = '96 to 2000
7th gen = '01 to '05
8th gen = '06 to present


Current redesigns are running 4 years+. The cost of these redesigns is enormous. Changing the design sooner would really hurt profitability.

Sorry but you can't read. Refresh != Redesign. Refresh is a mid model change where they update small things like headlight/taillight or the small features in the interior.

2001 new model(redesign)
2003 Saw new headlights, wheels, some other things too (refresh)
2004 Saw new taillights, new seat headrest, some other things too (refresh)

1996 models got refreshed in 1999 or 2000 also

 

[Arkaign]

If you want to save a bunch of money, and get a slightly faster car with excellent fuel economy, check out the '08 Focus. I'm ridiculously happy with mine, and am getting 37+mpg combined with moderate driving habits. The 2.0 Duratec Mazda motor puts out 140hp/136tq, and it only weighs 2550lbs for my coupe, the lightest car in it's class. Handling is also class-leading.

Two caveats : the brakes are not that great, and the stock Hankook tires are beyond horrible. I melted the front ones in about 6k miles, then decided to go to Falken Ziex, and the difference is astonishing.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: dud
Sorry BassBomb but you're wrong. The Seventh generation ran from 2001 to 2005.

1st gen = '73 to '79
2nd gen = '80 to '83
3rd gen = '84 to '87
4th gen = '88 to '91
5th gen = '92 to '95
6th gen = '96 to 2000
7th gen = '01 to '05
8th gen = '06 to present


Current redesigns are running 4 years+. The cost of these redesigns is enormous. Changing the design sooner would really hurt profitability.

those are 5 year intervals for the last two. toyota and honda are generally on a cycle with 5 years between redesigns, and a refresh after 3 years.

Originally posted by: LucJoe

edit: Also, is the 09 Civic coming out soon? That might be the best time to buy an 08.

the annoying mr. opportunity honda ads haven't tipped you off already?





edit: and yeah, another vote for a focus. my sister has one and it's been problem free. a friend of mine liked her first one so much that she bought another with the newer mazda engine.

 

[dud]

Originally posted by: BassBomb

Originally posted by: dud

Originally posted by: BassBomb

Originally posted by: dud

Originally posted by: LucJoe

Originally posted by: BassBomb
Civic is the best on the list, it was redesigned in 2006 not 2007

Altima is not a small car lol...

Mazda3 will be by far the most fun but least in fuel economy

I have also been looking at Civic 2008 vs Corolla 2009 and the corolla felt like dirt compared even t hough only a 2000 difference (corolla LE vs civic lx)

I test drove both and I completely agree. Really leaning toward an 08 Civic EX now, but I'll have to get out and drive a Mazda3.

One other thing I forgot to mention is head/leg room. I'm 6'5", and I do fit in the Civic, but a little more room would be nice. Anyone know which vehicle in this category has the most space?

edit: Also, is the 09 Civic coming out soon? That might be the best time to buy an 08.

The 09 will basically be the same as the 08. The current Civic is considered the 8th gen model. The car is "redesigned" every 4 years ... so 10 will be the next.

I bought an 07 in late July 07 and got a killer deal (paid about $15.5K ... $17K OTD). If you are going to buy, buy near the end of the month.

Actually, refresh is normally 3 years. 2001 civic got refreshed in 2004

Sorry BassBomb but you're wrong. The Seventh generation ran from 2001 to 2005.

1st gen = '73 to '79
2nd gen = '80 to '83
3rd gen = '84 to '87
4th gen = '88 to '91
5th gen = '92 to '95
6th gen = '96 to 2000
7th gen = '01 to '05
8th gen = '06 to present


Current redesigns are running 4 years+. The cost of these redesigns is enormous. Changing the design sooner would really hurt profitability.

Sorry but you can't read. Refresh != Redesign. Refresh is a mid model change where they update small things like headlight/taillight or the small features in the interior.

2001 new model(redesign)
2003 Saw new headlights, wheels, some other things too (refresh)
2004 Saw new taillights, new seat headrest, some other things too (refresh)

1996 models got refreshed in 1999 or 2000 also

Sorry BassBomb but this is really getting annoying. I posted (originally) about the Civic and it's "redesign" every 4+ years, which is correct. YOU then said:

"Actually, refresh is normally 3 years. 2001 civic got refreshed in 2004"

I don't care (and neither should most people) about small, insignificant, many times cosmetic changes to a design mid-redesign. I was NOT talking about a refresh ... you were.

You said:

"Sorry but you can't read. "

No sir ... you can't read. I am talking about something very important (to a prospective buyer) ... total redesign. You are talking something of no material importance, a design refresh. Please re-read up above where you jumped in with your comment about "refresh". I was talking "redesign".

REFRESH does not equal REDESIGN

 

[BassBomb]

Yeah, the 2009 will be a refresh thus it won't be basically the same as the 2008 like you stated.

Honda is mum about any changes thus far so we won't know for sure.

Whether or not you care if or when a refresh is occuring, it pays to know about them considering it DOES affect a buyer. It could bring welcome changes or in fact it could make the car worse. It is up to the buyer to survey these changes and see if they want to grab it as 2009 with changes or 2008 without changes for cheaper.

Have fun with yourself

 

[f1r3s1d3]

How about a new Focus?

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: f1r3s1d3
How about a new Focus?

Win! :thumbsup:

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: f1r3s1d3
How about a new Focus?

Win! :thumbsup:

no

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: alfa147x

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: f1r3s1d3
How about a new Focus?

Win! :thumbsup:

no

They're quite good, honestly

 

[theeedude]

Commuter, which implies commuting as main purpose, I'd go with Civic, mainly due to tall gearing. For me, the best of these cars is Mazda3, but I commute by bike and drive it on twisty mountain roads a lot on weekends.

 

[RedRooster]

I've been renting cars non stop since last fall, and of all the small cars I've driven, I've found the Elantra to be a REALLY good car for the price as well. Of course Civics and Mazda 3s were both solid cars and I liked them, but for the money, the Elantra is right there on quality. The Corolla(well, pre-09) I really didn't like at all, it actually felt too cheap to be beating around on the streets everyday.
Try renting an Elantra for a week, you might like it.

 

[HopJokey]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: alfa147x

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: f1r3s1d3
How about a new Focus?

Win! :thumbsup:

no

They're quite good, honestly

Play Artist Michael Bolton

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: HopJokey

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: alfa147x

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: f1r3s1d3
How about a new Focus?

Win! :thumbsup:

no

They're quite good, honestly

Play Artist Michael Bolton

Nah.

Zeppelin
RATM
Jeff Buckley
Leonard Cohen
Ama Lycoris
Lou Reed
The Doors
Johnny Cash
Radiohead
Paper Chase
etc

 

[LS8]

Edmunds prefers the Mazda3 over the current gen Civic. I have driven them both and I like the Mazda3 better myself.