Car advice: which do you like best?

[perla75]

I am currently researching a new car to purchase next year at some point. I currently have a Toyota Corolla & I have been very happy with it-but it's getting very old & starting to wear & we are a one car household-I can't risk my car not running for work.

As said, I am happy with my Toyota Corolla, though I wouldn't mind something just a bit larger in size. My work is about a 15 minute drive, all side roads. We don't do much highway driving, except maybe 2-3 exits up to the mall or the occassional few hours away to visit family/friends. We don't have children. I'm just looking for a minimum package-nothing fancy.

Anyways, here are the choices I've been researching. Please let me know which one you prefer, don't prefer, & why.

Thanks!

 

[golfgal]

I voted for another Corolla-that will probably be my next car. We have had Corolla's in our family since the early 70's and they have ALL been excellent cars, never needing any repairs. Dh and I bought our first Corolla in '89, it is still on the road running like a top-they guy who bought it from us is still driving it. Other then general upkeep like brakes, etc. we only had to put a starter in the car for a 'repair'. Honda's are good too but they seem to have slightly more issues then Toyota--but still very reliable.

 

[nephthys43]

i voted for the fit. it is soooo cute. and they come in orange! i'm getting one in february.

 

[SomedayI'llBe]

I'd suggest taking a look at Hyundai's as well. I've got a 2008 Hyundai Elantra and I LOVE it. It's a small car that still has a midsize interior. The gas milage I get is incredible (I've driven 300 miles on a single tank). The warranty can't be beat- 5 years roadside assistance (FREE), 5 year total car, 10 year powertrain warranty. It drives like a dream too. It's very quiet- which Civics aren't (I've driven 3 Civics, two fairly extensively, and they are not quiet little things!). You can also get the stabiltiy control on the SE model of the Elantra, which the Civic doesn't offer at all (not sure about the other models you're looking at), and to me that's really important for safety reasons.

You really can't beat the price either. I got a fully loaded Elantra- leather seats, sunroof, seat warmers, the whole shebang- for $18000. Civics start there, if my memory serves. At least locally, 3 months ago they weren't offering any discounts on Civics or most other Hondas due to demand. You could still find discounts on Hyundais. Consumer Reports has stated that reliability has gone way up on them, and recently ranked the Elantra near the top of its class, and it was their number 1 ranked car when looking at gas milage.

Their resale value isn't as high as Toyota and Honda, but I predict it will rise within the next few years to be very similar price-wise. I'd go for it, and at least test drive one. You could be pleasantly surprised!

 

[mmexpress]

I work for a used car dealer and we see all brands.
That being said, you best bet would be the Corolla or the Civic.
Those are probably the two best as far as reliability is concerned.
Honda Accord is another good choice.

 

[twinklebug]

I have the Camry instead of the Corolla as it's my only vehicle and had to fit 2 adults, 2 teens and 2 cats I love it & think you would too if you're looking for more room - but note the steering radius is a bit larger than the Corolla.

PS - I didn't buy a Honda as the sales person I ran into there drove me off with "women will believe anything you tell them" attitude and thought he could force me into buying what he thought I should have not what I was asking to see. BUT, if you can find a great salesperson at Honda, take your time, test drive at least twice and just get the best car for your money. (this phrase does wonders when dealing with sales people BTW) The BEST time of year to deal with these guys is Right around Christmas. They're desperate to make the sale before end of month, end of year, and this year, desperate to make the sale at all. I got a wow of a deal doing just that.

 

[wvdisluv2]

I am the single Yaris voter, however I am a Hyundai fan It took me a while to get used to my Hyundai Accent's size compared to my Subaru Impreza, but my next new car will def. be a Hyundai Accent(112,000 problem free miles!). Toyota's DO hold their value longer though and if I were going to buy a Toyota, I'd absolutely go for the Yaris. We are also a family of 2

 

[Disnydad]

Hyundai! We recently bought our son a 08 Elantra SE and are so impressed we'll be changing our vehicles to Hyundai as replace them. Me, I want the Santa Fe and DW wants the Azera.

 

[phragmipedium]

I'd be happy with any of your choices so I didn't vote! But I'm another pleased Hyundai customer (though my Elantra is a 2001). We started looking at them after reading reviews that the quality had greatly improved over what they were years ago. We've been really impressed and my mom purchased a Santa Fe as a result - she loves her car too. My Hyundai has nearly 100,000 miles on it with no real complaints. I did cut the tether attaching the gas cap to the car because in Oregon we don't pump our own gas, and the attendants were always getting it wrapped in the seal as they tightened it, and my check engine light would come on. It eventually goes off on its own for that particular problem but it was annoying.

I used to think I was just a Toyota/Honda girl, but (at least when we were buying) you could get more for your dollar (and keep more of your dollars) with Hyundai. The next time I'm looking for a car, though, it will be whoever has the best *hybrid* car for my money (I know it's too much to hope for strictly electric or I would). Enjoy whatever you pick!

 

[Pakey]

We are a Toyota family, husband drives a 4 runner and I have a Solara convertible. We have loved every Toyota we have ever owned so I had to pick the Corolla.

 

[Pinkgurlshubby]

I didn't vote LOL. The Civic or Corolla would both be awsome. We finally gave up and sold our Chevy Blazer and bought a Dodge Caliber. The other cars we looked at were a Satrun Ion and the new Aura. We had a Saturn before and loved it. My mother is still driving it, still problem free and it's a 1996.

 

[perla75]

Looks like the polls are between the Honda Civic & the Toyota Corolla. Is the Civic alot more in price than the Corolla? & is the Civic a larger car (compared to the Corolla?)

 

[twinklebug]

Looks like the polls are between the Honda Civic & the Toyota Corolla. Is the Civic alot more in price than the Corolla? & is the Civic a larger car (compared to the Corolla?)

If you're looking for the interior, exterior, wheelbase sizes, the specs are online. Otherwise, take the test drives and talk best deal with the salespeople. The Feel of a car (it's size, how it handles etc) is subjective.

 

[TheGoofster]

The most dependable, and trouble-free car I've ever owned was a Toyota Corolla. Incredible car. So that is what I voted for. To be honest I'm not familiar enough with the other cars you mentioned to be much help, but I do love those Corollas.

 

[tzolkin]

We have a Corolla and love it. We researched and were planning to buy one, but were going to look at the Civic (slightly more expensive). We went to look at the Corolla first. Basically, the manager asked what it would take for us to NOT look at a Civic and we got a fantastic deal, so we bought the Corolla.

My brother bought a Yaris a week later. He loves it as well. We considered one, but thought the trunk space was a little too small for us (little kids, so we need strollers, etc to fit in there). Plus, we payed less for the Corolla than what the Yarises were running.

My parents had a 1990 Honda Civic hatchback. They bought it when I was 8 years old and my brother was driving it when I graduated from college. It had over 300K miles on it and was still running great when he gave it away to buy his first new car.

I think you will be happy with any of these cars. Try them all out!