Toyota Corolla vs. Honda Accord (Rav4 vs CRV also)

[Hawkeye-X]

First: a little background to this story..

My wife and I are looking into purchasing a car after the 4 year lease is up on our little Toyota Echo. Nifty little car, got into two accidents, fixed up, and has been purring since November of 2000 (Makes me wonder if the car is evil because it hasn't had one since * got selected). We have looked into two different Toyota brands, Camry and Corolla. We test drove both cars, and I thought the Camry was too big for me, and I wasn't quite ready for a full-size car. Corolla was a very comfortable fit, and very nice and loves us too. We then looked at Hondas, and we looked at Honda Civic EX but it was too expensive (at $18,600 before taxes? forget it), but my wife insists on looking at the Honda Accords although it would be slightly expensive, but it's within the price range we're anticipating for the next car. So that's the background.

Now, I want to hear your opinion on both cars, and also the smaller SUV's that Toyota (RAV4) and Honda (CRV) is also making. What are your opinions on them?

Here's what we are looking for in both cars:

1) Cruise control
2) ABS (A must for Colorado winters)
3) Side Air Bags (Toyota comes standard)
4) Daytime running lights (For insurance reasons - to keep costs down)
5) Keyless entry
6) Power windows/locks/steering
6) My wife insists on a remote starter - for reasons unknown to me, but she's the primary driver, not I.

Also, has anyone experienced trading in the leased car with maybe $2,000 worth of damage and got a great deal out of it? That's our situation. (The car itself is also over its leased mileage at about 55K, we are contracted for 48K for 4 years, but I think the way I'm paying for lease at $242, I should be able to get the 60K option too)

Also, we're looking into RAV4's and CRV's, and we'll be testdriving both Accords and CRV's tonight. Just wanted to know what you like or don't like about 'em.

Thanks!
Hawkeye-X

[Another Bill C.]

1. Which one

is made by union labor in the USA?

[Hawkeye-X]

4. Toyota uses some parts from California

at least that's what I see on their invoices.

Hawkeye-X

[Kolesar]

9. the NUMMI plant in Fremont, CA is UAW

http://www.nummi.com/us_roots.html

[Kolesar]

6. My Ford was made by union autoworkers in Essex, Ontario

I think it is the CAW--Canadian Autoworkers Union. The engine was made in Essex also. I think CAW should count.

(Sorry about the thread sidetracking)

[MissMillie]

2. Corolla and Accord not in same class

Corolla is to Civic
Accord is to Camry

[Hawkeye-X]

3. Yeah I know..

but we're going to try the Accord tonight. I know they are in the Camry class, but it looks smaller from the outside, so I don't know.

Also, which one lasts longer? A Toyota brand or a Honda brand? I don't want to buy another car for maybe 10 years.

Hawkeye-X

[MissMillie]

5. Either one will last you 10 years

as long as you take care of it.

I had a Civic that went 150K miles before I traded it in. My Corolla is nearing 160K, and going strong.

change the oil regularly.

[nannygoat]

13. I've had a similar experience

I got 300,000+ miles on my Honda Civic (original engine) and am up to 170,000 on my Toyota pick-up (I drive less now than I did with my Civic).

[GainesT1958]

12. I'm on my fifth Honda vehicle right now...

Three Accords; two CR-Vs. Starting with a 1983 Accord sedan, and going to a 1988 Accord DX sedan, a '94 Accord LX Wagon; a 1997 CR-V LX (bought used in 2000, but in great shape), and just traded it in May for a 2003 CR-V EX. I wouldn't trade either CR-V for ANYTHING! And I would likely have gotten another Accord in 2000, had my increasingly frequent back problems not given me a tough time getting out of an Accord (both the Accord and Civic are built lower to the ground than their Toyota counterparts). But one can't go wrong with either a RAV-4 or CR-V IMO; keep in mind that the CR-V does have slightly more cargo space. Mileage is good on both, too; especially when compared to other SUVs.

B-)

[damnraddem]

19. My last Honda (a Civic) lasted six years.

The Toyota that replaced it (a Tercel of its time) lasted 14. We've only had the Corolla that replaced it for four years, so don't know yet -- but it's going strong despite two accidents, one of which knocked the s___ out of its rear end.

[pmbryant]

7. We own both a Honda Civic and a Toyota Corolla

The Civic is a '99; the Corolla is a '00 model.

Both are great cars. Both will last an extremely long time if you take care of them.

Go with whichever feels best to you.

--Peter

[XNASA]

8. I've purchased a new compact car and a new small SUV....

....within the last 2 years. So I've been doing my research.

When I was shopping for a compact car, I looked at Civics, and Corollas, Proteges and Sentrys. Even test drove a Neon. I ended up buying a Mitsu Lancer ES. It had the most interior room of any compact. It handled great and came with a few standard features that were only available as options in the others (fold down rear seat, CD player, power windows, power mirrors, alloy wheels, fully independent suspension). It's got a 5 star crash rating and was very sturdy. I had it for 22 months and never had a single problem or rattle with it. I liked it a lot but I traded it in when it came time to buy a car for my wife. I couldn't see having two car payments.

I loved the Civic, but it's too ubiquitous. I wanted something a little different. The Corolla's back seat was too small. The Sentry's ride was really bad. And the interior fabrics reminded me of the circus.

Loved the Protege too. If I could have gotten a better deal, I might have bought one.

Small SUV's. We looked at no less than a dozen different SUV's. The RAV 4 was too small for us. And it drove like a hobby horse. The CR-V is impressive but we wanted something a little more luxo.

We bought a Mazda Tribute. Heated leather, moonroof, the works. It's the best small SUV on the market. We're really pleased and got 0% for 60 months.

Happy hunting.

[midnight armadillo]

10. A suggestion

Since I'm car buying myself (looking for station wagons) I've looked into all these options too, although my budget can't handle a new car.

I'd consider the Mazda Protege5 in your shoes. It meets your requirements, has plenty of interior room, and a nice big trunk. A friend recently bought a Protege sedan over a Civic/Corolla and is very pleased with it. More storage==more utility==less need to ditch the car down the road. Another small car that'd be available used in your price range would be a Subaru Impreza wagon (or the Outback Sport, same thing). The Subie has all wheel drive too. For that matter the new Mazda6 is a pretty bitchin' sedan.

Remote starters are an excellent way to cause premature wear and tear on the engine and insure it won't last for 10 years. Bad, bad idea - in the winter time, make sure you start the car, clean it off, and start driving immediately at low speeds for a few minutes before getting heavy on the gas. This will help the engine - idling for a long time to heat up (which is why I'm guessing your wife wants the remote starter) is not good for engine longevity.

For long term reliability: not much difference betwixt Honda and Toyota. Subaru is right up there as well, as is Mazda these days. The new Mazda3 is about to come out so there are probably good deals on the Protege5.

[TreasonousBastard]

11. Both are great and...

should last forever with resonable care. Buy for price and comfort. And note which gets better gas mileage.

There are some who argue that California Toyotas aren't as reliable as the older Japanese ones were, but that's likely just a canard with little to back it up. One person who made that complaint was talking about flat tires-- which have nothing to do with car quality.

The Honda WILL cost a bit more to maintain. Honda parts are more expensive, and if you use the dealer for repairs, they charge higher rates. According to the Car Guys, Honda dealers are the most expensive for repairs until you get into BMW and Mercedes dealers, where it gets insane.

Of course, with either car, there won't be much to fix for a long time.

Not to confuse the issue further, but in addition to Mazdas and Nissans, which are worthy contenders, everyone I know who bought a Hyundai recently loves it. They're cheap, reliable, and have that 100,000 mile warranty.

And you can't find a used Subaru around here. Nobody wants to get rid of them. Till death do they part.

[NoPasaran]

14. I bought a 2002 CRV a year ago

And I love it to pieces. It replaced a 1991 Civic which was still basically sound except for the upholstery on the driver's seat. The CRV has plenty of power when I need it and I sure enjoy sitting a little higher above the road. And after the rather spartan Civic (no radio!) the CRV is like a palace inside.

[amazona]

15. corolla a wonderful car

I have a gold package Corolla station wagen 1994. 120,000 miles. Never needs any but routine maintenance.

Our Honda was a Civic not an Accord but it needed an unscheduled maintenance around 60,000 miles for something to do with the distributor. Later models don't have this defect though, and the car otherwise ran perfectly and was sold with 180,000 miles on it within hours of taking out the ad when we received a new Toyota Camry. The AC was getting a bit iffy but it was otherwise fine.

We prefer our Toyotas mainly because even though Honda's problems weren't huge, the Toyotas seem to give no trouble at all. Also, Hondas are a popular car for thieves because their parts are interchangeable going back many years.

If they still make the Corolla station wagen, you can carry a lot of stuff, it has GREAT gas mileage, yet is fast and maneuverable, and you won't cause $50,000K worth of damage to someone else if you ever (heaven forbid) hit someone. Our insurance on it is very low. All-round a great car. They are hard to get used because people don't like to let go of them but as you say you are considering a new car, I think you will be very happy!

I never heard of anyone getting a good deal on a lease, even an immaculate one, so I'm no help there except to wish you luck.

[midnight armadillo]

16. Corolla wagon == Toyota Matrix

I took my 1991 Camry to 186,000 miles with no major issues. original clutch til 175k :-) I finally sold it since I didn't really need it due to the commuter rail and it had a dying water pump.

The new Corolla wagon is the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe. I drove one, the dash is terrible (form over function) but the use of interior space is quite nice.

[jburton]

17. Subaru Forrester

It seemed to be the official car of Colorado when I was there. A friend had one that was quite nice. Bought it in Dallas and drove it to home (Denver) and saved two grand.

[damnraddem]

18. I can't give an opinion on both.

But our Corolla is great, though a bit small. If the size is fine with you, then a Corolla is a good option. We test drove it and some Ford in the same price range, and there was just no comparison on quality -- Corolla won hands down.

And Toyota has a factory in Fremont, CA. I don't know about Honda. But I do know that our Dodge Caravans are built in Canada. So much for 'American' brand names -- or choices between 'Japanese' cars.

[Rabbit of Caerbannog]

20. it may be out of your price range...

But have you considered the Toyota Prius (Hybrid)? Heavily subsidized by Toyota, you can get in one for just over $20,000 - BUT it qualifies for a $2000 federal tax break AND it gets EPA rating of 55 MPG! I've driven it and it's totally cool (IMHO)

http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/2004/prius/ has a fuel saving calculator that will tell you how much you'll save in gas over whatever you're driving now.

[Nlighten1]

21. I own 2 Accords.

One of them I have had since 1992 (195,000 miles on it). So I am a bit biased about this. Get the Honda you won't be sorry.