I had a Corolla for years, I absolutely loved it. My parents have it now, and it's still going strong. It's a great car (2000 model). Two friends of mine have Mazda 3s - one has only had hers 6 months but still doesn't stop raving about it, and the other has had various new ones for 6 years now (keeps upgrading). She loves it! Dunno which way I'd go, I like them both. Would probably come down to a test drive and the little things you get from that (where the cup holders are, how the armrest feels lol)