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POLL: Civic VS Corolla VS Sentra

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Aftermath - I'm sorry but a hair over $17k for a COROLLA is a rip off even if it is the S trim. Add another $1k and you can get an 03 Accord LX automatic.

Rallispec - If I were in market for a used car in this class, the Sentra would be appealing since it doesn't hold it's resale value as well. Good for buyer, bad for seller.
 
I had to make this very decision back in 2002 and went with a Nissan Sentra GXE. In my heart I knew the statistics and better quality interior should have led me to buy a Honda Civic, but dammit there's enough Civics on the road as is.

I know, pretty lame reasoning to purchase something as large as a car but in the end we're all vain people.
 
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Aftermath - I'm sorry but a hair over $17k for a COROLLA is a rip off even if it is the S trim. Add another $1k and you can get an 03 Accord LX automatic.

Rallispec - If I were in market for a used car in this class, the Sentra would be appealing since it doesn't hold it's resale value as well. Good for buyer, bad for seller.
Click to expand...


I have a queston!

why does anyone buy a car for its resale value? You should buy a car thats going last--- so that you dont have to sell it and get rid of it.

if you're planning on driving a car for more than 5 years-- resale value really seems like a non-issue since pretty much no car is going to be worth much by then.


To me at least-- how it drives, safety, performance, comfort--- etc... those are things that matter most to me--- since i plan on driving my cars into the ground-- i could care less about resale value.
 
Aftermath - I'm sorry but a hair over $17k for a COROLLA is a rip off even if it is the S trim. Add another $1k and you can get an 03 Accord LX automatic.
Click to expand...

No, it's not really a rip.
I looked into an Accord first thing when we started having ideas about getting a new car, and yes, I probably can go find a deal somewhere at a dealersip pushing off their cars to make room for new ones, but the difference is, this Corolla has been customized to the teeth. It's a car I plan on owning and driving until it falls apart at the seams and I have to get a new one. If it would "only" be another grand to drop on a "better" car then I would go for it, but it's not technicaly better. It might just be whatever a dealer can offer me, be it better than the Corolla I want, or something I have to deal with for the next god knows how many years. It's just a personal preference is all. Customizing an Accord LX to exactly how I wanted would've cost me about $22k, while the same thing in a Corolla was only about $17k. I think the Corolla is best.
 
Originally posted by: Rallispec
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Aftermath - I'm sorry but a hair over $17k for a COROLLA is a rip off even if it is the S trim. Add another $1k and you can get an 03 Accord LX automatic.

Rallispec - If I were in market for a used car in this class, the Sentra would be appealing since it doesn't hold it's resale value as well. Good for buyer, bad for seller.
Click to expand...


I have a queston!

why does anyone buy a car for its resale value? You should buy a car thats going last--- so that you dont have to sell it and get rid of it.

if you're planning on driving a car for more than 5 years-- resale value really seems like a non-issue since pretty much no car is going to be worth much by then.


To me at least-- how it drives, safety, performance, comfort--- etc... those are things that matter most to me--- since i plan on driving my cars into the ground-- i could care less about resale value.
Click to expand...

First of all I admit I am a fool because I know that a car is NOT AN INVESTMENT ... however I want the most bang for my buck. That's part of my logic why I prefer the Honda Civic and I like the styling (again I will deny that) 😉

So I'd rather buy a Honda/Toyota because in 3 or 10 years when I go to sell it, I will get more in return over a comparable Nissan.
 
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Aftermath - I'm sorry but a hair over $17k for a COROLLA is a rip off even if it is the S trim. Add another $1k and you can get an 03 Accord LX automatic.

Rallispec - If I were in market for a used car in this class, the Sentra would be appealing since it doesn't hold it's resale value as well. Good for buyer, bad for seller.
Click to expand...
Resale value is important, yes, but in this segment the dollar amounts we're talking about are relatively small and although the Sentra does not hold its value as well as the Civic or Corolla, it's still as good or better than most other competitors. Plus, the marginal benefit of resale in the Civic and Corolla is countered by the lower initial pricing of the Sentra.

Even so, I'm not sure the Sentra would be my choice right now, although I own a 2000 GXE. The design is getting old and they did not improve the exterior with the new corporate "tooth".
As I stated before, the interior quality is nothing to write home about, plus the rear seat is one of the smallest you can find in a 4-door.
The reliability of the car has been excellent even though it was the first year of an all-new model, and the engine is adequate (like I said, the wide powerband helps even though there is not much power overall). I generally get about 28 MPG in mixed driving with my heavy right foot.

I don't regret getting the Sentra at all, it was a good choice and it has served me well. However, the competition has improved a great deal in the last 4 years. For instance, I did not like the Protege that much when I test-drove it, but I think the Mazda3 looks like a great choice in this segment right now.
 
I vote Corolla. I've never seen a Corolla with a problem. It's got a proven track record and I like its styling. I especially like the S in blue.
 
Originally posted by: N8Magic
For those ripping on my decision to rate the Golf TDI #1, please see the following article:

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jc/99-03golf.htm

There is a lot of great information in there regarding the past problems that have "plagued" the Golf. Please give it a read and reevaluate my decision. 🙂
Click to expand...
As I'm sure you're well aware, there are several links I could post that would directly conflict with that article. There is no way the Golf, on the whole, is as reliable as a small Japanese car.
 
Originally posted by: BigSmooth
Originally posted by: N8Magic
For those ripping on my decision to rate the Golf TDI #1, please see the following article:

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jc/99-03golf.htm

There is a lot of great information in there regarding the past problems that have "plagued" the Golf. Please give it a read and reevaluate my decision. 🙂
Click to expand...
As I'm sure you're well aware, there are several links I could post that would directly conflict with that article. There is no way the Golf, on the whole, is as reliable as a small Japanese car.
Click to expand...
N8magic is in denial, that's all 😉
Why do american cars never get mentioned on these forums?
Click to expand...
Because I'd rather drive a pinto with a fuse to the gas tank than spend money on any of the new domestic econoboxes.

I had seriously considered a spec v. I can get a new one with sunroof for a screamingly low $14,500 after rebates and crap. However, it then occured to me that I'm turning 26 next month and with the liklihood of a couple of kids in the next few years carting kids around in my late 20's while driving a spec v is just not becoming. Add to that the fact that although they are nice and fast their gas mileage is rated at 23/29, which is not great but of huge significance is the fact that they require premium. Add to this the fact that the insurance rate on a spec v is higher than on an accord, camry, corolla, _and even an 02 Maxima SE (faster and heavier than a spec v)_ it told me that it's just not the responsible choice right now. If I was a few years younger yes, but right now it just doesn't mesh well enough.

 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Originally posted by: BigSmooth
Originally posted by: N8Magic
For those ripping on my decision to rate the Golf TDI #1, please see the following article:

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jc/99-03golf.htm

There is a lot of great information in there regarding the past problems that have "plagued" the Golf. Please give it a read and reevaluate my decision. 🙂
Click to expand...
As I'm sure you're well aware, there are several links I could post that would directly conflict with that article. There is no way the Golf, on the whole, is as reliable as a small Japanese car.
Click to expand...
N8magic is in denial, that's all 😉
Click to expand...
Oh really? 😉

Did you even read that article? It explains a lot of what and how things went wrong during the whole coil pack debacle that VW bashers continually beat me over the head with.
 
Oh really?

Did you even read that article? It explains a lot of what and how things went wrong during the whole coil pack debacle that VW bashers continually beat me over the head with.
Click to expand...
Nah, it's propaganda. Probably good propoganda too, linked back to Hitler's war machine.

But coil packs are not the only reason VW is ranked dead last in jd power's small car reliabilty numbers!
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Oh really?

Did you even read that article? It explains a lot of what and how things went wrong during the whole coil pack debacle that VW bashers continually beat me over the head with.
Click to expand...
Nah, it's propaganda. Probably good propoganda too, linked back to Hitler's war machine.

But coil packs are not the only reason VW is ranked dead last in jd power's small car reliabilty numbers!
Click to expand...

READ THE ARTICLE. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: N8Magic
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Oh really?

Did you even read that article? It explains a lot of what and how things went wrong during the whole coil pack debacle that VW bashers continually beat me over the head with.
Click to expand...
Nah, it's propaganda. Probably good propoganda too, linked back to Hitler's war machine.

But coil packs are not the only reason VW is ranked dead last in jd power's small car reliabilty numbers!
Click to expand...

READ THE ARTICLE. 🙂
Click to expand...
Ich lehne ab, Ihre Lügen zu hören!

 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Originally posted by: BigSmooth
Originally posted by: N8Magic For those ripping on my decision to rate the Golf TDI #1, please see the following article: http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jc/99-03golf.htm There is a lot of great information in there regarding the past problems that have "plagued" the Golf. Please give it a read and reevaluate my decision. 🙂
Click to expand...
As I'm sure you're well aware, there are several links I could post that would directly conflict with that article. There is no way the Golf, on the whole, is as reliable as a small Japanese car.
Click to expand...
N8magic is in denial, that's all 😉
Why do american cars never get mentioned on these forums?
Click to expand...
Because I'd rather drive a pinto with a fuse to the gas tank than spend money on any of the new domestic econoboxes. I had seriously considered a spec v. I can get a new one with sunroof for a screamingly low $14,500 after rebates and crap. However, it then occured to me that I'm turning 26 next month and with the liklihood of a couple of kids in the next few years carting kids around in my late 20's while driving a spec v is just not becoming. Add to that the fact that although they are nice and fast their gas mileage is rated at 23/29, which is not great but of huge significance is the fact that they require premium. Add to this the fact that the insurance rate on a spec v is higher than on an accord, camry, corolla, _and even an 02 Maxima SE (faster and heavier than a spec v)_ it told me that it's just not the responsible choice right now. If I was a few years younger yes, but right now it just doesn't mesh well enough.
Click to expand...


Where can you get a spec v for $14,500 from? Lowest I can find it is around ~16,500 after rebates + or - 500 or so.

 
Originally posted by: mastaki11a

Where can you get a spec v for $14,500 from? Lowest I can find it is around ~16,500 after rebates + or - 500 or so.
Click to expand...
This month nissan has silly good deals. .9% for 60 months or a big rebate off the cars. I asked a dealer locally for a barebones spec v and his best price. This was the response:

"2004 white spec v with sunroof, floor matts, and microfilter
msrp 19030 sells price 16500 with 0.9, 14500 with rebate ($2000.00)
thanks patrick " His name's patrick at jim burke nissan in Birmingham.

So, you can take the interest rate at 16,500 or the rebate plus whatever rate you can get on your own. Very tempting and would basically ensure you're not upside down on the loan (if you take the latter option).

 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Originally posted by: N8Magic
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Oh really?

Did you even read that article? It explains a lot of what and how things went wrong during the whole coil pack debacle that VW bashers continually beat me over the head with.
Click to expand...
Nah, it's propaganda. Probably good propoganda too, linked back to Hitler's war machine.

But coil packs are not the only reason VW is ranked dead last in jd power's small car reliabilty numbers!
Click to expand...

READ THE ARTICLE. 🙂
Click to expand...
Ich lehne ab, Ihre Lügen zu hören!
Click to expand...
:| !!!
 
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