New Car Decision - Civic or Corolla?

[clamum]

Mods, please feel free to move this to The Garage if you deem it appropriate. I just decided to post it in OT because it's kind of a general question and there's more traffic here.

So I'm close to buying a car after looking at a bunch and test driving them. I'm looking at Honda Civics and Toyota Corollas. I'm leaning towards a 07 Civic Hybrid at the moment (just under $12k with 63k miles). There's also a couple 2010 Corollas with around 34k miles and a little over $11k, and a regular 07 (I think, might be a year or two newer) Civic for around the same price and mileage.

What do you guys think about the above choices? That's fine if you don't like Civics or Corollas but I do. Like I said I'm leaning towards the hybrid, as I do mostly stop-and-go city driving, but was just wondering what you guys thought.

Thanks!

 

[dud]

I had the same decision to make in 2007 ... the choices ere a new (2007) Civic, Corolla, Sonata, Elantra and Sentra. The car was for my wife and she test drove all of them.

The clear winner was the Civic. While the most expensive it ended up being the best value in the long run. A contributing factor was the diametric difference between the Honda and Toyota dealers. The Honda dealer was friendly and willing to deal. The Toyota dealer was just the opposite ... either take it or leave it.

We left it and never looked back ...

 

[Imp]

Civic Hybrid not worth the premium. Honda's hybrid system isn't that great on their Civics. I don't remember the specifics, but older models couldn't operate on electricity alone like Priuses and Camry Hybrids. Maybe they've been updated.

Corrollas are appliances. Boring with cheap interiors, but they'll probably take you to hell and back. I've put a couple hundred kilometers on an instructor's car. It was a 2003-ish model though.

Family car is a Civic. I put about 10k km on it plus another couple hundred on an instructor's Civic Hybrid. Okay car, handles well, nimble, love the digital speedometer, but HATE the A-pillar. I think the 2005 and later modles started using that really swept back A-pillar for fuel efficiency. That piece of shit has hidden a few pedestrians before. And it's terrible if you're driving around curves.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

I would go with a civic but if city driving is what you have in mind, why not look towards a prius instead of a corolla?

 

[clamum]

I would go with a civic but if city driving is what you have in mind, why not look towards a prius instead of a corolla?

Eh, I considered the Prius but I'm not really a fan of its looks. Its not terrible, but It'd have to find a killer deal to consider it.

Re: The Civic hybrid system, that's why I made the post. I saw online that most problems with the Civic hybrid were with older models. My mom has a Camry hybrid that rocks but I can't afford one of those.

 

[maddogchen]

http://autos.yahoo.com/news/honda-c...eliable--consumer-reports-says-175349961.html

Battery problems with civic 2009s in this article. Doesn't say 2007 but it could also have the same problem. I would go with a Prius. I own a regular civic and city driving I get 26mpg.

 

[clamum]

http://autos.yahoo.com/news/honda-c...eliable--consumer-reports-says-175349961.html

Battery problems with civic 2009s in this article. Doesn't say 2007 but it could also have the same problem. I would go with a Prius. I own a regular civic and city driving I get 26mpg.

Yikes, that sucks. They said over a year survey period, the 09 battery replacement rate was 20% and for 03, 04, and 10 models it was over 10% so maybe the 07 models are ok. The article also said Honda extended the battery replacement warranty? That's good I guess.

Argh, I dunno, maybe I should just go with the Corolla since they run so well (and for so long) and wait for a hybrid when I buy my next car.

 

[RossMAN]

What city?

Have you considered the Honda Fit? Yes I know it's not a hybrid but you may get more bang for your buck.

 

[mmntech]

A vanilla Civic will be a far better choice than the hybrid version. The problem with hybrids is that while they do use less fuel, the savings are negated by the higher initial cost.

As for the Corolla, hmm, well I've got nothing against Toyota. That said the Corolla is just a bland, dull car. Cheap interior and uninspired handling don't really sell it either. Having driven both the Civic and Corolla extensively, the Civic is the better car IMO. And the eighth gen Civic don't have the awful old lady styling of the newer models.

Another car I suggest you check out is the Ford Fiesta. Really good on gas, comfortable, handles well. I'd also take a look at the Kia Rio, Honda Fit, and Toyota Yaris. I like the Yaris a lot more than the Corolla. It's a fun runabout.

 

[Jimzz]

Why those 2?

I would also add the Cruise, Focus, and Elantra to the list.
The Corolla is very old compared to the 3 above. The civic is ok at best IMO.

 

[Vetterin]

I don't know about the hybird but I bought my wife an 06 Civic 2 years ago and she still says that's the best car she has ever had. It is going on 70,000 miles and all i've done so far is oil changes and front brake pad replacement. Now, as far as I'm concerned, there is something about the Corolla that I've always liked (maybe it's the simplicity or reliability). I was going to get a new 2011 S manual but had a bad time with the dealer so I ended up with a Cruze Eco instead. I think you will be fine with either choice. Good luck!

 

[clamum]

What city?

Have you considered the Honda Fit? Yes I know it's not a hybrid but you may get more bang for your buck.

Ypsilanti - Ann Arbor, Michigan area. My parents live in the Upper Peninsula and I'll be visiting them every now and then. Not considered the Fit, I like the style of the Civic much more. Similar to my reason why I don't really want a Prius and am looking at Corollas.

Why those 2?

I would also add the Cruise, Focus, and Elantra to the list.
The Corolla is very old compared to the 3 above. The civic is ok at best IMO.

Those two because they, on average, are very dependable cars with decent gas mileage. I don't have to get a car that gets 100 mpg but mpg is one of my top factors. I've driven enough Hondas and Toyotas and read enough to know that's what I want.

mmntech: I was wondering about the hybrid premium. I assumed that the higher mpg would offset the hybrid cost. In my case, the hybrid Civic is about the same as those Corollas and maybe $1k more than the vanilla Civics so it's close. The only thing I'm leery about with the 07 Hybrid Civic is the possibility of replacing the damn battery soon after I buy it.

 

[Imported]

Of those two, the Civic. The Corolla is the most numb-driving car in existence. Even more so than the Prius I've been commuting with..

 

[vshah]

i have an 07 civic, going on 80k miles with no issues. Like others have said, the hybrid isn't as good as toyota's system, but if you can get a good deal i'd say go for it. I've driven a corolla twice in my life and both times i was screaming with frustration minutes into the drive. terrible, terrible cars.

 

[dbk]

I drive a 07 Honda Fit now.
I would recommend skipping the 1st generation altogether (GD3). You get more amenities with the later models (GE8). Get the 5 speed manual over the AT. I wish I had the manual. As far as maintenance - absolutely no problems. I've only paid to get brake pads, new tires, transmission flush and oil changes. I bought it with 16k miles for $12.5k in 2009 and I recently just went over 70k miles.

I considered the Civic but I liked the Fit better, all things considered. I found it more "fun" to drive and it has just so many uses compared to a Civic. It's almost mindblowing. I will say that I drive the Fit like I stole it because thats the only way it'll go anywhere. Also, open up the hood - you can't help not to LOL at that engine.

 

[ShreddedWheat]

My vote would go to a Honda Fit. Bought one and gave to my wife to drive...it is an 07 so it gets about 31+ in city and 33-35 hwy. Fit can hold a ton of cargo. After 07 inner city driving it is about 27mpg and 33hwy. I'm looking at getting another one again for myself.

My 2 cents

 

[Imp]

mmntech: I was wondering about the hybrid premium. I assumed that the higher mpg would offset the hybrid cost. In my case, the hybrid Civic is about the same as those Corollas and maybe $1k more than the vanilla Civics so it's close. The only thing I'm leery about with the 07 Hybrid Civic is the possibility of replacing the damn battery soon after I buy it.

I believe it's been proven many times that gas prices have to get much more expensive and you have to drive a LOT (more than average) to earn your money back in a timely manner with hybrids. Do some googling. It takes a while to break even and is more about image than anything (i.e. being "green"). Personally, I'd get a hybrid just because and so I can say I don't have to fill up as often.

In reality, the embodied energy/carbon is higher in hybrids than regular cars -- google studies.

 

[CraigRT]

I would go Civic hands down, but not a hybrid.
I did not even test drive a Corolla when I bought my Civic because I know they are genuinely horrible cars (except for reliability, which is not everything)

I've put close to 60K miles on my Civic in not quite 2 years, and it has been totally uneventful, and good on gas the entire time.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

My wife has been driving a civic we bought new for 5 years now. It's needed a rear caliper $280 job and a motor mount $400 job in the 5 years and 75k miles of driving. It still drives almost as good as new. Not quite new car level but definitely very nice ride still.
All in all we are very satisfied and our next new vehicle will be a new civic in the next couple of years. Might be silly but we don't even plan on test driving or trying any other vehicles.

 

[7window]

My wife has been driving a civic we bought new for 5 years now. It's needed a rear caliper $280 job and a motor mount $400 job in the 5 years and 75k miles of driving. It still drives almost as good as new. Not quite new car level but definitely very nice ride still.
All in all we are very satisfied and our next new vehicle will be a new civic in the next couple of years. Might be silly but we don't even plan on test driving or trying any other vehicles.

Why so much work for a 5 year old car? I used to own a nissan that reached 200k miles without replacing caliper and a motor mount. I am planning to do the same with my toyotas. Actually my 2000 camry I have not done any major work but now its due for timing belt. It has 107k .

I am hoping my 2010 corolla will be problem free. I love it and it serves my purpose.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Why so much work for a 5 year old car? I used to own a nissan that reached 200k miles without replacing caliper and a motor mount. I am planning to do the same with my toyotas. Actually my 2000 camry I have not done any major work but now its due for timing belt. It has 107k .

I am hoping my 2010 corolla will be problem free. I love it and it serves my purpose.

Is that a lot of work? Seemed pretty normal I thought. The rear caliper was sticking and that model year Honda civic the hydraulic oil filled mount goes out like clockwork at around 60-70k.

 

[7window]

Is that a lot of work? Seemed pretty normal I thought. The rear caliper was sticking and that model year Honda civic the hydraulic oil filled mount goes out like clockwork at around 60-70k.

For me at least, anything more than oil change or tire wear is a lot of work.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Personally I would NOT buy a hybrid. Technology is too new and I wouldn't want to be a guinea pig, especially with older age/higher milage (under warranty is a whole another issue).

You simply do NOT know what you are getting into with a hybrid.

My vote is for Toyota

 

[clamum]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I really appreciate it.

I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go with the Corolla. I hear over and over about the whole "boring car" thing but honestly I don't get it. I think they look great and drive great, and are reliable as shit, and that's all I care about. I'm not a car guy and I'm more interested in a reliable car getting from point A to B; the rest is just gravy.

Again, thanks much!

 

[7window]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I really appreciate it.

I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go with the Corolla. I hear over and over about the whole "boring car" thing but honestly I don't get it. I think they look great and drive great, and are reliable as shit, and that's all I care about. I'm not a car guy and I'm more interested in a reliable car getting from point A to B; the rest is just gravy.

Again, thanks much!

you wont regret. Wish I can tell you that it is problem free but only have 29k on mine but it has been a great car. Just change oil on mine paid for by dealer. Reading about the corolla on toyotanation, owners have been saying that the car is solid, roomy and comfortable. I can say the same thing about the roomy and comfortable but don't know about realiability. The car is great on gas too. I also don't worry if my 18yo drives it. The shape is not bad either.