Corolla or Civic

[longwoodklon]

Had a question and wanted to hear opinions. I am now getting serious about buying a commuter car, probably will get it within a week or two. Figure I will buy new. Probably base model with auto.

'08 Corolla's(if any are left, they are going fast) are advertised at $13,500 all day long. Saw the '09 Corolla and dealer doesn't seem to want to budge, price around $16,600. Now the wife mentions the Civic, which I had written off before cause it cost more than the Corolla. But I checked them online and they run $15,700.

'08 Corolla doesn't have ABS or side curtain airbags. Both the '08 Civic and '09 Corolla do. So at this point, why would I pick the new Corolla? Seems like the '08 Civic might be the way to go, it's a sweet little car and has more HP(but gets 1mpg less).
Or maybe save a couple grand and just get the '08 Corolla? What do you all think? Right now I'm putting the '09 Corolla in last place out of my 3 options.

/Mike

[ez2beme00]

My wife wanted an 09 Corolla as well, but by the time we got it optioned out the way we wanted it, and with no discounts given,it was the same lease payment as a Camry. We ended up with a Super White 08 Camry SE auto with every option but leather and nav. for $398/mo., and it is one SWEET ride. At this point the 09 Corolla is no bargain, but the 08 Camrys and Rollas are going fast.

[Only Toyota for me]

I've got a new 08 corolla that's rated at 28/37 mpg, but it's a 5 speed. The auto's are rated at 26/35, so 2 mpg less.

I bought the car strictly for mileage only. I didn't want all that other BS. Yeah, some of it would be nice, but not for a 3rd vehicle. I couldn't see going any more. I paid $15500 out the door 3 mos ago. It has cruise,tilt,a/c,p/w, p/l, cd, front airbags. Basically all the necessaties IMO.

I like the car, but it is what it is. A commuter. And it has saved us $500 per month in fuel costs, and we've averaged 30mpg all winter with 85% city driving.

IMO, go the less expensive route.

Another thing on the 09's. You will have the cartridge oil filter which is a PITA. Total redesign, etc... More than likely, you'll have those typical first year model warranty issues as well.

[Salty_Dog]

Originally Posted by longwoodklon

Had a question and wanted to hear opinions. I am now getting serious about buying a commuter car, probably will get it within a week or two. Figure I will buy new. Probably base model with auto.

'08 Corolla's(if any are left, they are going fast) are advertised at $13,500 all day long. Saw the '09 Corolla and dealer doesn't seem to want to budge, price around $16,600. Now the wife mentions the Civic, which I had written off before cause it cost more than the Corolla. But I checked them online and they run $15,700.

'08 Corolla doesn't have ABS or side curtain airbags. Both the '08 Civic and '09 Corolla do. So at this point, why would I pick the new Corolla? Seems like the '08 Civic might be the way to go, it's a sweet little car and has more HP(but gets 1mpg less).
Or maybe save a couple grand and just get the '08 Corolla? What do you all think? Right now I'm putting the '09 Corolla in last place out of my 3 options.

/Mike

If it is just a commuter car and price is your concern, I'd get a Toyota Certified Used Corolla.

[longwoodklon]

I've thought about a used one, but I will be putting a lot of miles on it and want it to last at least 200k, which should run me about 5 years at my current rate. From what I've seen, the 2-3 year old used with 60k on them run only $2k less so I'd rather get a new vehicle and not have any problems for the next 4-5 years. Plus, financing on the used ones is a little higher.

The Camry is a great deal now. If I were looking for a family car, it'd be my first choice. Only $17.7k with the auto and 4cyl., but it gets 21/31mpg. Not a big decrease from the corolla/civic, but I want to minimize my gas bill. Plus it costs $2k more.

So I guess I will look at the Civics, maybe test drive one with the wife this weekend, since I haven't been to a Honda dealer in over 4 years and really haven't spent time looking at a Civic up close. Then we'll check out the local Toyota dealer and see if he has any left over '08 Corolla's(if we get to that point). Thing is, the wife will be driving this car quite frequently too, and she has always been partial to the Honda's.
/Mike

[Salty_Dog]

Originally Posted by longwoodklon

Plus, financing on the used ones is a little higher.

I bought my Tundra as a Certified used Toyota, and financed it through Toyota Motor Credit at 3% interest.

[Only Toyota for me]

Originally Posted by longwoodklon

I've thought about a used one, but I will be putting a lot of miles on it and want it to last at least 200k, which should run me about 5 years at my current rate. From what I've seen, the 2-3 year old used with 60k on them run only $2k less so I'd rather get a new vehicle and not have any problems for the next 4-5 years. Plus, financing on the used ones is a little higher.

The Camry is a great deal now. If I were looking for a family car, it'd be my first choice. Only $17.7k with the auto and 4cyl., but it gets 21/31mpg. Not a big decrease from the corolla/civic, but I want to minimize my gas bill. Plus it costs $2k more.

So I guess I will look at the Civics, maybe test drive one with the wife this weekend, since I haven't been to a Honda dealer in over 4 years and really haven't spent time looking at a Civic up close. Then we'll check out the local Toyota dealer and see if he has any left over '08 Corolla's(if we get to that point). Thing is, the wife will be driving this car quite frequently too, and she has always been partial to the Honda's.
/Mike

You're better off going new, especially now that they're trying to get rid of all the 08's. I'd imagine you'd get a better deal than i did.
The camry's a nice car, that's for sure.... If it was your primary car.
I got a chance to drive the 4cyl 07 camry for a few weeks, and the only way i'd buy a camry is the SE with the v-6. The 4 was not too impressive on the mpg at all. It only got like 20, if that when we had it. Not much better than our v-6 4runner, so not worth it IMO.
Like i said in my previous post, i've been seeing 30mpg with 85% city driving. And it should yield about 40 on the hiway, hopefully.

I think either choice for you would be a good one. Both great cars, but i give the edge to the 08 corolla in price & mpg.

Let us know what you get.

[ez2beme00]

Originally Posted by longwoodklon

I've thought about a used one, but I will be putting a lot of miles on it and want it to last at least 200k, which should run me about 5 years at my current rate. From what I've seen, the 2-3 year old used with 60k on them run only $2k less so I'd rather get a new vehicle and not have any problems for the next 4-5 years. Plus, financing on the used ones is a little higher.

The Camry is a great deal now. If I were looking for a family car, it'd be my first choice. Only $17.7k with the auto and 4cyl., but it gets 21/31mpg. Not a big decrease from the corolla/civic, but I want to minimize my gas bill. Plus it costs $2k more.

So I guess I will look at the Civics, maybe test drive one with the wife this weekend, since I haven't been to a Honda dealer in over 4 years and really haven't spent time looking at a Civic up close. Then we'll check out the local Toyota dealer and see if he has any left over '08 Corolla's(if we get to that point). Thing is, the wife will be driving this car quite frequently too, and she has always been partial to the Honda's.
/Mike

You can't go wrong with a Honda. My wife and I had an '89 Civic hatchback as our first new car. It was the base model that MSRP'd for $9899 OTD!, and there was a waiting list for them. I've owned several Civics and Accords over the years, all great cars, but then they got all weird with the dashboard controls and displays and they kind of lost me to the more conventional Toyotas. You might also check out the Fit and Yaris, I think in my area there were some specials on the Yaris.

[longwoodklon]

Originally Posted by ez2beme00

You can't go wrong with a Honda. My wife and I had an '89 Civic hatchback as our first new car. It was the base model that MSRP'd for $9899 OTD!, and there was a waiting list for them. I've owned several Civics and Accords over the years, all great cars, but then they got all weird with the dashboard controls and displays and they kind of lost me to the more conventional Toyotas. You might also check out the Fit and Yaris, I think in my area there were some specials on the Yaris.

Yeah, my family had a '90 civic hatchback. I loved that car, I moved to college with it, very utilitarian and fun to drive(manual). Wife had a '94 Accord and it was a great car, though it had a knocking(sounded like lifter knock) and my folks had the exact same car and same noise.
The new civics, I'm no too thrilled with the tach and speedo layout.

I may need to look at the 4 door Yaris more closely. The base 14" wheels look just pathetic, but that's always upgradeable. Or maybe '08 Corolla. Damn, decisions decisions.
/Mike

[currybob]

Mike
Don't forget safety.

If you are going to put that many miles on the road, I like the idea of side curtain air bags and VSC or whatever that is to keep your car in control. I have owned serveral Honda's over the years but have been all Toyota for about 15 years now. I have test driven both and the Toyota's seem quiter and more sturdy but both are well rated vehicles.

Sometimes cheaper is not better!!

Goodluck

Bob

[longwoodklon]

Bob,
True enough on the safety. It's one reason I do like my big truck, but driving 100-150 miles/day to work it is getting awfully expensive. Not to mention my truck has 172k on it now and though it runs great still, it's a lot of miles. I had carpooled with 2 others in the past which helped enormously, now it's just me.
Saw you got an '09 S model. I actually am in the process of getting an '04 Corolla. Found one that had only 17k on it, it was a second car for an old couple and it looks like new. (Thanks to CB's advice, after looking at the $18k sticker prices I thought about the Corolla he bought and the interest rate. Hopped online to search used cars and found this 17k mile '04. Got quick funding at an outrageous %, but am in the process of getting a home equity line which is running 5.75% now, and I can write off the interest so not bad)
We looked extensively at the '09 Corolla and '08 Civic(she saw the Yaris/Fit, and I could tell right away she wouldn't even consider those cars). The '08 Corolla's were all but gone, 1 dealer had an LE left but for the money I'd get the new model. The wife really liked the Civic(8 air bags, pretty impressive). But those 2 cars('09 Corolla, '08 Civic) are pushing $17-$18k+. It's hard for me to justify that price on a commuter car.
That said, the wife is hoping the deal on the '04 falls thru. Then she will DEMAND the '08 Civic.(Did I mention she liked the Civic?). But I am hoping to have that '04 Corolla sitting in my driveway by Friday.

/Mike

[currybob]

Mike

I think you will be real pleased with the 04 if it works out. I trade cars too often and wish I would keep them longer but it's a fetish to me. You cannot kill a Corolla, they go on forever with just a little care.

Good luck.

Bob

[cookiedough1]

The 09' and even the boxier 08' Corolla's look much better than the dinkier Civic and odd looking interior. Even though the Corolla's interior is plain and simple, it works fine without having to think where controls are at like the Civic. Also, I think the Civic's front end sits too low and looks too small in the front end. - my 2 cents worth. If you are smaller than me at 5'10" and 250 lbs., then the Civic may do, but it feels too small with cheaper and smaller seats, etc. It all depends on what you feel comfortable driving in and our opinions really don't matter with a question like this. Get what you feel comfortable driving and who cares what others think.