Topic: Comparison Test: 2014 Mazda3 vs 2014 Toyota Corolla

[PJ]

I don't know about how Toyota treats there customers but Mazda has terrible customer service. I hope they fix the Skyactiv automatic transmission defect that mine had. Ya 7 1/2 weeks for a tranny to come from Japan for my 2012 Sky.and yes SAULT STE.MARIE Ont.Mazda delearship not happy with your lack of concern as well.Save your money on Mazda and buy a Toyota Corolla there reliabilty and service is legendary. 

If it's takes that long to get a transmission it's because they fail so rarely no one stocks one. This is a good thing. 

Dealers don't have a lot of control over how long it take to ship parts and if you think Toyota is somehow different you may be disappointed. 

[dkaz]

There are two problematic SkyActiv automatics in my local car club so far.

People rag Toyotas for their archaic four speed automatic but Toyota is the only automatic I would feel comfortable owning.

[redman]

There are two problematic SkyActiv automatics in my local car club so far.

People rag Toyotas for their archaic four speed automatic but Toyota is the only automatic I would feel comfortable owning.

There are plenty of well engineered automatic transmissions out there beyond 4 speed. Similar to what Subaru did with there 4spd auto. Road well beyond it's competitiveness.
Toyota clearly is being Toyota and maximizing there production dollars knowing well that the average Corolla buyer only cares that it's an automatic.

[Solstice2006]

There are two problematic SkyActiv automatics in my local car club so far.

People rag Toyotas for their archaic four speed automatic but Toyota is the only automatic I would feel comfortable owning.

Toyota isn't the only manufacture to make an efficient and reliable transmission.  Speaking from my own experience.  The only vehicles I owned that had more than 200k were GM (Grand Prix, Malibu, Alero).  And at the time, I only did maintenance when something broke, so no fluid changes (other than oil).  So IMHO GM has made great transmissions, quiet, efficient, and reliable. 

My other cars I have sold with less than 150k (Pontiac G6, Mazda6).  While they had no problems, I think all transmission should go at least 200-250km to achieve a very good rating.  My Tercel (5 speed) was great too when I sold it at 305km (transmission wise), needed new O rings at the time. 

[wing]

Rolling on 22s baby.  17s would fit ... All style.

[Solstice2006]

Just like anything, something can be over done.  (Not referring to your 22" wheels, because I haven't seen them).  But when you see a vehicle, that is practically all wheel, and can barely see the rubber, to me that is dumb. 

And I have said it before, it bothers me when the vehicle comes OEM with really large rims, 20" for a Venza, give me a break.  If you want to upgrade it fine, but the bigger Highlander doesn't even use 19".

[Black Hatch]

I continue to be mystified by the continuing increase in wheel/tire diameters.

Most of it style.

And some of it is because cars have grown.
The 90s Corolla/Civics had 14/15" wheels and are the size of the current Yaris.
Today's Corolla/Civics are the size of the 90's Camry/Accords and require much larger size wheels.

[johngenx]

A Corolla doesn't need anything larger than 16", and 15" will do just fine.  Tires are 10x better than back when, and even in 15" sizes, it's easy to buy a tire that outperforms all the basic compact cars.  Most wheel sizing today is about fashion, not performance.  Even on some very high performance cars, this is true.  The M3 was better on the 18" wheels than the optional 19s.  Lots of 911s riding on 16s annihilate cars riding on much larger diameters on track days. 

[Black Hatch]

A Corolla doesn't need anything larger than 16", and 15" will do just fine.  Tires are 10x better than back when, and even in 15" sizes, it's easy to buy a tire that outperforms all the basic compact cars.  Most wheel sizing today is about fashion, not performance.  Even on some very high performance cars, this is true.  The M3 was better on the 18" wheels than the optional 19s.  Lots of 911s riding on 16s annihilate cars riding on much larger diameters on track days.

I don't doubt it.
You just need a rim size that clears the brake calipers.
I don't think you can fit a 14" on a Corolla anymore though.

You could fit a 16" rim on the CX-5 but then you come to issues with availability of certain tires;
specifically the WS70 which doesn't come in that size.

[tooscoops]

brake size, style, ground clearance (on these so called S/CUVs)... there are your reasons for the big wheels. also, with the amount of bigger wheels out there, the rubber has become easier and cheaper to get. so those that still think of big wheels as only an option on expensive cars are pleasantly surprised when they see 18's on their $17000 car.

depending on the car, it seriously screws up the daily drivability. rougher ride, crappy turning radius... but it sure gives street cred rollin on dubs.

[jyarkony]

A Corolla doesn't need anything larger than 16", and 15" will do just fine.  Tires are 10x better than back when, and even in 15" sizes, it's easy to buy a tire that outperforms all the basic compact cars.  Most wheel sizing today is about fashion, not performance.  Even on some very high performance cars, this is true.  The M3 was better on the 18" wheels than the optional 19s.  Lots of 911s riding on 16s annihilate cars riding on much larger diameters on track days.

I don't doubt it.
You just need a rim size that clears the brake calipers.
I don't think you can fit a 14" on a Corolla anymore though.

You could fit a 16" rim on the CX-5 but then you come to issues with availability of certain tires;
specifically the WS70 which doesn't come in that size.

I don't know - we had a Corolla CE last year with 15-inch wheels, and it felt unstable at highway speeds - the larger, wider tires offer better handling and more secure highway stability. i like my 17s.

[johngenx]

I don't know - we had a Corolla CE last year with 15-inch wheels, and it felt unstable at highway speeds

Tire problem?  Alignment issue?  I've driven our Corolla on its non-OE H-rated 195/65-15 tires at 160 with no problems whatsoever.  I drove our C230 on the OE 195/65-15 tires (before swapping on 17s) at 210 with no issues.  Same for the 190E 2.3-16V I had.  It rode on 15" wheels as well and was awesome on the highway at 220.  The Forester is currently on it's 15" steels with Blizzaks on it and I had to boot it to 150 yesterday to get around some doofus that was determined to keep me from merging.  Car felt anything but unstable.  And that's on a tall profile snow tire.

I've driven all kinds of cars on 15" wheels/tires at some pretty ridiculous speeds without any stability issues.  It's true that I much preferred the looks of the C230 when the 17s were on, and thanks to moving up to UHP rubber, the car handled a lot better.  That said, I could have gone 16s, had the same grip, and saved a little weight.

[tortoise]

I rented a base Corolla a while ago and though I wouldn't call it unstable there was a definite sloppiness to the handling.  I've never driven a car that required so many minor course corrections on the highway.  Sloppy handling + no steering feel = The suck on the highway.

Your H-rated tires are higher rated than OEM, no?  That would make a difference.

[dkaz]

I also had 15" tires in my 2008 Corolla CE, they were acceptable with OE tires and really good on H rated Nokian WR G2s. I threw on 17s from a Matrix, they were ok. A bit better handling although the tires weren't as good (Bridgestone Potenzas?) and fuel economy and acceleration suffered a bit.

I have 15" tires on my Sienna now too. 205/70R15. The tires are crap and need to be replaced, but winters are going on this weekend anyway.

[dirtyjeffer]

Can you be sure that the NEW Corolla and CIvic will retain their costs as the old models did? This is a quite big question since the competition is on par if not better that Corolla or Civic now.

no one has a crystal ball, but Toyota and Honda have traditionally had strong resale values, for decades...i would include Subaru and VW in that group as well...in the last 5 years, Hyundai and Kia have made quality vehicles, likely very comparable to the above mentioned brands, yet still lag behind in resale value...customer perception has as big of a hand in it as factual reasoning.

[tooscoops]

if the new jettas are holding their values (which they seem to be doing) even though they are nothing like the vw's of old... i'd say a redesigned corolla or civic should have at least the same type of resale... at least the honda and toyota are still good cars at the base level. i'm not a fan of the stripped veedubs.

[Solstice2006]

I also had 15" tires in my 2008 Corolla CE, they were acceptable with OE tires and really good on H rated Nokian WR G2s. I threw on 17s from a Matrix, they were ok. A bit better handling although the tires weren't as good (Bridgestone Potenzas?) and fuel economy and acceleration suffered a bit.

I have 15" tires on my Sienna now too. 205/70R15. The tires are crap and need to be replaced, but winters are going on this weekend anyway.

Not to get too off topic, but that tire is a very typical tire size on the Sienna for its time, my Grand Prix had the same tire size.  Although it seems the prices of 17" tires today, are similar to 15" of 10-15 years ago..

[johngenx]

Your H-rated tires are higher rated than OEM, no?  That would make a difference.

Chucking the OE tires was probably one of the smartest things I've done in a long time.  I didn't realize what junk they were until I drove the car with the new tires.

[Solstice2006]

Would be an interesting thread, cars that come with the worst OEM tires.  The Toyo Proxes that came with my Mazda5 sucked, they needed replacing at 40km. 

[Brendan McAleer]

Would be an interesting thread, cars that come with the worst OEM tires.  The Toyo Proxes that came with my Mazda5 sucked, they needed replacing at 40km.

The RE92s on the WRX were fairly terrible for grip. Then there's the IS's very low treadwear rating.

I say bring back sidewall. I miss it, and a lot of AutoX guys kill it on wide 14"s.