Honda Civic 2006 or Toyota Corolla 2006.

[thinkharder]

Hi Guys,

I'm in the market of buying a brand new car. Honda just released the 2006 Civic, while Toyota released its version of the Corolla back in 2003. In terms of value for the money and reliability, which car would you suggest?

FYI - Honda has a horrible reputation for tranny problems. I think I read in a recent news report somewhere that they're recalling like 600, 000 cars or something. The Civic 2006 already was recalled due to an accelerator gas pedal problem (not looking good). So far, I don't know of any recalls on the Toyota.

I'm planning to purchase a new car (Civic / Toyota) and use it for about 5 years so I can sell it and purchase a new car again. Someone mentioned to me to buy used, but then the resale value wouldn't be as high.

Comments are welcome :)

[The General]

Hello and welcome to our forums.

Teething problems are not unusual when an all-new car is introduced on the market. If anything, I would prefer to get a recall for my Honda than for my Pontiac... It is true that Honda has had some transmission problems in the past but I doubt that they will come back to haunt them. I am certain that if something goes wrong, Honda will deal with the issue swiftly.

The new Civic feels great. It has an amazing chassis and great driving dynamics. The cabin is nice and modern and you really feel like you are getting substance for your money.

The Corolla is also very nice though it is beginnig to show its age. The engine is raspier and louder but it remains fun to drive.

The sure bet is the Corolla and probably will always be. The Civic is simply more alive.

I would get the Civic.

If you buy used, you will pay less. Consequently, you will get less. Depretiation will not be as strong compared to buying new and reselling 5 years later.

[jww]

I'd pick the Civic over the Toyota. To me the north american Corolla was outdated the day it hit the showroom floors. The new Civic is solid, nicely put together, drives well, and has better interior space than the Toyota by a large margin. I am not sure if it's actually bigger oR if it's simply a case of using the space better.

I have always found Corolla's to feel way too small. In the Matrix - which is really a cleverly disguised Corolla wagon - is the only Corolla which I have ever felt any semblance of comfort in.

jww

[thinkharder]

The biggest qualm about the Civic is its quality. I've heard that Honda got lazy over the years with their vcivic line (their 2001-2005 Series) had so many problems...people who bought them have told me time and time again never to buy a Civic. I think that Honda's quality is steadily decreasing, as such that they dont make better engines (smaller, compared to Toyotas0>

Also, a big problem in the long run about the Honda Civic is its LED Speedometer. LEDSs have a verrry limited lifespan.. I can't bare to imagine what would happen if it were to fail after the warranty expired.

[The General]

Civics had suspension problems in 2001-02 and a few electrical glitches in the same years.

Honda does not design smaller engines because they are trying to keep the costs down. Think about it. Honda is able to put out as much hp out of a 1.8L as others with a 2.0L or even a 2.2L. A smaller engine means less fuel consumption and more technology.

Digital speedos may have been a problem in the 80s and early 90s. I would not concern myself with the Civic's display.

[anselmo1]

Without a doubt, buy the Corolla. Just purchased a 2006 Corolla S after doing a lot of homework. First of all, the Toyota is double insulated and the Civic is not. You will hear a lot of tire and road noise with the Civic as compared to the Corolla.

As far as reliability, I would take Toyota any day over Honda. I have owned Toyotas and Hondas and without a doubt, Toyota is far better built.

[thinkharder]

Thanks for everyone's sound advice.
I have made my decision and decided to go with a Chevy Cobalt (reliable, beautiful, and powerful).

Woot Woot. Waiting for the delivery in Jan.

[jww]

Wow - that's what I would say a bit of a 180 turn. From Honda/Toyota to Chevy? Hope you got the sport model.

Enjoy your new vehicle.

jww

[wasabi4ever]

LOL that was funny.
He was hestitating between the 2 not sure which is a better pick.
Ended up picking the worse out of the 2 and go a cobalt.

[apl16]

good luck....i hope you don't need it. corolla or civic would have been a much better choice.

[thinkharder]

HI

I came back with an update! The Chevy Cobalt as been horrible (many problems...servicing to the dealership). Many engine noises!

I feel bad.

[jww]

HI

I came back with an update! The Chevy Cobalt as been horrible (many problems...servicing to the dealership). Many engine noises!

I feel bad.
Sorry to hear of your problems. What drove you (no pun intended) to go with the Cobalt over the Corolla or Civic?

jww

[thinkharder]

Here are the several reasons:

1) Civic - brand new car (teething problems). Common first-year problems.

2) Corolla - old model (lots of starting up problems..transmission failures, etc).

This was told to me by a GM representative.

[jww]

Here are the several reasons:

1) Civic - brand new car (teething problems). Common first-year problems.

2) Corolla - old model (lots of starting up problems..transmission failures, etc).

This was told to me by a GM representative.
Well - I don't want to knock you when your down about your purchase, but I really think that your sales rep gave you a real bum steer on both the Corolla and Civic. GM hasn't been able to compete with the higher quality of Japan for some time now.

It rarely pays to trust comments from a sales rep bashing a competing brand - it's almost expected. You can almost always use how a car sales rep talks about their compeition as an indicator of what they know of the industry in general. And don't let them industry name drop - it always pays to do your own research and form you opinions first. I am always impressed with a rep who knows the competition, their models, the ups and downs, without getting into the "they aren't as good as my car is".

Car sales is generally seen as a pretty dowdy business - either hiring from the bottom of the proverbial sales candidates barrel or losing their best reps to other industries after investing in them.

It's a drag to be going through buyer's remorse - that's a real bummer.

jww

[thinkharder]

I feel complete buyer's remorse now.

I have so many problems and this car is under 50K
Numb electric steering, droning exhaust note, power windows sometimes didn't work. Also..I had to replace the muffler and the car's battery. Radio also didn't work as well as the LCD clock went south.

OMGG

[jww]

I feel complete buyer's remorse now.

I have so many problems and this car is under 50K
Numb electric steering, droning exhaust note, power windows sometimes didn't work. Also..I had to replace the muffler and the car's battery. Radio also didn't work as well as the LCD clock went south.

OMGG
And this is a brand new car? You oughta start keeping track of your issues and look into lemon laws.

Sorry to hear your bad news - there are few possessions that can create the euphoria of a new car. But there is nothing worse than having your anticipation and expectations dashed to the ground by a poor product.

jww

[pogs]

Civics had suspension problems in 2001-02 and a few electrical glitches in the same years.

Honda does not design smaller engines because they are trying to keep the costs down. Think about it. Honda is able to put out as much hp out of a 1.8L as others with a 2.0L or even a 2.2L. A smaller engine means less fuel consumption and more technology.

Digital speedos may have been a problem in the 80s and early 90s. I would not concern myself with the Civic's display.

General,

It's funny you that you mentioned the suspension problems. My brother has a 2002 civic and the suspension is horrible. If he drives over potholes, bumps or railroad tracks you have to slow down to a crawl...otherwise the car feels like it's going to fall apart. BANG!!!! The first time I actually thought he broke the rims or something in the axel. I thought something was wrong with his car, but then driving my brother in-laws Acura EL and my mother in-laws Ford Focus station wagon...none of the railway tracks or potholes were noticeable.

So my question is, did he just get a lemon of a civic? Or was the 2002 civic just built with very poor suspension?

By the way, am I correct in assuming that the suspension takes care of potholes and the road surface issues?

pogs

[pogs]

Here are the several reasons:

1) Civic - brand new car (teething problems). Common first-year problems.

2) Corolla - old model (lots of starting up problems..transmission failures, etc).

This was told to me by a GM representative.



OMG,

Are you serious? You read the advice of people on this board, then went to the dealerships and took the salesmans advice? And now you are regretting it? Wasn't there anyone, such as friends or family that could help you make a decision?

I mean in general everyone knows that for reliability you go foreign, such as Honda or Toyota.

It seems almost unbelievable that you came here to get advice and then went against our advice, because the salesmen happened to be very sincere and persuasive. Oh my head hurts.

Sorry I am not being mean, but I am shocked and appalled.

My bro bought his civic 4 years ago and other than the suspension, it's been great. However, we visited 6 dealerships in TO area before we got the deal he could live with.

For next time always, always do you research. If you aren't sure, ask and double check the answers the dealership is giving you.

This situation sounds like the time another person was buying a computer for the first time and asked for reccomendations. Everyone told this person not to buy from this one particular store, because it's service and dis-honest sales tactics were well known. What do you know, this person comes back on the discussion boards a few days later and announces that he got a great deal from the computer store. Then a few days later he was back on the boards complaining about the second rate parts and problems with the store. Geez, I just don't get it. Why on earth would you give your hard earned cash to people without doing proper research?

Sorry folks, I'm rambling.

pogs

[apl16]

sorry to hear of your problems...........from my experience, sales reps that dis a car are actually considering them to be their tough competition............i must admit that a recent conversation with a toyota sales guy had him praising the honda ridgeline and the new civic...........he really wants a new corolla and a decent sporty car to sell

[supermike]

I had 2 corollas in my young life and both of them were unkillable. I sold one of them to buy a new japanese car and crashed the other one. 250 000 km + (without chg the motor). My friend dad work as a meat inspector and he is working on the road with an 1989 corolla belive me or not the car have more than 450 000 km and no motor chg and just a bit of rust on it. (in my opinion its the best years of production for the corolla they seem to be a bit less reliable after 1992 but still lot better than american cars). One of my friend own a vantilation companie last day he gave me an explanation regarding japanese philosphie vs the american one.

He said one of my customer pass by in my show room to buy an air exchanger. I have 3 different products for him, one really cheap about 1500$can and I will not recommand it at all. The second one is a kind of midle range products about 2500$can good quality but still not the best. The third one is the Cadillac of air exchanger 5000$can good product an very reliable (never broke). He said : Mike I will try my best to sell the midle range one and if the custmer wanna have the Cadillac I will still recommanding the midle range product. I said how come, you lose about 2500$ if you sell the midle range product. His answer was : the midle range product is more attractive cause the tag price is cheaper and I dont tell to the customer but after 3-4 years one of the belt inside the motor will broke out. And you know what Mike, I am the only provider on the Montreal south shore. The client is going to pay big money to swap this belt for a new one an i have a werehouse full of those belt ready to be install. He is an honnest guy but he has to make money like every one of us.

Same thing for an american car, price tag and parts are cheaper but at the end you will need to swap the part twice instead of once for a japanese vehicule. They can probably build those car to be more kind of lifetime reliable but they are gonna lose big money.

In conclusion its unfortunate for you because you should have buy a japanese car instead of an american with loose bolts (nissan, toyota, honda, mitsubishi, suzuki, subaru)

sorry for my bad english im french and I have nothing against american products 3/4 of what I own is produce by the american empire its only a car issue.

good luck

Mike