does anyone have a 2006 or 2007 Corolla that they drive regularly? My gf is thinking about buying one in the next month, but we have read contrasting reviews. Her price range is $15k. Can you guys give me a few pointers on cars ~ this price range?

Cars she is thinking about so far:

Newer model corolla
3-4 year old civic

11/18/2006 7:38:27 PM

I like the 06 Civic if she can find one in her price range.

11/18/2006 7:49:01 PM

I drive an '06 Corolla (manual) that I LOVE. It was right at $15K I think but saves a ton of money with gas. It gets 40-41mpg straight highway and about 35-37mpg regularly. It's a really fun car, drives great - get a Corolla.

11/18/2006 7:50:13 PM

E36 M3!!!1!11!!1!!!!11!!111111!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

11/18/2006 8:01:43 PM

@chartreuse

I have heard that the front seats can be really uncomfortable and the engine is loud on the interstate...can you confirm this? Can you tell me your pros and cons about the 06 Corolla? Thank you VERY much!!

11/18/2006 8:14:40 PM

5 E30 325is !!!1!11!!1!!!!11!!111111!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

11/18/2006 8:16:56 PM

^^Didn't notice anything on the two very long road trips i've taken so far this year...really comfortable to sit in. Loud engine? Nope, not in mine.

Pros
-Good price for a brand new car (but I got mine with no extras! no power locks/windows, etc. just a CD player)
-Tilted gear shift, low and smooth clutch, easy to shift
-MPG!!!!!!
-Safety (can't remember the features specifically)

Cons
-A little small...not for a very tall person

Go test drive one! Trust me, you'll love it.

[Edited on November 18, 2006 at 8:31 PM. Reason : one more thing]

11/18/2006 8:31:00 PM

very nice.....we would be getting some of the options like power windows/door/locks.

Do you know the differences in the Corolla models (CE, S and LE)?

11/18/2006 8:35:30 PM

yeah, the CE is what I have - CD player, no power locks/windows and that was $15K - you're going to pay more with the options (I think it was something ridiculous like $800 just for locks and windows, not sure)

11/18/2006 8:42:19 PM

ouch, that's alot of $ for power locks/windows

11/18/2006 8:47:01 PM

Get a used Acura.

11/18/2006 9:59:07 PM

you pretty much can't go wrong with a rolla if you want basic reliable transportation. My parents have two. I love those things, and I'll probably get one when I can afford a new daily driver.

11/18/2006 10:51:32 PM

not to dissuade you from a corolla, but we just bought a Scion xB and couldn't be happier. Similar pricepoints, too.

it's a box, sure, but it gets great mileage and has a ton of room, especially in the rear seats. More legroom cannot be found in any car, I tell you.

oh, and you get ABS, traction control, all power, and some other goodies builtin to the stock model. Can't beat it.

[Edited on November 18, 2006 at 11:29 PM. Reason : ]

11/18/2006 11:27:35 PM

rolling kleenex box ftl

[Edited on November 18, 2006 at 11:54 PM. Reason : ]

11/18/2006 11:53:30 PM

http://www.westgateimports.net

11/19/2006 12:25:03 AM

Quote :

"E36 M3!!!1!11!!1!!!!11!!111111!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1"

lol, gg

11/19/2006 12:36:08 AM

Quote :

"More legroom cannot be found in any car, I tell you."

I should contribute more than just spam.

I've ridden in the 2-generations-ago civics and they felt roomy enough, comfortable, and pretty zippy (considering my friend driving it drove like a psycho).

I have ridden in the current-model corolla's and it felt a little smaller than the civics on the inside, had plenty of pickup based upon watching the speedometer (another pyscho driver, haha), kind of had uncomfortable seats (I would never want to ride on the back of that car on a long car ride), but overall seemed like a solid car based upon the owner's feedback.

If I had to pick between a corolla and a civic, I'd probably go with a civic if only because I like them more as personal preference.

[Edited on November 19, 2006 at 1:34 AM. Reason : I shouldn't spam as much, right?]

11/19/2006 1:16:20 AM

i think the brand new civic is more expensive too.

11/19/2006 2:31:10 AM

lol, yeah it's a kleenex box, toaster, etc., but my point is that you can't beat the legroom in the back seats (only in it's class, guys)... with the other standard options you get, it's really a pretty good deal, if you ask me.

But then again, what the hell do I know.

I like the seats, too. pretty nice and comfy, and I'm spoiled with my del sol seats, too.

the whole point I'm trying to make is for cruising the town, etc., it's a great car. and inexpensive, too. I've owned nice sedans and whatnot, but this is a nice change without sacrificing MPG.

[Edited on November 19, 2006 at 10:03 AM. Reason : woot]

11/19/2006 10:02:29 AM

desh, my mom has a new corolla. its great for her and the quality of the interior materials is great for such a cheap car, but i cant even drive the thing for more than a few miles without my leg falling asleep because of how i have to fold up to drive the car. its not excessively noisy on the interstate and i think the seats will probably be fine for someone that isnt tall.

and for $15k she can get a loaded corolla if she just goes a year older. i think my moms was only like $13k and its got all the options and had really low mileage, it was just a couple years old.

11/19/2006 10:35:08 AM

in my search for a cheap(ish) car to replace my a4... I checked out the corolla -S and my head rubbed the ceiling... same with the Scion tC which is a much sexier car...

11/19/2006 2:12:54 PM

goFigure, but you're like 6.5 feet tall.

11/19/2006 2:29:11 PM

1ZZ-FE in the Corolla has more standard horsepower (I think it's up to 130 now) than the non vtec civics. I'm not sure if that makes them faster.

11/19/2006 9:16:08 PM

I was in the similar price range last year when looking for a car (and this is all coming from a girl) ... my top picks were the 06 Civic, Corolla, Scion xA, and the Mazda3. I test drove all of them a few times while deciding.

I prefered the xA to the Corolla, which was my least favorite of the cars I was looking at. Noisiest, most uncomfortable, most boring interior/exterior, and the most sluggish. The xA was actually a fun little car to drive, and it had personality. The interior is bigger than it appears from the outside; even my dad was comfortable in the passenger seat. And he's no tiny man.

I ended up with the new Civic and it's amazing. Of the others I prefered the Mazda3 hatch, but the sedan is close to your gf's price range. It's a fun, zippy car, but the gas mileage isn't as good as the others (due to increased horsepower). But I'd also check out the new Yaris, because I think it's more similar to the xA than the Corolla? But I don't know if your gf wants something that small.

11/19/2006 10:38:44 PM

i'd take a yaris over an xA. those things are hideous.

11/19/2006 10:59:06 PM

Pick up this month's issue of Car & Driver. They did a econo car comparison of the Corolla, Civic, Rabbit, Sentra, , Hyundia Elantra, and Mazda 3.

FYI the Corolla came in 2nd to last place. Its pretty much the oldest car in the class. They called it the grandpa of the compacts in mood and years. They said the interior was nice, but they also said its loud on the highway, the seats aren't great, and the handling sucks. Now, for this comparison their target price was $18k, so results could vary a little bit I suppose if they were all strippers.

I'd check out all the cars from that comparison. I dunno who said the Corolla has more hp than the Civic, but the base engine for the Civic has 14hp more than the Corolla. Oh, and the Scion xB/xA are no longer produced.r

11/19/2006 11:28:00 PM

go test drive a rabbit

11/19/2006 11:31:58 PM

Indeed, I would recommend a VW rabbit as well, maybe even a slightly used new style jetta.

If Gas mileage is important, and she's ok with used, I would try and find a newer model Golf TDI (diesel). Buddy of mine has one and gets close to 50 mpg overall. Its a nice car to, and they freaking last forever.

11/20/2006 12:55:13 PM

i think im going to get an 07 civic this z06 is breaking my gas mileage balls.

[Edited on November 20, 2006 at 7:36 PM. Reason : 18mpg wtf!!1]

11/20/2006 7:36:12 PM

yeah but you will never get laid like you do now in the Z06

11/20/2006 7:47:41 PM

sure i will, im getting the plate nerdwhip

11/20/2006 8:10:47 PM

without reading this thread i'd say honda accord

11/20/2006 8:30:37 PM

Quote :

"I'd check out all the cars from that comparison. I dunno who said the Corolla has more hp than the Civic, but the base engine for the Civic has 14hp more than the Corolla. Oh, and the Scion xB/xA are no longer produced.r"

compared to the non vtec previous generation civic (117 I think) the corolla has more horse. I didn't realize that he would be getting a brand new civic if he did get one.

11/21/2006 1:27:54 AM

Desh, IM me later about it. Morgan drives a new Corolla and loves it, and its a very practical car. I feel a little cramped in it though and like Guth my foot/leg wants to fall asleep with the driving position. Good gas mileage, motor is a little loud for a 4-banger. It actually just sounds like it has more grunt than many similar cars I've ridden in. We've driven it to FL and it was great on the interstate. The ride feels a little stiff to me but you'll just have to drive a couple to see if you like it. Pretty good quality interior, although she has the LE. I think of it as "low-end". She is leasing though and paying ~190/month. I think purchase price was right around that $15k but I'm not sure on that.

11/21/2006 8:40:26 AM

Quote :

"I have heard that the front seats can be really uncomfortable and the engine is loud on the interstate...can you confirm this? Can you tell me your pros and cons about the 06 Corolla? Thank you VERY much!!"

I can confirm that the front seats are comfortable for at least 15 hours over two days of driving and the engine noise is not noticable at all. Seems like a great choice for an economical car that is safe and drives well.

11/21/2006 1:12:17 PM

acura or honda

11/21/2006 1:16:02 PM

^he's looking at a new car. So Acura's outta the range.

I'd consider a newly redesigned car over one thats been around for over 4 yrs (see Corolla).

11/21/2006 1:20:12 PM

i was just recommending a car

11/21/2006 1:32:22 PM

she ended up with a 2007 white Toyota Corolla.....just FYI...thx for all the help

12/4/2006 3:56:16 PM

she must be a real freak huh

12/4/2006 4:24:55 PM