2005 Civic VS Corolla VS Matrix

[TSheikh]

Hi there, i have been looking for a van for my mom but after looking around we have decided to just buy a compact size car.

The vans are too big for daily use and my mom would rather drive a smaller car.

She would mainly uses it for pick and drop for my brother to school so fuel efficiency is the key plus reliability.

OK so i have narrowed the cars down to the following (all 05-06 models) and i have listed them in my current preference order:

Matrix ~$13000
Pros: Fuel efficient + practical with large trunk
Cons: More expensive than civic

Corolla ~$11,000
Pros: Best fuel economy + the cheapest
Cons: Pretty boaring

Civic 4dr  ~$15000
Pros: Beautiful car from both inside and outside
Cons: Most expensive


What do you guys think is the best choice?
We will not be keeping this for a long time so price matters as well.
As always will really appreciate any advice.

[qpalzmsk]

i would say if you need the trunk space then go with matrix...if not, get the corolla since it's the cheapest and probably the most fuel efficient.It's all you need really for picking up someone .....Finally, Toyota just wouldn't die, 

[melonvitara]

civic for me
the "best" looking car out of the 3
i thought the fuel economy is similar to the corolla no?

[Heavenclosed]

civic

[jimmy]

civic

[kolpp15]

CIVIC

[rancid]

out of all those cars, I'd pick the matrix.  I've driven all of them and not just as a one day thing.  It was for one to two week stretches.

The matrix is great all around as it has a lot of cargo room if you need it.  The matrix and corolla both share the same power plant.  They are both very reliable.  I had a civic for a week or so as a loaner car and I didn't really like it that much.  It felt cheap...like I was riding in a tin can.  It didn't have that quality build feel to it like the corolla or matrix has.  The corolla is a little cheap feeling as well.  Out of the three the Matrix was the best out of them all.  I didn't think the civic had that great of fuel economy.  On paper it looks good but everyday driving didn't seem to reflect it.  Getting in and out of the matrix was comfortable with my sore back...seats are also fairly supportive.

Best thing for you and your mom to do is just go and drive them.  See which ones you like best and go from there.  You're gonna get a lot of different response from forums.  It just depends on what you want to do with the vehicle. 

[LdQout]

I would say the Civic because I'm not a fan of the Corolla or Matrix interior styling (even moreso than the Civic, that's right).  For cargo room though, the Matrix wins out.

[M Speed]

I'd say Matrix.....great car with lots of cargo space. It is actually more reliable than a corolla (build at different plant).

I just hate the look of the 7th gen civic (2001-2005).

so was the van found? totalled? 

[jefferino]

Mazda3

[OceanKitty]

Scrap all 3.. .. and go for a Pontiac Vibe.  Same body as the Matrix, but a little more rugged.  I think it's a little more expensive though. 

Having said that, I've always liked the Matrix.  There's a really cool metalic black/green color too, which looks amazing!

[Mayhem]

Hi there, i have been looking for a van for my mom but after looking around we have decided to just buy a compact size car.

The vans are too big for daily use and my mom would rather drive a smaller car.

She would mainly uses it for pick and drop for my brother to school so fuel efficiency is the key plus reliability.

OK so i have narrowed the cars down to the following (all 05-06 models) and i have listed them in my current preference order:

Matrix ~$13000
Pros: Fuel efficient + practical with large trunk
Cons: More expensive than civic

Corolla ~$11,000
Pros: Best fuel economy + the cheapest
Cons: Pretty boaring

Civic 4dr  ~$15000
Pros: Beautiful car from both inside and outside
Cons: Most expensive


What do you guys think is the best choice?
We will not be keeping this for a long time so price matters as well.
As always will really appreciate any advice.

mm... You listed the civic at 15k and the matrix at 13k but listed the matrix con as being more expensive than the civic?
According to your prices that's not the case.. and that kind of nullifies your only matrix con. placing it one up on the civic.

Corolla pro's are really strong considering your purpose for getting this vehicle is a "practical" ride for picking someone up from school mostly... maybe a grocery getter? *shrug* bottom line is according to your stats the corolla fulfills this role the most efficiently.

In regards to looks I am sure everyone has their opinion's on this, but personally I think all 3 of them are kind of similar enough to the point it's not going to make a drastic difference. None of them is going to be a babe magnet, win a local car show trophy, dominate a drag race or conquor an off road competition... However.. all 3 will accomplish what you need and the corolla does it the cheapest and most efficiently. Plus as a temp vehicle and toyota being reliable & there being lots of parts available for these things at reasonable costs... that might impact your ability to resell it once it's out-lived it's purpose.

If I was choosing between the 3, with your list of needs for it. I would think The corolla easily stands out as the optimal choice. Which for me is strictly a "practicality" decision in accordance with your needs for it. I hate corolla's and I really wouldn't want one, but given that list with those needs it fits the bill.

Easy for me to pick the most practical of that list cuz I have no bias in favor of any of them. I equally dislike them all lol.

But yeah in order of best choice to worst? in my opinion.

#1 Corolla
#2 Matrix
#3 Civic

I would also have to say that if the amount of storage space was an issue for you that might later the usefulness between corolla/matrix. Not sure spec's on cargo capacity but I'd imagine the hatch may win in that area? (That would be my assumption) But I doubt somehow that it would be such a massive difference, nor a significant factor in your choice since it doesn't sound like it will be a moving vehicle or a camping vehicle.

Anyways, that's my 2 cents based on ur stats above. Haven't researched them myself so I'm trusting you have.

Perhaps a test-drive might help you out? Or whoever will be driving.. Comfort can be a pretty significant factor in decision making.

I wish I only had 3 vehicles on my shopping list. Am going to be purchasing one for myself soon. Have researched my list to the ends of the earth and I'm at the point where I'll be waiting for test driving to help me make a decision.

(P.S.) a younger brother might prefer to be picked up in something called a "Matrix" rather than a corolla or a civic haha... but hopefully that factor isn't worth 2 or 3 thousand dollars to you

[TSheikh]

out of all those cars, I'd pick the matrix.  I've driven all of them and not just as a one day thing.  It was for one to two week stretches.

The matrix is great all around as it has a lot of cargo room if you need it.  The matrix and corolla both share the same power plant.  They are both very reliable.  I had a civic for a week or so as a loaner car and I didn't really like it that much.  It felt cheap...like I was riding in a tin can.  It didn't have that quality build feel to it like the corolla or matrix has.  The corolla is a little cheap feeling as well.  Out of the three the Matrix was the best out of them all.  I didn't think the civic had that great of fuel economy.  On paper it looks good but everyday driving didn't seem to reflect it.  Getting in and out of the matrix was comfortable with my sore back...seats are also fairly supportive.

Best thing for you and your mom to do is just go and drive them.  See which ones you like best and go from there.  You're gonna get a lot of different response from forums.  It just depends on what you want to do with the vehicle. 

That is exactly how i feel.  Matrix has the relable corolla's platform and more practical bodystyle.
And although civic is the more cool looking of the three, its fuel economy is questionable. I have heard that from quite a few people.
Also its seating position felt a little lower compared to the matrix. Matrix is going to be easier to get in and out of.

 

I'd say Matrix.....great car with lots of cargo space. It is actually more reliable than a corolla (build at different plant).

I just hate the look of the 7th gen civic (2001-2005).

so was the van found? totalled? 

No, the police haven't found it yet. The insurance company has agreed to cut us a cheque for the value of the Van.
I am beginning to think that who ever stole it probably drove it to usa or something.
If it was abandoned, someone should have reported it by now. Its been more than 2 weeks.

Scrap all 3.. .. and go for a Pontiac Vibe.  Same body as the Matrix, but a little more rugged.  I think it's a little more expensive though. 

Having said that, I've always liked the Matrix.  There's a really cool metalic black/green color too, which looks amazing!

You know i was interested in the vibe a lot. It is cheaper than the matrix. The only think that is keeping me away is the resale value.
At 250,000km, people will be fooled by the toyota badge on the matrix but will not go for the pontiac badge, even though under the hood they are exactly the same. Pontiac will sell for scraps that milage where as matrix might still pull in a few dollars.

[TSheikh]

Mayhem, my bro probably wont mind any of these but i think my mom would rather drive the matrix.
The corolla's interior has a very raw feeling to it. The interior feels very plain and after driving the Mercedes, that feeling is amplified quite a bit. But Matrix's interior is definitely a step up from the corolla.
In the case of looks only, civic emerges victorious. Its interior design feels the most contemporary.
One major good thing about the matrix is that it is a hatch back. We already have 2 sedans in the house and a hatchback would probably freshen up things a little.

Mazda3 hatch back was also one of my picks but Mazda3s are holding their value very nicely. It is hard to find a Mazda3 sports below 16K.  So it seem that Mazda's are depreciating slower than Honda's and Toyota's. Isnt that odd?

[M Speed]

^ I am happy if I can sell my 3 at $16K.

[lucky1201]

just a opinion. i think u can think about old honda fit, small, useful,also save gas.

otherwise, i will pick toyota

[TSheikh]

Thanks for everyones input.
I bought a Toyota Matrix XR-S Yesterday.
I am loving it. It is very roomy. Has a few neat options such as 110V output plug. When the back seats a folded, it has a lot of cargo space. And best of all it is good on gas.
This is the sports model so it comes with full bodykit.
Here are a few pics.

[M Speed]

This is an 06? I drove it for a while and like the car even it is only 1.8L.

[SamSamSam]

I believe XRS has the same engine as celica GTS. Should have gotten XR for better fuel consumption.  

[TSheikh]

yes, it has the same engine as the celica GTS and the Lotus Elise.
But still it does 9.3L/100KM city and 7.3L/100km Highway. The base one gives 8.3L/100Km city
I was willing to give up that muchfor the more sporty feel. lol