Corolla or Civic?

You will not go wrong on these, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi or Subaru. If you live ouside the continental USA, add Isuzu and Suzuki on the list
 
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Sure. It's a 2023 with 4,158 miles on clock when I drove it off lot last night. It was the dealer loaner vehicle for service. Excellent condition. Brand new really. Paid $21,568 out the door. I still have to pay the property tax though.....

All in all, it was a good deal. Its the 2023 Mazda 3 S Preferred edition. Sticker was $26,900.

Only thing is they gave me one key. Sales guy wasn't too interested in getting me another one. The business guy I signed papers with said he would get me one. Who knows. I do need another one though. Need to research how to do that. Prefer NOT to use dealership if possible ($$$$$). Anyone knows, let me know.

I love the interior of your Mazda3. They really upgraded interior from the 2018.
 
Alright. Narrowed it from 2 to 3

2016 civic 1.5t
2015 Mazda 3 S grand touring
2018 Malibu 1.5t

I missed that a Malibu was in the mix.

TBH I’d give the Malibu a hard look, especially if it has depreciated more and/or has lower miles. Let fools overpay for Japanese used cars, they’re a poor value in the secondary market. I also missed thst you were looking used vs. new…

The Malibu will be a more comfortable and spacious car. I’d really consider it unless a lot is equal with the others in terms of price, condition, etc.
 
I love the interior of your Mazda3. They really upgraded interior from the 2018.
Have put 1500 miles on it in the last 3-1/2 weeks. Smooth ride. I love it so far. Gas mileage not the best though. Averaging around 31 mpg. Mix of highway/city. Honestly, my only complaint.
 
Have put 1500 miles on it in the last 3-1/2 weeks. Smooth ride. I love it so far. Gas mileage not the best though. Averaging around 31 mpg. Mix of highway/city. Honestly, my only complaint.

Skyactiv 2.5L is thirsty especially on the highway.

No problem cause Mazda is a great driving car. Zoom Zoom.
 
This is off topic but I had a 2023 Mazda3 rental and took it up to 130 mph on an empty highway.

The car could not pass 130, it’s electronically limited.

Very smooth ride at 130….
 
I was the last person my friends expected to be in a Malibu. So far... really enjoying this car.

IMG-20240831-WA0002.webp
 
The problem with the Civic is the AC system. It WILL fail. The compressor seal and condenser both have a 10-year extended warranty. I'm not sure if this is transferable to the non-original owner, though. Also, the evaporator is prone to leaking, and that is NOT on warranty, and it costs $2200 to fix.
It is transferable to all owners of the car. I bought my 2016 Civic used in 2021 and immediately noticed that the AC was not working and the dealer replaced the condenser for free. They also said that that new unit has a ten year warranty as well.
 
Alright. Narrowed it from 2 to 3

2016 civic 1.5t
2015 Mazda 3 S grand touring
2018 Malibu 1.5t
How come you aren’t considering the 2.0 Civic? That way you don’t have to worry about fuel dilution. And the 2.0 with a CVT is very efficient. Look at my long term averages for my 2016 coupe:

IMG_7458.webp
 
How come you aren’t considering the 2.0 Civic? That way you don’t have to worry about fuel dilution. And the 2.0 with a CVT is very efficient. Look at my long term averages for my 2016 coupe:

View attachment 238992
I agree. The 2.0 Civic would be the choice for a longer term proposition for those worried about Turbo issues. As an aside, although my Malibu is well loved, my AC went out at 5k miles too. They said it isn't a common issue but there I was. So really, buy what you enjoy, OP.
 
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At what mile per hour are you getting that fuel economy ?
Most of my driving is in the 50-60 mph range actually. The fuel economy does drop quite a bit when I’m going 70-80 in this car (although it’s still better than 40 MPG) I also don’t use the AC very often either so that helps.
 
Most of my driving is in the 50-60 mph range actually. The fuel economy does drop quite a bit when I’m going 70-80 in this car (although it’s still better than 40 MPG) I also don’t use the AC very often either so that helps.
Do you check with fill up calcs ever? I find our Outback is pretty optimistic!
 
Most of my driving is in the 50-60 mph range actually. The fuel economy does drop quite a bit when I’m going 70-80 in this car (although it’s still better than 40 MPG) I also don’t use the AC very often either so that helps.

That explains your great gas mileage.

I agree the 2.0 NA Civic is a good car if the OP wants max gas mileage.
 
Do you check with fill up calcs ever? I find our Outback is pretty optimistic!
Mine is not too far off but I’m going to double check it again over the next few tanks as it was a while ago when I checked it manually. Even if it was off by 10% I would still be impressed though. That would still make it better than my 2006 Civic was.
 
Well I don't want to get stuck with AC repairs while I'm paying off a car, so now I just need to test drive a mazda 3 s grand touring and compare it to the malibu.
 
Well I don't want to get stuck with AC repairs while I'm paying off a car, so now I just need to test drive a mazda 3 s grand touring and compare it to the malibu.
ive had 2 malibus , a 2016 and 2021 , both were for the most part flawless running vehices , and roomy , if the 2018 still has the 6 speed ,i would take a hard look , and strongly consider
the cvt started in ther somwhere , which i had in the 2021 ,it got me where i had to go but didnt truely care for it
 
Anybody know if the 2016-current Malibus come with Hiper Strut front suspension?
 
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