Hatchback of choice, pros, cons, etc.

F

FreedomOne

Joined
Mar 10, 2021
Messages
250
Currently still driving my 13 Prius C, 183k miles, original battery. Roof is pretty much void of clear/paint. Not in the greatest shape but does have a relatively new inverter due to deer strike, and new shocks struts/springs. So looking at some other hatchbacks. Use is daily, trips to farm, fits Stihl backpack fogger standing up, chainsaws etc. It gets loaded down. I have other vehicles but I like driving the smaller car.

Options:
Corolla Hatch, including GR. Rear hatch considerably lower than the C.
Mazda 3,Cx30, probably too nice for what it will be used for.
Subaru Crosstrek, more utilitarian but seems like a fair amount of reported issues on the forums.
Golf GTI?. Not sure

Or maybe try to find a last model year C?

Any thoughts.
 
Keep what you got? Get a cheap spray on the roof and keep fixing it, especially if you like it?

Got a budget? New or used? Miles per year? 183 on a 13 year old car, not a lot of driving, so hybrid may or may not have good ROI, but you might want one anyhow.

Is rust a problem in your area?
 
The manual Corolla gr is really a tuned rally car and would seem to be overkill but hey. GTI Is sporty and fun if that's what you want. What about a tdi jetta sportwagen? 40 mpg tons of space and relatively cheap.
 
I actually tried putting a couple coats of clear on the roof and it went poorly. I split mileage between 3 vehicles so probably 10k a year now. In the South so no rust issues. Still burns no oil and gets 50+ mpg but eventually I'm gonna get the battery code pop up, $2500-3000 for battery, $1000 for painting roof maybe, needs new tires soon $600.

Looking new most likely unless I search out another C.
 
97prizm said:
The manual Corolla gr is really a tuned rally car and would seem to be overkill but hey. GTI Is sporty and fun if that's what you want. What about a tdi jetta sportwagen? 40 mpg tons of space and relatively cheap.
Click to expand...

I looked some for a SportWagon but haven't really seen any in great shape and I don't know how the recall update affected mileage. GR seat was comfortable but also expensive.
 
FreedomOne said:
I actually tried putting a couple coats of clear on the roof and it went poorly. I split mileage between 3 vehicles so probably 10k a year now. In the South so no rust issues. Still burns no oil and gets 50+ mpg but eventually I'm gonna get the battery code pop up, $2500-3000 for battery, $1000 for painting roof maybe, needs new tires soon $600.

Looking new most likely unless I search out another C.
Click to expand...

Have it painted (by a professional) and keep driving it.

Hybrid battery? Tires? That's part of the game.

Or spend $40k+ on a GR Corolla.
 
FreedomOne said:
I actually tried putting a couple coats of clear on the roof and it went poorly. I split mileage between 3 vehicles so probably 10k a year now. In the South so no rust issues. Still burns no oil and gets 50+ mpg but eventually I'm gonna get the battery code pop up, $2500-3000 for battery, $1000 for painting roof maybe, needs new tires soon $600.

Looking new most likely unless I search out another C.
Click to expand...
Understood. Usually cheaper to keep fixing what you have, as most repairs will not come all at once--but sometimes it's the last repair that breaks the camel's back.

Can't help you, other than, new Corolla's (and for some time now) only come with CVT's. The eCVT in the hybrid, not a problem, those are robust (just like in your C). The one behind the 1.8L engines, they seem fine, as is the one behind the 2.0, however the one with the 2.0 has a "launch" gear that supposedly wakes up the car. Doesn't bother me but my Corolla is a snooze-fest. And I really dislike how Toyota really does not want me to put a trailer hitch on the car, not even for a bicycle rack. I can get one, but it does not look like it is going into anything substantial.

And I dislike how the 1.8's get a 100mm bolt pattern but the larger engine ones get the 114mm. Means I can't swap rims between my Corolla and my Camry! Annoying! Don't get me started on the annoying and idiotic warning messages that the stupid LCD display likes to toss about the roads might be icy this time of year... my least favorite car ever.
 
FreedomOne said:
Having a simple no nanny car is kind of nice also I guess.
Click to expand...
Yeah there's days that I miss them.

OTOH I was using the adaptive cruise control while going down into MA, and it was kinda nice, automatically taking care of business while traffic alternated between 30mph and 70mph. And plugging in my phone so as to have a GPS for directions to someplace that I've never been was real nice too.

But I HATE the fact that every morning my car has to remind me that the roads might be icy. I'm driving on an inch of snow and ice, roads white with either salt or snow, but you know what, I'm soooo glad that the car was telling me of the bleeding obvious...
 
Do you need a certain amount of space? Is gas mileage a priority or concern? :unsure:

The Corolla hatch is the best choice if you want a brand new hatchback. Unfortunately, they don't make sell the hybrid hatch in the US :(

Subaru has an Impreza hybrid (non-Crosstrek) hatch also.

Honda also has a Civic hybrid hatchback that's worth considering. The Civic hybrids don't have the turbos of other Civics.

You can spray on some new clearcoat if that's the only reason you're getting rid of the car you have now :)
 
If you’re only going by what’s listed, Mazda CX30. (Even then, the hatchback opening is narrow and the back seats limit cargo.)

The Mazda 3 hatchback will not be the best for hauling Stihl backpack foggers, chainsaws, etc, out to the farm. (Smaller than the CX30)

A GR? 😂

What’s the most important thing to you? Cargo space? Looks?
 
I keep the rear seats folded down always. Gas mileage isn't a priority but the Cs was nice. Even the wife is not thrilled with it's condition anymore. Yeah the GR would be different and I don't drive fast so wasted really. But at least I could get up and going quicker. A combination of the above.
 
Paint is shot on my Mazda 3 and I did the vice grip garage wipe on clear to preserve the "patina"... Its actually held up really well except the old clear has continued to fail.. Where I got it on paint with no clear its done well. I think I'm going to let it go and drive the CRV when we get my wife something new. Will be sad to loose the little hatch though.

No bad options on your list I'd drive them and pick the one you liked best.
 
Only small cars I ever owned were a 1986 Chevy Chevette that I got from a co-worker for like $200 because it needed a clutch and a 2010 Honda Fit that I bought brand new. The Chevette I only bought cause was cheap and rear wheel drive. The Honda Fit was great for parking downtown Chicago and I loved that little car and threw a bunch of accessories on it Mugen etc...

The GR Corolla or VW Golf R are two small cars that I've thought look like fun but at a price tag. I'm currently driving a CX-5 turbo and I love the thing so if ya don't wanna spend the GR or Golf R kind of cash Mazda 3 or CX-30 can be a lot cheaper or a little cheaper if ya pick the top trim, turbo etc...

If the goal was just smoking the tires I'd probably pick...

1)VW Golf R
2)GR Corolla
3)Mazda 3
4)Mazda CX-30

If the goal is functionality I'd probably go CX-30 or bump up to the 2025 CX-5 as a small SUV that still moves good with the turbo. 2026 CX-5 is a compete redesign so possible ya could get a deal on a 2025 at a dealer overstocked with them.
 
If you just need good mileage and a big hatch, Golf Sportwagen or Alltrack. I would go for the long roof models over an R/GTI for that use case. Also easier to find one that hasn't been molested. IMHO as far as the VW options go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom