Originally Posted By: Saturn_Fan
Originally Posted By: grampi
Originally Posted By: Saturn_Fan
Originally Posted By: grampi
H2GURU
I have to agree the Corolla is tough to beat, or even match. Considering the overall package (purchase price, fuel economy, reliability, ride comfort, etc.) few cars compete. I would have to say the '03-'08 Corollas and '02-'05 Civics are almost dead even in all these areas except one; for some reason Civics seem to be priced anywhere from $1K-$2K more than the same year Corollas with all other vehicle aspects being the same or comparable (mileage, options, trim levels, vehicle condition, etc). I haven't quite figured out why Civics hold slightly more retail value than do the Corollas. If there would have to be an edge given to one vehicle or the other, I would say it would have to go to the Corolla for two reasons; the Corolla's engine has a timing chain as compared to the Civic's timing belt (which needs to be replced every so often), and the Corolla's engine makes more torque at lower RPM's. The Civic engine really needs to rev to make any power.
However, if we move up to the '06 and newer Civics, it's clearly a superior car to the '03-'08 Corolla. I can't speak for the '09 Corolla as I know little about it and I haven't yet test driven one.
How is the 03-08 Corolla not compare to an 06 Civic? My 08 Corolla is quiet, torquey engine, rides smooth, and gets almost 40 mpg. Just curious Grampi what makes the Civic a superior car to the 03-08 Corollas, which I have seen several of the 03's and 04's with 150K+ with no problems. From 1998 on, the Corolla has the same engine 1ZZ-FE. I am not following you on that one.
I guess I should've clarified. My bad. I basically meant it's superior in design by having much nicer exterior lines, a better laid out interior, nicer dash controls and instrument panel layout, a 5 speed automatic, and slightly better highway fuel economy. It's just a more modern designed package overall. I didn't mean it's any more reliable or the build quality is better than that of the Corolla's as that's just not the case. To me, the new Civic is a more desireable car whereas the Corolla is more appliance-like, and in the case of the Corolla, there's certainly nothing wrong with being appliance-like.
For the record, the Corolla's engine isn't the same from '98 on. In 2000 the Corolla's engine got variable valve timing, which the '98 and '99 models didn't have. In '03 the engines had VVTI and HP increased from 120 to 130. The '06 and newer Civics have 140 HP.
Thanks for the clarification grampi. I know what you are saying, but the lines of the car and the dash layout is very subjective. I happen to think the latest Civics are fuuggly. I happen to think that the dash layout on the Corolla is easy to use and right at your fingertips. HVAC controls are huge and easy to turn and understand. The seats in my Corolla feel like a big couch and are very cushioned. Finally, I don't have a lot of faith in the latest reliability of certain Honda automatic transmissions.
We can agree to disagree on this, but that's what makes it fun to be a BITOGer!
Have you driven a new Civic? If not (and it sounds like you haven't), you should. They're very nice cars.