Which is the better choice, a Honda Civic or a Toyota Corolla?
I have always preferred Toyotas although they were Camrys. Last month I bought a new 2000 Honda Civic LX 4 dr. sedan. I have had zero problems with it and get 34 MPG with a 1.6L engine and 4speed auto, despite the A/C being on all the time.
But if I could have got a Camry for the same price (13,325) I probably would have bought the Toyota. I have has a bunch of them and no problems at all.
My last two cars were (tah-dah!) a Toyota Corolla and a Honda Civic. O’ course, I’m talking about a 1985 Corolla and a 1989 Civic, so this might not be applicable to your question, if you’re planning on buying new.
My Corolla had 206,000 mile on it before I totalled it. Other than routine maintenance (tires, brakes, exhaust, plugs, oil, filters, timing belt, fluids), I had to replace a transmission gear and an alternator.
My Civic has 312,000 miles on it. Other than routine maintenance, I had to replace a clutch, alternator, and parking brake. I’ve also been living with a worn tie rod end (I think) for about 150,000 miles, and non-working AC.
So I think you’d do OK with either, although I lean toward the Civic.
I lean Civic as well. I drive an 88 Civic with 98,000 miles, and have only been to the shop for bad cv joints around 90,000. My sister drives a 91 Corolla, which is either running poorly or refusing to pass emissions. It has only 75,000 miles.
I think that Honda’s are that bit dearer, especially the mid nineties models. I’ve seen Carinas with favourable prices compared to same year Civic’s.
I have had both a Toyota (Camry) and Honda (Accord). Both are super cars - utterly reliable.
IIRC, Consumer Reports calls the contest, essentially, a draw.
One bonus. Both have great resale value too.
I thought Honda was better but my mother’s Toyota long outlasted my Civic. Both are economical pretty good little cars. I think the Nissan Sentra is a pretty good little compact car too.
Needs2know
Just to repeat what everyone else has said: You can’t make a mistake, either way.
We just sold our third Honda (back down to two). It was a 93 Civic and its resale value, even at 7 years, was something to get gleeful about. I think Toyotas are the same.
i bought a 94 civic in 1996 and have never once regretted the purchase. it’s a hatchback and you would not believe the amount of stuff you can fit in there. it easily fits two mountain bikes w/gear and a passenger.
I’ve had 2 Civics and loved them both. I traded in the 10-year-old Civic on a new one in '92, and only got rid of that one because I suddenly found myself 4 years later with 3 kids and a big dog…had to break down and get a station wagon…the Mom’s Taxi kind of thing.
The hatchback is much bigger than it looks. You wouldn’t believe how much you can fit back there.
My mother has a 6-year-old Camry and the POS is nickel-and-diming her to death. $100 bucks here, $150 bucks there…it adds up!
I bought a 94 Corolla in 96, and it has ben a gem. I had to replace the alternator on it last year, and that is the other maintenence I’ve had on it other than wear and tear items (tires/brakes/etc.). 400 more miles to go before it hits 150,000 miles. It shows no signs of slowing down.
In terms of reliability and safety, they’re equal. So what it comes down to is looks.
The Civic is offered as a coupe and as a sedan, whereas the Corolla is only offered as a sedan. So, if you’re into the 2 door look, the Civic is would be the way to go.
Also, the Si model of the 2000 Civic ups the HP to 160, whereas the highest model of the Corolla (the VE) maxes out at 125 HP. So there’s another thing – if you’re into performance, go with the Civic Si.
Questions seeking opinions such as this one are best served by the forum “In My Humble Opinion.” I’ll move the thread over there.
Oh, and they’re both too small to make a decent taxicab.
If you’re considering new models, check to see what the fuel requirements are for each of them. I’m too lazy to get my latest Consumer Reports, but if one takes regular and the other requires premium, that would make a significant difference in the operating costs for the life of the car.
There is one BIG difference. Toyota dealers are all crooks. Toyota has consistently rated dead last, by a good margin, in customer satisfaction with the deal. Honda is not a lot better. Why not try a Saturn SL2? About the same car, and you will NOT get rip-offed or scammed. Everyone who I know who has a saturn, including me*, has been WAY happy with both the car and the Dealer.
Oh, and my Dad used to be a car salesman, so I know the tricks, but they still pull them anyway. If you really just gotta have a Honda, then go thru a broker.
- and several of my freinds, one family now has 2.
I agree with Daniel.
I had 2 Civics (see my other post) but now drive a Saturn station wagon. I love it.
Some people think Saturns are plastic junk (I’ve heard then called the “Tupperware of cars”), but I more than happy with mine.
The August 2000 Consumer Reports has an article on car repair comparisons. As has been pointed out, the Honda and Toyota are near draws.
Daniel’s post brought up a memory: Toyota dealers as a group really have racked up the most compalints from Conumer Union members.
What a polite, helpful crowd we are!
If you’re looking for infighting and namecalling on the great Honda vs. Toyota debate, go to the edmunds.com car message boards. Mighty entertaining.
Anyway, I have a 98 Honda Civic DX. It has 27,000 miles so it’s too soon for an overall assessment. Though I had to get the broken odometer fixed this week. Did you know that if you hit the trip odometer while the car is moving you break the odometer? According to the mechanic it’s a Civic thang.
I did upgrade the tires from basic Firestone to Michelin all-weather and find it brakes better on slick roads now. The rear seat folds down so it has a good amount of storage space. All in all, so far so good.
I’ve had five Hondas: Three Preludes, an Accord and a Civic, and would recommend them to anyone. I never had a problem with any of them and got great trade-ins for all. As a matter of fact, I traded in my 96 Civic for the car I have now (99 Acura) and because of the low mileage I had on the Civic and because of the great re-sale value, I was able to trade it in about 8 months before the lease was up. I have to say developing a great relationship with the local Honda/Acura dealership has not hurt me at all in my car buying/leasing experiences. They have treated me great.
I have the same model year and mileage! Thanks for the tip about the odometer–I think I’ve done it but must have been lucky.
When I was looking in Aug 1998 I thought the Civic and Corolla were equivalent and I wanted the Corolla but I found out the engine had been recently redesigned and wasn’t proven to be the reliable engine it used to be. My Civic has been good so far, but too early to tell. I am encouraged by all the old Civics I see around though.