Cool beans, YaWhateva. Just make sure the accelerator pedal doesn't stick and you'll be alright. /recall joke

Wait... you get 45 MPG out of a 2010 Mazda3? Riiight. Does it have a Mr. Fusion on it or what? :orly:

Once you drive a Toyota, you'll never stop.

*rimshot*

haha that was a good one

If you're even considering a Corolla then you're a Corolla guy, so I am not going to try to talk you into some "cooler" alternative. Your priorities are clear, which is fair and sensible.

The Corolla is the boring but utterly dependable and economical choice. Had them, loved them, would totally recommend them. The thing will still be running like a sewing machine in ten years' time and when you sell it the resale will be high.

The other posters make very good points, especially about buying a quality used one WITH PROPER SERVICE HISTORY (I say that because you don't want a high miler that hasn't had belts etc, or had them done by an idiot).

So, in summary:

1) Buy used with good history
2) Cheap to run (gas, service, insure etc)
3) Ultimately sell with good resale

You'll enjoy reliable, comfortable motoring for a comparatively very low total cost of ownership.

---------- Post added at 01:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:57 PM ----------


You'll drive Toyotas for a while, when sensible/economical is your top and only priority.

Then, when things like speed, power, chicks etc move up the list of your automotive Maslowian hierarchy of needs, you'll realize Toyota has nothing to offer and will go elsewhere.

Or you'll buy something else to accompany the econobox.