Demio 1.3 auto vs Corolla 1.3 auto

itarumaa

Hi,

I´m thinking to buy one of those cars,

so either
Mazda Demio 1.3 auto or
Toyota Corolla 1.3 auto

both around 98 models,

of those car models, what would be better choice?

I was planning to pay around 3-4k,

I drive maybe 25 miles in day, both backroads and some city driving as well, reliability, immob. power streering etc is a must, don´t care so much about handling or looks. If I would I would buy Alfa instead:)

colm_mcm

they're both going to be similar performance wise. The Demio has a better driving position, but the interior is quite poor even compared to the Corolla.
I'd say the Corolla, mainly because parts are cheaper and it's less ugly. but it's very close.

tuxy

Why an auto when you mostly drive on backroads?

colm_mcm

why not! what is this country's obsession with having to change gear?!

fletch

itarumaa wrote:

I drive maybe 25 miles in day, both backroads and some city driving as well, reliability, immob. power streering etc is a must, don´t care so much about handling or looks. If I would I would buy Alfa instead:)

I think you should care about handling if you are using backroads....in which case I would choose the Corolla over the Demio as it's not so top heavy.

cantdecide

colm_mcm wrote:

why not! what is this country's obsession with having to change gear?!

It's probably related to the obsession with city cars in rural areas.

Here you go,
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=781999
Auto car fit for a king (on a budget). This is a superb car on back roads.

colm_mcm

are we confusing handling with comfort?

cantdecide

multilink front suspension- a little understeer but great stability

Esel

cantdecide wrote:

Here you go,
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=781999
Auto car fit for a king (on a budget). This is a superb car on back roads.

The OP wants a 1.3, you are recommending a 1.8. Nice car though.

cantdecide

My advice is basically that going by the OPs requirements, they are a not being truthful with themselves.

1.3 are city cars and they're doing high miles on back roads.

My suggestion is a far better option if you want a the best bang for your buck IMO

louie

I'll say stick to Toyota as is a lot more reliable then Mazda.

pburns

louie wrote:

I'll say stick to Toyota as is a lot more reliable then Mazda.

Not in my experience!

In fairness both of these makes have very good reputations in this regard...

louie

Yes they do indeed. I drove a mazda 323F for about a year and love it, but when it came down to parts, it was a lot more expensive then I was fixing the Celica which in turn didn't break-down as often as the Mazda.

Talking from experience so accurancy of the above post is low.