Toyota Corolla or Mazda 3

We are going to be in the market for a new car mid year. we have decided to get a smaller car for me to drive around in, and keep my current car for caravaning trips and for DH to drive to work.

There is only about $4k difference between the 2 brand new, so that isn't really a concern when taking into consideration the vital things according to DH (cruise control and air con). We will also be going manual.

We have really only ever had Toyotas, and neither of us have much experience with Mazda.

Do you have either, and what are your thoughts?

I have a Mazda 3 hatchback and it's a great little car! Definitely got some grunt behind it and we have never had any probs with it all and I love the look of them too.

GO MAZDA!

hmmm....not much help other than that i really like the look of the mazda 3's compared to corolla's!! :rofl:

my SIL just got a mazda 6 wagon and i think it's a great car.....but then i don't know, i always thought you can't go wrong with a toyota....:dunno:

i guess in the end, if you take them both for a drive, it will come down to personal preference?

I've had both a 6 and a 2, both great little cars don't have anything bad to say about them.

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)

I bought a Mazda 3 new about 6 years ago and loved it!!! Perfect for zipping around in. Sold it a year ago as we needed a bigger car before bubs #2 came along and we sold it quickly and easily and got a good price.

I never had any problems with it - just had the standard services, no major issues.

Go Mazda!

I think they are both superb cars. We were looking at both when we bought a newie in 2008. We found that we got more for our bucks with the Rolla, but I imagine the Mazda would have more guts. The rolla has a lot of storage space and that was a plus, and we liked the 'groovier' interior so that's what we went with.
I agree that it'll just come down to what feels better when you take them out for a drive. I've not come across anyone who's said a bad thing about either car.

Mazda 3 Mazda 3!! When we have the money I'm getting one of them coz I loooove them. In the darker grey. Hmmm so nice. Enjoy your new car whichever you decide :) lucky duck

They're both great cars. You can't really go wrong with either.

Mazda 3 all the way! my inlaws have a corolla sedan and we have a Mazda 3, I love ours! we have had ours for 6 years from new but selling soon to get bigger car for no.3 bubba. Its a dream to drive, even 6 years wrong, we have had no issues, and still really lovely and smooth and zippy and just best car I have had so far (I really want to stick with mazda for a CX7 or CX9 but out of our price range sigh)

Don't have either, but the Corolla has more of a "grandma" image, and the 3, more sporty and fashionable. If each has the features that are important to you, then it would come down to a test drive. Even create a score sheet, and score each car accordingly, right down to the cup holders (if you use them), and how comfy the seats are, preferred colours available, etc.

Mazda 3, no doubt about it!! I LOVE mine but we are Mazda fans, our family car is the CX7 :lol:

I have a red Sports Maxx. It's a great size - compact and easy to zip around in but has plenty of room for kids. My pram (BJ City Elite) fits in the boot with room to spare for shopping. The are good on fuel and are quite speedy too!

DH's cousin bought a Corolla around the same time we bought our 3 and after driving both, there is no way I'd get the Corolla - it just didn't compare! Our cousin was so disappointed with her choice after taking a ride in our 3.

Go the 3!!

Thanks all..

Good to know that are both 'loved' cars. We have taken the mazda for a drive and I loved it, and we will take the corolla on Wednesday while the kids are in daycare and DH has a roster day off. And I agree, the Mazda looks a lot classier. The important thing when buying a car!

The only reason I considered going with the Corolla is DH has always had a Toyota (both our cars are at moment). But as it is going to be a leased vehicle, if we don't like it after 5 years, then we aren't obliged to keep it. But unless something really stands out with the Corolla, then we will probably go with the Mazda 3. The cruise control is standard on this, where I have to pay extra on the Corolla unless I go up a model.

im another mazda 3 fan!

loved mine but sold it because when the baby seat was installed in the passenger side DH couldnt sit in the passenger seat it was to far forward :wall::wall::wall:

i always say i cant wait to go back to a small car and ill be heading straight to mazda for a 3 or 6!

mm we fitted a convertable carseat (compaq SNS) on the passenger side ok with DH sitting in the front in our Mazda 3 (2005), and Maxirider on the other side, its ok for 2 kids, but we are buying another car to fit 3 kids in will be squishy

Just an update, I have been driving my new Mazda 3 for a week:dance: And a few days after we ordered it, I got offered a job not near public transport so I have to drive to work and DH doesn't get it as much :p

Woohoo! We have a Mazda 3 as our 'get around' car!

Tis quite zippy lol!!

What colour did you get?

Go team Mazda!

I have a 2005 Maxx hatchback which is our runabout/errand car have had it since new (ex-demo) and never missed a beat with it. Money well spent on that one :)

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im another mazda 3 fan!

loved mine but sold it because when the baby seat was installed in the passenger side DH couldnt sit in the passenger seat it was to far forward :wall::wall::wall:
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This was why we went with a corolla over a mazda 3. Both were hard to fit the reverse baby seat in, but there was definitely more room in the corolla than the mazda 3.
Ive heard nothing but good things about the mazda.
Ive had a corolla seca (well 2) since 2000, I really like them.