If you have a habit of ramming telephone poles, I advise against purchasing a Toyota Corolla. In the IIHS’s new small-overlap test, the Corolla received a grade of “Marginal” when vehicle structure intruded into the passenger footwell.
Even so, the Corolla still rated a Top Safety Pick, as the crash test dummy declared, “It’s only a flesh wound!” or something like that. The Toyota performed well in all other tests (rollover, side-impact), and is a fairly safe choice. As long as you stay away from telephone poles. And Mr. Strong.
The Mazda3 has not completed IIHS crash testing, but both its predecessor and the CX-5 crossover, with which it shares body structure, have both aced the test previously. Unlike Toyota, who has been having problems with the new crash-test regulations with their RAV4 as well, Mazda seems to have built their machines proactively for safety, rather than simply planning on reacting to results.
Before you invoke the wrath of rrocket, the CX-5 was rated only "marginal" on the small overlap the same as the Corolla.
The Mazda6 was acceptable in the small overlap.
It took 16 replies before the whole rust thing was brought up AGAIN. People must be getting slow around here. ![Roll Eyes ::)](https://www.autos.ca/forum/Smileys/CarTalk/rolleyes.gif)
I'm still waiting for the mention of the Corolla and their ancient mechanism for stopping the rear rollers... that starts with "d" and ends with "rums".
![Tongue :P](https://www.autos.ca/forum/Smileys/CarTalk/tongue.gif)
In regards to rust... There are at least three factors
1. Thickness of the paint that covers the metal
2. The amount of salt used on the roadway
3. The suspectibility of the steel to oxidize
Also no mention of the Mazda3 gas door moved from the passenger side to the driver side?
In regards to Hot Wheels, can you get a 2014 Corolla or 2014 Mazda3 Hot Wheels car.
I know Hot Wheels has the AE86 Corolla but I never could find any modern Corollas.
Matchbox has a Mazda2 but I haven't seen any other Mazdas.