8th gen Civic or 9th Gen Corolla?

[supton]

I hated our '01 Civic, have zero love for our '03 CRV but of course, that datapoint is moot.

But as one of the resident fanois, you can guess where my vote would be... Only if I wanted to get a manual trans would I go for the Civic, I drove a Corolla with a manual and it was so lackluster that I preferred the auto!

 

[jsean]

I’d vote for a 2007-08 Corolla LE or S. That way your current 400k mikes Corolla can also become a donor vehicle down the road should you so desire.

Have you considered looking at the 05-06 Corolla XRS with the 2ZZ? While they are rare, it might be a sportier reliable alternative to the 1ZZ.

 

[2015Corolla]

 

[Quantico]

I own toyota and my sig other does also. I prefer toyota engines far over honda. My friends hondas have been ok,but the engines valve train always failed taking out the engine.
The cars that have gone the farthest on the least failures, just oil chg and tires are my 95 bmw 3 series, and two porsche 911's. 72 and 85. And my 07 sequoia .

 

[Alex_V]

I don't have a strong aversion to the Civic but I vote Corolla for longevity. Seen too many neglected, high mileage 1ZZ's still running like a sewing machine - well, all the Toyota engines of that era.

 

[Elkins45]

Weirdly enough, we had a Vibe for a while (an ‘03)-my wife thinks the Corolla in my sig is more comfortable to drive & has more back seat space than the Vibe (& my Mom’s/now nephew’s) ‘06 Matrix. Miss the hatch, though!

I bought an 03 Matrix new and then bought an 07 Corolla as a preemptive replacement. I sold the Matrix soon after. I was surprised how much smoother the ride was in the Corolla, and the gas mileage was 4-5 mpg better as well.

 

[sw99]

I bought an 03 Matrix new and then bought an 07 Corolla as a preemptive replacement. I sold the Matrix soon after. I was surprised how much smoother the ride was in the Corolla, and the gas mileage was 4-5 mpg better as well.

Yea the shorter, "sport tuned" Matrix suspension is rough. After I drive mine for a week and then drive our 2009 Corolla, It's like a riding in a new car

 

[Nick1994]

Still in the ol’ Corolla @grampi ?

 

[grampi]

Still in the ol’ Corolla @grampi ?

Yep, now @ 450K...

 

[Oliveoil2]

Yep, now @ 450K...

What maintenance has been done during your 450k? Does it use oil?

 

[grampi]

What maintenance has been done during your 450k? Does it use oil?

Normal maintenance, the engine's never been opened. Had to replace the exhaust system, radiator, alternator, wheel bearings (all but one) tranny lines running to the radiator, a couple of seals that were leaking, and the normal stuff like tires, brakes, plugs, etc. Still has all original suspension parts and water pump. The engine started using about 1 qt between changes (every 6K) at around 150-175K, and now uses about 2 qts between changes. The last time I changed the plugs they had over 120k miles on them, and they were not oil fouled. Still looked pretty good actually. I have no idea how much longer this thing will go, but it's showing no signs of dying anytime soon...it may die of body rot before the driveline goes...

 

[panthermike]

@grampi original suspension components, bushings etc?

 

[grampi]

@grampi original suspension components, bushings etc?

Yep, some of them are getting a bit clunky though...

 

[panthermike]

Yep, some of them are getting a bit clunky though...

Pretty awesome though! I'm just about at 255k on mine and am hearing some creaking; although it still feels tight.

 

[Patman]

My 10th gen Civic is nowhere near as old as Grampi’s Corolla at 165k but I have to say that I am very impressed with how well the original suspension is holding up. It honestly doesn’t feel its age at all. In fact my 8th gen Civic needed new shocks and springs by the time it had 125k on it, they were way beyond gone at that point.