corolla vs civic
 

hey guys..I'm gonna be needing a new car pretty soon. I think I've narrowed the choices down to either a corolla or a civic..both of them have pretty much the same features and are similar in price..the only thing that is somewhat different is that the corolla's engine is a bit more powerful than the civics..is there any one here that have bought both of these cars? I wouldn't mind hearing which of these two cars give more value for the money (ie., long-term maintenance, reliability). I was also looking at a nissan sentra but I just thought that it looked bland compared to either the corrolla or civic.

Any insights would be welcome.

well... what are you looking for in the car? the sentra is pretty nice power-wise. corolla has about 32 mpg i think so that's nice too. the civic... well i honestly hate all civics besides the Si so i can't really comment.

I'm not looking to resale the car 5 or 6 years down the line but to drive it till it can't be driven anymore so, probably the most important factors for me to consider in a car is its longevity - how long can it last before i have to start shelling out repair money every month, when it needs to be fixed - which one would cost less, and lastly - rust (i live in a climate where salt is heavily used in the winter)

Well, Honda has a reputation for their cars being driven 200,000 or 300,000 miles assuming regular maintence. My own Acura is at 198k miles and is 13 years old, still chugging along.

I don't think you can really go wrong with either car. I mean, both cars are so well known for reliability. It's the same decision between the accord and the camry. My wife and I had a 98 corolla purchased new for two years. It was fine. Got sold for a wrx wagon though.
You are just going to have to make a style choice, because neither car will do you wrong.

Go with the Civic. I adore mine. but I really want a hybrid...

Hondas are really popular around here, and they seem to last a very long time. We have two (one's an Integra, but still, the other a Civic) that are 12 and 13 years old, and still perfectly reliable. I'm closing in on 200K for the Integra, the Civic's still <100K because it's an around-town car, but I will say it's been parked on the street for 13 years and hasn't rusted yet, nor has the paint faded. I should add that it doesn't snow here...

Either is a nice car. If you're looking for a manual transmission, go with the Civic. If you want to have a lsting car, Hondas do seem to last forever. If you're looking to commute, a Civic hybrid may be a good choice.

None of the three is going to be exceptionally fast or sporty, but if you want to leave your options open for a few bolt-on performance or aesthetic additions down the road, anything Honda will serve you well. In addition, if you need a repair, there are plenty of Honda parts all over the place so you'll pay less than for the Corolla.

The Corolla won't stand out much more than the Civic, and blending in can either be good or bad depending on whether you want to be seen or not. Personally, if I'm not driving a sports car, I'd rather have something fairly nondescript.

Hard to really go wrong with either of those in a "drive it till it dies roll." I haven't purchased a new car, but my 73 Corolla is still plugging along. It's had an alternator, carb, brakes, oil, water, heater hose, clutch and starter put in it since my dad purchased it in 1975. A friend of mine had a 1982 Civic that finally gave up at about 180,000 miles. It had a clutch, alternator, brakes and tires replaced in that 180,000 miles.

I can only assume that if taken care of either new car ought to last 300,000 miles.

Look at insurance prices for both cars and decide with that. Many people forget to look at insurance costs for a particular car when they shop. I don't know the insurance cost for the corolla but I assume the civic would be more expensive since its most ricer's car of choice and most ricers do dumb things which may skew the insurance company's statistics. Just my 2 cents.

-Robert

more on that note...

look at TCO, total cost of ownership.

look at parts, look at maintenance, look at what it's going to take for you to keep that car on the road until the thing is finished.

it doesn't have to be right.. just some ballpark figure.

Re: corolla vs civic
 

Nissan's are really strong cars....my buddies dad bought a 2002 and all he's done to it was change the oil every 5000Km


thats why Im getting a Sentra but its up to you what you want!

Re: Re: corolla vs civic
 

while they all are good cars.... I see more old Corollas and Civics than I do Sentras... I'm talking pre 1990.

YMMV

Re: Re: Re: corolla vs civic
 

I never do look for the old ones....I talking 2000 and up!

Re: Re: Re: Re: corolla vs civic
 

sure but this person is looking to buy it new and then drive it into the ground...

I would personally go with the civic just cause it if ever brakes you can easily find parts (sometimes factory parts are expensive but the aftermarket world makes them have alot of options)

im pretty sure toyota parts are cheaper than honda parts. Also, at least where im from, civics are more desireable to car thieves so the insurance costs are higher.
My parents have a '94 corolla and the only major things we have needed to replace are the shock absorbers and the motor mounts..

thanks for all your input..i just checked out the insurance rates for both cars and my insurer said that a civic would cost me about 300 bucks more (something about higher theft rate)..so...i guess it's gonna be the corrolla..plus my significant other likes the feel of the toyota when she drove it.

The reason honda's have a really high theft rate is cause you can part them out and the parts fit many years of honda's and acura's my friend found that out the hard way when he insured his accord

the way gas prices are now I would consider a civic hybrid. they look like a regular civic unlike those nerdy priuses. just shave the hybrid emblems and youve got yourself a nice car with nice mpg.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: corolla vs civic
 

most people I know do that:D

doesn't the honda hybrid cost almost twice as much as a regular gas powered one? At what point would your savings kick in?

I drive a Corolla often and I can tell you they're not comfortable on long drives, and a pain in the ass to get in and out of you are over 6' and in the 250+ lb range. If driving alone tho they have nice pickup.

Can't really go wrong with either car.

But are top brands, and both are extremely reliable. I've owned both Hondas and Toyotas, and I've never been disappointed.

Get a Civic. If you decide to mod it later your choice of parts will be much larger. Plus they handle awesome and will last forever.

last forever?


my buddy blew his headgasket at like 100,000km and its only a 95.

both have great reputations for reailbilty. You do get more choices with the Civic (2d, 4d, HB, and a Hybrid with the 4d). So just find which ever you perfer.

I currently drive an older civic and love it. it has 188K on it and runs great (Knock on wood). However my older brother drives a camary (not a corolla, but similar) with about 170k in great shape.

So test drive them and get the one you want.

go used cheaper.....

sometimes!

Both are nice cars as many have stated. I personally own a 2000 Civic hatch. Car runs great, no hassles whatsoever. Maintained regularly and is rust free in our Toronto climate.

Corolla is too rounded for my taste; and the newer Civic looks strange. IMO, the 6th gen (96-00) Civic looks the best, only if you would go with an used car.

Good luck!

Avoid the Sentra '99, or any of the Sentras that look like it. Horribly underpowered. I should know, since I drive one.

Civic..high capability of being modded to the extremes ..( according to my friend who drives a crazy ass civic )

:)

I remember hearing that the Civic has pretty much the lowest cost to own over a 5 yr period or something like that, out there.

I bought a new corolla a couple of months ago. I have no complaints. The mileage is unbelievable, the handling is pretty decent. I went with the 5-speed so it is decently responsive. I have few complaints. Plus they are slightly less common than the civic. Personal preference I guess, but it was an easy choice for me

FYI the corolla is the most produced car in the world so it depends on where you live if they are less common. Here where I am I cant go 100 feet without seeing a Corolla. I even own a 95 Corolla its a nice car with great mpg when my o2 sensor was working. It handles good but its not a race car just like a civic. And if you want to make your car fast and be cheap get a civic (92-00). If it was japan it would be the other way around heh.Helllllooo Levin coupe. (no not ae86's but 101 and 111's)

defintley go for the honda cos if you decide to hot it up thers is crap load of aftermarket parts for them and you leave it standard they are reliable and economicle and the best part the have V-TEC

All of these cars are definitely better than the Proton crap I get back home. I'd rather drive my 20 year old Sunny than a Proton.

I'd go for the Corolla. Very comfortable in my opinion.

I think it comes down to personal choice. If you like the Corolla better, go with it. If you like the Civic better, buy it. Either car will be reliable and last quite a while.

Good luck.

both cars are fairly similar.
just decide what is most important to you (you said longevity).
do some research on it.

Test Drive It!- you dont want to get stuck with a car that you dont enjoy driving.

I just got a Toyota Corolla S 2002, 30k miles, full options, no accident history (checked on carfax) for $7000....not a bad deal at all...i too was weighing civic vs corolla for a decent daily driver (i'm a college student). This thread helped me and confused me lol...but once i saw this deal i was sold....and so far i have no regrets

edit:: and the fact that it was black with gray/black interior sealed the deal :thumbsup:

Congrats on the car. Sounds like you got it for a good price too.