Help me chose between a Corolla ZR and a SP25-GT for the missus. Price difference aside, I like the Mazda but is it really worth the extra cash? Missus has been driving a Corolla for a very long time and obviously she likes the Corolla. One thing I can say about the old Corolla is that it's a damn reliable car. In 14 years it has not seen a single mechanic for any issues. Can all that high tech in the Mazda match the reliability of a Corolla? I have my doubts.
Toyota Corolla ZR Vs Mazda3 SP25-GT
LAceIsMe on 04/10/2016 - 16:20
Comments
Corolla because Toyota.
Because of that "oh what a feeling" feeling
T-O-Y-O-T-A! \ o /
Was in the same situation last month.. bought a Hyundai i30. Very happy with it gadjet, space and price..
Let come back after 7 years and report if you still happy with i30.
Won't even take that long…at about 20k ours in the work fleet start to get rattly inside & niggly little things start to go wrong.
I would get the Corolla but wouldn't bother with the ZR. The ascent sport can be had for not much over $20k and has all the features you need.
Don't compare Toyota of today against Toyota of 10+yrs ago - Totally different.
In what way, Spackbace? If you're referring to their cost-cutting measures, I wholeheartedly agree.
They're just not 'bullet-proof' like they were. Gone are the days of unbreakable Hilux. Toyota sat on their ass and didn't bother much with R&D while everyone else shot past them. Now they're playing catchup
The majority of their lineup is still bulletproof, but yeah HiLux injectors, ouch…
I'm with Spackbase, they rested on their laurels for far too long and their continuous improvement methodology became very small increments. I mentioned it before but their drive trains are comparatively ancient apart from the Hybrid tech.
Infotainment systems are old and laggy plus they haven't done much to build a practical car with regards to space.
My missus drives the Mazda you want, I quite like it to be honest. It's incredibly economical on the hwy and has a lot of gear for the price. There was even a piece comparing the model above vs the Merc A200 and the Mazda won 'cause it cost less and had a lot more gear in it! Basically all the Merc had was its badge.
I have never been on the Toyota so I can't comment on it… but I'm sure the Mazda won't disappoint and it holds its price quite well too.
Can it be bargained under 30k?
It can but you'll have to wait till November at least… maybe December. The new updated models just came out recently. A mate of mine got the SP25 (non GT) for 28k I think.
i got an SP25 for 26k drive away with tint, 3yrs road side assistance, cargo tray & mats.
I pushed to get the GT for 29k but they wouldn't do the deal. Although i do believe 29K is doable, 30K would have got me over the line.@Enzalicious:
I had my last Mazda 3 for 10 years (since new), 180K's when i sold it. i've never spent a cent on it apart from fuel, servicing, insurance, rego and still felt solid the day i sold it. Which is why i bought another.My wife's company car is a corolla, and from a reliability standpoint has also been decent. At 130K's had to replace the air-con compressor, and some interior bits under warranty. Still a very reliable car considering the abuse it's taken being a company car. Driven by random people at times, and clocked up those 130,000k's in 3 years.
But sometimes buying a car can just be luck. i'm sure there are drivers of both that have had problems.
You really can't lose with either car IMO. The mazda does drive a lot better, and feels more sporty. Drive both, and get the one you think you'll enjoy more.
Might I suggest the Hybrid corolla. Has almost all the bells and whistles of the ZR, 2K cheaper and without the questionable ZR "soup up" look
http://www.caradvice.com.au/454048/2016-toyota-corolla-hybri…
http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/2016-toyota-corolla-…
Thanks, I'll check the Hybrid out. Sounds like a better option than the ZR. Anyone know how long would the batteries last and what the replacement cost is?
Its 8 yrs warranty.Prius replacement batt is $3500 from toyota. A lot of people repair/replace broken cells only for a fraction of the cost of a whole Toyota replacement. Also a lot of 2nd hand/ and or wreckers.
If you enjoy driving then the Mazda. Way more power with the 2.5 vs 1.8 and the gearbox is a proper 6 speed torque converter, the toyota has a CVT which will suck all life out of the driving experience.
This. I've still yet to drive a CVT which doesn't ruin the driving experience for me. I almost bought a Honda HRV a while back, but the CVT and old engine really killed it for me :(
I would say buy the car that makes your missus happy or you will live a life of regret!…
Double this. Lol.
LOL….Can't argue with that comment but I want the Mazda so badly…. She wouldn't know what's good and what's not when it comes down to cars. I will drive this car from time to time as well and the Corolla just bores the hell out of me.
Personally, I wouldn't touch Toyota's ZR. I'd consider the Hybrid only. For reliability, Toyota do edge out Mazda but only by a nose. Toyota are also using a relatively old engine… like…almost a decade old. They're down on Kw and Torque when compared to every single other car out there and in my opinion, Engine ability is a safety feature. I want to be able to confidently accelerate and overtake knowing my car will doing the job and do it well.
The Hybrid is another story but it's let down by the rest of the package.. seats aren't that great and the infotainment system still sucks.
I took the ZR on a test drive and found it to be one of the single most underwhelming experiences I've had when driving a new car.
For me, if you're only considering those two, Mazda any day of the week. Their infotainment system is light years ahead, their engines modern and well thought out plus they also have a bit of a bigger boot over the Corolla (which actually has a smaller boot than the Yaris)…From my recollection, Toyota Corollas don't come with parking sensors standard either- it's an after production job painted and fitted.. and $500 per end.. I know the Mazda comes with them on the rear at least and yes, I do think they're worth getting in addition to the Camera.
Pricing wise- shop around. I know that Mazda have just released a new Year model and that it comes with some nice fruit safety wise (Active stop etc) and apparently reduced NVH (cabin noise).. If you're okay to forgo the changes, you may be able to score a good deal on a previous model Mazda 3.
Drive them both, compare the specifications- see which does it for you. Reliability will be fine in both
Any way, that's my 2 Cents.. Best of luck deciding!
I'd recommend getting the BN series Mazda (2017) especially if you are getting the SP25 GT. I currently have the BM mazda 3 (2014). The interior is much better appointed now with leather door trims, electric park break, cleaner centre console, colour head up display. This is even before you move into the additional safety tech. In regards to actual real life fuel usage I have driven in 16,000 km and have an average of 7.1L /100km with mainly city and suburban driving.
Good luck with your search, its all a part of the fun.
Thanks for he info. If I get one it will definitely be the BN model. 7.1L/100km with mainly city/suburban driving is not too shabby. I'll be quite happy with that. This car would have been complete if they had the i-loop tech as well. That would give even a better city drive millage. I would have also liked to have the emergency brake support at higher speeds not just the city brake support system.
On the noise level, how do you find the BM. Is it really noisy? Apparently they improved the noise level on the BN models?To put some context to it my previous cars were a 08 VW Jetta, 00 Lexus IS200, 10 Lexus IS250. It's definitely not at that level, I prefer having peaceful music and conversation when I drive and unless you are on course-chip or the concrete highway it's acceptable. I havent driven a BN over the same stretch of road so can't really comment on the new model. I see mazda getting slammed all the time on NVH for the 3 but I'm yet to see any definitive and scientific in the comparisons. The best explanation I've come across in this matter is from
AutoExpert
I would take reliability over fancy gadgets. But basic requirements is to have reverse parking sensor, ABS, A/C & Heater…